I decided to burn some old CO/Amex Miles for a trip to CPH for the FlyerTalk Mini-Meeting with Goldlust. In April, after 3 weeks of daily calls to CO I finally managed to snag an 80K mileage award for the NW-KLM code-share in Business Class.
Check in at EWR was quick and efficient, I then headed to Worldperks Lounge to await flight boarding. The lounge was okay (decor pretty blah, the one pc with internet access out of service) but the food, I must say, was better (with a much bigger variety presented) than normally found in the Admiral's Club.
Went to the gate to board around 3:45 as advised by the check-in agent. Flight was not yet boarding, but began about 5 minutes after that with World Business Class boarding first. We boarded through the first door even though the KL version of the 767-300 has the 2nd door before the wing. We used the 2nd door to deplane at AMS.
I was offered pre-departure Champagne, OJ, or Water served in very nice glasses (yup, not plastic like on US based airlines) with the blue KLM name and logo on them. The OJ was fresh squeezed and not Minute Maid which was a pleasant surprise.
The seats weren't terribly comfortable with minimal recline and a pretty tight pitch (I'd say about 45" - guess I'm spoiled by AA's 60" Int'l Business pitch).
Menus were passed out, I took one even though I'd ordered a vegetarian meal. My meal, as well as the others served, was completely unappetizing. Merry was right, the food on KL is terrible. Also, everything was served at once, rather than in courses. I also missed the Bose noise cancelling headsets I've grown used to on AA.
The highlight of the flight was my visit to the flight deck. I spent about 30 minutes up there chatting with the pilot and co-pilot. Hoping I can make another visit on my return trip. The entire flight, with the exception of landing, was flown with the cockpit door open, something I've never seen on any other airline.
Breakfast was served prior to arrival which I ate, as when I questioned the purser and 2 of the flight attendants about an arrivals lounge, I was met with blank stares. Another AA plus at LHR and CDG.
Spent the first night at the AMS Hilton, upgraded to a nice room thanks to Gold HHonors. After a 3-hour nap, I took the train from Schipol into Central Station and roamed around Amsterdam for about 6 hours. I'm already looking forward to my next trip there in November.
I was up at 6:00 Saturday morning to catch my KL 737-300 flight to CPH. It's been said before, but I'll say it again -- European Business Class seating is a joke. They did manage to serve a fairly nice breakfast considering it was an hour's flight.
I took the train from the airport into Copenhagen's main railway station and walked to the hotel (The Mermaid) that I had booked for the first night (at aavacations.com for the 3,000 mile booking bonus). Not a very nice hotel, but in a good location. After a short nap Goldlust was in the lobby and we began our tour of the city. He is an excellent host and we had a nice late lunch/early dinner at an Indonesian restaurant which he suggested.
This morning I checked out of my hotel and moved to a B&B which is dirt cheap for CPH and much more interesting than the Mermaid.
Tomorrow I'm taking the train to Elsinore to meet Goldlust for a tour of the castles, beaches, and sites of North Zealand.
[This message has been edited by AAPlatinum (edited 07-01-2001).]
Check in at EWR was quick and efficient, I then headed to Worldperks Lounge to await flight boarding. The lounge was okay (decor pretty blah, the one pc with internet access out of service) but the food, I must say, was better (with a much bigger variety presented) than normally found in the Admiral's Club.
Went to the gate to board around 3:45 as advised by the check-in agent. Flight was not yet boarding, but began about 5 minutes after that with World Business Class boarding first. We boarded through the first door even though the KL version of the 767-300 has the 2nd door before the wing. We used the 2nd door to deplane at AMS.
I was offered pre-departure Champagne, OJ, or Water served in very nice glasses (yup, not plastic like on US based airlines) with the blue KLM name and logo on them. The OJ was fresh squeezed and not Minute Maid which was a pleasant surprise.
The seats weren't terribly comfortable with minimal recline and a pretty tight pitch (I'd say about 45" - guess I'm spoiled by AA's 60" Int'l Business pitch).
Menus were passed out, I took one even though I'd ordered a vegetarian meal. My meal, as well as the others served, was completely unappetizing. Merry was right, the food on KL is terrible. Also, everything was served at once, rather than in courses. I also missed the Bose noise cancelling headsets I've grown used to on AA.
The highlight of the flight was my visit to the flight deck. I spent about 30 minutes up there chatting with the pilot and co-pilot. Hoping I can make another visit on my return trip. The entire flight, with the exception of landing, was flown with the cockpit door open, something I've never seen on any other airline.
Breakfast was served prior to arrival which I ate, as when I questioned the purser and 2 of the flight attendants about an arrivals lounge, I was met with blank stares. Another AA plus at LHR and CDG.
Spent the first night at the AMS Hilton, upgraded to a nice room thanks to Gold HHonors. After a 3-hour nap, I took the train from Schipol into Central Station and roamed around Amsterdam for about 6 hours. I'm already looking forward to my next trip there in November.
I was up at 6:00 Saturday morning to catch my KL 737-300 flight to CPH. It's been said before, but I'll say it again -- European Business Class seating is a joke. They did manage to serve a fairly nice breakfast considering it was an hour's flight.
I took the train from the airport into Copenhagen's main railway station and walked to the hotel (The Mermaid) that I had booked for the first night (at aavacations.com for the 3,000 mile booking bonus). Not a very nice hotel, but in a good location. After a short nap Goldlust was in the lobby and we began our tour of the city. He is an excellent host and we had a nice late lunch/early dinner at an Indonesian restaurant which he suggested.
This morning I checked out of my hotel and moved to a B&B which is dirt cheap for CPH and much more interesting than the Mermaid.
Tomorrow I'm taking the train to Elsinore to meet Goldlust for a tour of the castles, beaches, and sites of North Zealand.
[This message has been edited by AAPlatinum (edited 07-01-2001).]
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by AAPlatinum:
The seats weren't terribly comfortable with minimal recline and a pretty tight pitch (I'd say about 45" - guess I'm spoiled by AA's 60" Int'l Business pitch). </font>
KL doesn't offer 60" pitch on B767; however, NW and KL offer it in the other planes. Should have done JFK-AMS instead or done a connection through DTW.<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by AAPlatinum:
The seats weren't terribly comfortable with minimal recline and a pretty tight pitch (I'd say about 45" - guess I'm spoiled by AA's 60" Int'l Business pitch). </font>
I thoroughly enjoyed the Goldlust tour of North Zealand. Highlights included a tour of Kronberg Castle where Shakespeare set Hamlet, the pristine white beaches of Hornbaek, and meeting Goldlust's 2 cats.
I was up early this morning to hop the train from Central Station to CPH. After a quick check-in, I made my way to the very spartan ServiceAir Lounge. The food in the lounge was surprising good. About 25 minutes prior to scheduled departure time I made my way to the KLM gate. The 737-300 flight was uneventful, the food inedible, the seating terrible, and the service mildly attentive. We Landed on time at AMS and I went to the Business Class Lounge to see if I could hop on the earlier NW flight to JFK. I was sent to the airside ticketing desk next to the Casino and after a phone call to CO, the agent had be rebooked on the earlier departure with an emergency row exit seat (#77A) on the upper deck of the NW 747-400.
The flight took off a bit late due to a security issue. I had a bit of a problem with the security check prior to boarding -- the agent couldn't understand why I had only been away for 4 days and it was a pleasure trip - Guess she hasn't run into many Flyertalkers.
Upon boarding I was directed up the stairs to the tranquil WBC cabin and offered a drink shortly thereafter. Out of 24 seats, only 11 were occupied. The seating was far more comfortable than that of the KLM 767-300 on the flight over. Service on this flight was attentive -- the food, though, was mediocre at best. The mixed nuts served after take off were not heated and consisted of at least 50% peanuts. (AA nuts are always warmed and are only almonds, cashews, pecans, and pistachios).
I watched "Rebel Without a Cause" -- can't get enough of James Dean -- while eating lunch. After lunch and the movie, I slept for about 4 hours and then got up for a snack, not too much of a selection, then snoozed again/watched our progress on the Air Show until the pre-landing snack was served.
Arrived at JFK Terminal 4 which just recently opened and is still being worked on, about 35 minutes late. I was first off the plane and whisked through Customs & Immigration in about 45 seconds. After making a pit stop at the loo, hopped on the bus to the A Train, then on the A Train to my corner.
All in all, a wonderful visit to Denmark, which I'd visit again. Next time though I'll take an AA code share.
I was up early this morning to hop the train from Central Station to CPH. After a quick check-in, I made my way to the very spartan ServiceAir Lounge. The food in the lounge was surprising good. About 25 minutes prior to scheduled departure time I made my way to the KLM gate. The 737-300 flight was uneventful, the food inedible, the seating terrible, and the service mildly attentive. We Landed on time at AMS and I went to the Business Class Lounge to see if I could hop on the earlier NW flight to JFK. I was sent to the airside ticketing desk next to the Casino and after a phone call to CO, the agent had be rebooked on the earlier departure with an emergency row exit seat (#77A) on the upper deck of the NW 747-400.
The flight took off a bit late due to a security issue. I had a bit of a problem with the security check prior to boarding -- the agent couldn't understand why I had only been away for 4 days and it was a pleasure trip - Guess she hasn't run into many Flyertalkers.
Upon boarding I was directed up the stairs to the tranquil WBC cabin and offered a drink shortly thereafter. Out of 24 seats, only 11 were occupied. The seating was far more comfortable than that of the KLM 767-300 on the flight over. Service on this flight was attentive -- the food, though, was mediocre at best. The mixed nuts served after take off were not heated and consisted of at least 50% peanuts. (AA nuts are always warmed and are only almonds, cashews, pecans, and pistachios).
I watched "Rebel Without a Cause" -- can't get enough of James Dean -- while eating lunch. After lunch and the movie, I slept for about 4 hours and then got up for a snack, not too much of a selection, then snoozed again/watched our progress on the Air Show until the pre-landing snack was served.
Arrived at JFK Terminal 4 which just recently opened and is still being worked on, about 35 minutes late. I was first off the plane and whisked through Customs & Immigration in about 45 seconds. After making a pit stop at the loo, hopped on the bus to the A Train, then on the A Train to my corner.
All in all, a wonderful visit to Denmark, which I'd visit again. Next time though I'll take an AA code share.