AMS>SFO>AMS C CLASS
Jan 19, 2003 | 2:44 am
#1
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Taiwan(Taichung) and UK
Programs: ANA PLAT,CI GOLD,LH SEN,Hyatt Gold.
Posts: 3,163
AMS>SFO>AMS C CLASS
Flight review: -
KLM AMS-SFO-AMS
C Class
Prior to leaving KLM confirmed our seats in 1A &1B for both segments of the trip.
Check in was very quick and in the KLM lounge at Schipol we were constantly advised of any up dates on the flight.
The lounges get a bit crowded but its nice to be able to leave your bag etc and then take a walk around the terminal if you need to.
Boarding we expected increased security, but as we were flying on a Dutch aircraft we simply showed our boarding pass and walked on board.
Drinks were served prior to take off and as soon as we were in the air our meal selections were taken.
Another round of drinks were served and a choice of some 12 movies started within a few minutes of take off.
The food was well presented and actually pretty tasty. The wine served offered a good choice and the stewardess seemed keen to keep topping up our glasses.
A snack bar was set up for any passengers who wanted nibbles and information on completing entry visa etc was handed around. They also offered to help anyone who needed assistance.
The choice of movies was a bit old, but we managed to find one that we did not mind seeing again.
The flight time is around 11 hours on this route and before we knew we were being offered another meal. Still well nourished from the first meal we declined but again it looked tasty and well presented.
Landing ahead of schedule is always nice and the pilot seemed to enjoy giving us all a guided tour of the San Francisco bay area whilst we were waiting to land.
In no time at all they had us off the plane and as soon as we cleared customs the baggage was ready to collect.
On our return leg we were advised to allow 3 hours for check in due to heightened security. Our flight was 3.15 pm so we arrived at 12.00 noon. Expecting a wait.
We walked straight to an empty check in desk and we issued tickets and luggage checked in within 5 minutes. The check in staff was very pleasant seemed happy to serve you.
Security checks took ages as my bag was showing something suspicious. After three scans they found what they were looking for. A gift ( leatherman knife) had fallen down under the lining of the bottom of my bag. I was then escorted back through security to the desk, where the same check in staff, found a box, labelled it and checked my gift through to my final destination.
Once in the lounge we settled into a lengthy wait. However unlike the lounge in Amsterdam they have Internet access points and we managed to get a couple of hours work done.
A point of concern though is that there are metal knives in the lounge and no further security checks before you get on the plane. I have written to both KLM and San Francisco airport to advise them of this loophole which I hope the plug at once.
The flight home was again very efficient; although the food was not as nice at that we had flying from Amsterdam.
The flight staff again were really very friendly and were constantly checking everyone had enough water or food etc etc.
One passenger decided to watch the movies for the whole flight and was obviously on a mission to avail himself of as much of KLM's hospitality as possible. We were awoken to him using his personal reading light to make patterns on the walls of the cabin. He was being politely asked by two attendants to get some sleep and leave the drink alone. The stare he got from me and my companion was enough to peel wallpaper at 50 paces, even in the dark. He soon settled down to sleep. Hope he had a hang over from all the booze he sank.
Prior to landing connecting flight information was shown on the screens and the Bursar advised us all of our connection from Amsterdam.
Breakfast was served about one and half-hours prior to landing and to be honest I felt there was too much choice. What we did have was a nice selection of fresh fruit and an omelette.
Once again landing was on time and de-boarding was very quick.
We made use of the Crown lounges on pier F and it was nice to be able to take a shower. KLM provided towels and amenities which I think stops people from using these facilities sometimes as they assume they must bring their own.
Overall a very pleasant flight, with good service, nice friendly staff and good value for money compared to what was available at the time.
Just booked to fly to Taiwan with them in view of this.
Steve Fenton
KLM AMS-SFO-AMS
C Class
Prior to leaving KLM confirmed our seats in 1A &1B for both segments of the trip.
Check in was very quick and in the KLM lounge at Schipol we were constantly advised of any up dates on the flight.
The lounges get a bit crowded but its nice to be able to leave your bag etc and then take a walk around the terminal if you need to.
Boarding we expected increased security, but as we were flying on a Dutch aircraft we simply showed our boarding pass and walked on board.
Drinks were served prior to take off and as soon as we were in the air our meal selections were taken.
Another round of drinks were served and a choice of some 12 movies started within a few minutes of take off.
The food was well presented and actually pretty tasty. The wine served offered a good choice and the stewardess seemed keen to keep topping up our glasses.
A snack bar was set up for any passengers who wanted nibbles and information on completing entry visa etc was handed around. They also offered to help anyone who needed assistance.
The choice of movies was a bit old, but we managed to find one that we did not mind seeing again.
The flight time is around 11 hours on this route and before we knew we were being offered another meal. Still well nourished from the first meal we declined but again it looked tasty and well presented.
Landing ahead of schedule is always nice and the pilot seemed to enjoy giving us all a guided tour of the San Francisco bay area whilst we were waiting to land.
In no time at all they had us off the plane and as soon as we cleared customs the baggage was ready to collect.
On our return leg we were advised to allow 3 hours for check in due to heightened security. Our flight was 3.15 pm so we arrived at 12.00 noon. Expecting a wait.
We walked straight to an empty check in desk and we issued tickets and luggage checked in within 5 minutes. The check in staff was very pleasant seemed happy to serve you.
Security checks took ages as my bag was showing something suspicious. After three scans they found what they were looking for. A gift ( leatherman knife) had fallen down under the lining of the bottom of my bag. I was then escorted back through security to the desk, where the same check in staff, found a box, labelled it and checked my gift through to my final destination.
Once in the lounge we settled into a lengthy wait. However unlike the lounge in Amsterdam they have Internet access points and we managed to get a couple of hours work done.
A point of concern though is that there are metal knives in the lounge and no further security checks before you get on the plane. I have written to both KLM and San Francisco airport to advise them of this loophole which I hope the plug at once.
The flight home was again very efficient; although the food was not as nice at that we had flying from Amsterdam.
The flight staff again were really very friendly and were constantly checking everyone had enough water or food etc etc.
One passenger decided to watch the movies for the whole flight and was obviously on a mission to avail himself of as much of KLM's hospitality as possible. We were awoken to him using his personal reading light to make patterns on the walls of the cabin. He was being politely asked by two attendants to get some sleep and leave the drink alone. The stare he got from me and my companion was enough to peel wallpaper at 50 paces, even in the dark. He soon settled down to sleep. Hope he had a hang over from all the booze he sank.
Prior to landing connecting flight information was shown on the screens and the Bursar advised us all of our connection from Amsterdam.
Breakfast was served about one and half-hours prior to landing and to be honest I felt there was too much choice. What we did have was a nice selection of fresh fruit and an omelette.
Once again landing was on time and de-boarding was very quick.
We made use of the Crown lounges on pier F and it was nice to be able to take a shower. KLM provided towels and amenities which I think stops people from using these facilities sometimes as they assume they must bring their own.
Overall a very pleasant flight, with good service, nice friendly staff and good value for money compared to what was available at the time.
Just booked to fly to Taiwan with them in view of this.
Steve Fenton
