IAD-Amsterdam in J -- UA vs. KLM?
Sep 11, 2022, 8:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,356
IAD-Amsterdam in J -- UA vs. KLM?
Have to do a roundtrip to Amsterdam this fall from IAD ... the nonstop choices are UA and KLM. Flight schedules and prices are very close. With respect to onboard experience alone in J (seats, meals, etc.) any reason to pick one over the other?
KLM may have an advantage with greater lounge access at Schiphol, but my time in the airport will hopefully be limited.
I now see that UA's flight last night (IAD-AMS, UA 946) was cancelled! Wonder what the backup was, presumably through LHR or FRA.
KLM may have an advantage with greater lounge access at Schiphol, but my time in the airport will hopefully be limited.
I now see that UA's flight last night (IAD-AMS, UA 946) was cancelled! Wonder what the backup was, presumably through LHR or FRA.
Sep 11, 2022, 8:18 am
#4
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Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
Assuming they do, it's a decision between good food and service on board (KLM) vs. good lounge and seat (UA.)
Sep 11, 2022, 8:23 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,225
Lounge KLM > UA. (the UA contract lounge is so far away the lounge attendant joked that it was in Belgium)
Seat UA> KLM
Food UA = KLM. I found it a tie
Special consideration: When I flew UA from AMS-IAD this summer, I did not have to contend with the massive lines over at Skyteam and was able to get through check in and security very quickly. AMS might be in better shape now.
I found my UA flight very nice, great attendants, and great Polaris seats. Food was airline food. I value seat over food.
Seat UA> KLM
Food UA = KLM. I found it a tie
Special consideration: When I flew UA from AMS-IAD this summer, I did not have to contend with the massive lines over at Skyteam and was able to get through check in and security very quickly. AMS might be in better shape now.
I found my UA flight very nice, great attendants, and great Polaris seats. Food was airline food. I value seat over food.
Sep 11, 2022, 8:26 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
Lounge KLM > UA. (the UA contract lounge is so far away the lounge attendant joked that it was in Belgium)
Seat UA> KLM
Food UA = KLM. I found it a tie
Special consideration: When I flew UA from AMS-IAD this summer, I did not have to contend with the massive lines over at Skyteam and was able to get through check in and security very quickly. AMS might be in better shape now.
I found my UA flight very nice, great attendants, and great Polaris seats. Food was airline food. I value seat over food.
Seat UA> KLM
Food UA = KLM. I found it a tie
Special consideration: When I flew UA from AMS-IAD this summer, I did not have to contend with the massive lines over at Skyteam and was able to get through check in and security very quickly. AMS might be in better shape now.
I found my UA flight very nice, great attendants, and great Polaris seats. Food was airline food. I value seat over food.
Sep 11, 2022, 8:31 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,225
Polaris lounge at IAD was wonderful and that would definitely tip the scales to UA for me.
I must have low standards, as I found the in flight food on UA adequate but not memorable.
Is UA's IAD-AMS summer seasonal? I don't see it on GF for the fall now that I'm looking.
I don't see it either. I guess that answers that.
Last edited by bitterproffit; Sep 11, 2022 at 8:36 am
Sep 11, 2022, 8:42 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: New York
Programs: United MileagePlus 1K
Posts: 55
I'd pick United just for the better seat on the IAD>AMS overnight. Getting better sleep on the TATL is more important to me than any food (especially when you can get decent food in the IAD Polaris Lounge beforehand and just maximize sleep overnight).
Sep 11, 2022, 8:45 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 191
while UA keep selling it, they also keep cancelling the direct to AMS from IAD. I havent seen anything that brings improvement. I'm on my second trip with a 3 hour layover in EWR that was supposed to be a direct when booked. Not happy about it.
