So clouds aren't made of Candy Floss :( (KLM)

Member Name: sirg0508

Product:	KLM
Date:	07/10/05 (510 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good price, free food/drink (inc alcohol), uneventful flights, on time !

Disadvantages: 1 grumpy stewardess, not much room

My experience with KLM hasn't been much but it was an important milestone in my life… my first time on a plane and if I didn't like the first flight, I had another 3 to go through on my holiday. Luckily my experience was very good and it is an airline I would consider in the future.

Flight details:

Edinburgh - Amsterdam
Amsterdam - Stuttgart (Germany)
Then…
Stuttgart - Amsterdam
Amsterdam - Edinburgh

• Buying:

Tickets were booked through an ABTA approved travel agent under a special Economy air fare which meant the tickets couldn't be changed or refunded. I didn't deal with the tickets but know they were under £200 return. There were 9 of us on the trip (6 of us 18 and under and 3 adults). We all arrived at the airport early (even though the Highland Games set us back) and the tickets were then re-validated as we checked in. There wasn't actually that much of a queue. Because we had to take a connecting flight to Stuttgart, our luggage was checked through to Stuttgart so we didn't have to worry about it during our short stay (one 4 hours, the other 2 hours) at Amsterdam airport. The seats were not chosen until we got to the airport as we were travelling in a group, we wanted to stay together and this was possible on all 4 flights - we just had to ask if it was possible - although we may have been in the same row but sitting next to a stranger. We did get to the airport early to be able to do this - while one flight was quite empty, another was rather full so getting there early means first choice.

• Luggage:

As stated on our itinerary from the travel agent we were allowed 20KG for our baggage allowance and only 6KG for our hand luggage. With the events of 9/11, it is still quite strict so make sure nothing is being carried that shouldn't be. Only at Amsterdam on the way back did we see our luggage going through the scanner (revealing the adults with several bottles of wine).

• Boarding:

I was actually quite surprised at how small the CityHopper plane was although I didn't get to see it until at Amsterdam airport because we boarded from the terminal in Edinburgh. As we boarded the plane, we were greeting with staff smiling from ear to ear… very reassuring for a first time flier. They were all smartly dressed in their uniforms and the staff was female on all 4 flights we took wearing red lipstick. They checked the boarding pass and welcomed us on board.

• Plane:

The plane itself felt rather crowded and claustrophobic as it is Economy class. One side of the plane had seating for 3 people and the other for 2 with a very small gangway. This meant that the row of people on entering the plane had to wait for the one in front to sit down before moving up the plane. Seat numbers were found above the head and we found our places. There was enough leg room but while that was ok that way, standing up meant ducking (yes I did hit my head off the luggage rack). Small tables were set into the headrests of the seat in front but this caused a problem for the person sitting in front of me… I'll reveal further down.

As soon as everyone got sorted and a few were still stuffing their bags in the luggage racks the announcements began. These were in several different languages including Dutch and English. The staff came and made sure there was nothing to harm us if the plane took a nose dive before hand and a short word from the rather chirpy pilot. Seatbelt signs were switched on as we took the run along the runway to the endless skies. Other announcements made were just before arriving at the airport telling us how high we were flying and what time we were expected to land at.

As the flight took off and left my stomach behind (really it just felt like I was being pushed back by an invisible force into the seat and almost in a lying back position) the plane finally levelled off. I was next to the window and could look out to the wing just slightly behind me… perhaps not such a good idea when I can see it shaking up and down. The seatbelt signs were switched off although I just kept mine on the whole time. The staff then went to the back of the plane almost instantly to get the trolley. We were offered food and drinks for the hour long flight which we didn't have to pay anything for. Drinks consisted of alcoholic drinks, wine, apple juice, orange juice etc. poured into small plastic cups. The sandwiches (there was a choice) were delicious. Although the mix of flavours did sound a bit strange, they were good. There were also newspapers and magazines to read which were in several languages but one of our group was happy with the plastic spoon/fork/knife set from her meal. As soon as it seemed everyone had finished, the stewardesses brought the trolley back to take the rubbish away.

These meals wouldn't really be practical without a table so in front on the seat back was a fold down table. Very practical and useful these were just thick sheets of plastic with a clasp to keep it in place. On one flight the tables were at a good distance so leaning forward I could put my arms on it but another seemed a little further in front (not bad... meant more leg room). I had a guy sitting sleeping in front of me on one flight so when I went to put my table back up I woke him up as I had to push on the back of his seat (he didn't look amused).

All the flights I took with KLM didn't involve any turbulence or I may never have stepped onto the next plane. One flight however was a little more eventful with a stewardess who must have been having a bad day. As she came to collect our rubbish she just grabbed it and threw it in the bin which unfortunately involved a few words from one member of our group. She came back asking if we had a complaint to make but we said no…. poor woman. I think if all the staff had acted similarly I would have been put off the experience but they all had smiles on their faces and happily asked if we were all ok or had any needs. They do seem a little overdressed in their blue uniforms and bright red lipstick but everyone is the same.

• Reliability:

We actually arrived early on one flight which was a huge surprise after seeing so many programmes practically saying that every flight gets delayed. The rest arrived on time if not a few minutes late but it didn't bother us. When we got into the airport our luggage just took a few minutes to come round on the carousel. There was a school group on the plane from Amsterdam to Edinburgh who obviously didn't pack well as their luggage (dirty washing included) came round before their suitcases.


The altitude we flew at caused a few problems with hearing for us but was normal. I couldn't hear out of either ear on my flight back to Edinburgh but had no problem on the other flights. All I needed was some sleep and it was fine.


I will fly again with KLM although I don't have plans to go anywhere soon. As a first time flier I didn't have any doubt that there would be a problem and thankfully everything worked out perfectly. The planes were on time, the food was good (especially good for being free) and the staff were all smiley. The only thing I can really comment on is the lack of entertainment - we just had to entertain ourselves but the flights were short so we weren't bored rigid.

4/5

Summary: Good airline to use