Better than a budget trip (KLM)

Member Name: non_sense

Product:	KLM
Date:	06/10/08 (109 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pick your seat with on-line check in, free drinks

Disadvantages: Advance prices not as stunning as some budget airline deals

I love a good budget airline as much as anyone, but sometimes I just need that little extra. I often fly between the UK and The Netherlands and have done so with a variety of airlines, none has made me quite so happy as KLM.

My usual route is between Birmingham and Amsterdam. The only competition on this particular route is bmibaby. KLM have never lost my luggage (bmibaby have) and are only ever delayed on rare occasions, usually by 15 minutes or so (definitely bmibaby don't have THAT claim!)

In more recent times we've seen the full service carriers 'enhance' their services to the point that they look suspiciously like budget carriers themselves. KLM has not escaped this trend. On European routes you will be lucky to get more than a choice between a cookie and a packet of biscuits (sweet or savory as they describe it). Tea, coffee, beer, wine, soft drinks are still available and are still included in your flight price. You can also check a bag in for no charge. Often when you add these extras to a budget airline price you'll find a similar cost.

For those that are travelling a little further, connections at Schiphol are very easy, on the occasions that I have suffered a delay my connecting flight has been rebooked for me without any drama. KLM has a large network, so you can get to so many places with them from the UK, including from many regional airports.

I mainly enjoy flying KLM for their service and punctuality, in 3 years of flying with them I've had little to disappoint. Be sure to use on-line check in to pick the best seats before you go to the airport.

Summary: My preffered airline when flying to The Netherlands from the UK