After flying from Chicago to Amsterdam on the KLM Boeing 787-10, it was time to connect with Stockholm on a KLM Boeing 737-800. Let’s choose up the place I left off within the final installment.
How I redeemed miles for KLM enterprise class
To briefly summarize, we redeemed 60,500 Flying Blue miles plus $240 per individual in taxes and provider imposed surcharges to fly the next routing in enterprise class:
06/30 KL612 Chicago to Amsterdam departing 4:15PM arriving 6:55AM (+1 day)
07/01 KL1109 Amsterdam to Stockholm departing 10:40AM arriving 12:40PM
That’s a fairly nice worth, particularly when you think about how straightforward Flying Blue miles are to earn.
KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam (AMS)
We had a 3hr45min layover in Amsterdam, so upon touchdown we headed straight in direction of the KLM Crown Lounge. Whereas KLM has a separate Schengen lounge, the non-Schengen flagship lounge is significantly better, in order that’s what we determined to go to. I reviewed this lounge a few years again when it first opened, so I gained’t be absolutely reviewing it this time round.
The Crowne Lounge was actually nice, higher than final time I visited. The lounge grew since my final go to, and was additionally a lot quieter than the final time I visited (although I think about that’s altering with journey demand persevering with to extend). That being stated, the meals gave the impression to be scaled again a bit. Nonetheless I favored the overall enjoyable and quirky vibe of the lounge.
As somebody who loves good espresso, I notably favored the barista-made drinks, and I had a few cappuccinos.
And as an avgeek I additionally appreciated all of the miniature KLM Dutch Homes — there was a show with all of them, after which there have been additionally a bunch on the entrance.
We spent a few hours within the lounge, after which headed to passport management, the place there was a large queue. It took about half-hour to get via. Thankfully we left loads of time, and even had time to do some aircraft recognizing.
KLM Boeing 737-800 enterprise class cabin & seats
Our flight to Stockholm was departing from gate C18. Boarding began at 10:10AM for our 10:40AM departure — this flight was utilizing the self-boarding gates, which labored fairly properly.
On the ahead door we had been greeted by the pleasant purser. As is normal on intra-Europe flights, enterprise class merely consisted of economic system with blocked center seats. The dimensions of the cabin can change between flights, and on this explicit flight there have been 4 rows of enterprise class.
I assigned us seats 4A & 4C, the enterprise class aisle and window seats within the fourth row on the left aspect.
The cabin positively felt a bit older, however on intra-Europe flights I’d think about that to be a great factor — the padding was comfy, and the legroom was nearly one of the best I’ve seen inside Europe for these sorts of configurations. In intra-Europe enterprise class you normally nonetheless solely get 30″ of pitch, however KLM has 33″ of pitch within the first few rows of the 737, in order that’s superior.
Whereas this explicit aircraft didn’t have Wi-Fi, there have been 110v shops at each seat, which is a function that I positive recognize.
Departing Amsterdam
The boarding course of was environment friendly, although economic system was principally full (in the meantime 9 of the 16 enterprise class seats had been occupied). The primary cabin door closed at 10:35AM, and shortly thereafter the guide security demonstration started. The crew wished a cheerful birthday to a passenger over the intercom — I’m undecided if this was by some means tracked based mostly on the reservation, or if there was another connection between the crew and passenger.
At 10:40AM we started our pushback, proper subsequent to a Transavia Boeing 737.
We had a fairly fast taxi to runway 24. As soon as there we had been cleared for takeoff instantly, and rocketed off for our 1hr40min flight to Stockholm.
There was a little bit of chop on the climb out, however after the preliminary cloud layer the journey received a lot smoother. The seatbelt signal was turned off inside 10 minutes.
KLM enterprise class meals & drink service
A couple of minutes after the seatbelt signal was turned off, the crew closed the curtains and started the service.
There was no alternative for the meals, however slightly every enterprise class passenger was introduced a field of meals, plus a collection of drinks. I ordered espresso and water, which had been served in correct glassware.
Intra-Europe catering normally isn’t a lot to get enthusiastic about, however I believed this was pretty first rate and easy. The meal included a fruit salad, yogurt and granola, smoked salmon, a boiled egg, and a bread roll.
I additionally favored that there was a menu that got here together with the meal, which included each the foods and drinks choices. Too typically inside Europe you’re served a meal with no clue of what it truly is, and the crew typically doesn’t have much more data both.
Afterward within the flight I ordered a second cup of espresso, after the trays had been cleared. I favored how this was served on a bit of espresso tray with a candy — typically it’s the little touches that differentiate an expertise.
KLM enterprise class service
The purser working this flight was pleasant — she was pleasant, skilled, and extremely attentive. She handed via the cabin a number of occasions even after the preliminary service, and offered service with delight. I’ve nothing however good issues to say about her.
KLM enterprise class toilet
There was a bathroom situated on the entrance of the 737, for the unique use of enterprise class passengers. It was fairly no frills, however was clear, and at the very least there was by no means a wait to make use of it.
Touchdown in Stockholm
At round 12PM we started our descent in direction of Stockholm. Summer season in Northern Europe positive is fairly, and it was a very pretty day exterior.
The seatbelt signal turned on about 10 minutes after we began our descent. After the gear dropped it received actually bumpy, as there have been some robust floor winds. So the aircraft was swaying forwards and backwards as we approached, and felt prefer it was coming in at an unusually excessive velocity. Whereas the landing was on the tough aspect, we landed safely with no go round, in order that works for me. 😉
At 12:30PM we had been on the bottom in Stockholm, and the purser introduced that we had been on a really particular flight, as KLM was celebrating flying to Stockholm for 85 years. How attention-grabbing, but in addition random. It’s not like there was a gate celebration or something to have a good time it, so does the airline simply give the purser random attention-grabbing details to announce, or…?
As we exited the aircraft, I believe that’s simply concerning the final time we noticed another person sporting a masks till we boarded our flight departing Sweden. Masks are solely required onboard planes, and never on the airport (or anyplace else, actually).
Passport management in Stockholm took fairly some time, as there have been just a few immigration officers working, and there was one other flight that landed on the similar time.
Backside line
We had an ideal flight in KLM’s intra-Europe enterprise class from Amsterdam to Stockholm. KLM has glorious legroom on 737s, together with energy ports. On prime of that, the purser working the cabin was pleasant, and the meals was first rate as properly. The one shortfall was the shortage of Wi-Fi, however that was hardly an enormous situation on a brief flight.
Should you’ve flown KLM’s 737 enterprise class, what was your expertise like?