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You asked about someone who used the Ticket desk in Amsterdam. I have done that many times to upgrade my work trips with KLM When I travel for work I get economy class tickets from my employer (very stingy I think) But when I travel privately (with my wife) we always fly Buisness for trips over four hours . So I have a lot of points that I use in my business trips. The service at the ticket desk works superbly. Very friendly staff who always try to make the trip as comfortable as possible. They are just as good as the service desk at Qatar Airways, which I also fly with a lot.
That food offering was a total disgrace. Are KLM not embarrassed by their catering? Whoever their head of catering or manager responsible for that, slop on a plate, needs a serious talking too.
They can't help but confirm the stereotype that Dutch food sucks. Why not offer a creative twist on Dutch "stamppot"? (Regular stamppots such as boerenkool are arguably somewhat bland)
I almost only fly with KLM, but that’s mostly becuase I’m Dutch. KLM is my favorite airplane company though. Last year my dad and I flew to Peru for vacation, but we flew economy premium. But becuase my dad flew a lot for his work years ago he is Paltinum for Life at KLM. So when we entered the plane and went to our seats a lady came to us and greeted my dad by his full name and also gave us two business amenity kits!
I worked for KLM back in the 80's and 90's. Unfortunately, KLM has never been known for their catering. Usually bland and uninspiring. A pity, really. It is a great airline with a long history.
Used to fly KLM in the 90’s and liked it, until a phone rep gave me a hard time about using points to upgrade. Haven’t flown them since. The catering seems like it was better in those days. One time I asked if there was a seafood meal available in economy (there wasn’t one on the menu) and I was served a very nice halibut main course…..probably wouldn’t get that even in Business now.
@@stef1833 I was flying premium economy on KLM and the flight attendant told me that many people prefer the food in premium economy over the one in business class. Because the one in business class is designed by Michelin star restaurant cooks but not by people who make airplane food and that, thats a different beast as it is going to be packed and reheated on the plane etc. so it will be different than serving a similar meal on the ground.
@@west8864 don't be bitter because of one shitty person who treated you bad...maybe she had a very shitty day and she was fired next day. You also don't ever love somebody again because your ex was a jerk?
I actually used the ticket desk quite a few times in the past few years - in Larnaca, Tel Aviv, Tirana, CDG, LHR, DXB and some others. It is usually a case of missed-flight, or some emergency that compels me to arrive at the airport on a moment's notice. They mostly do the job and I even managed to get some nice business class deals.
KLM is a wonderful airline! I'm saddened by this video! When I became a flight attendant back in 2001 we would start with the soup/salad cart, followed by the main course. After the main course came the fruit and cheese cart where you can built your own plate. Finally, the ice cream sunday and warm dessert cart. Of course during the pandemic most airlines moved to a single tray service. But in recent months, United brought back ice cream sundays. I absolutely love KLM!! I've never had a bad experience. If KLM would allow you to build your own fruit/cheese plate, and offered a variety of desserts, this meal service would be perfect! On a side note, did I see TWO servings of undercooked quinoa?? What on earth??? That looked like a full meal instead of an appetizer.
We used a ticket desk not more then a few months ago. We were flying with a small group (about 25 people), and with the group tickets you could go to the ticket desk and then somebody would come pick you up, you could check in your luggage seperately and everything happened very smoothly. They'd put special tags on your bags so everybody would be able to recognize each others bags, all in all a good experience with ticket desks
I just (two weeks ago) had a 9,5h flight with the new Premium Comfort Class from KLM. And I found it GREAT!! 8 seats wide (normal 10 in a 3-4-3 now it is 2-4-2) en 4 rows deep instead of 5. Rest is about same perks as Business class. Glassware, iron cutlery, a real menu etc. etc. You also get Sky Priority entry (so you can board at the same time as BC). And your checked luggage gets a green priority label. Meaning it gets on the luggage band after the flight with the first group of suitcases. The chairs are MUCH wider and leg room is much larger. As this was my 6th time doing this "leg" (other times I had Economy Comfort seats and they were still cramped sometimes) I found it all a BREEZE. Really can recommend!!!!
Great video as always, Dan! It was really cool that you were able to show us the standard catering option in addition to your vegan meal - they definitely all looked pretty grim. Btw, I also love puffed up bags of chips 🤣
I think they have a better business class catering service for flights going to the US. I took them to DC and it was beautiful experience even though the seat was old 2-2-2.
This is just bad luck to be honest. I flew KLM business to Tokyo and the food was amazing and it also looked delicious. Much better than Delta at least.
I used the ticket desk last year in april. Its a crazy story so me and my friend just went to the airport to see whats going on that day. Our suitcase half short clothes and half long. We went up there and they gave us some options, the last one was the best. 460 euros to go to Aruba. And we would have 10 days there. Of course we said yes so we bought the tickets and they rushed us trough the airport and 2 hours later we were in the air😍 Best vacation ever
Actually their new Business Class suite is the same as Air France's, with a different colour scheme. Seat and options look exactly the same to me, except the door is more sturdy on Air France.
0:58 I had to use one of these ticket counters in 2016 in Vienna. I overslept and missed my flight to Rome. they told me though that my return flight would still be valid so I had to buy a one way ticket to go to Rome. they were friendly enough, nothing special, but nothing horrible
The ticket desks are very useful if you have just missed your flight and would like to book the next flight. They have faster access to flights than most online platforms. I was once able to get a seat on the 9am flight after a missed flight at 7am. I couldn't do that online, the flight was said to be full, but at the desk they knew there was still a spot.
I love KLMs new Business class, flew them last november to Johannesburg and the food was also great. I think the limited food/drink offering on your flight was because of relative short flight
I use quite often both sister companies, KLM and Air France. Well, for catering, its is just like in real life: would you go to the Netherlands for good food? Clearly, foodwise, Air France is way better... But Air FRance prices are also way more expensive, most of the time.
My sister arranges always standby tickets for me and then you report at the desk and they will have your ticket and know if there is place for you. The mostly help people with changing flights and cabin crew with flying home or whatever
Catering is one of KLMs main issues. Not just intercontinental but also within Europe. The boxed salad they offer on a 3hr flight in business class is an absolute disgrace.
The hair gel is hilarious, mostly because if you start paying attention to a lot of Dutch men's hair, it makes perfect sense. Could not, cannot, will not leave the crusty 90s look behind. Too funny.
Great video! A month ago I flew business class with KLM to Johannesburg. The catering on my flight looked and was delicious. Interesting that on your flight it didn't look so appetizing. I hope you are luckier next time.
I flew the new business class last week Amsterdam - Montreal. The catering also looked and was delicious. The service was also fairly quick. There must be something with that specific route.
I am Dutch, but ooh boy I don’t like KLM! Soon we’ll fly with KLM to Kuala Lumpur in business class. Iam not looking forward for that flight. But our youngest is not even 2 and we want a direct flight. Last December we flew with Qatar Q-Suite iam sure we’ll miss it. Last time we flew KLM business to KL, I almost vomit of the food. It was so terrible. I know the food will be disappointed. And for less we could have booked Etihad Qatar. Yes KLM is lowcost all around the world. But not for us here in the Netherlands KLM is the most expensive airplane to travel with. And yes not worth it.
The only time I had to use those ticket desks was when I accidently booked the wrong date. ICN-TPE. I thought I had bought a ticket for Feb 3rd, When I went to check in I'd booked March 2nd. 3/2 v 2/3...... luckily Korean Air were OK about it and I only had to pay $100 extra. Top tip....don't buy flights after drinking,
Funny to see NEOM mentioned. I work there and have started watching your and other RU-vidrs videos on airlines as I fly a lot more now than I have previously. Kind regards from NEOM OXAGON
I just flew 4 flights on KLM J this month. 2 on 781 and was meant to have 2 on this new config 777, but one flight had a last minute aircraft swap to the dreaded 2-2-2. I also love the new cabin and hope to fly it more. I don’t like that mini cabin on the 777 since the galley right in front is serving Y+ so FAs are constantly moving through the space. I had a bit better luck with my food. Not the best, but better than that. I do love their tomato soup… always order if you see it!
Great video as always. My main criticism that is persistent in all your videos: Because of your veganism, you naturally highlight the veg/vegan dishes served onboard that can be a hit or miss in various carriers. Understandable. For the carriers that cater subpar vegan dishes, naturally you will not deem it praiseworthy. But you dismiss the carrier‘s meal offerings without even showing the other main non-veg dish offerings. Such “blanket dismissal” statements are misleading as it is based on your biased, limited viewpoint based on simply trying the vegan meals. Other vloggers ask the cabin crew to highlight and show the other meal offerings. They don’t necessarily sample the other dishes, but they atleast present a somewhat holistic view of the entire meal offerings. I hope you can highlight the non-veg meals offered by the airlines without dismissing the entire menu as subpar, based on your limited sampling. Thank you,
Thank you! Flying business class KLM lax to AMS next year. I hope we get this plane and I hope the food gets better by then! (We haven’t booked yet so I don’t know what kind of plane yet.)
Excited to see this video as booked on this plane from EDI to BKK via AMS next year and I love your videos. Have booked 1A (and 2A for partner) since first time I've had the opportunity to snag 1A. Return flight is on Air France via CDG but the KLM prices make it affordable for us to go business class - less than $3k return pp. That seemed good cash price to me for what is a 13 hr flight just AMS-BKK alone. They don't seem to pitching themselves against luxury of say Emirates or Singapore and I think there is a market for that especially if likely to be sleeping large part of the flight which I hope we will be. The food they served you looked truly awful although seen some 'better' reviews of the trio of delicacies regular LH meals on Flyertalk and other YT vids. Admittedly I booked knowing that the food on KL would prob not be on a par with AF and also that there are often mice in the non-Schegen lounge in AMS so not going in with high expectations on that front!
Althought you are full in to the BC and FC but we near mortals tant to fly a bit cheaper. Can you do a item on the KLM Premium Confort on the 777-300.?
The depressing food is Dutch culture 101. The gel in the lavatory - Dutch men cannot survive without illegal amounts of gel on their hair. I only see normalcy from a Dutch airline in all the things you find appalling. Loved the review. - Me, an expat resident in the Netherlands.
When working for one airline and trying to travel on a different airline on an employee fare, you often must visit those ticketing desks to get that correctly processed and ticketed. That's at least one reason. It is also where they sell walk-up tickets, for those who show up to the airport without any ticket.
I avoid KLM whenever I can due to their truly laughable VGML. Never expected the regular meals to be just as bad if not worse! Imagine paying multiple thousands of dollars and being served that slop 😮 Whoever is responsible needs to be fired immediately
As a frequent flyer with KLM, I can safely say that the quality of the food has not improved; the Asparagus Flamande a few months ago were good, the rest is really nothing to write home about! Pasta from Economy remains a favourite...not a compliment! The iconic salt and pepper sets in the shape of clogs have been removed because they were made of plastic, thanks to the best boy in the class's desire for his metallurgy. KLM really needs to do better with their service, although the always friendly crew makes up for it!
Unfortunately KLM is going down the BA route. Removing of many of it's long standing services (Flying Blue rewards etc) and reducing the quality of it's offer, whilst steadily increasing prices. Rumour is that they are thinking of introducing fees for Flying Blue memberships?
don't you think europe-to-dubai routes aren't a great example because they know emirates is already offering a better product and therfore not the most lucrative route for them?
Had a flight with Wizz Air in 2018; was at airport just over an hour in advance and had priority check in (but also did a very large school group); we ended up missing check in cut off and couldn't fly no rebooking help. We tried to buy new tickets online with a different carrier but internet wouldn't corporate. We ended up buying a paper ticket at one of those weird non airline run desks. They quoted a price; we asked if they could match online they said sure. Neither the quoted price, 'matched' price or receipt price matched each other or what was charged to the credit card. We still got to our destination for what still ended up being quite a reasonable price for a last min ticket.
I love the klm lounge! So much character and charm. I got wine spilled on me with no apology by KLM (I was told “well at least you will smell good”. To be clear, i am East Asian and lack the gene that gives you waxy ear wax and BO, so objectively, i do not smell. Other East Asian colleagues also tell me to stay away from KLM… make of that what you will) so I probably won’t fly with them again but I do love those little houses they give you… I have zero recollection of the food so I guess it wasn’t terrible but also not exceptional. And noooo the clog salt and pepper shakers!!!!
Amongst the Dutch people I know who are premium passengers, they have always said they can trust KLM to get them there well, but if the product was better, they'll easily switch over to the other carrier.
I personally love KLM (Maybe because I'm dutch), however I think KLM Catering is a disgrace. In Economy, the seat is fine and ife is fine aswell however the food is not that great. I usually take food from home when flying KLM. I hope something changes.
Flew KLM’s business class back in September from AMS to ORD on one of their 787-10s. I thought the catering was decent! They had a smoked salmon appetizer, which was delicious, and I remember my main not being bad either. I have a few Very High Old Fashioneds, which were great as well. I enjoyed everything their business class had to offer, and found it better than my experience in DeltaOne a year prior from BOS to AMS on the A330-900.
Thanks, Dan. This is really helpful. I discovered that if you’re flying with KLM in any class on that day you can purchase lounge entrance. That might also account for the crowds. I wonder how many people get free access via their status or ticket or pay to get in and are surprised to find there are extra charges for “premium” items.
My British Airways flight from LCA was cancelled, I went to one of those ticket desks to see how much Wizz was charging... £400!! I decided to go the next day with BA on points.
Agree, KLM catering sucks so bad… I have to fly KLM business (because I have leg problems) from Amsterdam to certain destinations in South America and I take my own food because KLM sucks… sometimes I get the dessert or the chocolates but the food menus always suck. Since I don’t drink alcohol, it is all only for the seats… I was very surprised by the catering on Norwegian.no the airline. I ordered the regular meals on a long flight on Norwegian airline, simple but delicious.
Dan, we recently just flew LHR-BKK on KLM, In business. I was very excited, as they are one of my fav airlines. The food was shockingly bad, to the point where it bordered on inedible. The portions were also tiny tiny..I felt like KLM had put everyone on a low calorie diet, and assumed we were all vegeterian. It was disappointing to say the least.
Also Boeing is extremely safe same with airbus, you only hear those problems in America not in Europe we always do secondary inspections, and he got a none refundable flight which doesn’t include free business lounge
The first and only time I flew on a 747 one of the landing gears did not come out and we had emergency services meeting us after we landed it was terrifying
Hmmmm! I had the privilege of flying KLM YYZ-AMS-YYZ on their 787-10 in November. Having flown AC, WS, and AF over the Atlantic, all in Business Class, I was blown away by the catering and service on KLM. Certainly it took me back to earlier times when we had real First Class. I don't know what happened on your flight but it certainly does not represent my experience with KLM. My future trans-Atlantic flights will be on KLM and yes, I enjoy collecting their Bols houses too.