Review: KLM Business Class Boeing 777 (AMS-JNB)

Hopefully this review will make a certain someone *cough* RetiredATLATC *cough* settle down. 🙂

Ben, did/do you find that the mini-cabins receive the same service as the larger business class cabin?

The last few times on KL/AF, while seated in the mini-cabins, it seemed as if we were almost forgotten for long stretches of time.

Thanks for the review.

I'm flying this in Premium Economy in July! Was planning to upgrade to business at the airport, but the business class cabins is full now. A little bit bummed about that, but it's a daytime flight (leaves at 10am or so), so I'm hoping Premium Economy will suffice.

I'm flying MEX-AMS next week on the KLM 787; never flown KLM before. Business class, so I get one of those houses at the end of the flight, I guess. I connect in AMS for a KLM city hopper flight to FRA.

My question - if the Blue Dutch house has alcohol (?) in it, how do I clear security during my connection in AMS? Would seem like I'd have to empty the house? Just wondering. Thanks.

You're not the first person and not the last to do this. If you're arriving on a flight where you need to go through security again, the flight attendants put the house into a tamper proof bag. No disposal needed. I flew from Washington to Amsterdam and connected to Madrid a few months ago. Arrivals from Washington and the States do not need to go through securitya gain, so no bag needed. No issues. Hundreds if not thousands of people do this every day, millions over the years. They know how to do this so you dont have to get rid of the alcohol during a connection.

I'm trying their Premium Comfort as well in a few months.

Not a ton of online reviews but the new product looks nice.

It's a very small amount of liquid in the house, you should have no issues clearing security at AMS. I just connected in AMS on KL in business class and had no issues at all.

I just flew on the same aircraft type and was in the mini-cabin and service was great. I woke up after the pre-landing meal had been served and one of the FAs stopped by and asked if I'd like to be served the meal.

Thank you David W.

Was it an issue with people coming from the back to use the toilet?

You're greatly overestimating the competence of the airport security.

They won't even notice there is liquid in it.

Just done this same trip twice - agree with you about the tasting menu (which we both thought was very good) but have to say, tried by my wife and I, the other two offerings were absolutely terrible - amongst the worst I have ever had. That is not a comment based on our tastes but the ravioli was VERY dry and tasteless plus the beef, which I do like, was just abysmal in every way (and I will not say what the presentation looked like). Otherwise the flight did go very smoothly in every regard although I do note, when compared to the Air France partner, a lack of use of our names or recognition of status (it is NOT a problem but notably different to Air France and how it used to be on KLM). Having flown KLM for over 40 years, I really notice a on-going downturn in the personal touches plus the overall quality of the food.

Thanks to everyone who answered; appreciate it!

If there's an issue, maybe I'll pop it open and down the contents before I clear security. Ha.

Nope. I didn't notice anyone coming up to use the J toilets.

Can meals be selected prior to departure?

Just flew the PE cabin ATL–AMS and especially for a daytime flight, it would be perfectly fine. Comfortable seats, decent food, good service, and plenty of legroom... more like an older business class product.

Good to know. I'll be on the 1030pm flight, so we'll see how that goes.

Great review Ben.

I cannot agree more with you about KLM crew - I do not fly with them a lot but without exception they are just amazing. I recently flew AMS-MEX on the 787 in Business Class and it was crewed with some ladies I would estimate all in their late 40's to mid 50's. They worked SO hard and with so much enthusiasm and professionalism it was so impressive.

When I commented to one of them how hard they seemed to be working (they didn't stop during the long daylight flights) she replied 'yes it is hard work but we love our jobs and KLM treats us well so...'. I guess that's what you get when you treat your staff well.

Like your Purser mine also had a great sense of humour, my IFE was playing up and it got stuck on a kids cartoon and the Purser said tongue in cheek 'you never know, it might be worth a watch'. She was just so natural.

I really like KL Business Class in general. The seats are great, crews lovely and food&beverage nice. However, they have recently become so stingy on food that it is really dreadful. I understand and agree to reduce food waste, but what is the point on a starter selection, if they don’t even have one of the choices left?

I've experienced catering issues a few times from AMS... once a 3 hour delay due to a catering problem, and at least twice where wrong menus were printed and that led to mass confusion. KLM used to have a feature many years ago where you could view the menu online in advance, although it was never accurate in my experience and has disappeared since.

KLM has so much potential but they're really cheaping out on the soft product these days. Food is often very bad and none of the wines cost more than $10/bottle in a supermarket. They really need to do better.

I found the footrest (once I figured out how to completely unfold it) very helpful in finding a decent sleeping position, coupled with the legroom and the relative comfort of the seat. I rarely sleep on overnight flights but did manage a couple of hours.

I’ve taken these through security many times without issue (in both the US and Netherlands). AMS even lets you bring normal sized liquids through security now.

Seems like the KLM “food saving initiative” is working as planned…just don’t cater enough meals. Problem solved!

I was shocked to see the same menu I had during my flight with them beginning of February. Same issues they had that time,not enough for all the business class passengers. And by the way the wifi is horrible no matter were you fly to.I was flying to South America

I'll be doing JNB-AMS today (which is a night flight) and as a surprise to my wife I upgraded us to business class. Looking forward to be sleeping in a lay flat bed and curious how it's going to be.

The only thing I must disagree with you on is the white plates they use. In every review I've ever seen with these white plates in them I am always reminded of the cheep paper plates you can purchase at Walmart that you need to use 2 of or they aren't strong enough to hold your hotdog. I find them tacky and wish they would chose a different pattern, but then I don't fly on there so...