Review: KLM Business Class 747-400 Amsterdam To Chicago

Any idea when the KLM A330's business class will have these same seats? I'm flying from Vancouver to Amsterdam next Spring and it looks like they still have the old fashion angled seats.

@ Aaron K -- I believe it's supposed to happen in the next couple of years, though I don't think any A330s have been reconfigured yet. So I definitely wouldn't expect it.

"One thing KLM did especially well with these seats is that there’s a shield between the two seats"

Good if you're traveling alone, but isn't that a flaw if you are traveling with someone you know?

On top it says seat 73K (First Class) - should it not be Business instead? Probably a LH habit (upper deck ;))

@ Bene -- Whoops, my mistake. Fixed!

@ wwk5d -- True, you can't have it both ways. But it's not so private that you couldn't talk to your seatmate if you wanted to.

Lucky dumb question, but how do you get your TV shows onto your ipad? I have tried the whole handbrake program thing but that didnt work.

Thanks Ben for yet another great trip report. I would say the new KLM business class seats look similar to the ones American has on their A321 in C? Have you tried them? They look the same to me, at least!

Ben,
Was this your first KLM business class flight? Your comments make it seem this way.

@ mike -- I just get season passes to my favorite shows through the iTunes Store.

@ Cecile -- Yep, they are indeed very similar!

@ JohnB -- Yep, sure was!

@lucky - cpl Qs:

"I remember spending the whole taxi just mouthing cuss words under my breath in complete disbelief."

1) umm who/what were you cussing out? I dont imagine you were in a bad mood due to the delayed take off?

2) the voucher says "not valid for travel or payment" lol wtf?? what else are you supposed to do with the voucher than if not travel or use as payment towards said travel?

Finally! Thanks so much for a great Trip Report Lucky! Been wanting to read this one since the website was updated and the KLM section was added, with a coming soon!

@ Adam -- No, I was cussing in disbelief that a second Malaysia 777 went down only months after the first one. Wasn't cussing at anyone, was just in complete disbelief.

As far as the voucher goes, I've already redeemed it for a flight on Delta. 🙂

Nice report!

Do you use the Air France site to check for availability?

@ Beachfan -- Yes, I did.

You sure that's a good idea to post a picture of that voucher?

Oh yeah...the little houses. Great flight report, I love how detailed you are.

The new WBC is now being rolled out in the 777's, first the 772, 773 next. The A330's will be the last in the long-haul fleet to be updated. However, they will update both C and Y from the 777 onwards.

The 'shield' really isn't that great if you're traveling together, I have experience in the matter. Every time I wanted to talk to my GF I had to lean forward. Not that bad to do once or twice, but if you want to have a conversation...

I find WBC on the lower deck on the 744's very nice. I saw in your Crown Lounge review there weren't any singles left, but they are nice, especially 1A. Check out: http://ikvliegveel.com/klm-new-world-business-class/ (from your Dutch Boarding Area friends ;))

@ Jon -- It has already been used, why not? 🙂

Did you see if there was a wall in front of the exit row seats? I suppose there must be to have the footrest and tv.

The upstairs window exit row seat was my favorite on old KLM 747's as there was loads of space in front and you had free access to move about without disturbing seatmate in aisle seat. Can people on window seats get out without bothering aisle seat mate?

Thanks!

@ brian -- Yep, there was a wall/console, so it was the same as any other row (and it also makes it less awkward for the flight attendant sitting in the jumpseat).

Generally you will have to "jump over" the person in the aisle to get out of a window seat, so it's not ideal.

Great trip report, very detailed as always!

One thing that would have annoyed me (as a vegetarian) is they replaced the pasta meal option with a chicken dish. This could have been troublesome. I always am torn between requesting a vegetarian meal ahead of time or choosing something off menu when flying business/first. Most of the time the pre-ordered meals are just re-packaged economy meals and always below par. I wonder what KLM would have done in this case.

Ah, the dreaded 'Polderbaan sight seeing tour'. It might be fun if you have it once, but when you got that horrible taxi (almost) every single time you take off or land, it's a whole different story ;). But nevertheless, I still love my home airport.

Too bad you didnt try the Chicken Bumbu Bali. Indonesian dishes ex-AMS are usually fantastic.

Great report! I love KLM Business to AMS and all points east. ALWAYS warm friendly service and food is worthy of an award. Download the KLM Houses app for your iPhone if you want to track what you have already...Bols liquor inside so not a gift for a kid unless you drink it first..

I've seen some descriptions of the new KLM business class seat indicating the "privacy canopy" is removable, but can't confirm it. So...is it?

@ John Nall -- It wasn't as far as I could tell.

It's more of a privacy shield in the new WBC, and it's fixed....

I flew Lufthansa first class seat 1A 747-8 from LAX to Frankfurt roundtrip a few weeks ago, the next time I go to Europe I'm considering KLM business or Air France La Premiere. I don't want to be disappointed. Any advice? I also plan on taking Cathay Pacific first class to Hong Kong in a few months.

@ Phil -- Air France first class is also a great product, perhaps somewhat comparable to Lufthansa, especially if you factor in the ground experience. I'm sure you'll have a great flight.

I noticed that when the seat is in a fully flat position, if you're in the window seat, you wouldn't have space to cross over to go to the toilet or somewhere. Is your seatmate's fully reclined seat be in the way?

@ Maui -- Yep, that's the downside.

If this was your first time on a 747 in business - would you recommend the upper deck? I have read that rows 1-4 on KLM's 747 are pretty great, but this upcoming flight will be my first 747 in biz and am leaning towards upstairs.

Thank you!

@ jblpro5 -- Hah, can't go wrong either way, in my opinion!

You mention changing into pajamas. Were these supplied by KLM?

@ tina hammond -- Nope, I brought my own.

I just booked this for Momma and I coming home Dec 26th from AMS.

Super excited to fly the 747-400. Would you recommend FOR or AGAINST the upper deck?

Frank

I also flu in business class a couple of weeks ago, I quite liked it, no jet lag if you sleep well on one of those sits. Do they have first class? Would be better? And why do you think they give away the miniature houses with jenever? Is that a dutch tradition?

@Haydee in the 1950's KLM was not allowed to give there business class customers a present. So they gave there customers a house like this. It was not a present anymore but a way of bottling the jenever.. There was no law telling you how to bottle your drinks.

I like BA business class. I doubt if I will like KLM business class. Unfortunately the only option left so I will experience it soon.