Hi everyone,
The airline of choice to East Africa is definitely Brussels Airlines, however Kenya Airways offered reasonnable fares in Premier World from AMS to South Africa.
By the way, for 2016 KQ slashes prices for its business cabin ex-JNB to Asian destinations like Hong Kong for a little over EUR 1100 or Hanoi for only EUR 1050. Time comes to tickle some big cats if you dare…
The itinerary:
1/ MRS – AMS: Air France, AF1820, Economy: a couple of pics now
2/ AMS – LHR : KLM, KL1021, EBC (C), here
3/ LHR – NBO : Kenya Airways, Premier World (J), coming soon
4/ NBO – JNB : Kenya Airways, Premier World (J), coming soon
5/ JNB – NBO : Kenya Airways, Premier World (J), coming soon
6/ NBO – AMS: KLM, World Business Class (J), coming soon
7/ AMS – MRS: Air France, AF1807, Economy: no publication
…Or some crackers!
Following an uneventful AF flight onboard F-GPMF, i discover the unpleasant Schiphol experience due to the ongoing renovation works and the crowd then i wander around as KL1021 departs in 3h!
After buying a travel plug adapter, i head off to the KLM Schengen lounge being the closest to the KLM's UK bound flights allocated at the concourse D. The kind receptionist informs me that it takes approx. 10 minutes to reach the gate depending on the queue at the immigration posts. The lounge is spacious and well appointed. Definitely a decent place to spend the spare time.
More than welcome, after AF's inflight snack ;-) !
At 3:00 pm i move towards the plane and clear the immigration controls in no time. At the gate boarding is about to start with families with infant and passengers requiring help first, then premuim guests finally the masses. Truth be told it's my first time sitting upfront with KLM ;-) !
Warm welcome by the purser, a friendly lady close to her retirement age certainly.
Cabin looks like any other European airline, a 6 abreast with the middle seat blocked. Pitch at the first row is visually better! At this moment outside, rain starts to pour!
Soon enough she starts a speedy service with a drink and the menu. If i recall correctly we were 4 in C. The meal isn't good, the beetroot salad bland but, it all in all, it isn't bad either!
Contains breakfast, lunch and dinner options
Then she suggests a hot drink which is brought over along with a local biscuit. Very nice!
Without circling too much over London, we land on time! On the way out, she bids goodbye and wish me a great flight to NBO even if we haven't discussed at all during the entire flight! Kind gesture!
BA
Thanks for taking the time to share this FR with the English community!
How many rows of C did they use for this flight? You seemed to have a very good FA interaction so wondering what the load factor was for C.
For the length of this hop across the Channel, I won't be too critical of the catering since the presence of a menu with full drink options is nice, but I find that salad very sad looking. The hourglass salt/pepper shakers make up for the disappointment of the salad ;)
You were lucky to get an on-time arrival into LHR^^
See you for the rest of this series^^
Thanks for reading and commenting NGO85,
According to SeatGuru, 737s have 5 rows and load in C was light (4/20) so enough time to provide a smile!
Wow that salad really looks sad!
Haha, yes you are so right!
Thanks for sharing! The catering for such a short flight is impressive; on a flight of similar length in the US, you'd be lucky to get a selection from the snack basket, if you were flying in a premium cabin.
I have yet to try KLM. I need to fly them sometime!
Interesting info thanks for sharing! i have yet to go to the USA!
At the opposite, in Africa you get a hot meal for this flight duration!
KLM is a decent airline thet you should try!
Thanks for sharing!
I discover the unpleasant Schiphol experience - That's not something I'm used to seeing. People always rave about how convenient AMS is, but I guess the construction has killed that for now.
I enjoyed the KLM lounges in AMS the few times I've been there. They also have really good tarmac views. The catering looks decent for such a short flight.
Looking forward to the KQ longhaul legs.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the comments KevinDC
Part of the lounge wasn't avalaible too because of the renovation! IIRC, spotting is only possible at the Non - Schengen lounge (not visited during this trip).
Ah, I got the two mixed up.Though I believe now that the new section of the Schengen lounge is open, there are big windows making spotting easier.