Review of KLM flight Denpasar → Singapore in Economy

We only did a bit of sightseeing as most of us had been to Bali before.

Tanah Lot






@ Kuta Beach








New shopping along Kuta.




After a relaxing 3 nights, it was time to leave Bali behind for home. The villa had allowed us late check out at 6pm, just in time to comfortably reach the airport at 630 pm to check-in. For some reasons, online check-in could not be done.

Flights departing from the International Terminal this evening. There were 7 flights departing to Singapore between 7pm to midnight!




The new international terminal is a huge improvement over the old terminal, which is now converted into the domestic terminal. Spacious and airy, it felt like a scaled down version of KLIA or HKIA. Check-in area can only be accessed if you have flight bookings and proof of it.






KLM check-in desks. There were 8 desks open for check in and due to the very full flight, the check-in queue was rather long. Luckily it moved fast.




Cool LED signage at the KLM check-in area.




Boarding pass issued. We had pre-selected our seats prior.




Then it was paying of 200,000 Rupiahs of airport tax, clearing security and immigration, and into the duty free shops area. To access the gates, you would be forced to walk through all the overpriced shops.




The gates area.




SQ B772 9V-SRL would be departing from Gate 2 half an hour before us.




While our B777-300ER would be departing from Gate 1. PH-BVK, KLM's newest B77W named Yellowstone National Park delivered last Oct, would be operating our flight this evening.





20 April 2014
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KL 836
Denpasar Bali (DPS) - Singapore (SIN)
B777-300ER
PH-BVK Yellowstone National Park
Economy Class

The boarding gate was choc-a-block due to the full flight. However, KLM ground staff made the best out of the situation and segregated waiting pax by row numbers to enable more efficient boarding.




Boarding was called slightly less than 30min before departure, with boarding sequences enforced. Being seated near the rear of the plane, we boarded after the status pax and pax needing assistance. Was welcomed at the door by 2 crew and directed to the correct aisle. As we were seated at rows 56 and 57, we passed through the humongous economy cabin that KLM fitted on their 77Ws. Crew were stationed at the doors, greeting pax.






Cabin was very clean. Settled into our seats. Seat pitch was good although with the 3-4-3 configuration, the width of the seats might be a tad tight for some.




Inflight magazine and safety card.




Out of the window, with the domestic flights parked at the old international (now domestic) terminal.




Boarding in progress.




Made a quick visit to the lavatory while on the ground. It was very clean bu only with the basic amenities.




Boarding was completed on time and doors were closed and armed. Flight time was announced as 2h15m.






Some flight info on the IFE screens during taxi.






A short taxi to Rwy9, and we were homeward bound to Singapore!




Climbing out of DPS.




After seatbelt signs were turned off, service started with distribution of immigration forms and headsets.




Headsets.




Checking out the IFE system.




Latest movies for the month.






It also have an interesting feature showing the menu on the flight. This evening on the DPS-SIN sector, the following would be served.




Beverages available on the flight.


















Hot drinks




There were also other detailed information on the service you can expect on your flight, but I did not read it.

Following the distribution of headphones. crew came down the aisle and gave out hot scented towels, albeit disposable ones. Well, guess no other European airlines does this in economy anymore?




I decided to settle for the recently popular cartoon movie Frozen for the flight.






Soon, the smell of food waved through the cabin, signalling the start of the meal service. Special meals were delivered by hand from the galleys, followed by the rest of the cabin using meal carts. As there were quite a number of special meal orders, the meal service for the rest of the cabin took a while to begin.

There would be no choice for the meal. Each meal tray also came with a warm roll with butter and a bottle of water. Interestingly I was also served the exact same meal on my previous KLM flight from DPS to SIN as well last year in April!




I also ordered a white wine to go with the meal and it was handed over to me by a very friendly crew member serving my aisle, who also told us to enjoy our meals.




Starter: Carrot and raisin salad.




Main: Lemon chicken with coriander rice and stir-fried vegetables. We all agree that this tasted delicious!




Dessert: Apricot cake. A sweet ending to the meal.




Drinking water from the Alps.




Enjoying my Sauvignon Blanc with the movie.




It was a satisfying meal! However I wished the portion could be bigger.




But no, that is not the end of the meal service! During tray collection, the crew also offered hot coffee/tea as well as after-dinner liquors!!




I enjoyed an Amarula cream.



As well as a hot coffee with milk. Heavenly combination!




After all the meal trays and cups were cleared, we were nearing Singapore and starting descend soon. However, an announcement was made that duty-free service would be offered and the carts rolled out to the front of the aircraft, moving towards the rear. I browsed through the inflight magazine and decided to purchase a KLM collectible, Miffy in KLM uniform!




We were more than halfway through the descent when the duty free cart reached my row. Luckily Miffy was still available and I bought one of it. One of my friends bought another and the crew told her that she had bought the last one onboard! Sorry, SIN-AMS pax.




Duty free sales were so good that some pax were not able to purchase as we were already coming in to land over Batam. Crew had to apologize that we were landing soon when the captain announced for the crew to be seated for landing, and quickly rolled back the duty-free carts while checking that everyone were belted in and ready for arrival, all these less than 5 minutes to landing! In fact, I could see the Singapore CBD skyline by then!

Coming in over Batam. Duty-free service was forced to be halted then as were landing very shortly!




Singapore night skyline during final approach. The crew had just prepared the cabin for landing, dimmed the lights and got seated.




Urban landscape.




Had a very smooth landing on Rwy02L, with no thrust reversers used. Landed 9min early!




Disembarking the aircraft, with crew thanking and saying farewell to the pax.






Last view of the plane.




Immigration was painless and our bags were out with minimal waiting. Judging by the number of people at the baggage claim, I guess at least half of the passengers onboard were continuing onto Amsterdam.