Review of KLM flight Manchester → Amsterdam in Premium Eco

Apologies for mixed picture quality from a rubbish smartphone and not so bad digital camera. Photo quality aside,this was my first ever flight with KLM and my worst ever in 30 years of flying. I was so excited to fly KLM and was brought right down to earth by a paranoid set of crew. The KLM Facebook team who treated me like a celebrity,dissappeared as soon as I was unhappy with KLM.
Hopefully you will see how much my Flight Reports have evolved since this dark day in 2014 and not knowing about FR.

* 737-700 * PH-BGT (named Hen Harrier/BlauweKiekendief )


STD/STA 1340/1600 > Aircraft Fully boarded at 1330pm Pushback 1343pm ATD 1357/ATA 1545pm

Welcome Greeting

Bear in mind this was my first ever flight on KLM. I had to say Good Afternoon to a tired looking Junior Stewardess first,she then said it back. I felt as if I had forced her to say Good Afternoon.

Cabin Cleanliness

Brand new carpet and curtains and the aircraft itself was only 3 years old in September 2014. The aircraft smelt new however the divider curtain by the window was worn out and the window pane had been marked in ink.

Seat ; Pitch and Comfort

£12.00 paid for an Economy Comfort seat to be first off the aircraft in Schiphol. Seat could not go fully upright and I felt slouched in it for the duration of the journey. Economy Comfort on shorthaul flights is basically a few rows of seats at the front of Economy with Orange headrest covers instead of the Blue headrest covers for standard Economy. No extra legroom on shorthaul flights,just a chance to disembark first.

Unbelievably the seat was on a row normally used for Europe Business and I hated to think how a Business passenger on a longer flight operated by this aircraft would fee. The headrest cover was blue leather as opposed to Orange fabric for Economy Comfort. Due to negative actions by the crew I may have been one of the first to leave the aircraft but I was the last to leave Schiphol from this flight.

IFE

Drop down tv monitors which show Airshow,tracking the flight’s progress. Screens went back up 10 minutes to landing. Perhaps as the Captain was flying off course. Not sure why there is an IFE control panel in the seats when no IFE is offered on this aircraft. Choice of newspapers for Europe Business Class passengers and the Holland Herald magazine for all passengers in the seatbacks/seatpockets.

Cabin Crew Grooming

3 Stewardesses wore a jacket for boarding and the rearmost Stewardess didn’t. All crew except the Purser wore serving jackets during inflight service. Purser seen holding a pair of her shoes before commencement of inflight service.

Announcements clarity

Informative announcements about electronic equipment allowed,Skyteam,FlyingBlue,KLM Facebook/Twitter,however the mouthpiece was held too close and there was a cackling noise as a result. I liked the useful message to check tv screens on arrival in Schiphol in case of a gate change.

Cabin Crew Attitude

Very Poor. Stewardess at back avoiding eye contact with passengers and looking very unhappy as passengers boarded which I found very unprofessional. Stewardess in front cabin kept looking at me from her jumpseat during takeoff and landing which made me feel very awkward. Purser ,after take off came and shook my hand and then asked me not to take photos of the crew as “one girl felt uncomfortable” to which I denied having done so and was deeply offended and hurt at the accusation. The letter I had handed on boarding referring to the fact this is my first KLM flight was not mentioned nor was I made to feel valued as a first time KLM flyer. Other passengers viewed me with suspicion and I felt that I had committed a crime by taking pictures,so this trip report wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for my passion.
During boarding,I had asked a Stewardess of possible Antillean origin if she could hang up my suit jacket and she smiled and said “ I am sorry,we do not have cloakrooms anymore,I can lay it flat for you in the overhead locker?” to which I agreed.

Inflight Service

A Dutch Stewardess from the rear cabin with a beaming smile came to offer me a snack and asked if I would like sweet,salty or both ? I opted for Nachos, a Punsellie Stroopwaffel (syrup waffle) and a canned Apple Juice. No ice was available when I asked for it.

Captain’s Message

35 minutes into the flight the Captain came on to advise the weather in Holland,wished us a pleasant flight and day. I presume he made his announcement so late into the flight as he was too busy alerting Schiphol Authorities to my arrival. On landing in what seemed a field, the Captain advised due to extreme weather we had landed on a further than usual runway.

Farewell

Captain and Purser were outside Cockpit door and I chose not to say bye and not look at them due to the offence caused on the flight. This is nothing compared ot being met by security at Schiphol and almost being arrested if it wasn't for a nice security officer who saw I am genuine. I dreaded my flight home. I really did.



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Airports I have seen KLM in or have flown with KLM from/to

AMS/MAN/KWI/JFK/LHR/BKK/NRT/ICN