Review of KLM flight from Almaty to Amsterdam in Business

I was flying back from Almaty to Amsterdam after spending only two days in Kazakhstan. Not many people think of Kazakhstan as a tourist destination but let me show you a photo of the Charyn Canyon, located 200 kms from Almaty:

Flight departure was at 04.55. My transfer took me from the hotel to the airport at 02.30. Check-in was in a small area between a first security control and passport control but it was quick and efficient. After a second security control I was at the business lounge with loud TV in kazakh going on. There was a selection of pastries of fruits free of charge, and there was also some tea and coffee, but all other drinks or meals were only against payment.

Boarding was on-time. Here is my aircraft, KLM A330-200 Place de la Concorde, PH-AOC, built in 2005.

The cabin crew was the same as three days earlier, and the stewardess working on my aisle was clearly very happy to see me again - we had a good chat about Kazakhstan and other countries. This A330-200 has only older lie-flat seats but there is plenty of legroom.

First champagne and cheese from the Netherlands were offered.

Departure was on-time and menus were quickly distributed. As departure was so early a light meal was offered first.

Salmon mezze, chicken tikka kebab, Mediterranean-style samosa, tiramisu mousse. The salmon mezze was absolutely outstanding; the chicken tikka kebab was OK; the tiramisu mousse was so good that I asked for some more.

After the light meal I had a very good two-hours sleep despite the older lie-flat seats.
Breakfast was served before landing: scrambled egg with Cheddar cheese, grilled salmon, vegetables and potato cutlet, and also some cheese, jam and yoghurt. It was very, very good.