After leaving my PTY flight, I had time to spare and wander around AMS. First activity: checking out the planes around.
The plane that brought me to AMS from Panamá A lovely blue jumbo Both from the walkway to G gates A filthy CX A343, shame because its a gorgeous livery and plane. A relatively clean A332 from the Mainland As expected DL's impressive presence.
Those were the highlights of what could be seen on AMS' extra-schengen side. I soon moved to the schengen zone as recommended by KL's Guide to AMS. Passport and Security checks were swift and efficient. Ushers where rather rude to people who seemed rather lost in the process.
I tried to find something nice to eat but ended having a burger on BK, at least it had a nice view. After settling business with my stomach, I headed to the outside terrace over the D gates. Nothing like the bigger terrace, but it required leaving the airside. I spent some time checking planes and reading while enjoying the great day.
A plane like the one that would take me to Zurich in front of some heavies Aside from the asian airlines, AMS widebody panorama was rather bland: mostly KL and DL planes But some exception is gladly seen. A CI A343 to TPE, I found curious that two asian airlines sent A343s to AMS
In no time it was time to head to my gate.
PH-BGG King Eider would do the honors that day
Boarding was fast. I found funny to hear the announcements in Dutch, German and English. So similar yet so different.
The view from my window: a Transavia 737
Occupation was probably around 90%
On push-back: my favorite KL plane
Etihad, more common in Europe each day.
Seat pitch was more than OK for the hop to ZRH.
Short taxi to RWY 24, a.k.a. Kaagbaan., allowed for a distance view to the Zuidas(?)
Catering was quickly distributed, sweet or salty option. I regret choosing salty, it was awful.
Views were not possible at the beginning, but soon clouds cleared and very nice views of Belgium, France and Germany were possible.
I assume that nearby Basel we banked into Germany and begun descent, eventually crossing the Rhine into Switzerland and over sunny farmlands
Landing on RWY 14 and taxi to B/D-gates. Stopped to give way to a U2 A319 taking off from RWY 28. Regulars were seen, nothing interesting, mostly locals, and a previous acquaintance I had made two months before…and a TAP lurker.
De boarding took its time, when we got to the baggage hall my bag was already waiting for me. But, overall from the plane to the train station I mustn't have taken more than 30 mins. In no time I was heading to Zurich's HB after changing some Francs and buying the necessary Swiss Pass (best deal if you want to move around in Switzerland).
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Verdict
KLM
6.0/10
Cabin7.5
Cabin crew7.5
Entertainment/wifi5.0
Meal/catering4.0
Amsterdam - AMS
7.9/10
Efficiency9.0
Access5.0
Services7.5
Cleanliness10.0
Zurich - ZRH
8.9/10
Efficiency10.0
Access8.5
Services8.5
Cleanliness8.5
Conclusion
Overall this was a regular hop within Europe, nothing extraordinary.
KLM: I found KLM's intra-europe product not as good as LH's, rather ...ok. Seat comfort and crew were OK. IFE consisted on map, fine for me, I had my book anyways. Catering was really bad, those cookies were awful, and there was no interest by the crew to give seconds on the drinks.
AMS: Albeit efficient, I found it to be rather bland. The smoking terrace was a huge premium though. Food offerings were pretty lame.
ZRH: Efficient, the B-gates modernity and cleanliness is somewhat disturbed by the ongoing works on the arrivals part. The train station and the mall on top of it are a great plus, but it is a bummer that contrary to GVA, ZRH doesn't offer a free ride to the city, big let down as public transport in ZRH is prohibitive.
Thanks for reading, Saludos!
0 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Nice MD-11's pictures ! One of my favorite aircraft, but it will soonly disappear. The CZ livery looks great. Can't wait to see it on the 77W.
Paris also welcome two asian carriers with A340-300 : CX (which will probably operate all-77W) and Air China. We can also consider Etihad and Qatar Airways (both A340-600), as well as some rarely TK's 343. NB : the China Airlines' IATA code is CI, not CA (which is the Air China's code).
The A343 to TPE belongs to CI (China Airlines, Taiwan's flag carrier), no CA (Air China, Mainland China's flag carrrier). OK, White saw the mistake before me, but I am touchy on these cross-Straits mistakes, even when no harm was intended :) I was always intrigued by the deflector above the tail reactor of the MD-11. Thanks for this FR !
I have corrrected the typo, I was a bit annoyed when writing the FR and didn't pay much attention to such details. (accidentally pressed back and deleted my previous Report)
Thanks for sharing this last leg of your jouney to Switzerland. As in any ST hub, you can see in AMS ones of the most important alliance's carriers : DL, KL, CZ, CI, ...
Wasn't the salty snack Delicious, as mentioned on the packaging ? ;)
I'm visiting ZRH on Sunday : I don't know if I will write a report about a domestic flight to GVA...
Are you coming to Switzerland this year again ? ;)
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10 Comments
Nice MD-11's pictures ! One of my favorite aircraft, but it will soonly disappear.
The CZ livery looks great. Can't wait to see it on the 77W.
Paris also welcome two asian carriers with A340-300 : CX (which will probably operate all-77W) and Air China. We can also consider Etihad and Qatar Airways (both A340-600), as well as some rarely TK's 343.
NB : the China Airlines' IATA code is CI, not CA (which is the Air China's code).
http://www.airliners.net/photo/China-Southern-Airlines/Boeing-777-31B-ER/2385457/&sid=aee1cd1351c7b69a45e6a97656e5c9c0
I was always intrigued by the deflector above the tail reactor of the MD-11.
Thanks for this FR !
As in any ST hub, you can see in AMS ones of the most important alliance's carriers : DL, KL, CZ, CI, ...
Wasn't the salty snack Delicious, as mentioned on the packaging ? ;)
I'm visiting ZRH on Sunday : I don't know if I will write a report about a domestic flight to GVA...
Are you coming to Switzerland this year again ? ;)
No, the snack was appalling...got completely scammed by the pack.
Have fun, I wouldn't be able to bear the cold right now though.
Unfortunately no, it seems traveling will be mostly on this side of the world for me this year, although one never knows if a surprise trip shows up!
A lot of great pictures
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