Review of KLM flight from Amsterdam to Paris in Economy

Introduction

Given the type of operations our company does, I did not expect to be back to work so shortly after my trainings last week. However when I received my rooster for the following month, I was quite surprised to be scheduled for the first day of 2025. Quickly checking up as those days were usually off in our company, the person responsible for the schedule, told me that the salesman wanted at least one crew available for the 2nd of January 2025 and I was the unlucky one to be chosen…..

While Amsterdam does offer plenty of direct flights to Birmingham with EasyJet and KLM, I kindly asked operations to book me on the following flight via Paris to Birmingham as I would gain more points and status with Flying Blue for a similar price that EasyJet was asking incl. luggage (around 260 EUR). KLM's direct flights to Birmingham were quite expensive with the cheapest fare being 620 EUR. While the status and points were definitely a plus, this flight also meant that I would be trying out KLM's A321 product for the very first time.

On our way to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

As it takes about an hour for me to reach the airport, I decided to leave my home about three hours prior to my scheduled departure time. Given that Amsterdam is currently doing a lot of maintenance and refurbishments to the rail network below Schiphol's, it is wise to verify whether your connection is valid about a few minutes prior to your departure (I highly recommend you to check 9292's website as it gives you updated information for any form of Dutch public transport).

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

With about two hours to spare, we arrived at Amsterdam Airport's main plaza. From here, we would find our way to the departure hall number 1, which is pretty much the terminal used for almost all schengen flights with the exception of Schengen flights operated by EasyJet, Norwegian, Ryanair & Play.

Eventually found my way to KLM's check-in counter in terminal 1 where I decided to obtain my boarding pass and luggage tag via one of the sel check-in counters, which is quite easy to navigate through and does offer a select few languages ranging from Chinese to Spanish.

Once my luggage had it's tag, I made my way to the drop off section where I scanned my boarding pass to drop my luggage.  Once again this system is quite easy to use, however be sure that the luggage tag is not sticking out and the luggage is placed in the correct zone marked on the floor.

While my luggage was definitely allowed to be in the cabin, I usually choose to drop it off as it contains plenty of liquids above 100ml and the option to freely walk around. I don't mind the wait to obtain my luggage a bit later if it doesn't take more than 30 minutes to collect though.

Once all check-in formalities were performed, I decided to head upstairs  to pass security, which took about five minutes or so to clear as I could bypass the majority of the line as I do have fast track access via my Privium membership.

Privium ExpressLounge

Given that I do have access to Privium, It also makes me elligible to use any of their lounge if I do have a valid flight ticket for the same day. It is located right behind a Souvernir / Kiosk in the beginning in the D-Pier. On warmer days, this specific lounge does also have a terrace.

The lounge on the first was very quiet with only two other travellers and in my opinion is nicely decorated in a forest theme. It isn't overly large as the photo below is the entire lounge minus the lavatories and reception.

While food selection isn't overly huge, it does offer you a few items including a salad bar.

One can also find a corn soup, some vegetarian wraps and sandwiches filled with some brie and lettuce. This however rotates depending on staff and day.

Given that it was the first day of the new year, they still had some traditional snacks on offer that any Dutch citizen is familiar with as we usually eat them on the celebration of the new year.

The left one is ''Oliebollen'', a Dutch doughnut filled with raisins.  There's a story going on that the American ''Donut'' is actually a variant based on the Oliebollen when it was brought to New York in the time it was called New Amsterdam, however I'm not really convinced whether that story is actually true :).

The middle one is an ''Appelbeignet'', which is actually a fried beignet dough with an apple filling.

Obviously the one on the right is actually not so traditional and quite obvious, which is basically just a variety of different meats, some cheeses and peanuts.

One can find some coffee, tea and a draught for water & sparkling water on the right side of the kitchen isle.

One can find soft drinks, beers and wines on the left side below the kitchen isle. Some other liquor is available on top of the kitchen isle like red wine, whisky and rum.

Gate D60

I decided to leave the lounge right on our scheduled boarding time as the lounge was just about a minute away from the lounge I was staying.

While the d-pier is a pier that is used for both schengen and non-schengen destinations and usually handles the bigger birds (for schengen destinations), I'm not a massive fan of this pier as the gate is cramped to a point that the amount of passengers barely can fit in the gate/seating area and Amsterdam definitely has to do something to make it more pleasing as an experience. The picture below is just half of the plane with a lot of people waiting in the upper floor.

It doesn't really provide us with the best view of our aircraft, but here you can find our bird to Paris Charles de Gaulle tonight.

PH-AXA is the first ever Airbus A321neo delivered to KLM and currently is about 0.4 year old (at the time of flying). It is named after the butterfly ''Swallowtail'' as KLM has decided to name their Airbus A321neo fleet after butterflies.

This specific Airbus A321neo is powered by two CFMI LEAP-1A30 engines and is configured with 227 seats. 30 in EURO J & 197 in Y and is carrying KLM's new livery where the blue line is made deeper to cut expenses on painting the cone in a variety of colours.

Let's board our flight to Paris.

Boarding was called about 15 minutes past our scheduled boarding call despite being more than a hour on ground.

My first impression looks decent of the cabin. Padding of the seat is definitely reduced comparing them to the older 737 and I'm not entirely sure how those seats would perform once KLM is using them on longer destinations.

The view from my seat is definitely one I could appreciate if only it wasn't raining.

Legroom isn't really something to complain about on a hour flight and is decent I must admit given that the design of those seats are increasing the legroom down the bottom.

It also comes with an USB-C charger and a device holder which could also be used as a cupholder. The only downside of this seat is that it does not have any form of coat hook and if one has to carry it with him, it's either on the ground, on your lap or in one of the overhead bins.

About 5 minutes past our scheduled departure time, the captain checked in with us to inform us that the flight will be further delayed by another thirty minutes or so as a few passengers arriving from Helsinki with a huge delay were delayed and KLM saw no other option for them as no other flight would be leaving for Paris anymore (according to them). 

So as to continue with my seat review, the literature in your seat pocket contained KLM's magazine ''Holland Herald'' with Japan as the main feature for the month December & January, a safety card regarding the neo and a sick / trash bag.

KLM decided to still equip those A321neo's with individual air vents, which is definitely a plus for me.

And the table passed the inspection of being clean.

Flying to Paris!

Pushback was eventually about 35 minutes past our scheduled departure time and about ten minutes past the pushback, we were rolling down Runway 18L for our southerly departure to Paris.

Once airborne, the flight attendants jumped immediately into action when passing a safe altitude to start serving us our complimentary snack and drink. I kindly opted for a glass of red wine and received some Tomato/Oregano crackers… No further attention was given nor did they give me an opportunity to ask for a glass of water aside my red wine. While I usually enjoy KLM's cabin crew for being engaging, I must admit that today's cabin crew was quite distant and did not really engage with any of the passengers. I'd say that they were even more on the grumpier side than being friendly….

While KLM used to serve sandwiches on the Amsterdam-Paris route before, this seems to have been downgraded to just some crackers. It's not a massive issue for me, but I'd like to note that as Air France (Sister Company) still does serve them. Now both options aren't really tasty, it is noticeable.

As KLM advertises on the door and on the seat, the aircraft is equipped with WiFi and WiFi was immediately connected to my phone when I decided to connect to it. It offers you three packages ranging from free, surf pass (10 EUR) and a Stream Pass (20 EUR). While you can buy the surf and stream pass at a discounted rate online prior to your flight, the fares are quite expensive for a short flight like this and would definitely just take the free one as it does allow you to surf the internet at limited speed too.

The cabin in flight when flight attendants finished their service.

And not much later we were already into approach to Paris Charles de Gaulle according to the captain reducing our delay to just 30 minutes in the end as touch down was about 16 minutes past our scheduled arrival time.

It took for us about 13 minutes after touchdown to be parked at our gate.

Paris Charles de Gaulle

And disembarkation followed soon after and now it was my time to find my way to Terminal 2E.

See you on the next report!