Amsterdam - Istanbul KL / J, Boeing 737-700: Here you go.
Istanbul - Amsterdam KL / J, Boeing 737-800: After this.
Amsterdam - Basle KL / Y, Fokker 70: Won't be published
As we arrive at the transfer self service desks, I check if our boarding gate has changed, and notice that an upgrade for 120.- Euros is available. Given the original price of the tickets and the lenght of the flight, the deal is good, and my credit card is out of my pocket ;)
Sure it is the same seat as Y but the recline and the pitch will be better, and last but not least, the meal should be much better.
Quite fast emmigration procedures and here we are at the Non-Schengen lounge. Nice welcome, good food offering, here my selection:
45 minutes before boarding time we head to the D gates where our flight is supposed to leave. As we arrive at the gate an announcement is made that our flight will leave from the …. G gates, more or less at the other end of the Non - Schengen area… So let's go for a walk. En-route a shoot of this Delta A330:
After a good 10 minutes a walking, here we are at the G gates, for a paxbus boarding. But to do so, we would first need a bus, screening personal and boarding staff, as there was absolutely no body there.
5 minutes before boarding the staff finaly arrive and the flight is delayed to noon.
We'll board with the first bus and here some shooting:
Our 737-700:
Boarding, and cabin views, note the orange seat covers for EC:
Business with the middle seat kept free:
Very good recline:
Electric sockets that worked:
Good legroom:
Safety on board card:
There is a selector for audio channels, but we won't receive any headsets, not will any movie be projected on the screens:
An ARJ85 from City Jet parks next to us:
More or less around noon, we push back and I can spot the rear jetways on this 772:
A 747-400:
An MD11 that waits to take off to Victorville in California for scrapping. That's so sad, as the MD11 and I have a long love affair.
Aperitive service with one of my favorite drinks, bacardi coke:
Corporate signature:
Delicious bites:
By the way, the aperitive was the first drink that was offered. I may be old school but IMO, in Business, Welcome Drinks should always be offered, even if it is only water.
Menu is then handed out, we are 5 in Business and our 2 co-pax will nor drink nor eat during the whole flight. They crashed onto their seats at boarding and slept until landing. Dream passengers for a crew. But my parents and me are going to sample the whole service :)
On the very same menu, the breakfast and the diner are indicated as well:
KLM as a very eco friendly approach:
I really like the description of the wine as I like to know if my wine will be sweet, dry or fruity.
Hot towel to start with:
My parents did take the fish and they liked it:
I took the beef and it was really nice, I finished everything. It wasn't haute-cuisine, but quality and taste was there.
The starter was fresh and delicious. The betroot mousse was to die for:
Good cheeses:
Salt, pepper, dressing and butter were in this small box:
Main dish:
And the whole tray:
I took the white wine that was very nice:
Coffee and chocolates to round off the meal:
My only regret is that KLM does not offer any real dessert.
Forward galley and doors of the 737:
Lavs:
We are here:
Winglet:
The engine is still here:
And then, we are treated with wonderful views of Istanbul:
Landing as 25' late, here some MD80 ending their lifes in Turkey:
A310-300 TK Cargo:
My first A321-200 Sharklet:
Tarco Air, never heard about it, A320-200 ex Mexicana, still wearing their colors:
A300 Cargo Solinair:
767-300 British Airways:
See more
Verdict
KLM
8.3/10
Cabin7.0
Cabin crew9.0
Entertainment/wifi7.0
Meal/catering10.0
KLM Crown Lounge 5 - Non Schengen
7.8/10
Comfort6.5
Meal/catering6.5
Entertainment/wifi9.0
Services9.0
Amsterdam - AMS
6.6/10
Efficiency7.0
Access2.5
Services10.0
Cleanliness7.0
Istanbul - ISL
10.0/10
Efficiency10.0
Access10.0
Services10.0
Cleanliness10.0
Conclusion
The cabin was quite comfortable, the crew was attentive and nice. The food lovely. French newspaper Le Monde is offered upon boarding.
The gate change was not well handled, and we had to walk quite a while, this is why I only gave 2.5 for the airport access, should not be there, but no better place :)
IST was really good, clean, no wait at immigration, luggages within 5 minutes, duty free on arrival and subway service in front of the airport that connects with the tram to reach downtown within 45 minutes for 3TRL, 1 Euro.
0 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
KL biz looks a bit lame (I still can't get why European carriers do this, aside of the economics) and I cannot fathom why IFE was not provided. At least catering was pleasing.
Thanks for the FR, seems like the catering was very strong, I like the sights of your first A321 sharklets, the A310 Turkish Cargo and the B767 BAW! I am really impressed by the cabin screen and plugs...
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4 Comments
That upgrade was good value for a flight of that length.
Meal looks fine and I'm glad to see that KL provides a printed menu.
Descending into IST can be magical, especially during sunset.
Thanks for sharing.
Awesome shots of Istanbul, thanks for sharing!
Saludos!
seems like the catering was very strong,
I like the sights of your first A321 sharklets, the A310 Turkish Cargo and the B767 BAW!
I am really impressed by the cabin screen and plugs...
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