Introduction
Hola amigos!
Welcome to this FR between AMS and MAD, part of a larger series between Spain and Colombia and return with IB and KL.
Previous flights in the series are available here:
Flight routing
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Transit at Amsterdam
Once I arrived to AMS, I checked if there was a chance to upgrade for the AMS-MAD hop, and indeed there was, for what I thought was a reasonable price, and so I went in for the upgrade.
Security check was swift and off I was to the terminal.
I had a long layover at AMS, and I didn't look forward to spend it on the Schengen KLM Lounge, so I went to the "newer" and better lounge on the non-Schengen side.
I booked a slot for a shower (just what I need after a hop over the pond).
The lounge is airy and has different environments. I loved it.
KL fliers may recognise these tiles from the security video, brilliant!
The second level allows great planespotting…I don't mind spending my connection time here.
The shower was well appointed and clean.
Done with the shower, I went for a lunch. Here's where I found one of the few weak spots in this lounge. It was OK. Bevereages came out warm out of the dispenser (wtf?) and the glasses are miniscule, if you're thirsty you'll have to head back to the dispenser, queue, and get another serving….and repeat until your thirst is quenched.
An old friend that took me from MAD to MTY a couple of months before.
Another meal…nothing fancy but just what I needed, much better than my first dish.
B6's flights into AMS were a novelty back then…
Boarding time approached and so, it was time to cross the border.
Let's wait and see how it turns out after this renovation.
As I still had time to spare, I went to the Schengen lounge. Not much to do or eat. I only had a cup of hot cocoa, while I "read" the Flying Dutchman's article on Colombia.
Done with my cocoa and "reading", I went to my gate
Our flight would depart from the D gates, which meant a cramped boarding gate.
Our ride to Madrid
Not as bad as I expected. By this point all I wanted was to be back at my flat.
Boarding was swift, being in group 1.
Into KLM's 737-800
We were to fly one of the OG KLM cabin…which is fortunately being changed as these planes scream 1990s loudly. The Business Class cabin is your regular Euro-business cabin. What's the use of the IFE boxes on these planes?
To our right we had a Transavia cousin.
Enroute to Madrid
Being one of the first to board, I took some time until everyone got seated. I was dosing on and off in the meanwhile. We had a quick taxi to the runway, with a not too interesting planespotting
And off we went to Spain
My phone figured out that it was worth showing the state of the window…so here it goes:
A glimpse of Amsterdam as we turned to head south.
And the viewing show was over.
So I turned to my book for IFE and the crew handed me a generous water bottle.
Then oshiboris were handed out. Great!
KL is one of the few airlines that still provide magazines. Great touch, with all the AvGeek favourites!
About an hour into the flight our meal was delivered. There was no choice, we got a box that was served like this
A very pretty design when closed. I wonder why I didn't keep it…
Enter text here…
The box's contents:
So we got the samosas too…
It was a very tasty meal. Considering that KL does give a sandwich and a drink in Y class, I don't know if this meal justifies the price tag for a J-class ticket.
I finished my meal and went to sleep. The sun was setting as we arrived to Madrid
Bags didn't take long to come out and I was on my way home in no time.
Probably for in seat power.
Yep, it's for in-seat power. Seats in the forward cabins that can be used as Business and Economy Comfort have AC power in these old cabins (no power in standard Economy section). The new cabins have USB-C from nose-to-tail.
Hola!
It's been so long since I've been through AMS I forgot it looked so retro (although there have been renovations since, as you mentioned).
Same with the plane, most of the 738s have new cabins now--the old cabins looked too LCC in my opinion with such basic seats (basic minus the in-seat power, which is good).
Pretty yes, but the fact that the short-haul meals are served in a paper box just looks cheap to me. That was all fine during Covid, but not after. Nevertheless it seems the contents are quite good...you don't expect so much inside of a boxed lunch.
Thanks for sharing!