T RIED AND TE ST E D FL IGHT
although I worked and slept instead. The table comes out of the arm and then folds out but is slanted, and so I jammed the blanket between it and the other arm to create a firm surface.
B EST SE A T The front row seats have lots of room for your feet when fully reclined and you can put a small bag under there for storage, so I’d choose one of those – my seat, 1K, was a good one, although my neighbour in 1H had more room for her feet. Still, she was on the aisle, which is prone to a bit more disturbance and is slightly closer to the washroom door.
THE FL IGH T Service was excellent throughout the flight, starting with an explanation from the captain that push-back from the stand would be delayed by 35 minutes because of traff ic congestion at the airport and also to give time for connecting passengers to take the flight.
or tomato soup. The mains were chicken, beef or an Asian choice. I went for the soup and the Chinese dish – a medley of chicken in black bean sauce, prawns in a sweet and spicy sauce, and Oriental-style vegetables with rice – which was very tasty. The white wines were Rigal Original Sauvignon Blanc 2018; Côtes de Gascogne, France; and De Kleine Schorre “Schouwen-Druiveland” 2017, Zeeland, Netherlands. This last one was lovely, and from a vineyard KLM has served wines from for many years. The reds were Anne de Balbiac Pinot Noir 2018; Haute Vallée de l’Aude, France; Mas Lavail Terre d’Ardoise Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2018, Côtes Catalanes, France; and Ken Forrester Syrah Reserve 2018, Western Cape, South Africa. Service was completed about two hours
into the flight, after which I reclined the seat fully flat, which is easily done with basic, clear seat controls, and fell asleep. The bed is very comfortable – a little tight at the shoulders, although it’s possible to
BE ST FOR ...
Friendly yet professional service with an unmistakeable Dutch touch.
C ONF IGUR A TION 2-2-2
S E AT WID TH 20in/50.8cm
S E AT R E CL INE 180 degrees
BED L ENG TH 80in/2.03 metres
F L IGHT DUR A TION 11 hours
P R ICE
Internet rates for a return business class flight in December from London to Hong
Kong via Amsterdam range between £2,586 (US$3,163) and £5,124 (US$6,268).
C ONT A C T
klm.com
61
The crew were always there when needed, and seemed to enjoy the flight as much as the passengers
Staff eff ortlessly switched between
Dutch and English to explain the menu, which took some doing because unusually there was no printed menu for the supper. The attendant apologised, and said this was because they were in the process of changing the menus. Instead she showed me pictures from an iPad and described them. The choice of starters was beef salad
bus ine s s tr a v el ler .c om
sleep on both your back or side (but not your front). At 2.03 metres long (six feet six inches), the seat is certainly long enough (I’m five feet 11). The cabin was quiet during the night,
with the only thing that woke me being several instances of quite noticeable turbulence. About 90 minutes before landing I could hear some noise and
woke to find breakfast was already being served. It was delicious. I went for a hard- boiled egg rather than an omelette, and there was also the option of a sweet apple pastry. On the final approach, we were given our choice of miniature Delft Houses; a nice touch that KLM has been doing for many years.
VERDIC T An excellent flight. The seat might be a little old-fashioned now, but it is very comfortable and easy to operate, and works well for working, eating or sleeping. The crew were always there when needed, and seemed to enjoy the flight as much as the passengers. Recommended. Tom Otley
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