KLM
 

Does anyone have any experience with the KLM/Northwest airlines. We will be flying out of Memphis to Amsterdam. What kind of flight should I expect?

Flight over will be cramped, hot, etc., as you will probably be on a Northwest plane. Flight back will be fine--just like any other international flight, not any better or worse.

Benny, <BR>Flew out of Minneapolis on Northwest, back on KLM. Our daughter recommended KLM if possible, true. Same planes but better service on KLM. It may be that it happened more often cause it was a daytime flight on KLM. Have Fun!

I usually fly on KLM/NorthWest from LA to Europe. It's been KLM every time so far. The food is better as well as the service. Almost all flights go through Amsterdam. <BR>

Just my 2 cents but Northwest seems to have the most cramped coach section of any major carrier. I'm 6'2" tall and just dread those 8 hour+ transatlantic flights if we're on Northwest. <BR> <BR>KLM is much nicer.

I flew a couple of years ago from Memphis to Amsterdam w/ NW/KLM & it was a KLM aircraft. I think that KLM is a great airline. They're my preferred carrier to Europe. My only warning to you is that customs in Memphis is awful (or, atleast it was in 97). They apparently don't have much interational passenger traffic, so they pull out all the stops for that KLM flight from Amsterdam. It felt more like a boot camp than any customs clearing experience I've had anywhere in the U.S. or abroad.

I've flown KLM/Northwest numerous times and have always been very pleased with both airlines. Can't say I've noticed any difference in spaciousness (or lack thereof) in coach, but the flight attendants for KLM have always struck me as a bit more gracious and charming.

Thanks for all the info. From the info given I hope we get KLM for the trip instead of NW as both my wife & I are very tall.

To the turnip: I totally agree with you in the crampness of the economy section and I am SHORT!! When my son fell asleep I moved him halfway to my seat but it was so uncomfotable for him and me that I ended up lying on the floor (not the aisle floor but the one in front of the seats!!) Also I did noticed that if it is a flight from Amsterdam, whether the port of entry is Memphis or Minneapolis they were extra vigilant!! Maybe because the custom agents know that marijuana is quite freely being sold and taken in the Netherlands??? Anyway I do like KLM and take it as often as possible, only problem, most of the time when you fly out of US you have to take the Northwest flight. <BR> <BR>Jackie <BR>

I live in Memphis, and we have flown the KLM flight to Schipol several times. It is no better or worse than any transatlantic flight - very long and tiring, but convenient for us - not having to change planes. It is NOT a Northwest flight, but KLM - all announcements in Dutch and English. Schipol may be the best airport anywhere. Have a good time!

Thanks for reassuring me. NW sounds like a nightmare for a long legged guy like me! Hopefully KLM has more space.

Benny and other tall people. <BR>As soon as a gate attendent RUN don't walk and ask to be put on the "wish list" for an exit aisle, or if you get a side row ask for the middle seat to be blocked so you can stretch into that leg room. Have Fun!

We have flown the Memphis-Amsterdam flight round trip from Memphis several times in the last few years. It has always been a large KLM plane. If I remember correctly, there is only one flight in and out per day, and it leaves Memphis around 8:30pm and arrives in Amsterdam around noon. Always a full flight, but a good one and good service. We have also flown KLM from Atlanta to Amsterdam and that was a good flight also...I have heard that usually the Northwest planes are the smaller ones and KLM's planes are the larger ones with better service. The airport in Amsterdam is wonderful, and if you have connections you usually have to check in at the local countre again once you are in Amsterdam. If you have 5 or 6 hours there, ask directions to the train area. Put your carry ons in a rented locker, and take the train into the main station in downtown Amsterdam near Dam Square. It takes about a half hour each way. We did this once and it is much better than sitting around in the airport. Also there is shopping at the level in the terminal where you get the train. Everything in Amsterdam is expensive compared to U.S. Have a wonderful trip!!

It must depend on the KLM flight. The ones we took to Amsterdam and back were the most cramped, uncomfortable flights I've ever been on and I'm only 5'2½". KLM used to be my favourite airline but not any more.

KLM UK was hugely better than BA when it flew into and out of Aberdeen. <BR> <BR>But my husband flies on business with KLM regularly and they keep losing his baggage; last week they bumped him and then didn't provide the back up they promised