I started my usual airfare search for a planned trip to Amsterdam in October later than usual. We would like to fly in and out of Chicago and I'm finding fall airfare prices higher than I expected.

One of the airlines offering non-stop service from Chicago is KLM/NWA on a 747 combi. I'm not familiar with this plane other than it will carry less passengers and more cargo. I know it does not have the personal video system and we will have to fly economy class.

Are there any other negatives that I should be considering???My husband and I will endure the "pain" of economy class to fly to Europe as often as we can but I'm wondering if there is anything about this configuration that might make the 8 hour flight seem even longer

My search on Fodor's airline forum and on Flyertalk didn't provide much information. I'd appreciate hearing positive or negative experiences flying on a 747 combi. Thanks, Deborah

I found this on Seatguru - http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/KLM...-400_combi.php

It looks like the same config as the regular 747, except without the rear section of seats.

I suggest you bring up the seat configuration on the KLM/NWA website. It's been a while since I last flew in a combi. At the time, for a section of the plane, where the third column of seats was supposed to be, there was wall; thus no window seats on the starboard side of the plane, in that section.

thanks for your comments. I've never flown on a combi (and honestly before today had never heard of them). Once I figured out the seat configuration on the KLM/NWA website I better understood why there were so many seats not available for my selection. Those seats don't exist!!

I was wondering if the seating in the 747 would be any less "comfortable" than economy class in smaller planes. The 2 seat grouping in rows 11-17 is still available at this time and on the Orbitz site these seats are not considered premium but they are on the KLM site--go figure!!.

I was wondering if there was a reason why this wouldn't be a good choice if I'm resigned to flying to Amsterdam in economy class.

thanks again for your help. Deborah

Our experience waw the same as treplow's. On the one's we've flown, that "wall" contain a galley and restrooms so there's no windows on that section of the plane. Personally, I don't like that configuration at all. Seemed much more cramped. But the seats are the same as regular coach.

I appreciate the comments provided. My husband thought having only two seats even though they are along the galley "wall" might make for a quieter flight because we would be surrounded by less people. Seatguru posts that there is space between the seat and the wall, enough to store some personal items. thanks, Deborah

I wouldn't assume that those seats would be quieter. You might get some noise from the galley on the other side, but I can't give you info based on personal experience. Just a thought.

Also, at one point those seats in that section were reserved for FlyingBlue members (which might mean I'm wrong about the potential noise issue). Don't know if that's still the case or not, but it should be easy to check.

dfr, on orbitz the seats are not marked as premium,I did check that out as seatguru note it on their KLM 747 combi seat description map--thanks, Deborah

Wow, I've done that flight so many times....better than AA or Delta for sure, but still barely comfortable if not knocked out for the better part. And the food is nothing to be awake for either.....Try and get some sleep Quiet, it is not.

I wish I could say good things about this plane, but can't. It is pretty bad. Tight seating. No IFE. Uncomfortable, cramped layout. Worn-out seating. The wife refuses to fly on this plane in coach, and she isn't overly picky.

I would probably connect in Detroit and fly one of the Northwest/Delta A330s, which will be a much more comfortable ride and worth the short connection.

thanks again for your comments. I just wasn't "feeling the comfort" with the combi so I appreciate the feedback. Deborah