Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.
Last summer, I enjoyed a terrific holiday in Peru. You can read my trip reports here:
Today: Review of KLM’s New Boeing 777 Business Class (Lima to Amsterdam)
For my return flight from Peru to Amsterdam, I had booked myself a seat in KLM’s new Business Class onboard one of the carrier’s Boeing 777-300ERs. KLM introduced its new Business Class in summer 2023, and by now all its Boeing 777-300ER and -200ER aircraft have been refurbished with the new product. For its new Business Class, KLM opted to install Jamco Venture seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving all Business Class passengers direct access to the aisle. These Jamco Venture seats were previously installed in Business Class onboard KLM’s Boeing 787 fleet, but on the Boeing 777, they come with some improvements such new technology and a privacy door. Also, the seat design on the B777 is lighter than the B787 setup, contributing to KLM’s sustainability objectives.
KLM is one of my favorite airlines to fly with and my experience with them has always been great (and it was not different on this Lima to Amsterdam flight). The service is consistently courteous with enthusiast and discrete flight attendants; the catering is decent (meals on flights departing from Amsterdam are created by Jonnie Boer, a famous Dutch chef of the three Michelin starred restaurant De Librije); KLM’s onboard Business Class product focuses on Dutch design, which I love (e.g. Marcel Wanders tableware and Jan Taminiau amenty kit); free messaging is offered to all passengers (and the prices for WiFi are reasonable); and last but not least, KLM gives miniature Delft Blue houses to its Business Class passengers as a farewell gift (which have become true collector items over the pas years).
Have you ever flown in KLM’s Business Class? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.
Flight information:
- Trip: Lima (LIM) to Amsterdam (AMS)
- Airline: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines A
- Aircraft type: Boeing 777-300ER
- Aircraft registration number: PH-BVO
- On time departure: 5 pm (yes)
- On time arrival: 12 pm (+ 1 day)
- Miles: 6,530 miles (10,500 km)
- Flight time: 12 hours
- Seat: 7K Class: Business Class
In this review (more information & photos below my Youtube clip & slideshow):
- Cost of my ticket
- Business Class cabin
- Business Class seat (+ best & worst seats)
- Amenities & bedding
- Meals
- Entertainment
- Onboard internet
- Gift: KLM Delft Blue House
- Other inflight experiences
- My verdict (score)
1. COST OF MY TICKET
I paid 2753 euros for my return Business Class ticket from Amsterdam to Peru. The Amsterdam-Lima flight was operated by a KLM Boeing 777-200ER with the old Business Class product while the return flight from Lima to Amsterdam was operated by a KLM Boeing 777-300ER with the new Business Class product.
2. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN
KLM’s Boeing 777-300ER features 35 Business Class seats arranged spread over two cabins. The main, forward cabin boasts 7 rows comprising the bulk of the seats (27 in total) . The smaller aft cabin is set between the galley and Premium Economy and has only two rows of just 8 seats. The smaller cabin feels more private compared to the larger cabin; however, it is situated just ahead of the Premium Economy bulkhead seats, so it may be less appealing to some passengers.
The 35 Business Class seats in both cabins are arranged in a reverse herringbone 1-2-1 layout, with direct access to the aisle for all passengers. The seats in the middle of the cabin are angled toward one another (great for travel companions), while those on the sides angle out toward the windows (the best choice) for solo travelers). Compared to KLM’s old Business Class product with a 2-2- 2 layout (which I reviewed here), this is a huge step forward. In addition to direct aisle access, the new seats are also broader compared to the old seats and they come with sliding doors, ensuring greater comfort and privacy.
The Business Class cabin is fitted in KLM’s typical color palette of carefully chosen shades of blue, brown, gray, aubergine and white. The seats are upholstered in a dark brown texture, while the interior side of the seat’s shelves feature a navy blue fabric with a stitching pattern. The carpet in the cabin features a pattern that is designed to evoke an image of the Milky Way, with blue uniform dots in the role of stars. Stylish and elegant, the cabin matches KLM’s Dutch design brand but IMHO, it does not feel as luxurious and sophisticated as the new Business Class product on KLM’s sister carrier Air France (which I reviewed here).
3. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)
With a pitch of 106 cm (42 inches), a width of 53 cm (21 inch) and an adjustable lower-back support, KLM’s new Business Class seat on the Boeing 777 feels spacious and comfortable. Every seat has a sliding door that can be easily opened and closed, so that the seat can be closed off for more privacy when working, relaxing and/or sleeping. In addition, the door shied passengers from noise in the aisle. KLM choose for a lightweight sliding door and not a solid door as compared to other airlines, since lighter doors are more fuel efficient than heavier doors.
One side of the seat – located towards the cabin wall for the window seats or the center line for middle seats – features a lockable compartment, which can be used to stow smaller personal belonging (e.g. cellphone, wallet, glasses). The console also has a hook for the noise-cancelling headphones as well as a built-in mirror. On the console’s outer wall is a reading light (at eye level), a handset for the inflight entertainment and a headphone jack.
Next to the console is a large counter, which features a wireless charging station (for a cell phone) and a recessed bottle holder, so that passengers can safely leave a water bottle on their tabletop, even during turbulence. The console’s edge is a metal trim holding the seat controls, which include a “do not disturb” sign and a massage function. Due to their location, the seat controls are easy to use though it’s also easy to bump these by mistake (especially when the seat is reclined in its flat bed position). The seat’s bi-fold tray table is also located on this side of the seat and slides out from underneath the counter.
In front of each seat is a large 17-inch 4K high-definition anti-glare screen. Underneath the TV monitor are a shelf (which is large enough to store a laptop) and several charging ports, including USB-A, USB-C, and AC power outlets. The suite’s apex below the entertainment screen also features a footwell with an additional storage area underneath (which is perfect for stowing away a handbag or shoes).
At the push of a button, the seat can recline fully flat to form a comfortable, 198 cm (78 inches) long bed. The ottoman is quite wide, making it easy to get comfortable and enhances the sleeping comfort. In addition, the seat’s aisle side features an adjustable aisle armrest, which can be lowered for providing some welcome extra bed width when the seat is reclined.
What are the best Business Class seats?
- Travel companions may prefer to select a pair of center seats,. You’ll still have to lean forward a bit to talk, but it’s better than being behind one another.
- Solo travelers may prefer one of the window seats. However, if you end up being seated in one of the center seats, it’s not really a problem since there are divider screens between these seats (guaranteeing 100% privacy).
What are the worst Business Class seats?
- The window seats in row 7 are missing a window (they have just one window instead of two windows) and are thus best avoided.
- I suggest to avoid the last row in the front Business Class cabin (row 7) due to its proximity to the galley and lavatories.
- I also suggest to avoid the last row in the rear Business Class (row 9) which is in front of the Premium Economy Class bassinet seats.
Click here for a seat map of KLM’s Boeing 777-300ER.
4. AMENITIES & BEDDING
Business Class passengers receive the following amenities on one of KLM’s longhaul flights :
- An amenity kit, which comes as an embroidered bag. The kit is created by successful Dutch fashion designer Jan Taminiau (in 2014 he was awarded the Netherlands’ most prestigious fashion prize the Grand Seigneur). It contains an eye mask, ear plugs, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, and Rituals lip balm & face moisturizer.
- A comfortable pillow
- A comfortable, marine blue blanket
- Noise cancelling headphones (which can only be powered within the plane and need to be returned to the crew prior to landing)
Unfortunately, KLM – just like it sister airline Air France – does not provide a quilted mattress. It’s probably the only thing I missed during my journey with the carrier, as a quilted mattress can really make a difference when it comes to the onboard sleeping comfort.
5. MEALS
On this 12 hour flight, two meals were offered: a dinner right after takeoff and a breakfast about 90 minutes prior to landing. The beautifully designed menus (with references to Delft tiles and houses) were extensive and offered excellent wine pairings. Another design detail that KLM gets totally right is the stylish and unique tableware. The porcelain, glassware, cutlery, linen and tray have all been designed by Marcel Wanders, a famous Dutch designer.
I choose the following selection from the dinner menu:
- Appetizer: creamy rosted corn soup and a mixed salad with Peruvian cheese, palm heart & red pepper
- Main course: roasted salmon served with sautéed lima bean, potato, squash, peppers, and quinoa risotto
- Dessert: chocolate tart with orange, mixed fruit mousse and mascarpone quenelle
Breakfast was served on one tray, and included a cold plate (with creole ham, Manchego cheese, Paria cheese, cream cheese and dragon fruit) as well as hot dish (crepe with caramelized pineapple and mango). Fresh orange juice, yoghurt and a selection of Danish pastries and croissants were served as well.
All meals were beautifully presented and tasted excellent.
6. ENTERTAINMENT
Each Business Class seat is equipped with a large 17 inch high resolution TV screen with bright and clear pictures. The TV can be commanded by directly touching the screen or by using a handheld wired controller which is located in a fixture above the armrest. The controller also features its own small touchscreen, allowing you to watch a different program (e.g. flight map) from the main screen.
KLM offers more than 1000 hours of interactive entertainment in various languages (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese or Spanish). There are more than 200 films to choose from, including recent releases, classics and world cinema, in addition to hundreds of TV shows, CDs, language courses, games, audiobooks, and a dedicated kids channels.
7. ONBOARD INTERNET
KLM offers Wi-Fi onboard its Boeing 777s and complimentary messaging is available to all Business & Economy Class passengers during the entire flight. This allows to send and receive text messages via WhatsApp, Messenger, WeChat, and similar services, although you cannot send or receive photos, videos, or audio files.
Two other internet packages are available for purchase on KLM’s longhaul flights:
- The Surf Pass is available as 1-hour voucher for EUR 8, or a full-flight voucher for EUR 18. With this pass, you can surf the internet, and send & receive e-mails.
- The Stream Pass costs EUR 18 for the entire flight and lets you surf the internet, send and receive e-mails including (large) attachments, send & receive messages including photos, videos, & audio files, and stream music, audio, & video. The Surf Pass is currently only available on KLM’s B777s and A330s.
8. GIFT: KLM DELFT BLUE HOUSE
Shortly before landing, KLM’s longhaul Business Class passengers always get a wonderful gift: a Delft Blue miniature traditional Dutch house, filled with Dutch gin, also known as “jenever.” Each miniature depicts a real Dutch house. KLM has been presenting Business Class passenger with this gift since 1952. Every year on October 7th, the airline celebrates the anniversary of its founding in 1919 by presenting a new house. Over the years, these miniature houses have become desirable collectors’ items, even generating a lively trade among passengers. KLM has a site where you can keep track of all of the houses, as each one is unique and has a special story to tell.
9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES
# CREW: KLM’s cabin crew ranks among my favorite airline crew in the world (together with their colleagues from Singapore Airlines and Emirates). The flight attendants are always super friendly, efficient and seem to genuinely care about the passengers, and it was not different on this flight, with impeccable and courteous service.
# LAVATORY: there are two lavatories onboard KLM’s B777 aircraft for Business Class passengers, both of them located behind the cockpit. The lavatories feature wallpaper with white and blue delft houses, and are stocked with high-end toiletries from Rituals (with scents of Dutch tulips and Japanese yuzu).
10. MY VERDICT
- Cabin design: 8/10
- Seat comfort (upright): 8/10
- Seat comfort (bed position): 8/10
- Seat privacy: 9/10
- Food (quality): 8/10
- Food (quantity): 8/10
- Food (presentation): 9/10
- Inflight entertainment : 9/10
- WiFi: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Overall experience: very good 8,8/10
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