Spain-giving 2014: KLM Business Class Barcelona To San Francisco

a plane on the tarmac

***This is part 8 of my “Spain-giving 2014” trip report detailing a recent trip to Barcelona over Thanksgiving weekend***

1. American Express Centurion Lounge at SFO
2. Korean Air Lounge at LAX
3. KLM Business Class Los Angeles to Barcelona, via Amsterdam
4. Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona
5. Exploring Barcelona in a Motorcycle Sidecar
6. Day trip to Girona for Lunch at El Celler De Can Roca
7. Sala VIP Lounge at BCN, KLM Crown Lounge at AMS
8. KLM Business Class Barcelona to San Francisco, via Amsterdam
____________________________________________

Our journey home started with an uneventful 2-hour hop from BCN to AMS, where we received a proper hot breakfast. That part still amazes me, as you’d be lucky to get a cup of juice on a 2-hour domestic flight in the US. However, while it was no doubt a hot breakfast, it was the worst meal that we encountered across our 4 segements on KLM.

klm business class breakfast 1

Early morning flights have their perks – we landed just in time to catch the a beautiful sunrise in AMS. I’m still curious what the illuminated squares are in the picture.

klm business class AMS views

After a brief stop in the lounge, it was time to head home. So, up to this point I had really been enjoying my flights on KLM. That all changed with this last one. Instead of the refurbished Boeing 747 that we flew from LAX, our ride to SFO would be on this Airbus A330 with a much older Business Class cabin.

klm business class san francisco reviews

The seats are in a 2x2x2 configuation, and also feature a similar blue color scheme that the new seats had.

klm business class san francisco reviews

That’s basically where the comparisons end – these seats were ancient and by far the most uncomfortable I’ve had on a premium cabin product, which includes the old United recliners.

klm business class san francisco reviews

There was plenty of legroom when seated, but as soon as you tried to recline, the space really became quite crammed.

klm business class san francisco reviews

The seat and IFE controls were similar to the new product and the power worked just fine for the entire flight.

klm business class san francisco seat controls

klm business class san francisco ife control

klm business class san francisco reviews

It’s never good when your IFE also comes out of the armrest. The screen was very low-resolution and the system was even clunkier than on our previous flight.

klm business class san francisco reviews

Before take-off, amenity kits and menus were distributed.

klm business class san francisco reviews

klm business class san francisco reviews

Consistent with our prior flight, the food was really tasty. After takeoff, nuts and drink service, followed by the shrimp appetizer.

klm business class san francisco reviews

klm business class san francisco reviews

And with braised veal on the menu, no way I would be turning that down. The gnocchi were also really delicious.

klm business class san francisco reviews

And finally, a relatively small dessert and cheese plate.

klm business class san francisco reviews

I tried my best to sleep for the duration of the flight and despite constantly tossing and turning, I actually arrived pretty well rested. I woke up about an hour prior to departure just as the light meal was being passed out. I think “light” is an accurate desription.

klm business class san francisco reviews

Overall, I was once again very pleased with the food and service aboard our final KLM flight home. While the new KLM business class product is competitive with what you find elsewhere, the old Business Class seats really need to go, and I would go out of my way to connect through LAX next time to avoid them.

2 Comments

  1. The illuminated squares you see in the picture are glass houses. They are heated with gas 24/7 and due to the heat and the artificial light vegetables and also flowers can grow. Nowadays most of the production of flowers has moved to Africa and South America, and these flowers are flown in to Schiphol airport daily as the largest flower trading centre in the world is near the airport.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *