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

***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
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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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

And finally, a relatively small dessert and cheese plate.

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.

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.