We had never flown KLM before. We booked through Delta and our flight out to Amsterdam was a KLM codeshare. We were excited because it sounded like a nice airline. Compared to the Delta flights we’ve previously taken, we’re really glad we got the KLM overnight flight!
First, all the flight attendants were really nice. They would refill drinks for people whenever they needed it, were always helpful and never got an attitude with anyone. How refreshing compared to the usual (outside of JetBlue).
Second, the food was surprisingly good. When we booked on Delta, they said we were getting breakfast, so anything more than that and the bag of smoked almonds they gave out shortly after takeoff was such a surprise.
An hour or so into the flight, they told us that they were going to serve dinner. KLM has been working with chef Daniel Green to put together healthy and tasty meals for their trans-atlantic flights. Instead of eating heavy food that makes you feel sick on the plane, or other junk, the idea of a light, healthy dinner was really appealing.
Dinner consisted of a hot dish, a warm roll, a salad and a dessert. And none of it was junk food!
First up, the cold salad. Lettuce, carrots, a big cherry tomato and seafood, dressed with a very light vinaigrette. The dressing wasn't overwhelming (in taste or quantity) so it left the salad very crisp and light. It wasn’t gross and clammy like a lot of seafood gets in a cold salad. The dressing wasn’t gloopy and all over the salad. I was wary about having a seafood salad on an airplane, but it was actually really good and full of flavor.
The hot dish, according to the wrapper, was a chicken thai red curry. The rice had good texture, not too hard or watery. The green beans were healthy. And the chicken was actually really good. Not good only by airplane food standards, but it would have been good even coming out of a restaurant kitchen. We were really happy to be having such a good and healthy dinner!
Then it was time for dessert. It looked like ordinary chocolate cake but it was more like a sacher torte with fruit (raspberry?) flavor in the middle of spongey cake. It was delicious, fluffy and good.
Then, shortly before landing, it was time for breakfast.
Raspberry yogurt, a chocolate chip roll and orange juice. A nice start to the day.
Third, they have pretty good in-flight entertainment. I love when you have a personal screen instead of a hard-to-see one above someone's head. Granted, the one low spot was that mine didn’t work. The screen was fine, the remote was fine except the “enter” button – the one button you need to start the whole system – was broken, so I couldn’t get past the “choose your language” menu. I had to use A’s IFE and watched a cityfilm about Amsterdam and then listened to a “today’s hits” mix all the way until arrival.
Fourth, we got to listen to things in both Dutch and English. That was kind of fun.
Everything else was fairly standard but the service and the food put it for us in the same category as Singapore Airlines which we love (although Singapore Airlines will always be the gold standard). Nice, safe flight (considering the turbulence from Earl) and a good experience overall.
Next time: we sightsee at the airport.
If you follow our food blog, no, you're not crazy. Parts of this post were originally posted over at our food blog.
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