Introduction
It’s been quite a while since my last KLM post. I’m on my way to Amsterdam. Originally, I had intended to take a flight from Basel. But then I discovered that one of the services from Zürich to Amsterdam had switched from a Boeing B 737-800 to one of KLM’s new A 321 NEOs, and that pretty much sealed the deal. I’m curious to see what the new aircraft’s interior looks like.
Check-In
I arrive at the airport with the 09h47 train from Zürich Hauptbahnhof. The airport is fairly quiet. From the railway station I head three floors up to the footbridge that connects the terminals to the shopping mall and railway station. And then from there I head up another floor.
I’ve already checked in online, so there’s no need for me to contact one of the check-in desks. Instead, I keep on walking straight to security.
The ZRH Club Lounge
Given how much I enjoyed my previous visit to the ZRH Club lounge, I figured it would be nice to give it another try. Today it looks as though it’s going to be just us in the lounge. So we can basically choose any seat by the window!
The waiter hands me the menu and I order the momo and edamame, which is what I had last time. With that, I have a mineral water.
The food is nicely presented and a lot more substantial than what you’d get in the lounge. And the outside views are definitely very nice.
Boarding
My first stop after I leave the lounge is the Aesop shop to get myself a new disinfectant spray. It’s only then that I realise the gift the mighty aviation gods have bestowed upon me today. Because not only will I be flying on a new aircraft. By the looks of it, we’re parked on a remote stand. Oh happy day!
The flight is boarding from gate B10, which is another provisional building they forgot to get rid of again. There are quite a few of those at Zürich airport. While we wait for the bus to arrive, I take a few photos of the gorgeous Ethiopian A 350 parked close by. The flight arrives early in the morning from Milan, and then sits there for the whole day, before eventually it departs back to Milan and then Addis Abeba in the evening.
KLM’s A 321 NEO is gorgeous. This is the second aircraft of the type to be delivered to KLM and she’s still in mint condition. As my luck would have it, there is a young family travelling with their satanic spawn in front of me, which leaves me ample time to go on a photo shooting frenzy!
The Cabin & Seat
The first impression of the cabin is very good. It looks tidy and attractive. Each seat has an adjustable headrest and a USB C socket. I’m seated on 3A, and the pitch is excellent. It gradually reduces towards the rear of the aircraft. My colleague, the Flying Dutchman, tells me it’s quite painful on row 38. Whatever the case may be, on 3A there’s plenty of space. There are five rows of Business Class, for a total of twenty passengers. However, on today’s flight there are only eight passengers seated in the forward cabin.
The Service & Crew
While we’re still on the ground, there is no service at all. There are two male cabin crew serving the Business Class cabin, and they’re friendly enough, but there are no packaged towels or bottles of water. The flight time is eighty minutes.
The Wandels Box Meal
To be honest, I’m not really sure what I was expecting of the meal. Much to my surprise, though, it’s actually rather nice. The potato salad has a lot of different flavours and textures, and the three peppers filled with cream cheese are quite nice too. With the meal the crew serve warm bread rolls. And for dessert, there are three macarons, which are a bit bland and tasteless, though. And then to finish the meal, I have a peppermint tea.
Arrival in Amsterdam
Thirty minutes out of Amsterdam, we start our descent. We’re running 45 minutes behind schedule, which I guess is why ATC vectors us for a long and winded approach to runway 18R, which is the runway in the middle of nowhere. We touch down and it takes us over ten minutes to finally reach our stand.
Conclusion
Well, that was rather nice. Initially, I found it quite weird seeing an Airbus narrow body in KLM’s livery. But I think the A 321 NEO wears its iconic blue livery well. Other than that, I liked the cabin. The overhead bins are enormous and offer a lot of storage space. A common complaint on the KLM A 321 is the tight pitch. I was seated on row three on this flight and certainly can’t complain about that. I’m 183 cm tall and had plenty of space to stretch my legs.
The service was typical KLM. The crew were professional and friendly. The atmosphere on board was pleasant. As for the Wandels box, I’m really not a fan. Having said that, the food was good, regardless of the presentation in a cardboard box.
Nice looking Aircraft that suits the KLM livery nicely.As you say, not a fan of the meal box but then you cant have everything.What was that Bright green drink in the lounge?—— it made me thirsty!. I wonder what the New SAS euro business class will be like? ——- meal boxes?
The green thing was a mint infusion with fresh leaves. As for SAS, I wouldn’t hold be breath for anything too exciting. Basically, they already have a Business Class product that the call SAS Plus. It’s the same service at the back, just that the mostly rather unhealthy snacks they serve are complimentary.
Yes William—–Am familiar with SAS Plus. I’m surprised that they havent introduced the new Biz class with the start of the summer timetable——- would have been a smoother transition than doing it later.
Is this the lounge that people need to pay to access? If it’s empty, that might not be a good sign for it’s survival long term.
How comfortable were the seats themselves? Hard to judge the padding in the pics.
And yes, ugh to serving food in boxes, at least it was something different than the usual variation of falafel/shrimp/Asian noodles salad they usually serve.
They seem to have changed the concept since my last visit. Now it’s more of a buffet.
Just saw this land at LHR—-Sunday 6th 10 .45——– rather smart!
Smart is just the right word to describe what KL’s Neos look like – especially with the badger eyesz