As of June 2026, KLM only has six operational Boeing B 737-700s left in its European fleet. They are currently in the process of being phased in favour of the Airbus A 320 NEO family. There was a time when the B 737 was the world’s most successful airliner, with over 17’000 frames ordered. Meanwhile, though, the B 737 has been overtaken by the European Airbus A 320 family, of which over 20’000 frames have been ordered.

Transfer in Amsterdam

I step off the flight from Basel and climb the stairs from the apron to the passenger concourse on the B pier. I make my way to the central plaza that links the piers to each other. It’s busy here, but the space allows the crowds to disperse.

KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam

Alas, the same cannot be said for the KLM Crown Lounge, which is a mess and in complete disarray. There are people everywhere, some of them even standing around holding drinks, as though this were some huge cocktail party. Most of the dishes on the buffet are empty, and the lounge staff can hardly keep up replenishing them. There are also not enough cutlery and dishes, so they’ve had to bring out extra cardboard plates and that irritating plywood cutlery. It’s really not a pretty scene. Luckily, my colleague – the Flying Dutchman – arrived ahead of me and was able to secure a place for me at one of the high tops.

KLM Business Class Boarding

The flight is boarding from one of the gates at the end of the D concourse. Boarding starts on time with groups 1 and 2.

KLM Business Class Cabin & Seat

There are three rows of seats in the Business Class cabin, for a total of twelve passengers. There are only eleven passengers booked in the forward cabin, and the only empty seat is next to me on 1C.

The aircraft has not been retrofitted with the new interiors, so I’m guessing it’s exit from the KLM fleet is imminent.

KLM Business Class Service & Crew

There are two female crew working the Business Class cabin. They both seem genuinely friendly. While the flight is still boarding, one of them passes through the cabin with small shots of apple, dragon fruit, and banana juice.

Boarding finishes on time. The doors are closed and the cabin is readied for our departure. The flight time is 85 minutes. That is, once we finally get airborne after taxiing all the way to the notoriously remote Polderbaan.

KLM Business Class Meal

The meal service starts soon after take-off. I must say, I rather like the design of the Wandels Box, even though I still think it isn’t really befitting of a Business Class service on the mainline fleet.

KLM’s catering tends to lean a bit too heavily to the experimental for my liking – and this flight is no exception. The main dish is a Mexican bean salad with plant-based “beef”. Then there’s a smaller bowl of crackers and another bowl of macarons for dessert.

As someone who avoids eating meat, I appreciate KLM’s effort to provide alternative solutions that will suite all their passengers. Having said that, I think I just don’t get the point of plant-based foods. It’s frankly a bit hypocritical. If you’re going to eat beef because you like the taste of beef, be a man about it and just say so. There’s nothing wrong with that. Anything else just seems wrong. Call it what you like, but if it’s plant based, it’s definitely not beef! But that is, of course, nothing to do with KLM. So, end of rant.

The meal is served with warm rolls and butter from the breadbasket. I finish off the meal with a coffee with milk.

Arrival in Toulouse

Our flight crosses more or less the full length of France, from the northeastern corner to the southwest. It’s a nice reminder of just how big a country France actually is!

We land in Toulouse slightly ahead of schedule. Outside the window I can see the Airbus plant where all big Airbuses are born. We taxi to our stand on the Schengen pier, and that concludes the flight.