As a continuation of our trip home from Helsinki, this second part is a review of the KLM A330-300 Business Class. I’ll also throw in a quick review of the KLM Crown Lounge in the Non-Schengen terminal here at AMS.
Connecting here at AMS is easy, in fact it’s one of my favorite European airports to connect at. Everything is well connected and easy to navigate. Today because we’re leaving the Schengen area, we’ll be passing through passport control here in Amsterdam before heading to the lounge and gate.
Bottom Line: KLM uses the A330 for lots of Trans-Atlantic flights. While they are not the most modern of planes, they are still widely used. In Business Class the A330 does have fully lie flat seats, but they are in a 2-2-2 configuration so the window seats don’t have direct aisle access. The service is very friendly and the meals are decent.
Anyway, lets get into this review.
Amsterdam Airport Transit
We departed the KLM 737-800 that took us from Helsinki and into the AMS airport. We need to make our way to the Non-Schengen terminal for our flight to Dulles.
The Airport is well marked and it’s easy to find connection information. AMS is the home for KLM and lots of connections are made here everyday.
An empty passport control is always a welcome sight. No wait in any of the queues. This area can be very crowded during the common departure and connection times. The Schengen area has exit immigration and this is where you officially leave Europe.
Amsterdam Non-Schengen Area KLM Crown Lounge Review
We had just about 2 hours to kill between flights so we made our way to the KML Crown Lounge. KLM operates 2 different Crown Lounges here at AMS this one, in the Non-Schengen area is the larger of the two with the most features. It’s located upstairs just at the base of the F departure pier. It’s labeled as lounge 52 on the signage.
Delft Houses decorate the entrance hall. The Delft Houses are a KLM business class tradition, there are hundreds of different kinds.
Entering the KLM Crown Lounge is almost overwhelming. The space is absolutely huge and there are just so many different areas.
The view from the table we chose wasn’t amazing. There is an outdoor area to sit and relax, but we didn’t partake as we wanted to sit inside.
Lots of different types of seating here at the KLM Lounge. We grabbed a table near the bar and got a few light snacks and some drinks before our flight. Neither of us were particularly hungry, but when there’s food in front of me I’ll eat it.
Self service soda and water is available.
Along with self service coffee. There’s also of course staffed drink service from the bar and café area.
I also like that there’s a book selection. After our wait, it was time to head to the next flight.
KLM A330-300 Business Class AMS Boarding
We left the lounge and walked to the gate. We’re scheduled to depart from E18 and the E pier is pretty long.
Our A330 ride looking great. There’s just something I like about the style and proportions of the A330.
We hurried and made it when they were calling main cabin 2 so we were right on time. We boarded after filling out the US vaccine declaration forms.
Here in AMS, they use two jet bridges so we used the one labeled for rows 1-5.
KLM A330-300 Business Class Seat Features
Onboard we stowed our bags and found our seats in the last row of the business class cabin on the left hand side. The seats are in a 2-2-2 configuration on the KLM A330. Waiting for us at each seat was an amenity kit, blanket, pillow, headphones, and water bottle.
Plenty of leg room here, but it’s a like flat seat, that’s to be expected.
Nice large entertainment screen for each business class passenger. Because of the configuration, you will be able to see what your neighbor is watching, it can sometimes be a little hard to not screen watch.
There’s a nice little glasses holder next to the screen.
Above it is a coat hook. I wish that KLM would pickup and hang jackets, little annoying having it in the seat the whole time. I should have just stuffed it in the overhead.
In the right side armrest is USB power and the connection for the headphones.
Between the two seats are some universal power ports. Always a welcome feature on longer flights.
KLM A330-300 Departure and Takeoff
The flight attendants made their normal announcements and then also the pilots. The pilots told us it would be an 8:10 flight and that we’ll be pushing back in about 10 minutes, after the rest of the cargo is loaded.
Looks like an almost completely full flight here in the business class section.
Pre departure beverages were passed out and the head pursuer came around and introduced herself. She was extremely nice and I was looking forward to the service on the flight. I had a beer and Val a sparking wine. Heineken isn’t my favorite beer, but when in Rome.
We soon pushed back from the gate and headed out to the runway.
The Schiphol Airport has a very large footprint and it can take a while to get from the gate to runway or vise versa. The Polderbaan Runway is more than 3 miles from the airport terminal.
Our A330 soon began it’s takeoff roll. It’s a but wet and gloomy outside today here in The Netherlands.
A nice look down at the interesting system of dikes and canals that makeup much of Holland.
Val and I both started a movie as our KLM A330 we climbed out of AMS. Yes, I’m watching Fast 9. No, it’s not a particularly good movie, yes I’ve seen the other 8.
KLM A330 Business Class Menu and Meal Service
As we broke through the clouds the seat belt sign was turned off and we settled into a pretty smooth Trans-Atlantic crossing.
The beverage options for KLM Business Class.
The beverage options for KLM Business Class continued.
After a few minutes the head pursuer came around again and asked for our lunch order. I had the soy glazed chicken and Val had the miso salmon.
Another flight attendant then came around with a drink service, I had a gin and tonic and Val a Negroni. We settled into our drinks, snacks, and movies.
Lunch was served over several courses.
The salad and appetizer were ok, just not to my liking. I did like the little salt and pepper clogs. I may or may not have a collection of stolen salt and peppershakers at home.
The main was good, for plane food, not my favorite meal but more than good enough for this flight. As is evident I enjoyed my meal with a few more beers.
Val had a red with her appetizer then a white with her fish. We also both really liked the KLM Business Class silverware.
Finally desert was served. The desert was very good, I’m a big fan of little pastry.
And finally little chocolate Dutch houses. All in, I enjoyed the meal here in business class.
KLM A330 Business Class Amenity Kit
The KLM Business Class amenity kits are a nice soft side case. I much prefer a soft case over the hard case options out there.
Inside the kit was the usual equipment, toothbrush and paste, lotion, hand sanitizer, lip balm, ear plugs, a pen, socks, and an eye mask.
KLM A330 Business Class In Flight
I kicked off my shoes and reclined into another movie. I like the inflight entertainment options on KLM. The screens are large and you can use the remote as a map independently of the main screen.
The blanket was good as was the pillow. I don’t really care that much about pillows and blankets on daytime flights.
Out the window it was fun to see the other planes making the same Trans-Atlantic crossing.
The business class cabin was very quiet on this KLM flight. Sitting in the rear of the cabin is nice, makes it feel larger.
In the seat there are a few little storage areas. Between the two there is a nice little cubby to keep shoes, helps to get them out of the way.
Not having aisle access from every seat kinda sucks, but if you’re traveling with another person these window seats aren’t bad. Traveling solo the center section might be a better option. In the center, you’ll never need to step over someone or be stepped over.
Somewhere over New Hampshire, about an hour and a half before landing a second snack was offered.
Val and I both opted from the Empanada. It was fine but nothing to write home about.
KLM A330 Business Class Bathroom
The bathroom here was pretty standard for a widebody. I did like the little touches that KLM added with the Delft Houses.
The little cloth flower in the mirror in the bathroom.
I will say the bathroom on the KLM A330 was very clean the whole flight.
KLM A330 Delft Houses
The lead purser then distributed the KLM Delft houses. These are little going away gifts filled with Bols Genever which is like a Dutch gin.
KLM A330 Business Class Arrival into Dulles
About 30 minutes before landing the pilot came on and made her landing announcement. Nothing exciting, just that we’ll be right on time and that it’s 14c outside.
I switched over to the moving map display on my main screen. With only 20 minutes left it flight, I didn’t want to start something new.
We smoothly landed right on time into IAD. Ending a nice long flight is always bitter sweet, I love being on vacation but coming home is also nice, just means that I have to go back to work.
Dulles Arrival and Plane Mate
Parked at the gate and unfortunately we’re going to have to take a ride on the Plane Mates over to customs. Dulles is a bit weird and uses these goofy vehicles for transportation. There’s a huge back story behind this, but this Youtube video is a great short explanation.
Our KLM A330 looking great sitting at the gate here at Dulles. The arrival area here is tiny and is just a hallway leading to the planemate.
Onto the planemate we go. This is the only option to get over to the arrivals area.
Super fun being packed into a mobile lounge here at IAD.
Finally off the Plane Mate and into the Arrivals Hall. We went through the Global Entry line and we’re outside in less than 10 minutes.
KLM A330-300 Business Class Final Thoughts
The KLM A330 is a great ride in Business Class. It’s not the best seat in the sky, but the service was very good. When traveling as a pair, it’s not bad at all. The inseat entertainment is great, nice large screen with plenty of shows and movies to choose from. In this 8 hours flight I watched 3 movies to kill the time.
Transferring in Amsterdam was easy as usual. AMS is a well laid out airport for layovers and handling passport control. The KLM Crown Lounge is a nice place to kill a few hours if needed.
The food in KLM Business class was good but nothing amazing. Plane food just isn’t that great. I loved the liquor selection but the beer selection on KLM could use some improvement. I wish Dulles didn’t use the plane mates anymore, but I understand why they exist.
All in, my review of KLM business class is positive, and a good way to fly transatlantic.
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