Review: KLM European Business Class E190 (AMS-MAN)

Coninuing my around the world flight, I started in Seattle on the inagural Delta Taipei service then I made my way from Taipei to London on China Airlines. Then a short hop to Amsterdam on the KLM E190-E2. And finally before my last flight back home I need to make my way from Amsterdam to Manchester to catch my Virgin Atlantic flight.

Booking

I booked this as an award flight through Virgin Atlantic in business class. Spending 55,000 Virgin Points and ~300EUR to fly from Amsterdam to Manchester and finally Atlanta. If I was to purchase this ticket directly from KLM a one-way economy class goes for as low as just over 100EUR while business is sold for over 800EUR.

For an hour long flight I would not recomend spending that kind of money.

Check-in

I typically only travel with a carry-on so there was no need this time to visit the checkin desks. However I did have to contact KLM customer service a few days prior to my flight as during the ticketing process I was not assigned a seat nor was I able to view the KLM part of my ticket on their site.

The nice agent informed me that the ticket was showing incomplete on the Virgin Atlantic side and within a few mintues they were able to contact Virgin Atlantic and get everything situated. They even managed to grab me a window seat for the journey.

Boarding

As with most regional services from the Amsterdam airport, you're resigned to the bus gates. Which means more ramp level views of planes. I will never say no to that. It was a brisk morning but one the sun was on your face it was a nice pleasant walk from the bus to the plane.

Typically with regional flights I don't arrive to the gate till about 45 minutes prior to departure. However, since we were going out of a bus gate, I got there a little earlier as I wanted to make sure I didn't miss the bus to my gate. Typically bus gates have earlier passenger cutoff times and you're more at risk of missing your flight if you arrive late.

The Seat

As is typical in Europe, "business" class is just a normal seat with a blocked seat next to you. No big comfy seat. As I've said before, I'm generally ok wtih this, regional flights in Europe are usually only an hour or two in length and you wouldn't have the time to enjoy such a seat.

Service

KLM's Cityhopper service is on par with most regional airlines. The crew seemed fairly happy and once we got up in the air it started promptly with a drink service and even a full meal service in business class for those that wanted it.

While it's not a full plated breakfast, it was a cold breakfast box with fruit, yogurt, granola, and pancakes with a fruit jam on top. For being a preprepared box breakfast it wwas pretty good. The fruit tasted fresh, the yogurt mixed with the granola was good, and the pancakes (while cold instead of hot) were tasty with the jam on top.

For just an hour long flight, the level of service you get is incredible. Compared to a United States regional airline, for an hour long flight I would be lucky to get a plastic cup of water and some nut mix.

Here, I get actual glassware for drinks and a full and filling meal. If only I could bring this level of service to the United States regional airlines with their actual first class seats.

Final Thoughts

For an hour long service from Amsterdam to Manchest I was suprised at the level of service offered, the flight attendants were kinds and looked happy to be there. They generously offered refills and were constantly up and around in the asile. While I would not pay the outragous 800EUR being offer for this flight, if I happned to find myself on a business class award flight with a connection through Amsterdam on their Cityhopper service, I would give it some serious thought.