Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

KLM World Business Class on the Boeing 787-10 [BOG to AMS]

Daniel Ross's image
Daniel Ross
Daniel Ross's image

Daniel Ross

Senior Content Contributor

717 Published Articles 1 Edited Article

Countries Visited: 64U.S. States Visited: 17

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points...
Edited by: Michael Y. Park
Michael Y. Park's image

Michael Y. Park

Senior Editor & Content Contributor

28 Published Articles 504 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 60+U.S. States Visited: 50

Michael Y. Park is a journalist living in New York City. He’s traveled through Afghanistan disguised as a Hazara Shi’ite, slept with polar bears on the Canadian tundra, picnicked with the king and que...
& Keri Stooksbury
Keri Stooksbury's image

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

52 Published Articles 3470 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 50U.S. States Visited: 28

With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now editor-in-chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Airline: KLM (KL)
Aircraft: Boeing 787-10
Flight #: KL749
Route: Bogotá (BOG) to Amsterdam (AMS) via Cartagena (CTG)
Date: April 9, 2024
Duration: 11 hours, 20 minutes
Cabin and Layout: KLM World Business Class, 1-2-1
Seat: 1K
Cost: $2,049 (outbound London to Paris to Bogotá, inbound Bogotá to Amsterdam to London)

After having the best time celebrating my friends tying the knot in Colombia, it was time to head back to home to London. Even though I was sad to say goodbye to Colombia, the fact that I’d be flying KLM’s long-haul business class for the first time meant I was looking forward to the flight itself.

Not only that, but it would be aboard one of the airline’s Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners — a relatively new aircraft compared to the airline’s workhorse Boeing 777s.

The outbound leg with Air France was a pretty solid experience, so I was eager to see how its sister airline, KLM, would compare.

Booking KLM Business Class

I booked a very reasonably priced round-trip deal for £1,638 (about $2,049) through Air France’s website.

Bogota trip confirmation with Air France KLM
Trip confirmation.

Granted, $2,049 is by no means cheap, but this was only around $1,000 more than a nonstop, round-trip ticket from London to Bogotá with Avianca — an airline that features in my bottom 3 for sure.

I used my U.K. version of The Platinum Card® from American Express, which earned me a measly 1 Membership Rewards point for each £1 I spent. If I’d been able to use the U.S. version, I’d have enjoyed a whopping 5 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent (up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1x).

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Cons
  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Card Highlights
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.¤
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip:

Not sure which travel rewards credit card is for you? Then check out our full guide to find which might be best to suit your wallet and travel style.

KLM is one of a few airlines that now unbundles its business class fares. Some would say this gives passengers the choice to tailor their experience, but I would say it’s a low-cost airline’s way of nickel-and-diming passengers for what is already a very expensive ticket.

That said, even though I booked the Business Light fare, I was able to choose my seat and use the lounges on my trip thanks to having top-tier Platinum status with Air France.

KLM business class bundled fares
KLM’s unbundled business class fares. Image Credit: KLM

Bogotá El Dorado International Airport

As much as I prefer to use public transport to get to and from airports, I always use Uber in Bogotá, as it’s just far quicker and easier.

As the crow flies, Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG) isn’t too far from where I was staying in Parque 93. However, since the roads aren’t super direct, the journey becomes an hour-long bus journey or a 30-to-40-minute cab ride. And for just over $8, it was a no-brainer.

According to the signs outside the terminal, KLM’s check-in desks are closest to door 3.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport
Door 3 for KLM departures.

However, I can confirm that door 2 opens right next to the KLM and Air France check-in desks.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport
Door 2 is best.

Checking In

I immediately noticed the long line of mainly backpackers waiting to check in.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport check in
Departures at Bogotá.

Thankfully for me, I was able to use the Sky Priority lane with my business class ticket.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Sky Priority
Sky Priority for Air France-KLM passengers.

There was only 1 other passenger in line ahead of me, so I breezed through the process quickly.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Sky Priority
Waiting in line for check-in.

Immigration and Security

In my experience, no matter what class of ticket you hold or how high your elite status is, departing from South American airports as a foreigner on an international flight means you enjoy no VIP treatment or fast tracking when passing through security and clearing immigration.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport departures
International departures.

Such was the case at El Dorado.

There were 4 separate lanes, including 1 for those needing extra time (elderly, disabled, and families), 1 for Colombians registered with Biomig (similar to TSA PreCheck), 1 for Colombians who aren’t registered with Biomig, and the final lane for, you guessed it, all foreigners.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport emmigration
Separate lines to leave Colombia.

As it happens, the absence of a fast track line wouldn’t have made much difference, as only a few people were ahead of me when I reached the front of the barriers.

I was very happy to spot the futuristic-looking 920 CT scanner.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport security
Modern 920 CT scanner.

This meant that everything, including liquids and large electronic items like laptops, could stay in my bag. I still had to remove my shoes.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport security
Everything stays in the bag.

Getting my boarding pass to being in front of Avianca’s business class lounge took less than 10 minutes, which is pretty impressive.

Avianca Business Class Lounge

Even though KLM is part of the SkyTeam airline alliance and Avianca is a rival Star Alliance member, the dedicated lounge for Air France and KLM business class passengers in Bogotá is the Avianca business class lounge.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge entry requirements
Lounge entry requirements.

The lounge was almost immediately in front of me after winding my way through the postsecurity duty-free area.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge entrance
Avianca Lounge entrance.

Up a level was the reception desk with a sign showing directions for 2 lounges rather than 1: left for the Diamond Lounge and right for the VIP Lounge.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge alternative
Lounge signage.

Another sign previously suggested that KLM passengers were eligible to use the VIP Lounge, so I followed instructions and turned right.

On seeing my KLM business class boarding pass, I was pointed back in the direction of the Diamond Lounge, which was, in fact, Avianca’s flagship lounge.

This is when I noticed this cool yet dirty, retro graphic of all of Avianca’s routes from Bogotá.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge reception
This was pretty cool.

Avianca has been struggling through turbulent financial times lately, and after a terrible “business class” flight with the airline back in 2022, I was intrigued to experience the airline’s flagship lounge offering at its home airport.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge
Welcome to Avianca’s flagship lounge.

The open-air space with floor-to-ceiling windows actually made for a really pleasant place to relax and have a bite before catching a flight.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge seating
Lots of seating.

The space was split into 3 main sections, each with different kinds of seating, from armchairs to tables for dining and reclined lounge chairs with footrests.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge seating
More seating.

The zone with the dining tables closest to the buffet was pretty packed throughout my 90-minute stay.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge seating
The main dining area.

I spent most of my time at this countertop looking over the apron and directly onto a busy runway.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge views
Runway and apron views.

When it comes to lounges with a view, it doesn’t really get much better than this. I love it when I catch the plane I’m about to fly on while it lands.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge views
Welcome to Bogotá, KLM.

At the very back of the lounge was a modest buffet of freshly prepared hot and cold snacks.

Bogota Avianca Business Class Lounge
The buffet.

There was a salad bar for lighter bites.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge food
Salad station.

Cold snacks included miniature Caesar wraps and montadito de atún, which were tuna bruschetta.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge food
Savory cold snacks.

Chicken stew with vegetables or meatballs in a Neapolitan sauce were the only main dishes.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge food
Chicken stew or meatballs?

These could be accompanied by rice, a staple in Latin America.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge food
Rice.

Mashed potatoes, a favorite of mine, were also available.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge food
Mashed potatoes.

For smaller appetites, there were warm vegetable frittatas and a poorly translated “bolognese mini panne cook” (whatever that means).

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge food
Warm savory snacks.

Feeling pretty hungry, I served myself a large portion of chicken and vegetable stew with mashed potatoes. I’m always happy to find this type of hearty meat-and-potato dish as it’s the kind of meal we’d eat as a family growing up in the northeast of England.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge food
Lunch with a view.

Wanting to keep a clear head for the nighttime flight ahead of me, I stuck with sparkling water.

The fridge was stocked with still and sparkling water, a variety of sodas, and international and local beers, including Budweiser and Club Colombia.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge drinks
Soft drinks and sodas.

Fresh tangerine, blackberry, and orange juices were also available.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge drinks
Fresh juices.

In a country that prides itself on its coffee, it’s a shame there was no barista serving freshly brewed espresso. At least the bean-to-cup machine served Colombian coffee (that I didn’t try)!

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge coffee
Coffee machines.

For something a little stronger, lounge guests could choose from Chilean Undurraga wines. Bottles of chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and rosé sat in an ice bucket.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge drinks
White and rosé wine selection.

There were 3 reds: a cabernet sauvignon, a merlot, and a carmenère.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge drinks
Red wine selection.

Stronger still was a small selection of liquor to make a G&T with Gordon’s, pour a dram of Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky, or even have a Baileys on ice.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge drinks
Liquor.

Maybe I missed it, but I didn’t see any sparkling wine.

After they disappeared during the pandemic, it’s always nice to see physical reading material back in lounges.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge reading
Reading material.

As I wanted to spend time exploring the airport a little, it was great to be able to leave my backpack securely locked away in the complimentary lockers.

Bogota Avianca Lounge storage
Complimentary storage.

Overall, the lounge was perfectly adequate, and I enjoyed watching the arrivals and departing aircraft from such a great spot. The selection of food was, for the most part, healthy, and I really enjoyed my chicken and veg stew with mash.

That said, the Avianca Diamond Lounge didn’t scream “flagship lounge.” It was more akin to a random nonairline lounge that just happened to have a good view and tasty food.

It wouldn’t take much investment for Avianca to make changes that would bring its business class lounge in line with other airlines’ home-base lounges around the world.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport Avianca Lounge seating
It was perfectly adequate, but it didn’t scream “flagship lounge.”

Boarding My Flight to Amsterdam

I’d never flown long-haul on KLM before and was eager to compare it with Air France, the airline it merged with in 2004.

My first time would be in a KLM World Business Class lie-flat seat on a 4.5-year-old Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner registered as PH-BKC.

KLM 78X Dreamliner
KLM’s PH-BKC waiting to take me to Amsterdam via Cartagena.

The gate was a short walk from the lounge, where the screen showed a slight delay of 20 minutes.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota Airport gate
Gate A4 for KLM to Amsterdam via Cartagena.

Boarding started at 2:55 p.m., and we pushed back at 3:35 p.m., as the screen had predicted.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Bogota departure
Ready to go.

On Board KLM’s Boeing 787-10

A few things stood out to me before we took off.

First, a crew member announced over the PA that anyone taking photos or videos had to get the permission of the crew and passengers beforehand. As I’d been doing lots of exactly that before boarding, I was happy to put my phone down and get a bit more power from the wireless charger dock in the console at my seat. The regular power outlets weren’t working at this point.

Also, KLM’s safety video might have been the most boring safety video I’d ever seen.

I’m fully aware these videos are not meant to be entertainment, but airlines these days are coming up with creative ways to make their videos fun and engaging while giving the compulsory safety message. While I get their cultural importance, a video using Delft tiles in stop-motion felt lazy.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class IFE safety video
KLM’s safety video uses stop-motion Delft tiles.

Boeing 787-10 World Business Class Cabin

The 38 1-2-1-configured seats in World Business Class on KLM’s Boeing 787-10s fit into 1 large cabin.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class cabin
World Business Class cabin from the rear.

On first impression, the cabin felt modern, fresh, and bright, though, it would have felt more spacious without the set of middle overhead lockers — an approach other airlines are taking with their newer aircraft.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class cabin
World Business Class cabin from the front.

Middle seats were best for those traveling as a pair.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class cabin
Row 1 middle seats.

The seats were angled apart, facing inward, with a sliding divider that could close the small gap between the seats.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class cabin
Seats 9D and 9G.

Other than the relatively small KLM logo on the rear wall, the cabin was nondescript and didn’t have a strong brand presence whatsoever.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class cabin
The back of the cabin.

KLM could have put more thought into the overall design of its business-class cabins to give it more personality.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class cabin
Looking from this angle, there’s nothing about this that screams KLM.

The only other nod to KLM was the small crown motif on the headrest.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class cabin
World Business Class from the front.

Following on from the business class cabin was a small premium economy cabin with 28 seats in a regular 2-3-2 configuration.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class cabin
Looking towards the premium economy cabin.

Between the front galley and the business class cabin, I could see the door of the flight attendant crew rest from my seat.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class cabin
Crew rest door.

KLM World Business Class Seat

At my seat were a fairly decently padded pillow and a thin blanket and headphones, both wrapped in plastic.

The seat was angled facing the window, which meant the seat back was flush with the aisle rather than the window. This was the same for all window seats in KLM’s World Business Class cabin.

My personal preference is for the seat to be parallel to the fuselage and closer to the window than the aisle. Not only does this make for easier gazing out of the window, but I find being further away from the aisle feels more private.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Welcome to seat 1A.

I couldn’t help but immediately notice the remarkable number of scuffs, dents, and stains, considering the aircraft was only 5 years old.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat damage
A few noticeable dents in the bulkhead.

The quality of plastic used for the side paneling of the seat was clearly subpar, given how chipped it was after only a few years of flying.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat damage
Chipped plastic.

And there were scuffs and stains on the main side console, too.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat damage
Chips, scuffs, and stains.

Wear and tear aside, the seat was comfortable and practical.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Seat 1A.

The main and largest at-seat storage was this open shelf where I stored my water bottle. In the same console, I found the IFE remote, reading light, headphone jack, and universal power outlet.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Simple and practical.

In contrast to its partner Air France, none of KLM’s jets have closing doors in business class. This is a great example to prove, in some way, my opinion that closing doors are just a gimmick (unless they’re floor-to-ceiling and close fully).

Even without a closing door, the hard shell stopped me from being able to see into another passenger’s seat and vice versa.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
No privacy door? No matter.

The padded headrest could be adjusted to support the head and neck, which was great for maximizing sleep when the seat had to be upright during takeoff and landing.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
No sore necks here.

At the height of the headrest was a pop-out reading light and the handheld IFE control.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Reading light and IFE control.

In the fully flat position, the seat length stretched to a comfortable 78 inches (198 centimeters).

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Seat 1A fully flat.

Space in the footwell was larger than you find at some airlines’ seats, but nothing more than average. Are you spotting a theme here?

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
More spacious than some, less than others.

I could enjoy extra relaxation in the takeoff and landing positions as my feet could reach the footwell — even with my short legs.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Being able to stretch out in an upright position makes all the difference when it comes to comfort.

Above the footwell and underneath the IFE was a shelf that was good for storing things like books and phone chargers. There was also a USB port, which you can see below lit up in green.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Storage shelf.

Two pouches for reading materials (and my laptop) completed the storage.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Storage for reading material.

I prefer it when airlines incorporate a built-in compartment with a lid in the side console where my hand is in the image below. It gives a far superior, sleek finish, as belongings are hidden away and don’t risk rolling around and being lost.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Built-in storage here would be a bonus.

In the side panel were controls with 3 set positions for the seat and buttons to turn on the “Do Not Disturb” sign and change the brightness of the lighting.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Seat controls.

My preference for built-in storage in the sideboard was likely impossible owing to the location of the tray table that rotated out from underneath it.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Tray table location.

The table rotates out in 2 somewhat triangular shapes.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Tray table extension part 1.

They folded out into an ample tray table.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Tray table fully extended.

Given the position of the hinge at the bottom left corner of the tray, the table could be maneuvered in such a way that I could get out of my seat even when it was laid up with the meal service.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class seat
Tray tables that swivel are better than those that don’t.

Holding down the button for lie-flat mode, the seat reclined easily into its final 78-inch-long bed.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class bed
The bed in lie-flat position.

Food and Beverage

Bogotá to Cartagena

What I didn’t realize upon boarding was that the majority of passengers had flown this flight all the way from Amsterdam and that we’d share their last leg and my first leg from Bogotá to Cartagena.

As such, there was only a basic service on this leg.

A few minutes after boarding commenced, the service started with the usual business class offering of a selection of water, orange juice, or Bernard Lonclas Champagne, which retails for around $50 on the ground.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
Bernard Lonclas Champagne.

To toast the end of a marvelous vacation, I went for a glass of bubbles, mainly because I loved the unique style of the Champagne glasses.

KLM World Business Class Champagne
A toast to the end of an amazing trip to Colombia.

Not long after the seatbelt signs were turned off, the flight attendants brought around a sweet and savory snack tray.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
Snacks.

The stroopwafel got a massive thumbs-up from me.

KLM World Business Class Stroopwafel
Living my best stroopwafel life.

This was swiftly followed by a tray of juices and water, along with the offer of something stronger.

Feeling the buzz from the first glass, I was in the mood for a second glass.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
Refreshments.

It was at this point I wished KLM had personal air vents, as the cabin temperature had increased significantly with the Colombian heat.

Cartagena to Amsterdam

We were on the ground for around an hour in Cartagena while those arriving from Amsterdam deplaned before the boarding of new passengers headed to Amsterdam.

As the new passengers were boarding, I was offered another glass of the Bernard Lonclas Champagne, though I turned a third one down.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
Welcome drinks.

I also noticed a bottle of water had been placed at my seat while I was wandering around the cabin.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
Predeparture water.

Oh, and I took a few snaps at the aircraft door, which the crew were more than happy to help me with.

KLM World Business Class
Maybe I’ll try my hand at cabin crew next?

Shortly after takeoff, we were offered a first drink along with nuts. I was fully in review mode by this point, so I went for a sparkling water with a lime wedge.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
First drink and nuts.

A short while later, my starter of sweet potato and lentil curry soup was served on a tray laid up with an intricately detailed place setting. I’m not a soup fan, but this was excellent.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
First course of soup.

Even the cutlery was embossed with similarly intricate details.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
Not your average cutlery.

Then I noticed this tiny letter letter. For me?

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
What could this possibly be?

Oh, no. Just KLM’s cute and rather over-the-top way of presenting salt and pepper. I’m here for it.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
Attention to detail level 100.

Seconds later, I was offered a selection of breads.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
Brown, white, or wholemeal.

KLM pulled off the rare combination of fresh bread with spreadable butter, which was even better when dunked in my soup.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
Soup without bread and butter just isn’t right.

I had 3 main courses to choose from:

  • Sautéed gnocchi with creamy herb sauce and green mixed vegetables topped with parmesan cheese
  • Shrimp with a spicy coconut sauce served with green rice, edamame, and mixed peppers
  • Sliced beef tenderloin with carrot, purple potato, and sweet potato puree served with snow peas

I had the shrimp mainly because I was intrigued to try green rice for the first time. It was a colorful, well-balanced dish with a generous helping of shrimp that packed a flavorsome punch.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
Shrimp main course.

I had just enough room left to finish the desserts, including a blueberry tartlet, a tres leches cake, and something chocolatey that was simply called “chocolate” on the menu.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
Dessert.

Finally, to finish off the dinner service, KLM offered dark, milk, or white chocolates in the shape of the quintessential Delft Blue houses.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
I’ll have one of each, please.

I woke up to the smell of breakfast but couldn’t quite fit in any more than 1 croissant.

KLM business class croissants
Breakfast bread basket.

Had I been more hungry (and more awake), I could have chosen from the following:

  • KLM’s “special mix of granola with creamy yoghurt”
  • Cheese omelet with a cheese arepa and cherry tomatoes
  • French toast with pineapple and berry sauce

Breakfast also included a cold plate of turkey ham, cream cheese, and (a single?) cherry tomato.

I’ll be adding KLM to my list of airlines that serve espresso — my favorite way to start the day.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class FnB
You can’t beat a proper espresso watching the sunrise at 33,000 feet.

Amenities

The 4K IFE screen was large and easily reachable from the seat. I prefer to use the screen over a remote, so this worked fine for me.

KLM business class screen
Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean.

The entertainment system was well-stocked and even included a Christmas selection in April.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class IFE
Christmas films in April? Not sure.

In my experience, unless so-called noise-cancellation headphones are produced in collaboration with a brand — let’s say Bang and Olufsen — the quality tends to be average. Such was the case for KLM’s business class headphones.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class amenities
Headphones.

On the ground in Cartagena, a member of the new crew handed out a royal blue amenity kit with a pheasant embroidered onto it.

Inside were flight socks, a mask, Rituals lip balm and face moisturizer, a toothbrush (in the long brown paper package), miniature toothpaste, earplugs (in the small brown paper package), and the tiniest pen I’d ever seen.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class amenity kit
Amenity kit and contents.

The best amenity of all was the signature KLM Delft Blue house. The airline started giving them to its business class passengers in 1952, and they’ve since become a collector’s item.

Each of the 104 variations is filled with Dutch-produced Bols genever, a liquor very similar to gin.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class Delft House
Every year on October 7, KLM adds a new Delft Blue house to the collection to celebrate its birthday.

Bathroom

The Delft Blue houses also were a design feature inside the 2 bathrooms at the front of business class.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class bathroom
Delft Blue house decoration.

This pretty ornamental flower was a nod to Dutch culture, as the color orange has been a symbol of the Netherlands since the 16th century. The cosmetics mirror was a nice touch, too.

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class bathroom
Orange flower, must be KLM.

Guests could use Rituals-branded body mist, hand and body lotion, and hair gel. I’d never seen hair gel as an amenity before!

KLM Boeing 78X Business Class bathroom
Rituals products.

I couldn’t help but think that KLM made more of an effort with the design of its bathroom interiors than with the interior of the business class cabin.

Service

“Disinterested” would be a strong word to use, but the laissez-faire vibe I got from the crew initially led me to guess they were only operating the hop from Bogotá to Cartagena. My suspicions were confirmed when I asked the lovely crew member who handed out the snack.

The clearly tired crew who operated the flight from Amsterdam to Bogotá and then onto Cartagena were replaced with a fresh-faced, well-rested crew who operated our flight back to Europe from Cartagena.

For the remainder of my time aboard, I was looked after by the lovely Saaskia. We built up a good rapport during our semifrequent interactions during the meal service. While I felt by no means rushed, I think a conscious effort was being made to complete dinner service as swiftly as possible so we could maximize sleep. I definitely appreciated this.

Arrival at Amsterdam Schiphol

We touched down at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport at 10:41 a.m., around 10 minutes ahead of schedule.

I was looking forward to my first visit to KLM’s flagship lounge for my 9-hour layover. The design, size, and large variety of seating in Lounge 52 were impressive. However, for the airline’s flagship lounge, the small buffet area that served the same selection of 3 hot dishes for the whole day left a lot to be desired.

KLM Crown Lounge
KLM Crown Lounge 52.

Pitiful dining aside, the lounge got a huge thumbs-up from me for its expansive outdoor terrace looking directly onto a busy apron.

China Eastern at Amsterdam AMS
Plane-spotting.

Somehow, my 9 hours flew by, and it was time to catch my final flight to London City (LCY). I found the business class cabin on this Embraer E190 to be decidedly nicer than the Boeing 787-10 that I’d arrived on that morning.

KLM Embraer
The small 2-2-configured business class cabin on KLM’s Embraer E190 aircraft.

Final Thoughts

I think KLM’s World Business Class has the potential to be an excellent product. But the use of seemingly cheap materials (given the wear and tear of the fairly new aircraft), the simple and nondescript design of the cabin, the lack of a closing door, and the missed opportunity for better at-seat storage make for a distinctly average product.

On the other hand, I’d say KLM is better than other carriers when it comes to elements such as the attention to detail in the silverware, glassware, tableware, and the unique collectible Delft Blue houses.

Having now flown both Air France and KLM’s business class products, I’ll make a conscious effort to fly Air France’s aircraft from now on, as the hard product and service far outweigh that of its partner airline, KLM.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does KLM's business class have a flat bed?

Yes. Business class seats on all of KLM’s long-haul aircraft are lie-flat.

Do you get pajamas on KLM business class?

No, KLM does not offer pajamas in business.

Do you get lounge access when flying KLM's business class?

KLM has unbundled its business class tickets, so the cheapest fares do not include lounge access.

Does KLM fly to the U.S.?

KLM flies to 14 cities in the U.S.

Daniel Ross's image

About Daniel Ross

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse
DMCA.com Protection Status