Review: KLM Business Class Boeing 777 [SIN - DPS]
KLM Business class on their 777 from Singapore to Bali offers a quality regional business class experience. A comfortable modern seat, good service, and ‘good enough’ food mark my decent first foray into European carrier business class.
Overall Rating:
This flight was an ill-fated attempt to ‘cheat’ the immigration system in Bali. An evening flight in business class to hopefully get me to the front of what I assumed would be long immigration queues.
Unfortunately things have changed post covid and missed out on some newly implemented pre-arrival requirements that essentially made the purpose of this flight a bit of a waste.
Aside from my logistical failure, the flight and experience itself were quality, and one I will consider if KLM serves an area I am headed to in the future.
In This Post:
How I Booked KLM Business Class
KLM 777 Business Class Pre Flight
-KLM 777 Business Class Lounge
-KLM 777 Business Class Boarding
KLM 777 Business Class In Flight
-KLM 777 Business Class Seat
-KLM 777 Business Class In Flight Entertainment
-KLM 777 Business Class Meals
-KLM 777 Business Class In Flight Service
Bottom Line
Photo Gallery
How I Booked KLM Business Class
Writing this several months after the flight Ive forgotten exactly what I paid, but this was a direct booking with KLM on their ‘business saver’ fare. If I recall correctly this was about a 230 ish flight.
If my plan had worked to get ahead of immigration it would have been worth it, alas new Indonesian visa requirements poked holes in this plan.
KLM 777 Business Class Lounge
Most KLM business class passengers have access to the Qantas international business lounge with their ticket. However, as I purchased a ‘saver lite’ fare, the lounge access would have been an upcharge.
I have access to priority pass and plaza premium lounges through my Capital One Venture X card so elected to pass on the paid upgrade and instead use the lounges included with my membership.
So while not technically included as part of the KLM business class experience out of Singapore, I will include a snippet on it anyways.
Plaza Premium Lounge | Singapore Changi International Airport
The Plaza Premium lounge I decided to check out was the one with a large glass viewpoint over one of the runways.
It was located near the Qatar and Emirates lounges, up an escalator to the left from security.
The lounge itself is a little small and busy, but nice views of the tarmac. Showers are paid, and there is a decent looking food bar with some made to order options. Laksa chicken, rice etc.
Cold green tea and espresso machines as well as an ala-carte menu
KLM Business Class Boarding
Boarding the 777-300ER began about 30 minutes late, using a separate bridge for business class and economy passengers.
The cabin is a bit older looking and feeling (despite, what I understand, being the ‘newer’ business class product on this airline). Perhaps it is simply just that KLM already has a pastel blue and white as their primary colors that perhaps everything will still feel a bit ‘retro’. A bit more wear and tear showing on the seats than one would expect too for a relatively new installation. But all in all I do like the cabin for its ‘modern retro’ aesthetic I think they have captured (whether or not they were going for that)
Upon boarding, a welcome drink of orange juice, water, and some sort of blue ‘mocktail’ are offered.
KLM 777 Business Class Seat
The seats are a reverse herringbone setup – not my favorite but still good.
A number of seat adjustment options, including a massage feature.
A good sized screen, and plenty of leg room.
The cabin is about half full today
The welcome drink is blue.
KLM 777 Business Class In Flight Entertainment
The In Flight Entertainment was a bit of a standout here I felt. There is a good sized screen and a really strong selection of films, both older and newer, including the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy.
No Bluetooth available though – I think Starlux has spoiled me.
KLM 777 Business Class Meals
The flight attendants are around to pass out menus before pushback. Which was a bit delayed due to another airplane having some landing troubles.
After cursing altitude was reached, drink orders were taken and served before meal options were given.
Main Meal
The main meal (Lunch? Dinner?) was served after takeoff. Options between the Ravioli or the Beef Rendang which I elected to go for.
A bread service came before the starter.
The food itself was good, but nothing special. The beef was very good but the other offerings around it were a bit lackluster. Only a 2.5 hour flight so I did not expect much, but I’d still like to see ‘a little better’.
After dinner tea and coffee were offered, along with house shaped chocolates which were fun.
Before decent FAs were around with a tray of little porcelain houses. I was told there are over 105 to collect – one for each year in operation. And all are unique. I did not realize until after that these are actually little bottles of gin. I have number 74 now.
KLM Business Class In Flight Service
On a 2.5 hour flight service is always hard to fully judge. However I was impressed by the levels on this flight. I always am forced to compare everything to Asian carriers as I find these are the standard for which all other in flight service should be measured. But I found the flight attendants warm and pleasant, and felt they did a great job.
Just in case you forget you are flying a Dutch airline during your lavatory trip.
Bottom Line
All in all a great experience. The seat itself was showing a bit more wear and tear than I’d expect for something only installed 2-3 years ago, but aside from that I was pleased by my experience on KLM’s Boeing 777.
If an option, I will not hesitate to book in the future to see what sorts of offerings they provide for their long-haul journeys.