Last Thursday, I helped a reader book an award flight on KLM from New York to Nairobi via Amsterdam (JFK-AMS-NBO) using Delta SkyMiles. To my surprise (and her excitement), when I went to select her seat on KLM’s website, I saw the new World Business Class product, with single fully-flat seats (we selected seat 1A) on the JFK-AMS leg. This morning, she emailed that her friend was now on the same flights (via paid tickets) and she wanted me to switch her seat. I went to make the updates a few minutes ago and unfortunately found that the seat map had reverted back to the current World Business Class product. Now, her flight is in early March, so this was slightly ahead of the anticipated completion of the entire 747-400 fleet – July 2013 will see the inaugural flight of the first KLM aircraft with the new interior including the new seat. KLM’s Boeing 747-400 fleet, consisting of 22 aircraft, will be redecorated first. It is expected that the entire 747-fleet will be redecorated by April 2014. Work on KLM’s 15 Boeing 777-200s is planned for the summer of 2014.
Currently, the flight maps for all New York – Amsterdam flights are still showing the old product for flights post April 2014, but hopefully this is to avoid confusion prior to ensuring that all modifications are complete. The new cabins are already in use on some AMS-HKG and AMS-NRT flights as evidenced by this KLM flight attendant tweeted pic…
In any case, the new World Business Class looks to be one of the nicest on the US-Europe routes. Check out the special KLM interactive WBC tour site here as well as this post for full cabin details.
KLM Related –
- I Survived KLM TransAtlantic Economy…and dare I say it was pretty nice! Trip Report KLM Economy
- Trip Report – KLM Business Class 747-400 JFK-AMS
Interested in using your miles for an award flight but can’t find availability? Consider using Juicy Miles for award booking assistance!
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10 comments
Do you help with figuring/routing, using airline miles?/or can you point me in a good direction for some help. I need help with travel from MLU to HKG in Dec.
@steve – sure, happy to help
Was KLM used on the AMS-NBO sector as well. Curious because i’m looking at redeeming my SkyPesos to NBO soon.
@CTravlr – Yes, that leg is KLM as well. Kenya Airways (SkyTeam member) operates a direct flight as well.
Thanks. Would you happen to know how I can search for KQ availability? I want to do KQ on that leg because they may have more space than KLM, and i’ve never flown them before, but I’m not sure how to search for KQ availability. The AirFrance site doesn’t mesh well with what I see on DL’s site, and KQ isn’t on ExpertFlyer.
@CTravlr – I always check KQ availability via KLM’s site and then phone in to the Platinum desk and spoon feed the flight details.
I’ll give that a try. Thanks!
[…] of Point Me To The Plane, here is some more information on the new business class […]
Lucky to get the new ones on my flight home (AMS-LAX) in November. They were great. The seats in row 77 (or 74…can’t remember) used to be the ones to get since they were exit row on the upper deck. Now that they have that barrier in front of each seat with the TV, seat 1A is the best. It’s a single seat and right up at the front so it’s incredibly private. There’s one more single seat in row 4 I think, but it’s positioned in the middle of the cabin and is not private at all. I’d rather be seated next to someone.
Really comfortable and match with KLM’s service it’s a fantastic experience. Booked in the same seats for May…can’t wait.
Hi, we are considering trying to book a KLM award or upgrade aware using our Ultimate Rewards points. If we transfer to SkyPass, how do we search the KLM awards? I can’t find anything online about it. We are looking in mid-August. Is that futile? Thanks!