KLM B777 Enterprise Class (Cape City to Amsterdam)

May 17, 2023

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Wednesday newsletters all the time function a lodge or flight overview.

Final February, I loved a elegant vacation that I’ll bear in mind as my most epic journey ever: a visit to Cape City (South Africa) and Antarctica (the seventh Continent). You’ll be able to learn my journey reviews right here:

At present: KLM Boeing 777 Enterprise Class from Cape City to Amsterdam

Final February, I flew Enterprise Class in a KLM Boeing 777-200ER from Cape City (South Africa) to Amsterdam (The Netherlands). KLM names its B777 airplanes after world heritage websites, and this specific airframe was nicknamed Mount Kilimanjaro. As all the time, I cherished my flight expertise with KLM: the service was courteous, the meals was respectable, and the onboard product targeted on Dutch design & historical past which I really like (e.g. Marcel Wanders tableware, Jan Taminiau amenty package, and miniature Dutch homes). That mentioned, KLM’s Boeing 777 s function a 2-2-2 format, which feels dated in comparison with different Enterprise Class merchandise, though the seat remains to be one of many widest and most snug Enterprise Class within the skies. The service is presently refurbishing its B777 plane and changing the outdated product by new Enterprise Class seats with sliding doorways that are organized in a 1-2-1 format.

Have you ever ever flown with KLM? In that case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

Journey: Cape City (CPT) to Amsterdam (AMS)
Airline: KLM Royal Dutch Airways
Plane kind: Boeing 777-ER
Plane registration quantity: PH-BQK (nicknamed Mount Kilimanjaro)
On time departure: 1 am (sure)
On time arrival: 11 am (sure)
Miles: 6020 miles (9790 km)
Flight time: 11 hours
Seat: 1K
Class: Enterprise Class

On this overview (extra data & photographs under my Youtube clip & slideshow):

Information & figures about KLM
Lounge at Cape City Airport
Enterprise Class cabin
Enterprise Class seat (+ greatest & worst seats)
Facilities & bedding
Meals
Leisure
Onboard web
Reward: KLM Delft Blue Home
Different inflight experiences
My verdict (rating)

1. FACTS & FIGURES ABOUT KLM

Based on October 7, 1919, KLM Royal Dutch Airways is the oldest scheduled airline on the earth nonetheless working beneath its unique title.
Using 35.000 employees from its Amsterdam foundation. KLM is the third-largest employer within the Netherlands.
Apart from the well-known KLM airline, the KLM Group additionally contains the wholly owned subsidiaries Transaviaand Martinair. Transavia is the main low-cost service from The Netherlands working from Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Rotterdam. Martinair focuses on airfreight, pilot coaching, and plane upkeep.
On Could 6, 2004 KLM merged with Air France. The Air France-KLM group is working as one firm through which the 2 airways hold their model identifies, each with a concentrate on three core companies (passenger, cargo enterprise and engineering & upkeep). Air France-KLM is the world’s fifth largest airline by firm income.
KLM was the primary airline to make use of biofuels on business flights: on June 29 2011, a KLM Boeing 737-800 carried 171 passengers from Amsterdam to Paris, burning a 50/50 mix of conventional jet gas and used cooking oil. Along with its enterprise SkyNRG, KLM launched the world’s first Company BioFuel Program by means of which corporations can use sustainable biofuels for components of workers’ flights, thereby stimulating the additional improvement of a marketplace for biofuels.
KLM ’employs’ a well-known co-pilot: Dutch King Willam Alexander. The 56-year-old father of three and monarch to 17 million Dutch residents calls flying a ‘passion’ and has been piloting KLM plane for years, albeit beneath the radar (not actually after all). The King is educated to fly B737s, and when he makes pilot bulletins, he does so anonymously.
The KLM fleet is comprised 107 plane, of which 62 long-haul plane and 45 medium-haul plane. The plane within the fleet have a mean age of 9 years, with 10.7 years for the long-haul fleet and 16,1 years for the medium-haul fleet.
KLM names its plane after metropolis squares worldwide (A330s), birds (B737s), UNESCO world heritage websites (B777s), world cities (B747s), flowers (B787s) and ships of the Dutch East India Firm (B747 freighters).

KLM BOEING 777 AT CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

2. LOUNGE

KLM doesn’t have its personal lounge at Cape City Worldwide Airport. As a substitute, its Enterprise Class passengers have entry to the Bidvest Premier Lounge. The lounge, which is open from 5 am to 1 am, is situated one ground above the primary concourse. The Bidvest Premier Lounge was just lately refurbished, and includes a up to date decor, with dozens of snug seats organized round an open kitchen. Sadly, the area doesn’t have any exterior home windows, though massive floor-to-ceiling home windows one on aspect supply a view of the terminal’s inside. Meals on the lounge is sort of respectable, with a beautiful buffet – unfold over a number of counters – providing a choice of cold and warm dishes. Services on the lounge embrace showers, newspapers, magazines, and free Wi-Fi.

BIDVEST PREMIER LOUNGE AT CAPE TOWN AIRPORT: ENTRANCE

3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

KLM’s Boeing 777s (each the -200ER and -300ER variations) all function the identical Enterprise Class format, with 34 seats organized in a 2-2-2 configuration and unfold over two cabins. The primary cabin is situated within the aircraft’s entrance and options 5 rows comprising the majority of the seats (28 in complete) whereas the smaller cabin is about between the galley and Premium Financial system with just one row of simply 6 seats. The smaller cabin feels extraordinarily personal and to the very best of my data, it’s the one Enterprise Class cabin in a large physique plane with just one row of seats (right me if I’m fallacious please). Nevertheless, this smaller cabin is located simply forward of the Premium Financial system bulkhead seats, so it might be much less interesting to some passengers.

The two-2-2 format is right for passengers touring collectively as a pair, pals or colleagues, however it isn’t the very best if you find yourself a solo traveler as it’s a must to crawl over the legs of your seatmate to succeed in the aisle if you find yourself allotted in a window seat. Additionally, the seats lack privateness, though paired seats are staggered by a few inches (cm) and separated by a small mounted divider display, permitting some privateness in case you’re seated subsequent to a stranger. As already mentioned, this received’t be a difficulty anymore in KLM’s retrofitted Enterprise Class cabins, which is able to function seats in a 1-2-1 format with sliding doorways.

The cabin’s inside, which is designed by famend Dutch designer Hella Jongerius, feels recent, ethereal and trendy. The seat shelfs function a chilled mild blue coloration, whereas the seats themselves are coated in a darkish brown texture, giving the cabin an upscale atmosphere. As a passenger, you possibly can discover that quite a lot of effort has been put within the design; for instance, the bulkheads’ handles function the KLM emblem in metalwork and the sustainable carpet is specifically developed Wilton woven carpet made from Norwegian wool.

Click on right here for a seat map of KLM’s Boeing 777-200ER.

KLM 777 BUSINESS CLASS — KLM B777 BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)

KLM’s Boeing 777 Enterprise Class seat is a B/E Aerospace Diamond seat, the identical kind you additionally discover on different carriers, resembling Qatar Airways’ A330s and Ethiopian Airways’ A350/B787s. Nevertheless, a giant distinction is that the Boeing 777 is wider than all different talked about plane varieties: the Boeing 777 cabin measures 5,84 m (19 toes 2 inches) from wall to wall, whereas the A350, for instance, is almost 22 cm (9 inches) narrower than the 777 variant. Consequently, the seats in KLM’s B777 are wider and extra snug in comparison with related seats in different plane varieties (and sure, the distinction may be felt). As well as, one of many seat’s arm rests may be manually lowered, providing elevated seat width and much more area (particularly welcome when the seat is changed into its flat-bed place). The seat’s different arm relaxation – shared with the paired seat – is a console which holds the seat & leisure controls in addition to the tray desk.

In entrance of the seat is a big 17 inch touchscreen HD TV, which makes use of Panasonic’s ex3 system (among the finest within the skies). Beneath the TV monitor is a drawer (which is massive sufficient to retailer a laptop computer) and a leather-based coated ottoman (which turns into a part of the flatbed as soon as the seat is totally reclined). The scale of the ottoman differs dramatically relying upon the row: the bulkhead seats in rows 1 & 6 supply a a lot bigger ottoman as in comparison with the slender footwells of all the opposite Enterprise Class seats.

The seat provides loads of space for storing, with a shoe drawer situated beneath the seat in entrance, a tray located beneath the leisure display, area under the ottoman for a backpack or purse, and a storage pocket subsequent to the headrest which additionally holds a USB port and worldwide energy sockets for charging your private gadgets.

The seat feels extraordinarily snug within the upright place, however much more so within the flat-bed place (and no, I’m not sponsored by KLM to say so :-). The seat may be 180 levels reclined to a full flat-bed that’s 206 cm (6 ft and 10 inches) lengthy. Once more, your sleep consolation will rely upon the seat you select: aside from the bulkhead seats in rows 1 & 6 (which include massive ottomans), the footwells are very slender, which suggests chances are you’ll hit the seat partitions together with your toes while you flip throughout your sleep, so not very snug for a superb evening’s relaxation.

What are the greatest Enterprise Class seats on KLM’s B777s?

All Enterprise Class seats are wonderful for these touring with a companion due to the 2-2-2 cabin configuration.
The bulkhead seats in row 1 & 6 function a a lot bigger footrest as in comparison with all different seats, so these are the seats you need to fly (and sleep) in, though proximity to the galley and bathroom could trigger some slight noise disturbance occasionally.
The seats in row 6 are set in their very own tremendous personal and intimate cabin (which options only one row of seats), and I’d heartily advocate them.

What are the worst Enterprise Class seats on KLM’s B777s?

The two-2-2 Enterprise Class format doesn’t make the cabin very enticing for solo vacationers, since you’ll all the time find yourself sitting subsequent to a stranger.
Window seats don’t supply direct aisle entry.
As talked about above, the footrests are very slender (aside from the bulkhead seats in rows 1 & 6), so not very snug for a superb evening’s relaxation.

Click on right here for a seat map of KLM’s Boeing 777-200ER.

KLM B777 BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (FLAT BED POSITION)

5. AMENITIES & BEDDING

Enterprise Class passengers obtain the next facilities on one in all KLM’s longhaul flights :

An amenity package, which is offered as a pouch. The package is created by profitable Dutch dressmaker Jan Taminiau (in 2014 he was awarded the Netherlands’ most prestigious trend prize the Grand Seigneur). It incorporates an eye fixed masks, ear plugs, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, and Rituals lip balm & face moisturizer.
A snug pillow
A classy and cozy, marine blue blanket
Noise cancelling headphones (which may solely be powered throughout the aircraft and have to be returned to the crew previous to touchdown)

6. MEALS

Throughout this in a single day flight, two meals had been provided: a supper after takeoff and a breakfast earlier than touchdown.

The superbly designed menus (with references to Delft tiles and homes) had been in depth and provided wonderful wine pairings (though I by no means drink alcohol on a aircraft to keep away from complications). One other surprising design element that KLM get completely proper is the trendy and distinctive tableware. The porcelain, glassware, cutlery, linen and tray have all been designed by Marcel Wanders, a well-known Dutch designer. Even the salt and pepper shakers come within the type of clogs, one in all Holland’s symbols.

I select the next choice from the supper menu (all programs had been served without delay on the identical tray, which I favored due to the late hour of meal service, permitting for extra sleep):

Appetizer: choice of delicacies – Babaganoush, quinoa salad with chickpeas, pumpkin, pepper served with yellow rice and cherry tomato with pesto dressing
Major course: salmon Wellington with saffron creamed leeks
Dessert: ardour fruit mousse, coconut tart, strawberry and almond in a chocolate tartlet

For breakfast, I had blueberry pancakes with vanilla sauce, which was served with a croissant, recent fruit, salami, gherkin and tomato.

7. ENTERTAINMENT

Every Enterprise Class seat is provided with a big 17 inch excessive decision TV display with shiny and clear footage. The TV may be commanded by instantly touching the display or through the use of a handheld wired controller which is situated in a fixture above the armrest. The controller additionally options its personal small touchscreen, permitting you to look at a distinct program (e.g. flight map) from the primary display.

KLM provides greater than 1000 hours of interactive leisure in numerous languages (e.g. Arabic, Chinese language, Dutch, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese or Spanish). There are greater than 200 movies to select from, together with latest releases, classics and world cinema, along with a whole lot of TV exhibits, CDs, language programs, video games, audiobooks, and a devoted children channels.

8. ONBOARD INTERNET

KLM provides W-iFi onboard its Boeing 777s and complimentary messaging is on the market to all passengers throughout your complete flight. This permits to ship and obtain textual content messages by way of WhatsApp, Messenger, WeChat, and related providers, though you can’t ship or obtain photographs, movies, or audio information.

Two different web packages can be found for buy on KLM’s longhaul flights:

The Surf Move is on the market as 1-hour voucher for EUR 8, or a full-flight voucher for EUR 18. With this go, you possibly can surf the web, and ship & obtain e-mails.
The Surf Move prices EUR 18 for your complete flight and allows you to surf the web, ship and obtain e-mails together with (massive) attachments, ship & obtain messages together with photographs, movies, & audio information, and stream music, audio, & video. The Surf Move is presently solely obtainable on KLM’s B777s and A330s.

9. GIFT: KLM DELFT BLUE HOUSE

Shortly earlier than touchdown, KLM’s longhaul Enterprise Class passengers obtain a beautiful reward: a Delft Blue miniature conventional Dutch home, full of Dutch gin, often known as “jenever.” Every miniature depicts an actual Dutch home. KLM has been presenting Enterprise Class passenger with this reward since 1952. Yearly on October seventh, the airline celebrates the anniversary of its founding in 1919 by presenting a brand new home. Over time, these miniature homes have change into fascinating collectors’ gadgets, even producing a energetic commerce amongst passengers. KLM has a website the place you possibly can hold monitor of all the homes, as each is exclusive and has a particular story to inform.

9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES

# CREW: KLM’s cabin crew ranks amongst my favourite airline crew on the earth (along with their colleagues from Singapore Airways and Emirates). The flight attendants are all the time tremendous pleasant, environment friendly and appear to genuinely care in regards to the passengers, and it was not totally different on this flight, with impeccable and courteous service. I additionally just like the oh-so-recognizable KLM cabin attendant uniforms, that are designed by well-known Dutch couturier Mart Visser.

# LAVATORY: there are two toilets onboard KLM’s B777 plane for Enterprise Class passengers, each of them situated behind the cockpit. The toilets function wallpaper with white and blue delft homes, and are stocked with high-end toiletries from Rituals (with scents of Dutch tulips and Japanese yuzu).