As always, it’s a pleasure to travel with KLM. It is one of my favorite airlines.
I’m grateful for the KLM Air France shuttle bus service to Ottawa. However due to construction and other issues related to the chaotic Uber pickup system at YUL, it’s a challenge to find the Kelios bus service to Ottawa. The signs are not clear or even available. No staff to guide passengers. It’s a stressful experience.
The immigration hall in Amsterdam was understaffed, so passport checking was slower than it should be for a major airport. They need to get the automatic readers up and running for non EU passport holders. Waiting in line after a long flight feels a bit abusive.
The service was great. However the lounge only gets passing grade
I tried to upgrade to premium economy anis seat online during the checkin process. The payment didn’t work due to a technical glitch on KLM’s website. I wasn’t able to change my seat unless I called Amsterdam. Since I was in Canada and there’s a time difference this wasn’t practical. So when I arrived early to Ottawa airport my seat wasn’t available and I could only get a middle seat in premium economy which isn’t great. These middle seats are priced at the same rate as an aisle seat which makes no sense.
Transavia flight. Couldn't select seat or anything prior to flight. No connection with klm systems. Seats are very crammed. Extremely no frills.
It’s chaotic at the bus stop outside of the airport because of the Uber meeting point. You need to be alert and look for the KLM bus which is not branded or labeled. Incorrect information was provided to go to gate 28, when in fact the bus was at gate 27. On the plus side the bus left early and arrived early to Ottawa.
Delay, luggage didn’t arrive. Had to go the next day to collect it
Amazing KLM service and brilliant economy comfort seats. Well worth the extra.
Boarding in NCL is really bad. I'm sure part of that is a directive from the airport that KLM can't change but part of that is due to KLM policy. NCL doesn't announce the gate of departure until 30 minutes before departure. However, when you arrive at the gate area, the gate agents file everyone into one long line and everyone boards from one line at one time. This line can stretch for 200m...easily. There is a separate line for groups 1 and 2 but you don't know it until you get to the gate area and agents don't announce/advertise it. Everyone else is grouped into one line. Are you in group 3? Doesn't matter...you board with group 5. Traveling with a child? Tough luck...you're stuck at the end of the line and board last. The last part is very annoying because none of the gates at NCL (with the exception of 1 used by Emirates) has a jetway. To board, you must leave the gate area, walk downstairs, walk onto the tarmac and walk up stairs to board the plane. Highly challenging if you're traveling with small children. That boarding process begs for a concession to allow people with children to board first because they will need extra time. But there is no such policy. Just a really horrible boarding experience all around.
