Booking the Flight
I’ve always wanted to try KLM Business Class but to purchase the ticket outright for a flight to Amsterdam is a bit on the expensive side (priced at a whopping IDR 41 million round-trip business class CGK-AMS-CGK) – so no thank you.
For a business class fare to Europe, I’d probably choose to fly Qatar, Etihad, Emirates or Oman Air with prices well under IDR 30 million for a round-trip business class during low season. Of course, if I had the option I’d probably be using miles instead of paying cash.
Anyway, when I find out that the KLM route from Jakarta to Amsterdam has a stopover in Kuala Lumpur and the price for CGK-KUL is priced at around IDR 2,3 million (one-way business class), IDR 4,5 million (round-trip business class), I thought this was one sweet spot to try the lie flat seat cabin.
Booking the flight was very easy, it can be done from KLM website or what I chose was through Orbitz because it saved me about IDR 1,5 million as it was sold at a cheaper price. Also check Nusatrip.com as it normally has lower fares compared to other online travel agencies.
You could also book a KLM Business Class seat using Garuda Miles or Flying Blue Miles. I wrote about it in this article.
KLM only operates one flight a day out of and in to Jakarta (CGK)
Once I made my booking, as always I’m always excited about selecting my seat which can easily be done from KLM website, you just need to go to Manage My Booking and insert your booking reference number.
KLM Business Class Seat Map
Although a 2-2-2 seat configuration is not an ideal business class setup for the window seat passengers – no aisle access – I couldn’t complain since this will only be a 2-hour flight to Kuala Lumpur.
I always choose a window seat so I decided to go with 4A.
Boarding to Kuala Lumpur
KLM departs from Terminal 3 – Soekarno Hatta International Airport. Arriving at counter C at Terminal 3, the line for Business Class passengers was combined with Sky Priority members (which means not everyone sitting in Business Class would line up here too as long as they have Sky Priority). And annoyingly, the line was long!
Luckily, I only had a carry-on luggage and had myself checked-in online so a boarding pass was already issued on my phone, and can be added to Apple Wallet. Fiuhh, I could skip the long line and go straight to the Skyteam / Garuda Indonesia Lounge.
Boarding was no hassle at all, I always prefer being one of the first in the plane and find pleasure walking into a clean & empty cabin, so I always try to line up at the very front.
On-board KLM Business Class 777
Flight KL 0810 – Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur
- Departure 18:40
- Arrival 21:55
- Flight Time 1 Hour 50 Minutes
- Seat 4A (Window)
KLM Business Class Cabin (2-2-2 Seat Configuration)
I opted for the Beef Rendang menu. It was very decent & tasty.
The Flying Dutchman – KLM Signature Cocktail
Great size of touch-screen monitor & IFE Movie Selection
Touch-screen IFE controller
Noise Cancelling Headphones should be a standard in Business Class cabin
Power outlets next to the seat
Love the amenities kit – was only provided for CGK-KUL route, not for KUL-CGK
Dutch Souvenirs (with alcohol inside) were given to Business Class passengers
The flight was smooth and I received a great service throughout the entire flight, however it felt a little tight with a full capacity cabin which made a 2-2-2 configuration less private.
It was my first time in Kuala Lumpur and glad to find that there is a dedicated immigration line for First and Business Class passengers, even Jakarta doesn’t have a dedicated immigration line for premium passengers.
Dedicated Immigration for First/Business Class Passengers (at both Departure & Arrival)
Flight KL 0809 – Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta
- Departure 16:20
- Arrival 17:25
- Flight Time 1 Hour 50 Minutes
- Seat 2A (Window)
My return flight was much more enjoyable because it was in late afternoon and the cabin was only half full. So the seat next to me was empty which was nice!
KUL Boarding Gate
Window Seat 2A
Window Seat 2A
Welcome Beverage
The Dutch ‘clog shoes’ Salt-Pepper shakers were a nice touch
Foot cubby was angled and a bit on the smaller side but enough for someone my size
A nice cup of coffee post-meal
Overall Impression
- The cabin is quite similar to United Airlines Business Class with the same configuration and very similar hard-products.
- Yes to the lie flat seat and my favorite would be the big white soft pillow, although it was ashamed that a blanket was never provided.
- Loved the amenities kit, the type of amenities bag you could reuse again.
- IFE was great and easily controllable, made the almost 2-hour flight felt like a breeze
- Food was tasty – the Malay/Indonesian flavors were nice
- The service was very courteous and friendly, great smiles from the flight attendants all around but not as excellent as other airlines that would greet you by name – something so easy to deliver but unfortunately not executed by every airline yet.
Was it worth flying this cabin for the 2 hour flight to KL? I’d like to think so and would fly it again.
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