BRUTALLY HONEST | Graz - Amsterdam - Shanghai in ECONOMY on KLM Asia's decade-old Boeing 777-200ER!

Few airlines have a network as far-spread as KLM. But does their long-haul Economy Class product, from the entertainment, seats, and legroom, to the catering, beverage selection, and amenities make them a good choice?

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM FOR LIVE STORIES OF OUR FLIGHTS:

*FLIGHT INFORMATION*
Airline: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Aircraft: Embraer 190 / Boeing 777-200ER
Registration: PH-EXY / PH-BQK
Flight Time: 1h 30min / 11h 30min
Seat: 18F / 34A
From: Graz Thalerhof
Via: Amsterdam Schiphol
To: Shanghai Pudong
Date: December 2023

*EQUIPMENT INFORMATION*
Cameras used: Canon R6 (Canon 15-35mm F2.6, Canon 100-400mm F5.6-8), iPhone 15 Pro Max, DJI Osmo Pocket, GoPro Hero 8 Black
Additional equipment used: GoPro Suction Cup, Rode VideoMic Pro+, Blue Yeti Podcast Microphone, Joby Bendipod, Aputure AL-MC LED Light, Joby GorillaPod 1K

*PRICE BREAKDOWN*
Total Price: 12,400 Flying Blue Miles + EUR 165.21
Total Routing: GRZ-AMS-PVG
Booked through: Flying Blue Website
Cost includes: Economy Class Ticket including one checked bag and free seat reservation
Booking made: August 2023

*VIDEO BREAKDOWN*
00:00 - Preface
01:11 - Intro
01:31 - Graz Airport
02:48 - Flight from GRZ to AMS
06:48 - Transiting at AMS
08:26 - Boarding
09:04 - KLM Asia - What and Why!?
13:38 - Cabin and Seat
14:59 - Taxi and Take Off
16:14 - Dinner Service
17:42 - Inflight Entertainment and WiFi
18:31 - Inflight
19:34 - Breakfast Service
20:11 - Conclusion
23:27 - Landing

*COLLABORATION DISCLAIMER*
This video does not contain product placements. The airline was neither involved nor informed about the production of this Tripreport. The ticket fare was paid by ourselves.

*ANIMATED MAP*
Map Data by: OpenStreetMap
Created: March 2024

*GRAPHICS ATTRIBUTION*
Seat Drawing in intro made by Aviation Volume

*CONTACT US*

COPYRIGHT 2024

#klm #klmasia #royaldutchairlines

[keisuke]

They kept the KLM Asia so that they can bait Simply Aviation to make a brutally honest video on it 😃🎉

[keisuke]

The employees probably don’t know themselves why KLM Asia exists and just googled it after you emailed them 😂

[espaciobarra]

I can confirm by a fact that Latin Americans really, really like KLM (and Air France also) because it allows them to connect to the rest of the world without a hassle, mainly because transiting via AMS DOES NOT require a visa compared to doing so via the US (which only Chileans can go without lengthy formalities due to visa waivers). KL/AF networks are vast enough to allow them to go pretty much everywhere, and at reasonable prices as well!

(Side note: the SCL-EZE fifth freedom flight is also heavily used because KLM offers fantastic full-service fares that are often cheaper than low cost airlines like JetSmart and SKY, and those are as basic as you can get...)

Great video, David!

[gertnl]

I really feel the opposite from you about Schiphol. I love that it is all one terminal, that you don't have to transfer with a bus or train to go to different ones. It is also very easy to navigate, impossible to get lost.
A walk is very welcome in between 2 flights.
Schiphol had huge issues with security / passport lines right after covid, but those times are luckily long gone.

[Archduke]

Graz is Arnold Schwarzenegger's hometown. When departing, remember to tell airport staff "I'll be back."

[ricardokim]

KLM crews have always been very kind and friendly in my flights with them. I've had better experiences with some other airlines, but overall I feel like KLM is one of the most consistent in terms of service quality.

[Iamwatchingyou]

I'm surprised you dislike layovers in AMS. To me, the single terminal concept makes transferring a whole lot more convienient, compared to let's say CDG or FRA.

[kawangkwok]

As a Chinese, David really research on the Chinese culture on numbers, and traditional Chinese characters, I don't expect that!

[Illustriousdarnellofficial]

15:06 The nightmare of all passengers... That crying baby.

[kingsharkoon]

The only thing I can really get behind regarding the livery is that it protects the "KLM Asia" brand just in case they ever need it again or want to use it for some reason. :)

[senabecool]

KLM Asia seems more like a livery than an actual branding, since the plane at timestamp 9:26 also recently flew to non Asia routes like Guayaquil and Quito

[JzrCrz]

Yeah, you can see both regular KLM and Asia flying both China and Taiwan today. The only possible answer I can think of is that KLM wants to keep the brand to stay on good terms with China. Currently, KLM is actually the only European airline flying to Taiwan. Maybe that plays a role in them keeping the brand to not upset China. Even though China isn't making a big of a deal about it anymore.

Funny enough, you mentioned the fleet of KLM Asia here 12:23 consisting of 9 B777. It's actually 8 now. One of the Boeing 777-300ER (PH-BVC) has been repainted to the regular KLM livery a few months ago. Maybe they're finally starting to drop the brand.

[Mimi_L.]

The 'generous' legroom is to accommodate the tall Dutchies!

[sinaasappelflap]

I recently asked klm why there still is an Asia devision. They told me that the crown in the logo is the issue for some countries.

It was for countries like Thailand where they are not allowed to show the crown. But these aircraft fly all over the world, also to NA for example.

[alex-aviation]

can we talk about how beautiful the KLM livery looks ok the 777 ?

[planeoldsimp]

I think they still keep it, simply for fun and also incase something like what happened in the 1990's happens again they will be fine

[Planelover]

the way he pronounced the south amercain citys was just amazing shows how much respect david shows for other places

[EthanPricco]

I live near MSP and every now and then a KLM 777 with the KLM Asia livery shows up here. Always fun to see but I remember being so confused about it when I saw it for the first time.

[ZambiblasianOgre]

Just a small clarification for the title: PH-BQK was delivered to KLM in 2005. So it is nearing two decades old now!

[Rens]

You said it well the Koninklijke luchtvaart maatschappij, pretty good 🇳🇱