kempinski - 02/02/2012 16:16 GMT
Flight KL0809/AF8399
Aircraft: Boeing B777-300ER PH-BVB (Nationaal Park Fulufjället)
Seat: 38K
Route: KUL-CGK (Kuala Lumpur International - Jakarta Soekarno Hatta)
Departure time: 1710, Arrival time: 1810 (2 hours flight)
Check-in>> all passengers departing from Kuala Lumpur need to do online check-in or kiosk check-in as KLM counters at the airport only handle baggage drop-off. There are plenty of check-in kiosks (since KLM has integrated their system into common check-in kiosk at KLIA) and the ground staff will make sure you're holding a boarding pass before queuing for baggage drop. Baggage drop counters open from 3 hours before scheduled departure time.
Immigration>> Immigration is always a breeze at KLIA as there are plenty of immigration counter available for foreign passport holders. There will be a security check after immigration before entering airside area.
Holding lounge>> The flight departs from Gate C4 which is at the satellite terminal. Passenger must take an aerotrain which link the main terminal building (MTB) with the satellite terminal (Gates C). Boarding was printed at 16.35 for 17.10 departure. There is a second security check prior to entering the gate area.
Boarding commenced slightly late than scheduled as gate agents are still busy checking-in the passengers - both who are originating from Kuala Lumpur and those transiting from Amsterdam.
Boarding was done in the following order: family with young children, elderly, and wheelchair-bound passengers, followed by World Business Class and Skyteam Elite members, and economy class passengers board according to seat row numbers starting from the rear of the plane.
Which seat to choose>> Other than economy comfort, bulkhead seat and seats near emergency exit rows, other seats are regular economy class seat with limited pitch and recline. The economy class of B777-300ER is configured as 3-4-3 layout. It is interesting to note that seats at column C and K has IFE box underneath the seat and it definitely reduce the storage compartment underneath the seat in front. One might want to avoid these seats for a long haul trip.
The flight>> Boarding completed shortly before 17.10 and the plane taxi down the runway and waiting for its take off slot. Immediately we were in the air and a welcome video was played immediately. Service began with flight attendants distributing earphones and immigration cards.
Meal service only commenced after 30 minutes in the air together with drink service. Coffee/tea service followed together with the meal clearance.
Service>> The service was so slow it almost took the entire flying duration of 1 hour and 35mins in the air to serve 390 economy class passengers. Also, an attempt to summon flight attendant by pressing the call button went ignored for the duration of the flight. Such slow and inattentive service left the whole experience to be abysmal at best.
In-flight entertainment>> The personal video screens on B777-300ER are of the latest generation with wider screen and personal console which is stored on the back of the seat. The selection of entertainment is pretty extensive and deemed sufficient to cover the long haul flight.
Amenities>> During stopover at Kuala Lumpur, the cabin is not well looked-after. Not all seat pocket is replenished with inflight magazine (Holland Herald) and no newspaper selection in the boarding gate left passenger with only PTV as sole source of entertainment.
Arrival>> The plane had to make few circles before landed at Jakarta due to runway congestion. The plane touched down shortly after 18.10 (scheduled arrival time) and it took another 15mins to park at the gate. Immigration at Jakarta was quite a breeze but it took another hour for my checked bag to arrive at the belt.
Verdict>> This short haul hop between KUL and CGK is popular among leisure travelers from Malaysia and Indonesia as it is one that provide cheap tickets. However, the service particularly on this KLM flight is very very lacking in terms of speed, attentiveness, and courteousness. Slow baggage delivery at Jakarta airport is another aspect whereby KLM need to observe for future improvement.
