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Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again

Chicago, Illinois
Level Contributor
7 posts
17 reviews
7 helpful votes
Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again
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I just wanted to relate an experience that I just had with KLM. I travel annually from Chicago to Amsterdam. Being a very large person, I make my travel arrangements with not imposing on my neighbors in mind.

On past trips with this airline, I flew Business Class, not only for the larger seats, but for the increased space between them. As this is very expensive, it finally dawned on me to get myself two seats in coach, which would give me even more room for a fraction of the price. They always fly the same plane on this route, the 747-300 Combi, so I knew this plane very well, and six months prior to the trip, reserved the center four seats for myself, and my son and his wife who were accompanying me this trip. When making the reservation, I explained why I needed four seats for three people, and was assured that there would be no problem.

Upon checking in at O'Hare, I faced the first disappointment from this airline. Instead of the four center seats they assured me of, they stuck me in a window seat and my kids on another part of the plane. My second surprise was that the armrests only flip up halfway, leaving me to spend eight excruciating hours with one armrest digging into my hip and the other jabbing me in my ribs.

The trip back home was no better. Once again, they split us up, and knowing now of their strange seats with the semi-movable armrests, insisted on an aisle seat so that I could at least lean out away from the rib sticker (it didn't help, another eight hours of pain.) Imagine my surprise when I saw the people in the seats in front of me enjoying veritable couch because their armrests flipped all the way up, proving that they do indeed have seats with the type of armrests that I needed, requested, paid for, was promised and later denied.

Long story short, despite what KLM promises, they completely disregard their guarantees of special accommodation, instead freely handing those accommodations to those who don't need or request them. Any suggestions for an airline with more conventional seating?

Edinburgh, Scotland
Level Contributor
11,643 posts
1. Re: Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again
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Ryanair??

Just a thought

Ayr, United Kingdom
Level Contributor
2,745 posts
7 reviews
49 helpful votes
2. Re: Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again
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Ryanair don't fly transatlantic - don't know if post two was a joke?

OP - I can see your point. You know you need more room, you are paying for two seats but not really getting value for money. Maybe going back to business class is the best idea.

Shanghai, China
Level Contributor
14,758 posts
3. Re: Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again
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Are you sure you actually paid for the 2nd seat and not just asked for a reservation of a 2nd seat?

Chicago, Illinois
Level Contributor
7 posts
17 reviews
7 helpful votes
4. Re: Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again
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2 confirmations, 2 seats listed on the boarding pass. Yes, I'm sure,.

Stuttgart, Germany
Destination Expert
for Air Travel
Level Contributor
10,902 posts
114 reviews
63 helpful votes
5. Re: Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again
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It is always better to do online check in 30 hours before flight and make sure that you have the seats that you wanted. This can happen with all airlines.

As far as I know there are only a few rows with armrests that lift completely these are designed for disabled passengers to get into their seats.

Sorry but your experience could happen on any carrier

Chicago, Illinois
Level Contributor
7 posts
17 reviews
7 helpful votes
6. Re: Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again
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Exactly my point. I requested one of those rows, they promised me one of those rows, and they put able-bodied passengers in one of those rows rather than the one they committed to.

Edited: 9 years ago
Liverpool, UK
Level Contributor
34,041 posts
35 reviews
22 helpful votes
7. Re: Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again
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"I requested those seats, they promised those seats" - I don't know who promised what but all seat assignments are always requests only and any airline can change them for any number of operational reasons.

Chicago, Illinois
Level Contributor
7 posts
17 reviews
7 helpful votes
8. Re: Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again
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The person that took my reservation, the person at the check-in desk and the gate agent were all told that I needed the armrest to go all the way up, and that's what they all claimed I'd be getting.

San Francisco...
Level Contributor
60,973 posts
137 reviews
119 helpful votes
9. Re: Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again
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Sorry you had this issue. Stick to business class if you want a guarantee on the type of seat

Portland, Oregon
Level Contributor
37,406 posts
7 reviews
16 helpful votes
10. Re: Why I'll Never Fly KLM Again
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"As far as I know there are only a few rows with armrests that lift completely these are designed for disabled passengers to get into their seats. ....."

"Exactly my point. I requested one of those rows, they promised me one of those rows, and they put able-bodied passengers in one of those rows rather than the one they committed to."

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PsmokeyZ,

Did you tell the airline that you were disabled? (from your other posts about needing mobility assistance in Amsterdam you would have been perfectly in order to do so) If so, then they've come up short in not giving you the seats dedicated to you. If not then they have no way of knowing about your issue, and then it's the good old lottery of seats you see on any airline.

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