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Review: KLM 787 Business Class, Los Angeles to Amsterdam

by James Dozer
Last updated September 3, 2023

At LAX – Los Angeles International Airport, KLM and its sister airline, Air France, operate from the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B). They have a joint check-in area in the C counter area and the counters open approximately four hours prior to their scheduled departure time. I arrived at approximately 2:00 PM for my 4:55 PM flight and the check-in area wasn’t too bad. There were only a couple of passengers checking in before me and it took me about 15 minutes to drop off a bag and obtain my boarding passes. 

people standing in front of a counter with luggage
Air France/KLM at LAX

Pro tip: There are no priority security lanes for business/first-class passengers in Terminal B but if you have CLEAR or TSA Pre, you can use the dedicated lanes on the left side of the terminal for faster clearance. Just walk towards the back of the terminal, turn left, and follow the signs for TSA Pre. Most airlines participate in TSA Pre now, including KLM, and this will save you a significant amount of time over the normal security lane.

In the international terminal, Korean Air operates a business/first-class lounge for their SkyTeam partners but it’s not the best. It’s always crowded, and the amenities provided are subpar for a business-class lounge. Because of that, Air France and KLM have contracted with the oneworld Lounge LAX for their pre-departure lounge services. It’s not common for airlines to contract with competing airlines for lounge services but in this case, it’s an excellent move for Air France and KLM passengers as the oneworld Lounge is a much better lounge than the Korean Air/SkyTeam Lounge. This is only temporary as Air France and KLM are building their own lounge in the new Terminal B West Gates area.

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a woman standing at a podium
oneworld Lounge LAX
a room with a round fireplace and chairs
oneworld Lounge LAX
a group of people sitting around a round table
oneworld Lounge LAX
a bar with a group of people behind it
oneworld Lounge LAX

And speaking of the new West Gates area, this is where all Air France and KLM flights will depart from so prepare yourself for a walk. From the main terminal, it will take you at least 15 minutes or so to walk to the new West Gates area (gates 201 to 225). The entire walk is covered and you won’t have to clear through security again but it is a long walk. That being said, I don’t recommend you walk over there too early either as services and amenities are rather limited in the West Gates area. There are bathrooms and a few restaurants but that’s about it.

people in a building with people standing in front of a fast food restaurant
LAX West Gates
a man sitting at a table in a large building
LAX West Gates

KLM Business Class, Los Angeles to Amsterdam

Flight: KL 604
Aircraft: Boeing 787-10
Los Angeles (LAX) to Amsterdam (AMS)
Depart: 4:55 PM on Sunday (5:43 PM actual)
Arrive: 12:10 PM next day (12:54 PM actual)
Duration: 10hrs 11mns
Seat: 9K Business Class

Approximately 15 minutes prior to our scheduled boarding time, I left the lounge and made my way to gate 204. I got in line with everyone else and waited for boarding to be called. Boarding started with families and pre-boarders, followed by business class and SkyTeam elite passengers. Business Class passengers boarded through door 1L, whereas everyone else boarded through door 2L. 

people standing in front of a counter
KLM Boarding Gate

This flight was operated with a brand new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. In business class, there are 16 rows of seats arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout. These Jamco Venture reverse-herringbone seats are one of my favorite designs as I think they offer the most space and privacy for all passengers. According to SeatGuru, these seats offer 20.25 inches of width, 60 inches of pitch, and a bed length of 75 inches. 

KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
a group of people in an airplane
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class

On this flight, I was seated in seat 9K, a window seat on the right side of the aircraft. I would have chosen 10K as I think it’s the most private seat but based on my last experience flying with KLM and how loud that crew was, I decided to move up one row to (hopefully) get some sleep. Waiting at our seats were a pillow and duvet. The pillow was okay, a little on the flimsy side, but the blanket was great for the flight. 

a seat with a headrest on top of it
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
a seat in a plane
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
a tv on a table in an airplane
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
a person's legs in a seat with a tv
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class

Each seat offers a large IFE monitor, two USB ports and a universal electrical outlet. There are multiple reading lamps and several storage spaces but unfortunately, no air vents. The IFE monitors are bright and crisp and KLM’s entertainment selection offers a good selection of new movies, television shows, music and other entertainment. WiFi was provided on this flight and prices weren’t too bad. KLM provides free messaging for all passengers and one hour of internet costs 8 Euros. A full flight pass costs 18 Euros. I didn’t connect to the inflight WiFi so I can’t tell you how fast or reliable it was.

a screen with images on it
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
a blue blanket with white and black plugs
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class

For storage, there’s an open storage compartment by your inside shoulder to secure your headphones, water bottles and other personal items. There’s also a shelf located directly underneath the IFE monitor for your laptop, iPad, books, etc., and another storage pocket down by your knee for your other small items. However, larger items such as laptop bags and backpacks will need to be stored in the overhead lockers.

a water bottle in a machine
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
a screen on a tv
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class

Seat, lighting and IFE controls are simple to use and are located adjacent to the inside armrest.

a close up of a device
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class

The window seats are perfect for solo travelers and the center seats are great for couples traveling together. There is a center divider in between the two center seats but it can be tucked away to interact with your partner.

KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class

A bottle of water, amenity kit, and a pair of generic headphones were also provided at our seats. The KLM-branded, noise-canceling headphones were not great so bring your own. The Rituals branded amenity kit was very cute and it contained all the necessary items including socks, ear plugs, eye shades, and a dental hygiene kit. Rituals branded lip balm and face moisturizer from their limited edition Amsterdam collection were also provided in every kit. 

a pair of black headphones
KLM Business Class
a group of items on a table
KLM Business Class

There are three lavatories for the 38 passengers in business class. There is one located in the front of the cabin and two located behind the cabin. The lavatories were stocked with the same Rituals Tulip and Yazu scented body lotion, body mist and hair gel.

a sink and toilet in a plane
KLM Boeing 787-10
a group of white bottles with blue designs on them
KLM Business Class

I also appreciated the full-size mirror in each lavatory and the cute Delft house design on the walls.

a bathroom with a wall art
KLM Business Class

As passengers continued boarding, the flight attendants came by with hot towels and a pre-departure beverage of champagne or orange juice. Menus were then distributed in between passengers and the flight attendants came by later to take our meal order.

a glass of champagne on a table
KLM Business Class Menu and Pre-departure Champagne

Here’s the menu for today’s flight.

a menu of a restaurant
KLM Business Class Menu
a menu of a breakfast
KLM Business Class Menu

And here’s the drink menu.

a menu of wine bottles
KLM Business Class Menu
a menu of wine bottles
KLM Business Class Menu
a menu of a drink
KLM Business Class Menu

With boarding completed and bags finally loaded, we then pushed back from the gate and taxied to the runway for our 10-hour flight to Amsterdam.

a large airplane on the tarmac
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
an airplane wing and engine above a beach
Departure from LAX

About 20 minutes into the flight, the beverage carts were rolled down the aisle for our pre-meal drink service. Drinks were served with your choice of either a small ramekin of mixed nuts or a mixed cheese plate.

a glass of wine and a bowl of nuts
KLM Business Class

An appetizer tray was then brought out with two options for starters, either a cup of chunky corn chowder or a crab salad with salmon caviar and shrimp in a lemon pepper oil. The starter tray was served with a cucumber and watermelon salad. Obviously, I went with the crab salad over the corn soup and it was delicious. The flavors were incredible and I could have had 10 more plates of it if I could.

a plate of food on a table
KLM Business Class

For my main course, I went with the grilled chicken, which was served with fingerling potatoes, carrots, and green beans. It was actually really tasty and again, I wished the portions were bigger here. 

a plate of food with meat and vegetables
KLM Business Class

The flight attendants then rolled down a dessert cart with either a cheese plate or a plate of petite desserts. I went with the dessert plate. Why are these portions so small?? 

a plate of food on a table
KLM Business Class

Dinner concluded with a coffee/tea service and a piece of chocolate.

a package of cheese on a table
KLM Business Class

Unlike my last flight from Amsterdam, I have to give KLM credit here. Their catering departing Los Angeles and the service on this flight were top-notch. The food was delicious and the service was very attentive. The flight attendants came by several times with drink refills during dinner and nothing sat on my table longer than it needed to. I was very impressed with this crew. 

an airplane wing and a rainbow
KLM Boeing 787-10

I didn’t catch her name but I have to give one of the flight attendants some major kudos here. As she came by to clear out my dinner tray, she noticed my little USB fan plugged into the outlet. She asked me about it and I mentioned to her that most flights are kept too warm for me and this little guy helps keep me cool. Especially on aircraft without personal air vents, I need this little USB fan (Amazon affiliate link) to help keep me comfortable during flight. 

a fan in a plane
KLM Business Class

I didn’t think much of our conversation and just assumed she was making small talk with me. I then put my seat into bed mode and napped for a few hours after the lights were dimmed.

an airplane with seats and windows
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
a bed in a plane
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class
a screen on a plane
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class

After I woke up from my nap, I put my seat back up and worked on my laptop for a bit. In between meals, a small selection of snacks and drinks were put out in the galley for passengers to nibble on. I didn’t have any on this flight but sandwiches and Stroopwafel ice cream were available in between meals. 

a cup of ice cream and a mug on a tray
KLM Business Class
a sandwich and a glass of soda on a table
KLM Business Class

About two hours before landing, the cabin lights slowly came on and the flight attendants came by to prepare for our pre-arrival meal service. As the flight attendant came by, she asked me how well I slept. I told her the cabin was (surprisingly) kept really cool and I slept like a baby. And then it dawned on me, recalling our earlier conversation about my USB fan. I asked her if she purposely turned the temperature down for me and she just smiled and said she was glad I slept well. How incredible was that??!

a plane with seats and people in the back
KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class

For breakfast, there was a choice between a warm Denver sandwich or French toast. I went with the French toast and I did not regret it. It was served with a coconut chia oatmeal and a cold cheese and ham plate. 

a plate of food on a tray
KLM Business Class

Our trays were then cleared and one of the flight attendants came by with a gin-filled Delft House gift for all business class passengers.

a small white and black house
KLM Delft House
an airplane wing and a city
KLM Boeing 787-10

KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class Bottom Line

Going into this flight, I didn’t have high hopes but honestly, this flight was 10x better than my last KLM business class flight from Amsterdam. Service and catering are two of the most important aspects of any business class experience and this crew blew it out of the water. They were friendly, proactive, and attentive. And the catering departing from Los Angeles was so much better than the catering departing from Amsterdam. I had zero complaints about this flight and I wouldn’t hesitate to splurge on KLM Business Class departing from LAX in the future. 

What are your thoughts? Have you flown KLM Business Class recently? If so, please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!

The other related posts are:

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  2. Air France Boeing 777-300ER Business Class, Los Angeles to Paris
  3. KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class, Los Angeles to Amsterdam
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  7. KLM Boeing 737 Business Class, Helsinki to Amsterdam
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  9. KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class, Amsterdam to Los Angeles
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About James Dozer

Aviation geek, fitness dork and overall nerd. Giving you the best information on miles and points so you can take better trips and live better stories.

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