I enjoy Fifth Freedom flights and I particularly enjoy flying on KLM between Bali and Singapore, two of my favorite places. The KLM 777 Business Class product is thankfully undergoing a refresh, but the older seat did not detract from a nice overall service across the Java Sea.
KLM 777 Business Class Review
A one-way business class ticket tends to be in the $350 range, which is not bad for a two-hour flight, but my “trick” is to buy an economy class ticket for about $100 and pay another $115 at the airport to upgrade. Of course you take a gamble in doing so that there will be any seats left, but you can check availability in advance using Expert Flyer to get a general idea of how full the cabin is.
Onboard, the seat is hardly cutting-edge (a B/E Diamond Seat), but KLM has begun the process of retrofitting its 777 fleet with new business class seats that offer more privacy and closing doors.
Even so, the “old” seats are very comfortable and more than adequate for a short journey like Bali – Singapore.
Check-In
I showed up at DPS about two hours before departure and approached the ticket counter, asking about the upgrade.
The price was 1,778,000 IDR, which is currently $113. You can always expect to pay about €100 for the upgrade.
With the upgrade processed, I proceeded through security and passport control to the Garuda Indonesia Lounge, which I reviewed here.
Boarding was delayed due a late-arriving aircraft from Singapore, but boarding kicked off at 9:15 pm and was quite efficient. We were in the air by 10:00 pm and there was some cushion built into the schedule, because we arrived in Singapore on time.
KLM 836
Bali (DPS)–Singapore (SIN)
Wednesday, July 24
Depart: 09:30 PM
Arrive: 12:10 AM+1
Duration: 02hr, 40min
Distance: 1,037 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Seat: 4D (Business Class)
Onboard, a very friendly flight attendant with a lovely smile on her face greeted me.
Seat
There’s nothing competitive about the remaining B/E Diamond seats, arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, but if traveling with a friend or loved one you might actually prefer these seats than the new seats and 1-2-1 configuration (where even the middle pair seats aren’t exactly conducive to conversation).
The seat next to me remained opened and that made the entire flight even more comfortable.
A pillow was sitting on each seat, but not blankets, which were available on-demand.
Seats controls included a six-way adjustment and the seat can be transformed into a fully lie-flat mode. A fixed privacy divider provides a barrier between seats.
There’s a place to store your shoes between seats and limited storage in a compartment under the monitor and on a shoulder-level shelf next to your seat (which also has a universal outlet and USB-A charger).
Despite the lie-flat bed with plenty of room for your feet, my setmatc across the aisle got a bit too comfortable…
Food + Drink
Before takeoff, a choice of water, sparkling wine, or orange juice was offered.
Dinner was served after takeoff. Although perhaps a bit wasteful, I love that KLM prints menus for each flights, even for this two hour Fifth Freedom flight. Each menu indicates the flight date and number…it’s actually a nice souvenir of the flight.
I tried the “Bottega Negroni co*cktail” to drink. It included:
- Bols Genever
- Bols Red Orange
- Liqueur and Galliano L’Aperitivo
- Vilarnau Cava Barcelona Brut Reserva, Spain
I appreciate that KLM always has a nice co*cktail on the menu.
For my main course, I chose lemon ravioli with mascarpone filling over “authentic style chicken satay.” That was quite a mistake. I do love chicken satay, but figured it would not nearly be as good as on Malaysia Airlines or Singapore Airlines. Perhaps it would not have been, but the pasta was my first-ever bad meal on KLM.
Although it looked nice enough, the pasta was tasteless and burnt to a crisp around the edges. The “Fall foliage salad” (in March) was fine and the walnut cake was pleasant.
I think KLM has some of the best flatware in the industry, if not the best.
Having had more than enough coffee that day, I concluded the meal with a cup of camomile tea.
IFE + Wi-Fi
Each seat has a screen loaded with content including movies, TV shows, games, and music.
I spent most of the flight listening to music.
Noise canceling headphones were functional.
Wi-Fi was available for purchase (9EUR) and messaging was free.
Lavatory
KLM lavatories are nicely decorated with tulips and Delft Blue Houses. Hair gel and body mist from Rituals were available.
Service
The crew was superb on this flight. Very attentive and kind…I appreciated the chit chat with each passenger and that glasses remained full. This would have been a great crew to fly all the way to Amsterdam with.
Delft Blue House
My favorite part of a KLM flight is the souvenir Delft Blue Houses, filled with gin, served before landing. I was thrilled to score house #100!
CONCLUSION
We landed on-time in Singapore…this flight that always goes by too quickly.
The KLM 777 business class seat is hardly exciting, but thankfully retrofits will be compete by the end of 2024. In the meantime, enjoy the final days of this seat and note what a great deal it is to fly between Bali and Singapore on KLM.
