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KLM Amsterdam Connections

Posted by (Frankfurt am Main, Germany) on

This is actually more a short piece of advise, a trip report rather than a question.

Last Friday I had a Edinburgh via Amsterdam Schiphol to Frankfurt connection all on KLM. The connection was displayed as such on the website and in all computer reservation systems travel agents use. The connecting time was 40 minutes.

Unfortunately due to air traffic control restrictions on a Friday afternoon we weren't allowed to take off in Edinburgh until 15 minutes past our scheduled departure time - and of course I didn't make the connection. It would have been the last flight to Frankfurt that day, so KLM had to book me into a hotel.

They offer great service to stranded passengers - but my advise to anyone is: No matter how highly people speak of Schiphol airport, don't book connections that are shorter than 90 minutes!

Posted by
16503 posts

Sorry to hear that you missed your connection, Andreas, but happy that they looked after you well. Honestly, I would never, ever book a flight with a 40-minute connection. The slightest delay - and those are all too common these days - could throw it completely out the window!

Posted by
12313 posts

It's a good point. Even though Schipol's a very convenient airport. There are always things beyond your control. Your flight in may be delayed, you may have to file a report for a lost bag, or immigration may be backed up.

If you find yourself with extra time, Schipol has a great art display from the Rijksmuseum that's worth a short visit.

Posted by
18 posts

I'm sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, Schiphol is not a very organized place. Things here seem to take much longer on average than many other airports I go to frequently. I have never understood. As a country, we're on the more organized side, but can't seem to make it work at Schiphol. Early morning are the most chaos.

Posted by
18 posts

I too should at least add a positive note on the service for stranded passengers, and service in general. Disorganized, but not all bad.

Posted by
481 posts

We had a 90 minute planned connection a few days ago on our way from Zurich through Amsterdam and on to the US. Our Zurich flight was delayed as we sat in the plane due to bad weather in Amsterdam. The pilot thought that we would still arrive on time but we didn't. There was enough of a delay that we only had time to go through the Delta document check and hustle out to the very end of the terminal to get in line to board. No pit stops, no shopping. We were relieved that we didn't cut it any closer...but didn't get to explore the airport at all, nor buy any stroopwaffels with our remaining few euros! :-)

Next time I would plan for an even longer connection time. That was stressful!

Laurie

Posted by
2829 posts

40min is too short of a connection even at a regional airport, it only takes a small delay to make you lose connection.

90min is more doable, 2h is better for peace of mind.

Posted by
2297 posts

@desireedulac
The examples mentioned here had nothing to do with Schiphol being disorganized but with delays at the originating airports. It only speaks in favour of Schiphol that someone who had a 90 min layover planned still made the connection despite a significant delay at the originating airport.

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