Schiphol and the KLM Crown Lounge

Marti,

I was there in March. Construction is ongoing so things felt more crowded than in past visits, but we were able to find seats and they offer decent food/snacks and open self serve bar. They have showers as well, which can come in handy. There is often a wait for the showers, so make sure you get on the list at the desk.

When departing on Delta, you do still have to go through gate security when flying back to the states. If your layover is on your way to another European destination, you will not be jailed in a secured gate (that only happens on flights back to the U.S). However, you are fine with getting to the gate just a few minutes before boarding.

Hi Jay,
Thanks so much for your reply. Great advice - I will definitely get on the list for showers as soon as we enter the KLM lounge.

We will arrive in Amsterdam on a Delta flight from the US and will be connecting on a KLM flight to Uganda. You mentioned that if we were departing on Delta, we'd have to go through gate security when returning to the states. Do you suppose the security protocol is different if we are going on to Africa on a KLM flight? Thanks for your help and advice.
Marti

I believe the extra step we are used to is strictly for US bound flights. (I have only flown to the US or other Scengen member countries from AMS)

From my understanding, I believe you only need to pass through passport control when you are travelling to a non-Schengen destination for your connecting flight. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in on here for you (or head to the AMS website) to validate or correct me :). Have fun.

Since you have no need to enter the Schengen area, you will be able to stay in transit in the International terminal area and not go through passport control. There may be no other security to board the flight to Uganda, other than showing your passport at boarding. The additional security you experienced at the gate before is for US bound flights.

If you choose to go into the Domestic terminal, only then would you go through passport control, then again to get into the International flight area for your flight.

Since you are paying for lounge access, I would explore the other options as well in Amsterdam. I think I remember that there was a hotel right next to the lounge in the airport. You could also explore what other lounges offer.

I've flown KLM from Schiphol to Rwanda and there was no extra security or incarceration at the gate.