KLM final flight B747
My bad, memory playing up most likely. I was working for KLM at the time and I thought that this was the version of the story that reached the engineering department.
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A premature farewell.
I was fortunate enough to fly business class on the upper deck to Mexico City on the 10th March in PH-BFW and return by PH-BFL on 25th March.
This was the first time that I had flown on the upper deck of this classic aircraft and it gave a feeling that you were travelling on aircraft that was a lot smaller. If you were able to fly on this aircraft shortly after production started it must have given you a wow factor.
Unfortunately this COVID 19 virus has taken its toll and I don’t think KLM will be one only airline retiring big jets early. Indeed many airlines may completely disappear.
Although the outbound leg was operated as normal, the return leg was completely different. We were informed a few days before returning that KLM we’re making changes to the onboard catering service in response to the COVID 19 virus to reduce contact between cabin crew and the passengers. Therefore business class and economy passengers would be given the same simplified catering of one hot meal and one snack, and advised to bring your own snacks onboard. Water and soft drinks only would be available. The cabin crew wore face masks throughout the flight and were very apologetic with regards to the catering service but were still doing their utmost to give the best service possible. This was unfortunate but understandable and we were just grateful to be getting home. At least we could still get a reasonable sleep on the lie-flat seat.
On landing we were advised on the PA system by a member of the cabin crew in a slightly emotional voice that it was her last flight on the classic 747 before the aircraft type retired. In fact PH-BFL had only 3 more return journeys after this flight.
KLM terminated flights to Mexico City after the last flight on 28th March.
We also travelled on the last KLM service on 27th March from Amsterdam to Cardiff with 7 passengers on board.
So whichever aircraft replaces the 747 I don’t think it will ever surpass the experience of this iconic jet.
This was the first time that I had flown on the upper deck of this classic aircraft and it gave a feeling that you were travelling on aircraft that was a lot smaller. If you were able to fly on this aircraft shortly after production started it must have given you a wow factor.
Unfortunately this COVID 19 virus has taken its toll and I don’t think KLM will be one only airline retiring big jets early. Indeed many airlines may completely disappear.
Although the outbound leg was operated as normal, the return leg was completely different. We were informed a few days before returning that KLM we’re making changes to the onboard catering service in response to the COVID 19 virus to reduce contact between cabin crew and the passengers. Therefore business class and economy passengers would be given the same simplified catering of one hot meal and one snack, and advised to bring your own snacks onboard. Water and soft drinks only would be available. The cabin crew wore face masks throughout the flight and were very apologetic with regards to the catering service but were still doing their utmost to give the best service possible. This was unfortunate but understandable and we were just grateful to be getting home. At least we could still get a reasonable sleep on the lie-flat seat.
On landing we were advised on the PA system by a member of the cabin crew in a slightly emotional voice that it was her last flight on the classic 747 before the aircraft type retired. In fact PH-BFL had only 3 more return journeys after this flight.
KLM terminated flights to Mexico City after the last flight on 28th March.
We also travelled on the last KLM service on 27th March from Amsterdam to Cardiff with 7 passengers on board.
So whichever aircraft replaces the 747 I don’t think it will ever surpass the experience of this iconic jet.
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I was happy to be in at the introduction of 747 in Europe and will be sad to see it fade away.
Two weeks after its Euro entry into service and as co-emp jump-seated back from FRA to LHR..
Unusually we came in on 9L, over the reservoirs and gravel-pits and nearing the ground, FO, PF was gently sawing the column back and forward and looking out the side I thought this was going to be my first and only go-around. With that we touched down while we were still way up in the air, giving me an insight into just how far off the ground the cockpit is at touchdown.
DaveD
Two weeks after its Euro entry into service and as co-emp jump-seated back from FRA to LHR..
Unusually we came in on 9L, over the reservoirs and gravel-pits and nearing the ground, FO, PF was gently sawing the column back and forward and looking out the side I thought this was going to be my first and only go-around. With that we touched down while we were still way up in the air, giving me an insight into just how far off the ground the cockpit is at touchdown.
DaveD
Bergerie !
I arrived in HKG with about 1500 hours from the RAF ((mostly fighters) then 2000 hours on 737-200s.
I went straight on to the 747-200 and was amazed at how "light" this huge aircraft felt. It was a joy to hand fly. The advent of the 747-400 was a masterpiece of design which, unfortunately, made all our Flight Engineer friends redundant which was sad. I just missed out on flying the 777 but I would never step onto a 737-MAX I'm afraid.
How could Boeing, who made "pilots airplanes," ever allow the MAX to happen??
Anyway 24,000 hours in command of a 747 and loved every minute (almost).!
I arrived in HKG with about 1500 hours from the RAF ((mostly fighters) then 2000 hours on 737-200s.
I went straight on to the 747-200 and was amazed at how "light" this huge aircraft felt. It was a joy to hand fly. The advent of the 747-400 was a masterpiece of design which, unfortunately, made all our Flight Engineer friends redundant which was sad. I just missed out on flying the 777 but I would never step onto a 737-MAX I'm afraid.
How could Boeing, who made "pilots airplanes," ever allow the MAX to happen??
Anyway 24,000 hours in command of a 747 and loved every minute (almost).!
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KLM terminated flights to Mexico City after the last flight on 28th March.
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Up there with the A380 in terms of pax experience, which for a 50 year old design is a tribute to the people who designed and built it in the first place. Always enjoyed 1K on the BA models, heading off to somewhere like CPT, or JFK, or SIN, or HKG for a little business and a lot of pleasure. 62K and 64K on the UD were also great places to be. Always reassuring to see a Jumbo with a Union flag on the tail sitting at the gate.
KLM B74 Upper deck
I was fortunate enough to fly business class on the upper deck to Mexico City on the 10th March in PH-BFW and return by PH-BFL on 25th March.
This was the first time that I had flown on the upper deck of this classic aircraft and it gave a feeling that you were travelling on aircraft that was a lot smaller. If you were able to fly on this aircraft shortly after production started it must have given you a wow factor.
Unfortunately this COVID 19 virus has taken its toll and I don’t think KLM will be one only airline retiring big jets early. Indeed many airlines may completely disappear.
Although the outbound leg was operated as normal, the return leg was completely different. We were informed a few days before returning that KLM we’re making changes to the onboard catering service in response to the COVID 19 virus to reduce contact between cabin crew and the passengers. Therefore business class and economy passengers would be given the same simplified catering of one hot meal and one snack, and advised to bring your own snacks onboard. Water and soft drinks only would be available. The cabin crew wore face masks throughout the flight and were very apologetic with regards to the catering service but were still doing their utmost to give the best service possible. This was unfortunate but understandable and we were just grateful to be getting home. At least we could still get a reasonable sleep on the lie-flat seat.
On landing we were advised on the PA system by a member of the cabin crew in a slightly emotional voice that it was her last flight on the classic 747 before the aircraft type retired. In fact PH-BFL had only 3 more return journeys after this flight.
KLM terminated flights to Mexico City after the last flight on 28th March.
We also travelled on the last KLM service on 27th March from Amsterdam to Cardiff with 7 passengers on board.
So whichever aircraft replaces the 747 I don’t think it will ever surpass the experience of this iconic jet.
This was the first time that I had flown on the upper deck of this classic aircraft and it gave a feeling that you were travelling on aircraft that was a lot smaller. If you were able to fly on this aircraft shortly after production started it must have given you a wow factor.
Unfortunately this COVID 19 virus has taken its toll and I don’t think KLM will be one only airline retiring big jets early. Indeed many airlines may completely disappear.
Although the outbound leg was operated as normal, the return leg was completely different. We were informed a few days before returning that KLM we’re making changes to the onboard catering service in response to the COVID 19 virus to reduce contact between cabin crew and the passengers. Therefore business class and economy passengers would be given the same simplified catering of one hot meal and one snack, and advised to bring your own snacks onboard. Water and soft drinks only would be available. The cabin crew wore face masks throughout the flight and were very apologetic with regards to the catering service but were still doing their utmost to give the best service possible. This was unfortunate but understandable and we were just grateful to be getting home. At least we could still get a reasonable sleep on the lie-flat seat.
On landing we were advised on the PA system by a member of the cabin crew in a slightly emotional voice that it was her last flight on the classic 747 before the aircraft type retired. In fact PH-BFL had only 3 more return journeys after this flight.
KLM terminated flights to Mexico City after the last flight on 28th March.
We also travelled on the last KLM service on 27th March from Amsterdam to Cardiff with 7 passengers on board.
So whichever aircraft replaces the 747 I don’t think it will ever surpass the experience of this iconic jet.
Great(sad) end to the B747. Reminds me of my one and only KL B747 flight (some 25 years ago) .I worked for a KLM cargo subsidiary and was on a trip to Fla out on a BA stand by ticket. Could not get back home from MCO.
Appealed to KL for a staff ticket and they obliged. (they actually did that a couple of times..Great ground crew) Long story but to make short. flight came in from Mexico city ( I think) delayed very late and I think we departed around 0400. I had been given a business Upper Deck ticket.
On board, shown to my seat. usual routine , took off and then realised I was the only person on the upper deck (apart from crew) . After take off , getting on for 0500 local, crew came and asked "do you want to drink, eat sleep".Sleep was all I needed. This was days of reclining not fully flat seat. Stewardess said ok. and somehow converted the seat to flat but no footrest , so a food container with a cushion was provided. Blanket over me . Next question . "Do you want all the lights out"? Of course . "Breakfast" Yes pls. My own private jet, with private crew, slept for 6-7 hours, breakfast served over the English coastline . Best flight I ever had. Best crew and at that time one of the best airlines. Never to be repeated . sadly!!
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I spent many happy hours on the upper deck of KLM 747s in 1998-99 in the "cradle seats" when commuting between Brussels and Taipei, including my only ever visit to Kai Tak (where the Taipei flights stopped briefly). The service was always great, and my mother was always grateful for the little gin houses. (My bags never, ever made it on to the connecting flight from AMS to BRU, but that was fine because I was saved the hassle of lugging them to the office!)
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From a KLM blog:
KLM miniature houses have been cherished collectors’ items among passengers for more than 60 years. The little Delft Blue houses decorate many window sills, offices and kitchen cabinets. In a few days, on 7 October, we will celebrate KLM’s 100th (!) birthday, and as always, with the unveiling of a new KLM House.
But first, a few facts:
- The first miniature KLM Delft Blue Houses were given to passengers, almost certainly, in 1952.
- Production was random until 1994; a number of houses were produced one after another, then none for several of years.
- An extra 15 houses were produced in 1994 in honour of KLM’s 75th anniversary. This brought the number to exactly 75. The number of houses in the series has kept pace with KLM’s age ever since.
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Now that you mention it, I've still got some of those little genever houses from deadheads years ago to AMS on KL.
From a KLM blog:
https://blog.klm.com/klm-delfts-blue...-need-to-know/
From a KLM blog:
https://blog.klm.com/klm-delfts-blue...-need-to-know/
if you lack hand sanitizer use those bottles, almost pure alcohol
Regarding the 74, I am flying the cargo version and enjoy her. Just having so much redundancy is nice. For some reason I found the classic handling better, not so light on pitch eg. Our outfit is extremely busy and actually needs pilots, glad to see the world is finally appreciating cargo planes for a change.
Out on the Boeing flight line, when the weather was nice they'd frequently have the overhead escape hatch open to provide ventilation to the flight deck (with the sun shinning, it could rapidly get pretty hot and stuffy up there with the packs not running). I'd occasionally get up and stick my head out the hatch and think about what it would be like to have to grab one of the inertial reel handles and jump out of that hatch.
Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't do it in an emergency, however the alternative would have to look pretty grim before I'd try it...
Anyone know if that hatch and the inertial reels were ever used in a real emergency?
Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't do it in an emergency, however the alternative would have to look pretty grim before I'd try it...
Anyone know if that hatch and the inertial reels were ever used in a real emergency?
Klm crew actually stood on the roof of a 747 in guatemala about 20 years ago. They were reprimanded.
https://krant.telegraaf.nl/krant/arc...rsgaanuit.html
Second: 2 747’s that were decommissioned 2 weeks ago are being re-instated and are now flying between schiphol and china as cargo haulers. They are combi-airframes.
https://krant.telegraaf.nl/krant/arc...rsgaanuit.html
Second: 2 747’s that were decommissioned 2 weeks ago are being re-instated and are now flying between schiphol and china as cargo haulers. They are combi-airframes.
They make a big deal over the roof dance but basically beatify Van Zanten who was responsible for the accident with another 747 operated by Pan Am... Am I the only one who sees the irony of it all?
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Have a look at the posts from #33 on, further up in this thread. The consequences of that roof dance were not as bad as I thought. As for Van Zanten, where did they beatify him? He featured prominently in advertising, but did that continue after the Tenerife crash?
I admit to some hyperbole but in their own (Dutch) investigation they placed blame on the Spanish ATCO and not Van Zanten. So, no he wasn't beatified really but his responsibility for the crash was minimized.
Last edited by Pugilistic Animus; 15th Apr 2020 at 16:09.
I haven't studied this in detail, but a quick search in some period newspapers shows the attached for example.
The headline reads "Not a lot of new information in report". The initial paragraph is: "The report on the Tenerife accident that was published yesterday, a year and a half after the major disaster on the island, does not contain much that is new. In fact, the conclusions agree with what experts put forward as the most likely cause shortly after the accident: The KLM captain, Jaap Veldhuizen van Zanten, initiated the take off without having received clearance to do so from the tower."
Scanning through other articles from those days, you do get the impression that, especially in the first few days, there was a lot of disbelief, 'surely he hasn't done that'. But based on an article like the one below, I can't say that the truth was buried or minimised. There were also articles expressing the sentiment that the tower should have stopped him, showing that journalists without a clue existed in those days too.
Just my two cents.
The headline reads "Not a lot of new information in report". The initial paragraph is: "The report on the Tenerife accident that was published yesterday, a year and a half after the major disaster on the island, does not contain much that is new. In fact, the conclusions agree with what experts put forward as the most likely cause shortly after the accident: The KLM captain, Jaap Veldhuizen van Zanten, initiated the take off without having received clearance to do so from the tower."
Scanning through other articles from those days, you do get the impression that, especially in the first few days, there was a lot of disbelief, 'surely he hasn't done that'. But based on an article like the one below, I can't say that the truth was buried or minimised. There were also articles expressing the sentiment that the tower should have stopped him, showing that journalists without a clue existed in those days too.
Just my two cents.
Last edited by Jhieminga; 16th Apr 2020 at 13:11. Reason: Corrected translation of title
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