KLM Business Class Review – Split to Toronto via Amsterdam (SPU–AMS–YYZ) 

Booking KLM Business Class

On a recent vacation exploring the Balkans, specifically the countries that once made up the former Yugoslavia, my journey home began in Split, Croatia. Split is a stunning coastal city with a rich Roman history and UNESCO World Heritage status, and it served as the starting point for my first-ever KLM Business Class flight. My routing took me from Split (SPU) to Amsterdam (AMS), and onward to Toronto Pearson (YYZ), combining a short-haul European flight with a long-haul transatlantic sector.

KLM 777-300ER (credit: KLM)

The itinerary consisted of a two-hour flight from Split to Amsterdam, a two-and-a-half-hour layover at Schiphol, and an approximately eight-hour flight to Toronto. I booked this journey using 66,500 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles + USD $290 in taxes and fees, which I had acquired by transferring American Express Membership Rewards (US) points during a 30% transfer bonus promotion. Effectively, this brought the cost down to about 51,200 Amex MR points. An alternative option would have been to book directly through KLM’s Flying Blue program at a cost of 60,000 Flying Blue miles, made more attractive by the recent improvement in the Canadian Amex Membership Rewards to Flying Blue transfer ratio from 1:0.75 to 1:1.

KLM Business Class Cabin – SPU to AMS

The first leg of the journey began at Split Airport, and unfortunately, the boarding process left a lot to be desired. There was no dedicated boarding for Business Class passengers, and all travellers were required to walk across the tarmac to reach the aircraft. To make matters worse, passengers had to stand outside in the hot sun for about ten minutes before being allowed to proceed to the plane. It was puzzling why we couldn’t remain inside the air-conditioned terminal until the aircraft was ready for boarding, and this experience was easily the weakest part of the entire trip.

Waiting on the tarmac

Once onboard, things improved significantly. I selected seat 1C, a bulkhead aisle seat that offers a bit of extra legroom. I was fortunate that the window seat next to me remained empty, as these short-haul Business Class cabins in a 2–2 configuration do not typically block the adjacent seat. The aircraft operating this route was KLM’s Embraer 195-E2 Cityhopper. As expected on this aircraft type, there were no personal in-flight entertainment screens. The seat itself was upholstered in deep blue leather, consistent with KLM’s branding. Power options included two USB charging ports located beneath the seat, and a fold-out tray table was available for dining and work.

KLM intra-EU business class

KLM E195-E2 business class bulkhead

Shortly after settling in, Business Class passengers were offered a bottle of water. Lunch was served as a vegetarian-friendly boxed meal, featuring a cold teriyaki soba noodle salad with soybeans and oriental vegetables, paired with plant-based teriyaki “beef,” and garnished with spring onions. The meal was accompanied by rice crackers, bread with butter, and, for dessert, a selection of macarons along with banana bread. Before landing, a light snack was also offered, consisting of a strawberry smoothie served with cheese crackers.

KLM Business Class (intra-EU) snack service

The beverage selection was impressively comprehensive for a two-hour flight. Options included soft drinks, milk, juices, coffee and tea, along with sparkling wine, red and white wines, beer (limited to Heineken, as expected on KLM), and spirits, cognac, and Baileys. Despite the disappointing boarding experience, the onboard service and catering more than made up for it, making for a pleasant short-haul Business Class flight.

KLM Business Class Cabin – AMS to YYZ

Boarding for the long-haul segment from Amsterdam to Toronto was much smoother. This time, Business Class passengers were granted proper priority boarding, setting a far more positive tone for the second leg of the journey.

For this sector, I was seated in a throne-style seat, 7A, on a Boeing 777-200. The seat featured a light and dark blue colour scheme that closely aligned with KLM’s signature aesthetic. Upon arrival at the seat, a blanket and pillow were already in place, along with a striking pink and orange linen drawstring bag containing the amenity kit. Noise-cancelling headphones and a bottle of water were stored in a side compartment that also featured a small mirror.

KLM Business Class 777-200 AMS-YYZ

IFE screen and power outlets in-seat

Directly in front of the seat was the in-flight entertainment screen, with a coat hook positioned to the right. Below the screen on the left side were USB charging ports and a universal power outlet. Adjacent to these was an open storage compartment that was ideal for keeping a phone or other small devices while charging. Seat controls, including options for full lie-flat mode and a massage function, were located nearby, and below them was the lever that released the large, sturdy tray table.

in-seat controls

Vanity mirror and storage

Above my left shoulder were the headphone jack, IFE controls, and a reading light. To the left was the window, beneath which sat a wireless charging pad for a smartphone. It’s worth noting that this charger struggled to work with a thick protective case, such as an OtterBox. On the right-hand side were an adjustable armrest and a light-blue privacy door. While the door provided adequate privacy, it was made of leather rather than a more substantial material like wood, giving it a slightly flimsy feel compared to the more robust suite doors on other airlines.

KLM Business Class sliding door

Closed Sliding Door suite

Amenity Kit

The amenity kit itself was a standout. It included a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste tablets, an eye mask, socks, lip balm, face cream, a small pen, and earplugs. While it wasn’t housed in a leather case, which I typically prefer, the colourful, dual-layer linen design was both stylish and distinctive. It felt refreshingly different from many standard Business Class amenity kits and was memorable enough to earn a permanent place in my collection.

KLM Business Class Amenity Kit

Service and Meals

Upon boarding, pre-departure beverages were offered, including sparkling water, champagne, orange juice, and alcohol-free beer. The Business Class dining experience was curated by Chef Jonnie Boer of De Librije, the Netherlands’ only three-Michelin-star restaurant, which immediately raised expectations.

The meal service began with an amuse-bouche of cucumber mousse topped with a walnut. For the appetizer, I chose the chilli shrimp served with spicy pickled watermelon and beetroot mousse, garnished with roasted beetroot cubes, fresh watercress, and lavash cream. An alternative option of Thai red curry soup was also available. The shrimp dish was accompanied by a salad featuring pine nuts and sweet pepper drops dressed with Italian balsamic vinegar. The presentation was elegant and refined.

Amuse bouche

Appetizer course

For the main course, three options were offered: chicken, fish, and a vegetarian dish. I opted for the salmon with hollandaise sauce, served alongside asparagus, scrambled eggs, buttered potatoes, spinach, and parsley oil. The combination of scrambled eggs with salmon was unconventional but worked beautifully, with the flavours complementing one another in a way that truly reflected Michelin-star-level creativity.

Main Course

Dessert followed with a forest fruit bavarois layered with caramel chocolate and topped with mango and sunflower seeds. A cheese platter was also available for those who preferred a savoury finish. The meal concluded with a signature KLM touch: a Dutch house-shaped chocolate available in white, milk, or dark chocolate. I paired this with cognac and Baileys, a fitting end to an impressive dining experience.

Dessert course

Before landing, a second meal service was offered. I selected the pumpkin ravioli in a creamy artichoke sauce with roasted sunflower seeds and black olives. An alternative spinach tart filled with cheese and potato was also available. The meal was accompanied by a chicken Caesar salad, and dessert was a red and white cranberry panna cotta.

Pre-landing meal

The drink selection throughout the flight was strong, featuring cocktails such as a Dutch-style Old Fashioned, Jack Daniel’s and Coke, gin and tonic, rum and Coke, and vodka cranberry. Champagne was Bernard Lonclas Cuvée Sélection Brut, and there was a solid range of wines on offer. As expected, Heineken was the sole beer choice, alongside a full selection of spirits and dessert wines.

Drink selections onboard

Service throughout the flight was excellent. The cabin crew were warm, friendly, and genuinely humorous, making the experience feel relaxed and welcoming. The flight concluded with KLM’s iconic tradition of gifting Business Class passengers a ceramic Dutch house, a charming keepsake that I hope will be the first of many. For in-flight entertainment, I watched the Dutch thriller Faithfully Yours, a well-acted and tightly written film with a memorable plot twist.

Iconic KLM keepsake – Ceramic Dutch House

Takeaway

My first experience flying KLM Business Class from Split to Toronto via Amsterdam was overwhelmingly positive. While the boarding process in Split was frustrating, both the short-haul and long-haul segments were marked by friendly, attentive service and high-quality catering. The meals on the Amsterdam-to-Toronto leg, inspired by Michelin-star dining, were particularly memorable, and the long-haul seat was modern and comfortable, with ample storage space. The cabin was spotless, and the overall experience felt thoughtfully designed.

If there were any minor drawbacks, they would be the lack of individual overhead air vents on the long-haul aircraft and the slightly flimsy feel of the suite door compared to more premium competitors. These were observations rather than serious issues. Overall, this was a strong Business Class product, and I would rate the experience a solid 8 out of 10, with the service and dining on the long-haul segment standing out as clear highlights.

Goede reis! ✈️