After trials and testing, KLM is joining the hordes of other European airlines that offer Buy-On-Board service.
The airline is dubing their new service “Grand Café KLM”.
The paid service will roll out in October. This will build on trials the airline conducted as it explored a new catering model for Economy Class. Since then, the airline has conducted multiple testing phases across various destinations, evaluating both the product assortment and the supporting operational processes.
And Grand Café KLM is seemingly the answer.
According to the airline, with the new concept, passengers will enjoy greater choice in food and beverages, with the option to pre-order a meal before departure or select items from an onboard menu during the flight, rather than a pre-supplied snack.
KLM states that passengers will be able to pre-order meals, such as a poke bowl or Caesar salad, before their flight. In addition, they can purchase a variety of items from the onboard menu, including a salmon egg wrap or yoghurt with fruit and seeds.
Thankfully, KLM’s complimentary service isn’t completely being done away with, as the airline will continue to offer coffee, tea, water, orange juice, and a stroopwafel.
In Quotes
Bas Gerressen, EVP Inflight Services, said:
“We are delighted to welcome our passengers to Grand Café KLM,”
With this new concept, we are taking the next step in enhancing the European travel experience. Passengers will benefit from greater choice, more flexibility, and an offering that better reflects a wide range of preferences and needs. Whether they choose to pre-order a meal or spontaneously select a snack or beverage onboard, Grand Café KLM allows passengers to tailor the service to their personal preferences. In doing so, this new concept further strengthens the warm and hospitable experience we strive to provide.”
Enhancement? No. Expected? Absolutely.
There are some bright spots in this, believe it or not. For the passenger, core drinks and a snack aren’t going entirely. That’s something airlines have done in the past, making their entire service Buy-on-Board, before rolling it back to offering a bare-bones service.
There’s also the waste consideration for those passengers who don’t take up items, with sandwiches, cakes and such having a limited shelf life, thus waste enters the stream.
It’s not an enhancement by any stretch (no matter how much KLM is trying to paint it up). Whilst there will be greater choice, passengers will feel like they’re missing out, having to pay for something that once was included. And airlines love this too, because they can carry a lighter quantity of products, along with making money on the product too – given soft and alcoholic drinks will now attract a charge.
But considering how the entire industry has gone – from meals, to sandwiches to pre-packaged snacks… it’s not unexpected in the least that KLM has finally joined the Buy-On-Board party.
Thankfully, if you’re beginning/ending your journey at Amsterdam Schiphol, there are three Albert Heijn supermarkets before security at Schiphol Plaza – even if the 100ml liquid rule is in effect here.
Use that knowledge as you will.
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