Do they speak German on KLM (Northwest Airlines)?

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pinballpenny

I have flown KLM a few times, and had a very comfortable flight, especially when the transatlantic portion was a North West plane. The inflight entertainment was particularly good. They tend to have stewards who speak a range of languages, so german would be the luck of the draw, with more chance on the Berlin to Amsterdam portion. I can't imagine it would be much of a problem though, I would go for it. KLM serve free beer and wine, which is always a bonus and the food was edible!! If they are worried about transfering at the airport, order them assistance. Save the $1000 and spend ot on outings when they arrive. KLM is fine.

Thomas t

But if the steward(ess) were dutch, it is more than possible that they speak german too, because many dutch people learn german in school

Alwin E

The KLM / US West speak a wide range of languages, including German with a slight Dutch accent, and when you arrange the tickets, you might add as an additional information that they don't speak a language other than German, and that will be especially taken care of. I flew with KLM from Berlin via Amsterdam to Bombay, India, and KLM's service is excellent. On my way back from India to Germany I saw an Indian stewardess addressing passengers in Hindi, or what I thought it to be, and ask about how they feel and about their needs., and I almost felt like they took too much care. I suppose it took me five times to explain that I'm not afraid of of flying, and I don't want to enjoy the onboard entertainment system, and they could frickin' leave me alone but leave a whisky. It was free, for god's sake. And a Boeing 747-400 is quite an experience.if it's a first time flight.

xavier p

from bouncing around europe on different airlines and segments, i would guess that it'll be dual language of carrier and US-international

(dutch and english)

ShlomoNYC

I would prefer Lufthansa - much better airline; or SAS, SWISS - if you want to use KLM: make sure it is a KLM-flight across the Atlantic. The servive is so much better on European airlines - they speak all major languages.

Mich

I flew to Germany and back on Northwest Airlines a couple weeks ago - they translated everything into German on the flight *out* of Germany, but not everything on the flight *to* Germany from the US. Still, enough was translated that I think people who don't speak English should still be able to manage.
The people behind me on the flight from DÃ¼sseldorf to Detroit didn't speak English, and the staff was able to communicate with them (actually, the flight attendent spoke German to *me* and gave me a German customs declaration form - I had to ask for an English one, as my German isn't that good!)
Of course, flying out of Amsterdam might be a completely different story.

slrlus

I'd rather worry about the imigration officer! If he/she asks your parents-in-law some questions they might cannot answer... You'd better prepare a letter for them, "telling" the officer that they want to visit you and maybe a phone number to get in contact with you.

Back to topic: Dutch people will understand german. Stewardesses and Purser will talk german, i am pretty sure.
But be aware: They might have a KLM flight number, but the flight might be operated by Northwest (Code Sharing). But i am pretty sure that they have somone aboard who is able to talk german. Lufthansa vor instance always have a native speaker of the destination.

Cheers,
Sirius

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