Transfer through Amsterdam ( Schiphol airport )

[ronlon]

A search for a flight from Hong Kong to Stockholm brings up the option of a booking comprising of two KLM flights via Amsterdam: HKG-AMS-ARN. The connection time in Amsterdam is 1hr 10min. As both Netherlands and Sweden are Schengen Zone do I clear immigration in Netherlands or Sweden ? The connection time is clearly tight however if the flight into Amsterdam is late I am not sure how KLM would cater for me if I miss the Stockholm flight as it is the last one scheduled on that day.

 

[docjames]

You’ll need to enter the Schengen zone in AMS.

AMS isn’t known for short queues, but you’re “protected” if on the same ticket (Booked as a through ticket).

What’s the time until the next AMS-ARN flight? May pay not to book as tight and have a more relaxing transfer.

 

[jpp42]

I presume these are award bookings through Qantas. Is this a business fare, and are you okay with economy the next day and overnight costs at your expense if you miss the connection?

You will have to clear immigration in AMS as the first point of entry into the Schengen region - it's an extremely tight connection given this. Customs is officially done at ARN like any Schengen flight but that's a minor formality.

 

[ronlon]

Thanks docjames and jpp42. Answer to you questions: It would be a through ticket economy reward booked with Qantas. There is no later AMS-ARN flight.

 

[docjames]

Thanks docjames and jpp42. Answer to you questions: It would be a through ticket economy reward booked with Qantas. There is no later AMS-ARN flight.

FWIW - as an award flight (protected connection) with no later same day option, I’d personally book it (take what you can get) - but I’d also have a backup plan for what to do in AMS accommodation wise whilst awaiting the next day fligh (in the event KLM left me high and dry) - even if the plan is as basic as “I’d go to this hotel and see what i can get”.

 

[Bell21]

FWIW - as an award flight (protected connection) with no later same day option, I’d personally book it (take what you can get) - but I’d also have a backup plan for what to do in AMS accommodation wise whilst awaiting the next day fligh (in the event KLM left me high and dry) - even if the plan is as basic as “I’d go to this hotel and see what i can get”.

I can't really comment on the reality of the transfer time, but I must say that I found AMS to be a pleasant and well organised airport when I was there at XMAS (I know in 2022, it was bedlam) and there are a number of accommodation options close by (we stayed at a nearby airport hotel)

 

[Pushka]

We transferred through AMS a week or so ago. Admittedly all non Schengen. It seemed deserted. Monday around 5pm.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

As others have pointed out, you will clear Schengen immigration at the first port of entry into the Schengen zone (i.e. Amsterdam airport). What hasn't been discussed, however, is whether OP needs to clear security again (I'm unsure if AMS is one of the airports that accepted the IATA Annex on OSS - One Stop Security - the principle that you are scanned only once through security at your origin point and that's it).

If the Hong Kong to Stockholm is all on one ticket, you will be protected in the event of a mis-connect. Heck I was connecting in Amsterdam a little over a month ago and was in the KLM lounge, lost track of time and missed my connecting flight. No worries, KLM put me on the next available flight free of charge despite me missing the connection was entirely my fault.

In terms of lounges if you are travelling in business class, the non-Schengen KLM Crown lounge is better than the KLM Crown lounge located in the Schengen zone. There's sleeping pods, lockers, a terrace, several buffets, bars, all in a huge wide open space. Absolutely loved it when I was flying through last year.

 

[love_the_life]

As others have pointed out, you will clear Schengen immigration at the first port of entry into the Schengen zone (i.e. Amsterdam airport). What hasn't been discussed, however, is whether OP needs to clear security again (I'm unsure if AMS is one of the airports that accepted the IATA Annex on OSS - One Stop Security - the principle that you are scanned only once through security at your origin point and that's it).

If the Hong Kong to Stockholm is all on one ticket, you will be protected in the event of a mis-connect. Heck I was connecting in Amsterdam a little over a month ago and was in the KLM lounge, lost track of time and missed my connecting flight. No worries, KLM put me on the next available flight free of charge despite me missing the connection was entirely my fault.

In terms of lounges if you are travelling in business class, the non-Schengen KLM Crown lounge is better than the KLM Crown lounge located in the Schengen zone. There's sleeping pods, lockers, a terrace, several buffets, bars, all in a huge wide open space. Absolutely loved it when I was flying through last year.

If I read the OP's response correctly, I think they are looking at a Y reward flight.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Good responses thank you.

My issue is similar to @ronlon .
We are booked CR J MEL-HKG on Cathay now with decent layover to connect with KLM HKG-AMS-LIS, only 70 minutes to transit to the last Lisbon flight of the day.

Have been tracking KL888 and almost always late arrival missing our Lisbon KL1617!
So our plan is, have booked inexpensive Lisbon hotel for the 1st night and will just wear the cost if we arrive the next day
( TI excess is greater than accom)

KLM have said as on one PNR they will book next available flight ie the following day and provide hotel accommodation - so not concerned now.
New motto when travelling is
"It is what it is!!"

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Good responses thank you.

My issue is similar to @ronlon .
We are booked CR J MEL-HKG on Cathay now with decent layover to connect with KLM HKG-AMS-LIS, only 70 minutes to transit to the last Lisbon flight of the day.

Have been tracking KL888 and almost always late arrival missing our Lisbon KL1617!
So our plan is, have booked inexpensive Lisbon hotel for the 1st night and will just wear the cost if we arrive the next day
( TI excess is greater than accom)

The Montreal Convention, 1999 of which Australia and Portugal are signatories to provides compensation of up to $7000 USD for out of pocket expenses incurred in the event of travel disruptions (i.e. accommodation you didn't use as a result of being put on the next flight of the day). In addition, KLM Royal Dutch airlines, being an airline operated within the European Union must also provide cash compensation of up to 600 Euros in the event you arrive in Lisbon 4 hours after scheduled arrival.

KLM have said as on one PNR they will book next available flight ie the following day and provide hotel accommodation - so not concerned now.
New motto when travelling is
"It is what it is!!"

New motto with travelling should be what can I get out of the transaction? I always look forward to delays and cancellations, it's my favourite game to play. Will I get paid by the airline to stay in the lounge a little bit longer? Or perhaps the airline will have to rebook my award ticket into a revenue fare that attracts frequent flyer points! Or maybe I'll get put on a non-stop flight instead of the connecting one I was originally booked. Always tried to get something out of the airlines when they inconvenience you. It's how you level the playing field!

 

[Flyfrequently]

The Montreal Convention, 1999 of which Australia and Portugal are signatories to provides compensation of up to $7000 USD for out of pocket expenses incurred in the event of travel disruptions (i.e. accommodation you didn't use as a result of being put on the next flight of the day). In addition, KLM Royal Dutch airlines, being an airline operated within the European Union must also provide cash compensation of up to 600 Euros in the event you arrive in Lisbon 4 hours after scheduled arrival.

New motto with travelling should be what can I get out of the transaction? I always look forward to delays and cancellations, it's my favourite game to play. Will I get paid by the airline to stay in the lounge a little bit longer? Or perhaps the airline will have to rebook my award ticket into a revenue fare that attracts frequent flyer points! Or maybe I'll get put on a non-stop flight instead of the connecting one I was originally booked. Always tried to get something out of the airlines when they inconvenience you. It's how you level the playing field!

Thanks for that extra information and I do like your motto @kangarooflyer88 !