Do they speak German on KLM (Northwest Airlines)?

Question

My parents-in-law will be flying from Berlin to Dallas, TX next fall and have never flown to the U.S. and don't speak any English. We wanted to get them a flight on Lufthansa because they speak German, but the ticket prices are $500 more per person. We found a flight with Northwest (KLM) that flies from Berlin to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Dallas. Has anyone flown this route and do you know if they will speak German on the flight?

Answer 1

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 Düsseldorf 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.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

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

Answer 5

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

Answer 6

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.

Answer 7

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)