What to expect on KLM’s E195-E2 Business Class from Valencia to Amsterdam
This KLM E195-E2 Business Class review covers the full experience from Valencia to Amsterdam on flight KL1532, including Valencia Airport, the Joan Olivert VIP Lounge, priority boarding, the modern Embraer E195-E2 cabin, seat comfort, onboard catering, service, and the flight to Amsterdam Schiphol.
This was my first time flying on the Embraer E195-E2, the newest generation of Embraer’s regional jet family and, in my opinion, one of the best regional aircraft currently flying. The E195-E2 is particularly attractive in Economy Class because of its passenger-friendly 2-2 configuration, meaning there are no middle seats anywhere in the cabin. It also feels noticeably quieter, more spacious and more modern than many other regional aircraft.
I had originally booked this KLM flight from Valencia to Amsterdam in Economy Class. However, during online check-in, I received an offer to upgrade to Business Class for just €70. Considering the length of the flight and the benefits included, this felt like an absolute bargain.
The upgrade gave me access to the Joan Olivert VIP Lounge at Valencia Airport, allowing me to relax and enjoy some food and drinks before departure. It also included the usual benefits of KLM Europe Business Class, such as priority boarding, a seat near the front of the aircraft, additional legroom and a complimentary meal with drinks onboard.
KLM Business Class on the Embraer E195-E2 is slightly different from the standard European Business Class experience. On most Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 aircraft, airlines block the middle seat to provide Business Class passengers with additional personal space. The E195-E2 has a 2-2 configuration with no middle seats, so there is no seat to block. Unless the flight is lightly booked, you may therefore have another passenger sitting directly beside you.
That is the main weakness of the product. Although the cabin is sold as Business Class, the lack of an empty neighbouring seat means it does not offer the same level of privacy or personal space as Business Class on many larger European aircraft.
However, the seats at the front of KLM’s E195-E2 provide considerably better legroom than the standard Economy Class rows. The seat also includes an adjustable headrest and a practical tablet holder, both of which make the journey more comfortable. Combined with the quiet cabin, large windows, modern lighting and smooth flying experience, the E195-E2 feels like a significant improvement over many older regional jets.
Ultimately, this is still European Business Class rather than a completely separate premium cabin. The seat itself is largely similar to Economy Class, and there is no guaranteed empty seat beside you. However, for a €70 upgrade that included lounge access, priority boarding, extra legroom and onboard catering, the value was difficult to fault.
Quick verdict
Pros
- Excellent value at only €70 for the Business Class upgrade
- Access to the Joan Olivert VIP Lounge at Valencia Airport
- Generous legroom in the front rows
- Priority boarding and a seat near the front of the aircraft
- Complimentary meal and drinks onboard
- Adjustable headrest and practical tablet holder
- Extremely quiet, modern and comfortable aircraft
Cons
- No blocked neighbouring seat in Business Class
- Limited privacy when another passenger is seated beside you
- The seat itself is not substantially different from Economy Class
- European Business Class benefits are mainly focused on service, catering and ground privileges
Overall, KLM E195-E2 Business Class from Valencia to Amsterdam offered very good value, especially with an upgrade price of just €70. The lack of a blocked seat beside you prevents it from feeling like a truly premium cabin, but the extra legroom, lounge access, priority boarding and onboard meal still made the upgrade worthwhile.
The Embraer E195-E2 was also one of the highlights of the journey. It is quiet, modern and remarkably comfortable for a regional jet, with a spacious 2-2 layout and a much more pleasant cabin environment than many smaller aircraft. For passengers travelling in Economy Class, it may be one of the best regional jets available. In Business Class, the product has some limitations, but at the right upgrade price, it can represent excellent value.
Flight details
Airline: KLM
Flight number: KL1532
Date: July 1, 2026
Route: Valencia (VLC) → Amsterdam (AMS)
Departure: 17:15
Arrival: 19:50
Aircraft: Embraer E195-E2
Seat: 2A
Ticket: €290 + €70 Business Class upgrade
Total price: €360
Flight time: 2 hours 35 minutes
In this review, I will walk you through the complete KLM E195-E2 Business Class experience from Valencia to Amsterdam, including Valencia Airport, the Joan Olivert VIP Lounge, boarding, the Embraer E195-E2 cabin and seat, onboard food and service, and the flight into Amsterdam Schiphol.
Valencia Airport (VLC)
Valencia Airport is a medium-sized airport serving mainly European routes, located a short distance west of Valencia city centre. The terminal is relatively compact and easy to navigate, although the overall experience is a little mixed. Some areas have been modernised and feel bright and contemporary, while other parts of the airport look noticeably older and more worn.
I arrived at Valencia Airport after returning my rental car to the parking facility directly outside the terminal. The car park is connected to the airport by a pedestrian bridge, making the journey into the departures area quick and straightforward. From there, the KLM check-in counters were only a short walk away.
Unfortunately, this was also where the main frustration of the ground experience began. KLM’s check-in desks did not open until two hours before departure, and because I had arrived early, I was left waiting landside for more than an hour.
My plan had been to return the rental car, head directly through security and spend a relaxed afternoon eating and unwinding in the Joan Olivert VIP Lounge before the flight. Arriving early seemed logical, especially since most hotels require guests to check out around midday and my KLM flight from Valencia to Amsterdam was not scheduled to depart until 17:15.
I did eventually get to enjoy the lounge, but the long wait for check-in made the beginning of the airport experience unnecessarily tiring. It also reduced the value of arriving early, as a significant part of the time I had hoped to spend relaxing in the lounge was instead spent waiting in the public departures area.
Once the KLM counters finally opened, the process itself was straightforward. The airport’s compact layout meant that everything was relatively close together, and continuing towards security and the lounge did not take long.
Overall, Valencia Airport is convenient and manageable rather than particularly memorable. Its compact size makes it easy to get around, and returning a rental car could hardly have been simpler. However, the combination of an ageing terminal and the late opening of the KLM check-in desks made the experience less comfortable than it could have been.
Joan Olivert VIP Lounge at Valencia Airport
The Joan Olivert VIP Lounge was one of the biggest surprises of the entire KLM Business Class experience from Valencia to Amsterdam. I had not expected much from the lounge at Valencia Airport, but it turned out to be a modern, comfortable and genuinely enjoyable place to spend time before the flight.
The lounge is spread across two floors, giving it a much greater sense of space than many airport lounges of this type. There were plenty of comfortable seating options throughout, including areas suited to eating, relaxing or simply waiting quietly before departure.
The food selection was also better than expected, with a good variety of options available during my visit. Combined with a strong wine selection, it made the lounge feel more complete and premium than I had anticipated. After the long wait for the KLM check-in counters to open, being able to sit down, eat and properly relax was especially welcome.
The interior looked modern and well maintained, with a clean and inviting atmosphere. Even the bathrooms stood out positively, with an attractive design and an excellent level of cleanliness. It may sound like a small detail, but clean and well-kept facilities make a noticeable difference to the overall lounge experience.
The upper floor was the quieter of the two levels and offered some views towards the apron. This made it the better area for passengers looking to escape the busier parts of the lounge, work in peace or simply watch the airport activity before boarding.
Overall, the Joan Olivert VIP Lounge at Valencia Airport was far better than I had expected. With two spacious floors, comfortable seating, good food, a solid wine selection, clean facilities and a quieter upper level overlooking the apron, it was absolutely worth visiting.
Lounge access added real value to the €70 KLM Business Class upgrade and helped turn what had begun as a tiring airport experience into a much more relaxing afternoon before the flight to Amsterdam.
Boarding KLM’s Brand-New Embraer E195-E2
Boarding for KLM flight KL1532 from Valencia to Amsterdam was called on time, and thanks to the priority boarding included with Business Class, I had the pleasure of being one of the first passengers onboard.
Stepping inside the KLM Embraer E195-E2 for the first time was a real highlight. The cabin looked sleek, modern and exceptionally fresh, with a clean design, large windows and a bright, welcoming atmosphere. Compared with many older regional aircraft, the E195-E2 immediately feels like a significant step forward.
I had selected seat 2A, a window seat on the left-hand side of the aircraft. For me, this is one of the best seats on the KLM E195-E2 because it offers an excellent view of the engine, which is always one of my favourite parts of filming and enjoying a flight.
The Business Class seat itself is essentially the same seat used in Economy Class, but the front rows come with several useful upgrades. Legroom was noticeably better, making the seat much more comfortable for the flight to Amsterdam. The adjustable headrest was another welcome feature, while the built-in tablet holder made it easy to watch downloaded entertainment during the journey.
The main limitation of KLM Business Class on the Embraer E195-E2 is the 2-2 seating configuration. Since there is no middle seat, KLM cannot block one to provide additional personal space, as it normally does on larger European aircraft with a 3-3 layout. This means that Business Class passengers may still have someone seated directly beside them.
It does make the product feel less exclusive than Business Class on a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, but on a flight of around two hours, I did not consider it a major problem. The improved legroom, seat location, priority services and onboard catering still provided enough additional value, particularly considering the low upgrade price.
One small detail I always appreciate when flying KLM is that the airline still provides a physical inflight magazine. At a time when many airlines are moving almost everything onto digital platforms, it is genuinely enjoyable to browse through an airline magazine during the flight. Hopefully, KLM keeps this tradition for many years to come.
Boarding was completed quickly and efficiently, and despite the flight appearing reasonably busy, everyone was seated without any unnecessary delays. The doors were soon closed, and we pushed back from the gate exactly on schedule.
Overall, boarding KLM’s E195-E2 was a smooth and enjoyable experience. The modern cabin, excellent engine view from seat 2A, generous legroom and thoughtful seat features made a very positive first impression of what I consider one of the best regional jets currently flying.
KLM E195-E2 Business Class Meal Service
One small detail I appreciate about KLM Business Class is that passengers receive a bottle of water during boarding. It is a simple touch, but not something every European airline offers before departure, and it is especially welcome when boarding takes place on a warm afternoon.
Shortly after takeoff from Valencia, the cabin crew began the meal service. KLM serves its European Business Class meals in distinctive presentation boxes, which immediately look more thoughtful and attractive than the basic trays offered by many other airlines on short-haul flights.
Inside the box was a cold main course, bread and dessert, providing a complete meal for the relatively short flight from Valencia to Amsterdam. The presentation was neat and visually appealing, and the box itself gave the service a recognisable KLM identity.
Although I genuinely like the design of KLM’s meal boxes, serving the food on proper plates would make the experience feel more premium. Business Class passengers are ultimately paying for an upgraded service, and traditional tableware would create a clearer distinction from Economy Class.
That said, presentation only matters so much if the food itself is good, and on this flight it was very tasty. The meal was fresh, well balanced and enjoyable, particularly considering that this was a European flight of just over two hours.
I accompanied the meal with a good glass of wine, which made the service feel relaxed and complete. The crew handled everything efficiently while still allowing passengers enough time to enjoy the food without feeling rushed.
Overall, KLM’s Business Class meal service on the Embraer E195-E2 was another positive part of the experience. The boxed presentation may not feel quite as premium as food served on plates, but the attractive design, tasty meal, included dessert and good wine still represented a clear improvement over the standard Economy Class offering.
KLM Business Class Service
For me, one of KLM’s greatest strengths is consistently the service provided by its cabin crews, and this flight from Valencia to Amsterdam was no exception.
A flight immediately feels more enjoyable when the crew appear genuinely happy to be onboard and comfortable interacting with passengers. That positive attitude creates a warmer and more relaxed atmosphere, and it is something I have often experienced when flying with KLM.
The meal service was handled efficiently and professionally, without ever feeling rushed. Everything was delivered smoothly, and the crew remained attentive throughout the service.
After the meal had been cleared away, I was also offered additional drinks. This was a small gesture, but one that made the Business Class service feel more generous and attentive, especially on a relatively short European flight.
Overall, the crew delivered exactly the kind of service I have come to expect from KLM: friendly, efficient and genuinely welcoming. While the Business Class seat on the E195-E2 may not differ dramatically from Economy Class, the quality of the service helped create a noticeably more premium experience.
Flying KLM’s E195-E2 from Valencia to Amsterdam
We pushed back from the gate on time, with Valencia still baking in the intense summer heat. From inside the modern and well-cooled Embraer E195-E2 cabin, it was hard not to appreciate the contrast between the sizzling apron outside and the comfortable atmosphere onboard.
The taxi to the runway was relatively short, and we soon lined up for departure from runway 12. Takeoff provided some fantastic views over Valencia, with the city stretching out below us as the aircraft climbed away from the airport.
Shortly after departure, we turned left over the Mediterranean coastline. The views of Valencia and the surrounding beaches were beautiful, making this one of the most memorable parts of the flight. From seat 2A, the combination of the engine, wing and coastline created an excellent view as we continued climbing.
We then headed northwest along Spain’s eastern side, passing the province of Castellón before continuing towards the Ebro River. The weather remained clear enough to enjoy several impressive landscapes along the route.
One of the biggest highlights came as we approached the Pyrenees. The mountain range looked spectacular from the air, with dramatic peaks stretching across the horizon between Spain and France. These were easily some of the best views of the entire journey and another reason why a window seat is well worth choosing on this route.
After crossing into France, we continued near Toulouse and then travelled north across the country. The flight itself was smooth and comfortable, while the remarkably quiet E195-E2 cabin made the journey feel especially relaxing. Embraer’s newest regional jet produces noticeably less cabin noise than many older aircraft of a similar size, reinforcing the modern impression created during boarding.
As we approached the Netherlands, the evening light began to change. We started our descent near Rotterdam, with the landscape below illuminated by a beautiful summer sunset. The warm light over the Dutch countryside created a fitting end to the flight from Spain.
Overall, the journey from Valencia to Amsterdam offered far more scenery than I had expected. Between the views over Valencia, the Mediterranean beaches, the Ebro River, the Pyrenees, France and the sunset descent over the Netherlands, there was something interesting to see during almost every stage of the flight.
Combined with an on-time departure, a smooth journey and the quiet, modern Embraer E195-E2 cabin, this was an extremely enjoyable way to travel from Valencia to Amsterdam.
Final Thoughts – KLM E195-E2 Business Class from Valencia to Amsterdam
KLM E195-E2 Business Class from Valencia to Amsterdam was a very enjoyable experience, especially considering the €70 upgrade price. Lounge access, priority boarding, extra legroom, a tasty meal and excellent service made the upgrade feel like very good value.
The main weakness is the lack of an empty neighbouring seat because of the aircraft’s 2-2 layout. However, on a relatively short European flight, this was not a major issue.
The Embraer E195-E2 was the real highlight. Its quiet cabin, modern interior, comfortable seats and large windows make it one of the best regional jets currently flying. Combined with the excellent KLM crew and beautiful views along the route, this was a memorable flight and an upgrade I would happily purchase again at a similar price.
