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For more than 30 years I have been flying KLM to Asia. Especially on the flights back to Amsterdam, I always looked forward to having a Dutch newspaper. In combination with the KLM blue, it made me feel like I was on the way home.

Suddenly, early this year, there were no newspapers anymore in the Skyteam lounges, nor on the flights. I can understand the decision to stop issuing newspapers in the lounges because travellers often take them on the plane even though they mostly know that the same newspapers are on board. And newspapers in lounges are often read very fast and then thrown away.

All the same, I was disappointed to learn that KLM had stopped issuing them, even in business class. On a flight, I see a newspaper as a kind of in-flight entertainment. Perhaps young people are using their tablets, but at my age, 69, I like to take time to read a newspaper in a comfortable and traditional way.

I hope that the airline changes its policy on this. About 30 newspapers in a business class section is not that costly – and the carrier may even get them free of charge.

Harry Oude Weernik, Netherlands

KLM REPLIES:

We confirm that we have stopped with the uplift of newspapers and magazines from May 1, 2019 on all intercontinental flights. We can understand that this is a major change for our regular travellers who enjoy stepping on board a KLM flight to Amsterdam and reading a print edition of the news. However, the reality is that passengers increasingly read the news on their personal devices, and with the availability of wifi on more and more flights, passengers are also able to receive the latest news while in the air.

In addition, in line with KLM’s sustainability initiatives, not uplifting newspapers and magazines on our flights – and for our lounges around the world – means that we are reducing the weight on board (almost 40,000kg annually). Newspapers and magazines are available in the KLM Crown Lounges and guests are welcome to take a newspaper along with them to read on their flight.