Air France-Bad Experience

I had my first opportunity to fly Air France over Labor Day weekend (DTW-CDG-PRG). I am hoping my experience was an anomaly, but here are my observations:

1. New Business Class seat: OK to sit in, very uncomfortable to try and sleep. The footrest pushes itself up and under the seat in front of you so your feet cannot fit between the seat and the footrest. In addition, the in-seat video screen cannot be adjusted to different viewing angles.

2. Food: Very unimpressive for BC. The web site promised 2 choices of appetizers, 3 entr�es and a choice of dessert. We had one appetizer, 2 choices for entr�es and no choice for dessert. Breakfast was a joke.

3. Service: Actually pretty good DTW-CDG. However, CDG-PRG the FA's hid behind a curtain the whole flight, talked loudly and ate.

4. CDG: All I can say is that when God gives the world an enema, he puts the hose in CDG.

In conclusion, I have gone "across the pond" on 6 different airlines in Business (DL, CO, NW, KLM, AF, BA) and AF was by far the worst.

Comments?

Deleted...

They stay behind the curtain because their meal is much better than yours, and they don't want that you see it

I don't get the complaints about CDG. Sure, it used to be quite bad...But I find it rather pleasant nowadays; it doesn't get affected by weather, it's not too crowded for an airport of its size, the walks are shorter than places like AMS, it's got Access no.1 queues everywhere to speed you up, and the lounges, even if they do need more food options, aren't terrible either.
What exactly is it that people hate about it?

Yeah, it's pleasant, as long as you stay in one terminal. As soon as time comes to change terminals, it can be a real pain.

But I agree with you. I have been to much worse places than DeGaulle.

I had to fly through the old ATH quite often. What a nightmare! Among others, to go from one to the other terminal you needed a taxi! And that was less than 10 years ago...

I think the seats in business in Air France are ok. They are already looking ratty and dirty in many planes, they are not as good as Qantas for example, but I always sleep well on them.

The entertainment is a joke of course compared to better airlines. The screens are usually faded and unreadable (if the system is not completely defect) and the choice is dismal. However, if you focus on the French and art films and keep an open mind you will be rewarded with some gems quite often.

As to the food & drink. Yes, absolutely incredible that Air France spends so little money and attention on this. Generic, uninspired wines, often so-so or simply bad food, terrible wine service, etc.

CDG is getting better as more and more comes on line.

All in all, AF is better than KL, better than the American airlines, but never worth paying more than a heavily discounted price for.

Flew LAX-CDG this month with the new AVOD in C - MUCH better!

I hate CDG with a passion, but even I am forced to admit that it is, ever so slowly, improving - give me AMS though, until CDG improves a LOT more.

You're right - I got one helluva deal on the price!!!