Air France Frequence Plus - SkyPriority: a new airport experience for our most valued customers

I hadn't seen this mentioned before:

Distinctively branded priority services for faster travel through airports

As of end of March 2012, AIR FRANCE and KLM together with all other SkyTeam airlines will introduce an aligned service called Sky Priority which will cover all priority airport services. Early 2013 SkyPriority will be launched at more than 1,000 airports worldwide

Passengers eligible for the SkyPriority service are Flying Blue Platinum and Flying Blue Gold members as well as the SkyTeam Elite Plus members and First & Business Class passengers of all SkyTeam airlines.

Launching this service, the SkyTeam airlines aim to enhance the customer experience on the ground by offering greater recognition and consistent service delivery whenever you travel with any SkyTeam airline partner.

From check-in to take-off and through to your final destination, simply follow the signs with the special red label to enjoy the following priority services:
Priority check-in
Priority baggage drop-off
Priority at immigration (passport control) and security
Priority service at ticket office and transfer desk
Priority boarding
Passengers eligible for the SkyPriority service will also find SkyPriority on their boarding pass.

Please note: Flying Blue Silver members will enjoy SkyPriority for their current benefits: priority check-in, priority baggage drop-off and priority boarding.

http://www.flyingbluenews.com/news/1098/SkyPriority__une_nouvelle_experience_a_laeroport_p our_nos_clients_les_plus_fideles.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/klm-flying-dutchman/1303804-klm-introduces-skypriority.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-france-frequence-plus/1326111-af-online-check-error-still-bp-printed-successfully.html#post18224660

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/skyteam/1301641-skyteam-introduces-skypriority-top-customers.html?highlight=skypriority

I also had that in my email today. Must be the first time in years I actually read those news.

But there is some good news, at least if executed like announced:

" Embarquement prioritaire" (priority boarding)

"Déploiement progressif à partir de mars 2012
Un déploiement progressif étant programmé à partir de mars 2012, SkyPriority sera d’abord lancé aux aéroports d’Amsterdam-Schiphol, Paris-Charles de Gaulle et Paris-Orly, et aux aéroports français desservis par AIR FRANCE et KLM, puis au cours des prochains mois dans des aéroports hors France desservis par AIR FRANCE et KLM. Début 2013, SkyPriority couvrira plus de 1 000 aéroports dans le monde."
(in bold: at airports in France served by AF and KL)

In other words: they have found the magic formula that suddenly makes priority boarding for domestic flights "operationally" possible! ^

Just saw the skypriority sign today at ZHR airport for boarding AF to CDG. However, there was only 1 line and the sign says "pass the line and get in front of all the other passengers", too bad that you have to do this before you get to the checking agent. Do they really want passengers pushing away other pax? I wouldn't feel well doing this. So you have to wait as all others. Not that it matters too much for this flight as you end up in the same bus anyway, but if this is AF's way of introducing skypriority, then I have a problem with it.

I also had that in my email today. Must be the first time in years I actually read those news.

But there is some good news, at least if executed like announced:

" Embarquement prioritaire" (priority boarding)

"Déploiement progressif à partir de mars 2012
Un déploiement progressif étant programmé à partir de mars 2012, SkyPriority sera d’abord lancé aux aéroports d’Amsterdam-Schiphol, Paris-Charles de Gaulle et Paris-Orly, et aux aéroports français desservis par AIR FRANCE et KLM, puis au cours des prochains mois dans des aéroports hors France desservis par AIR FRANCE et KLM. Début 2013, SkyPriority couvrira plus de 1 000 aéroports dans le monde."
(in bold: at airports in France served by AF and KL)

In other words: they have found the magic formula that suddenly makes priority boarding for domestic flights "operationally" possible! ^

someone at Air France asked me to post this reply to your post:

=> No, we have not found the magic formula yet :(
therefore it won't be a direct benefit of SkyPriority, at least for the launch phase (starting March 26th), on domestic flights
Nevertheless, we have started testing new formulas to answer our passengers' expectations regarding priority boarding (for long, medium and possibly short haul)
No clear picture at that point about future implementation but first indications very positive. There's will and high hopes

someone at Air France asked me to post this reply to your post:

THanks for the heads-up, really appreciated (the heads-up, not the failure to implement prio boarding on domestic flights ;) )

If Easyjet can do priority boarding with a rapid rotation, why cant AF do it?

If Easyjet can do priority boarding with a rapid rotation, why cant AF do it?

I'm not sure I would describe Easyjet's approach priority boarding as such. It is best to think about it as first scrum followed by second scrum (and if at LPL, first scrum, second scrum and then third scrum where first scrum works on an informal "friends and family" policy)......

No need any more to show your Platinum card at Accès Numéro 1 or lounge when flying Y and having checked-in with your mobile: status and SkyPriority is now visible on your mobile boarding pass.

I'm not sure I would describe Easyjet's approach priority boarding as such. It is best to think about it as first scrum followed by second scrum (and if at LPL, first scrum, second scrum and then third scrum where first scrum works on an informal "friends and family" policy)......

Frankly the scrums for Easy boardings are no worse that the scrums for AF domestic shuttles. But I love rugby, so I amy be biased.
What truly bothers me as an elite+ is to have to board among the last ones (meaning no newspaper and no more overhead space). So like everyone else, I try to board earlier...

What truly bothers me as an elite+ is to have to board among the last ones (meaning no newspaper and no more overhead space).

+1

I'm not sure I would describe Easyjet's approach priority boarding as such. It is best to think about it as first scrum followed by second scrum (and if at LPL, first scrum, second scrum and then third scrum where first scrum works on an informal "friends and family" policy)......

The BP on my I-phone mentions platinum but not Sky Priority. Anyway, Sky Priority signage is in place at CDG (check-in and boarding gates).

No need any more to show your Platinum card at Accès Numéro 1 or lounge when flying Y and having checked-in with your mobile: status and SkyPriority is now visible on your mobile boarding pass.

When I entered acces no. 1 last night at terminal 2D and was Let through just after having waived my mobile phone by the lady I asked her "what is it on mobile boarding passes that you look at to see whether the pax is actually allowed to enter acces no. 1?", expecting something along the lines described by nicolas75. But she replied: "Actually I don't see anything. We just assume that people who have their boarding pass on mobile phone are the ones that are entitled to use acces no. 1 lane".

Fantastic. So here's a hint to all of you with no status flying in Y: just get a mobile BP and waive by the people at the entrance of access no. 1. But do not be surprised to find a larger crowd than expected.

I came back from EDI tonight. Sky Priority was well printed on the paper BP obtained on a kiosk. I was not expecting anything for boarding, as AF is handled by Servisair at EDI, but I had the nice surprise to see the signage at the gate and that priority boarding was strictly enforced ^. Flight was full, so it was clearly nice to board first and have time to reach your seat and have space in the small overhead bins of the Avro RJ85. :)

I boarded a flight at CDG 2F yesterday, which has the two lanes. Skypriority sign was available, and BP's were checked if indeed everybody in the SP lane had the proper permissions.

At boarding time both lines opened simultaneously though. As this was a flight to AMS it had at least 50% elites on board. This resulted in a huge SkyPriority line, and a medium 'normal' line. Since both opened at the same time, most people in the normal line boarded first :(

So it would have been nice if they kept the normal line waiting until the SkyPriority line was finished boarding. On the other hand I guess it is good that now at least they check the BP for the SkyPriority logo, in the past they would not check at all.

What I just don't understand is why they make 2 different lines and then start boarding the two together, sometimes the normal one even first, so no real 'priority' for the priority line. Hate it when I'm at the gate just before boarding starts but still have to wait in the jetway because they don't want to hold the normal line for a few minutes.

So it would have been nice if they kept the normal line waiting until the SkyPriority line was finished boarding.Nah. It was an intelligence test for elites to determine which would be clever enough to switch to the shorter queue. From your description, it would seem that most failed miserably. :)

Nah. It was an intelligence test for elites to determine which would be clever enough to switch to the shorter queue. From your description, it would seem that most failed miserably. :)

I think anybody would expect that the normal line would be held until the priority line was finished, like they do at AMS. And, when in line, you can't switch to the other since they are separated.

At boarding time both lines opened simultaneously though. As this was a flight to AMS it had at least 50% elites on board. This resulted in a huge SkyPriority line, and a medium 'normal' line. Since both opened at the same time, most people in the normal line boarded first :(

You should see the commuter flights between HKG-PVG/TPE I used to take all the time...They call out for elites to board, and everyone gets up.....at least 75%.

CDG even does this with the long-haul flights, but thankfully the elite line is quite a bit shorter than the other one. AMS is always good though.

I just made a CDG-YUL flight last monday on the A388 and I can tell you that they begin boarding with P,J and elites:they checked the BP of people in skypriority line and then allow us to board before opening the Y line.

I was just surprised that they boarded families after elites (and before Y).

Another change in 2E: the J checkin counters are 6 & 7 (it used to be 8&9) and it seems that they split elite in Y and people travelling in J: left for elite in Y, J if you are flying business.

Took a flight today from CDG to LIS. No skypriority sign at the gate and no priority boarding offered. What a shame!

By the way, did anybody notice, that they moved Access#1 at terminal 2D from opposite the lounge to the far end towards terminal 2B. I wonder how many elites are coming from 2B? It would make much more sense to have a fast track towards 2E or 2F where you come in a hurry to make your AF connections.

AF at CDG 2F needs to get its act together. Not once (when boarding directly through the jetway) has there been any priority boarding (neither during the old regime nor the new sky priority) to any of the numerous GVA flights I have taken. Even if the screen shows row 19-26 to board first, it's a run for your life and the wider your elbows the further/quicker you get there :td:

They should have the same boarding queues they have at some gates at AMS and not let anyone else board before at least half of the Sky Priority line has gone onboard...

I have sympathy for everything except the following:
"Terrible queue for security check at ORY (and no fast track as usual). More than 40 minutes to wait."

Security should be the same for everyone.

[moderator note: this post was originally in reply to this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-france-frequence-plus/1335578-az-operated-flight-terrible-queue-security-check-ory-evening.html, but was moved to the SkyPriority thread, because of its focus]

Priority at immigration (passport control) and security

How can they pull this off when immigration is something under the responsibility of the state?
Are there first class and second class citizens nowadays?

How can they pull this off when immigration is something under the responsibility of the state?
Are there first class and second class citizens nowadays?

Usually immigrations offers a separate lane for processing airlines have to pay for.

How can they pull this off when immigration is something under the responsibility of the state?
Are there first class and second class citizens nowadays?

This issue has been raised in two reports by the Cour des Comptes. The official reply by the ADP Chairman and CEO is that, as this is standard practice in competing hubs in neighboring countries, it is necessary to implement it at Parisian airports so that they are not put at a disadvantage.

(my comment: despite the fact that, to put it delicately, the practice reaches beyond the boundaries of the French legal framework)

"S'agissant des files dédiées aux voyageurs de première classe et de classe affaires qui constituent une atteinte à l'égalité des usagers devant un service public régalien, ADP considère que la fréquence de cette pratique dans les aéroports comparables en rend nécessaire le maintien."

This issue has been raised in two reports by the Cour des Comptes. The official reply by the ADP Chairman and CEO is that, as this is standard practice in competing hubs in neighboring countries, it is necessary to implement it at Parisian airports so that they are not put at a disadvantage.

(my comment: despite the fact that, to put it delicately, the practice reaches beyond the boundaries of the French legal framework)

I hope they'll get a night curfew then, like FRA and LHR to ensure everyone's on the same competitive level.

Security should be the same for everyone.

Interesting point.
As a frequent flyer, I do enjoy a lot fast track (same thing for boarding at the time I like).

But I would be more than happy that anybody can pass security in less than 5 minutes (as I do most of the times at T2F) or 10 minutes (T2E).

Interesting point.
As a frequent flyer, I do enjoy a lot fast track (same thing for boarding at the time I like).

But I would be more than happy that anybody can pass security in less than 5 minutes (as I do most of the times at T2F) or 10 minutes (T2E).

I would prefer there were more than two immigration officers when a 380 lands at CDG. Until then, I don't think this system is legal in France or at least I think it could be challenged.

We would need a Ryanair with only leisure pax to challenge this. When will FR fly out of Schengen from CDG? :-)

Priority at immigration (passport control) and security

How can they pull this off when immigration is something under the responsibility of the state?
Are there first class and second class citizens nowadays?

Passport control and immigration are a state service, "standing in line" is not. As far as I know the passport controls are the same for all passengers.

So what are you standing in line for if not for an Immigration officer???

Oh and..

I hope they will replace the current 911 emergency service to ensure that those who are SkyPriority members get answered first when several houses are on fire.

I have sympathy for everything except the following:
"Terrible queue for security check at ORY (and no fast track as usual). More than 40 minutes to wait."

Security should be the same for everyone.

Interesting point, as nicholas75 said...

Care to elaborate? What exactly should be the same? The security checks? Or the waiting time? Or something else?

And why?

Discuss.

Until then, I don't think this system is legal in France or at least I think it could be challenged.Interesting point. I had never thought about it but, yes, it does look like a case of "rupture de l'égalité des citoyens devant les charges publiques", does it not?

Interesting point. I had never thought about it but, yes, it does look like a case of "rupture de l'égalité des citoyens devant les charges publiques", does it not?

atteinte à l'égalité des usagers devant un service public régalien (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-france-frequence-plus/1326445-skypriority-new-airport-experience-our-most-valued-customers.html#post18392158)

Source: http://www.ccomptes.fr/fr/CC/documents/RPA/T_qualite-de-service-Aeroports-de-Paris.pdf (page 11 in this extract, page number 205 of the overall report)

Response to criticism by the auditors from Cour des Comptes (page 16 in this extract, page number 210 of the overall report)
from Ministre de l'Intérieur, de l'Outre-mer et des collectivités territoriales

La création d’une file spécialement dédiée à cet effet ne signifie
nullement que des effectifs de la police aux frontières sont exclusivement
réservés à une clientèle privilégiée en raison de ses moyens financiers.
En aérogare, cette file permet également le passage de personnes à
mobilité réduite, de correspondances extrêmement courtes ou de toute
autre personne dont la compagnie ou l’opérateur estimerait nécessaire
d’accélérer le parcours, dans le cadre d’une saine conception de
l’exploitation et dans des conditions de nature à la satisfaire, ce qui
traduit sans aucun doute une réelle volonté d’adaptation de la part des
opérateurs, volonté à laquelle la DPAF s‘associe pleinement.
Chacun reste néanmoins dans le rôle qui est le sien, et tous les
passagers sont contrôlés conformément aux principes d’égalité devant le
service public, de la même façon et quelle que soit la position de
l’aubette.

Note that the criticism from the Cour des Comptes is made in its capacity as auditor of public spending, not as a ruling by an administrative court (which it is also, BTW) judging administrative litigation. This would be the purview of the Tribunal Administratif and the Conseil d'Etat, IMHO.

@NickB: are we headed, as suggested by the Minister's response and San Gottardo's, towards an amusing remake of arrêt Société Commerciale de l'Ouest Africain, dit du Bac d'Eloka from Tribunal des Conflits, with the queuing, managed by ADP, being subject to oversight by courts from l'ordre judiciaire, while the control of documents remains subject to oversight by courts from l'ordre administratif; let's just replace the ferry boat with aviation to keep up with times ;)

I would prefer there were more than two immigration officers when a 380 lands at CDG. Until then, I don't think this system is legal in France or at least I think it could be challenged.

I believe that placing 2 officers for an A380 is a passive aggresive way of saying enrol to Parafes. Anyone with an EU passport who travels outside Schengen from CDG at least once a year should get it...

So what are you standing in line for if not for an Immigration officer???

Oh and..

I hope they will replace the current 911 emergency service to ensure that those who are SkyPriority members get answered first when several houses are on fire.

Right. And stop secure traveler programs as well as biometric immigration gates, after all they go faster through security/immigration as well. And abolish agencies that take money for organizing visas for people as well as relocation agencies who take money for speeding up certain bureaucratic processes. And why on earth does a big company's CEO have access to Pres. Obama and I do not? He's as much a citizen as I am, and the President is supposed to be doing his job "equally" for him and for me.

And why am I supposed to pay a security surcharge anyway for security screening if paying more security surcharge (part of the difference being paid by the airline) doesn't get me a better access?

In the end noone is discriminated against, everybody gets his passport checked, and taking this "equality" argument too far becomes absurd.

It is so much fun to read this thread from 10,000kms away. FUN, fun!

I remember when I was based in France, and young, the controversy surrounding first class cars in the Métro. A major motivation for removing them (not the only one) was the "égalité" campaign: why should rich people be able to avoid the packed sweaty crowds at rush hours?
Along the same line, AF should fly one-class planes (I let them decide whether it should be only Première or only Economy). Of course, foreigners do not get the same égalité right, so they should travel in the hold.

Right. And stop secure traveler programs as well as biometric immigration gates, after all they go faster through security/immigration as well. And abolish agencies that take money for organizing visas for people as well as relocation agencies who take money for speeding up certain bureaucratic processes. And why on earth does a big company's CEO have access to Pres. Obama and I do not? He's as much a citizen as I am, and the President is supposed to be doing his job "equally" for him and for me.

And why am I supposed to pay a security surcharge anyway for security screening if paying more security surcharge (part of the difference being paid by the airline) doesn't get me a better access?

In the end noone is discriminated against, everybody gets his passport checked, and taking this "equality" argument too far becomes absurd.


Here are the taxes you pay for a CDG-TUN flight on May 2nd:

Economy Class:
French Aviation Civile Tax (FR) €7.62
French International Passenger Service Charge (QX) €26.81
French Airport Tax (FR) €12.75
French Air Passenger Solidarity Tax (IZ) €4.00

Business Class:
AF YQ surcharge (YQ) €41.00
French Aviation Civile Tax (FR) €7.62
French International Passenger Service Charge (QX) €26.81
French Airport Tax (FR) €12.75
French Air Passenger Solidarity Tax (IZ) €40.00

There is no reason whatsoever you should get a preferencial treatment for something that is not airline related, and that is a service provided by the state. When I say service, I am speaking inclusive of:
- the queue
- the check
- the x-ray
- the immigration
Because without border control services, there would not be queues and with more officers on duty, there would be no or little queue.

By the way, you conveniently forgot to answer whether you would be for a dual-speed system for the 911 emergency service to cater faster for the SkyPriority members.

Minos

By the way, I also hope you will get your Speeding Fine Tickets processed within 24hr and delivered with NextDay Fedex service. Also I hope you will get a reduced pay-by or compliance date.
Everything should be faster, smoother and without red-tape for Skypriority members...

OK, now is the time to put an end to jabs directed at other posters. Thanks for your understanding.

Jouy31
Air France/KLM co-moderator

@NickB: are we headed, as suggested by the Minister's response, towards an amusing remake of arrêt Société Commerciale de l'Ouest Africain, dit du Bac d'Eloka from Tribunal des Conflits, with the queuing, managed by ADP, being subject to oversight by courts from l'ordre judiciaire, while the control of documents remains subject to oversight by courts from l'ordre administratif; let's just replace the ferry boat with aviation to keep up with times ;):). But does this not assume that there is a distinct service public industriel et commercial in relation to queuing distinct from the service public administratif of passport control? The idea of a "service public de la queue" is, I must say, rather intriguing...

In the end noone is discriminated against, everybody gets his passport checked, and taking this "equality" argument too far becomes absurd.Whatever one thinks of it, there is a technical legal question here regarding the scope of the equality principle in French public law. One source of complication is that the notion of 'public service' in French law is developed, for better or worse, far more widely than in many other legal systems and that the concept of public service has the effect of attracting (albeit to varying degrees depending on whether one is dealing with core 'administrative' public services or more remote " industrial/commercial" public services) the application of public law standards (and, as Jouy31 hints at, jurisdiction of administrative law courts rather than civil courts).

As regards passport control, however, this is not a France-specific issue. France is very far from being the only country in which there is no dedicated fast track service for premium class passengers, the US being another quite prominent example.

It is so much fun to read this thread from 10,000kms away. FUN, fun!

I remember when I was based in France, and young, the controversy surrounding first class cars in the Métro. A major motivation for removing them (not the only one) was the "égalité" campaign: why should rich people be able to avoid the packed sweaty crowds at rush hours?
Along the same line, AF should fly one-class planes (I let them decide whether it should be only Première or only Economy). Of course, foreigners do not get the same égalité right, so they should travel in the hold.This is rather different. There has never been any legal issue with providing separate classes of travel on public transport, even when that transport is conceptualised as a ("industrial and/or commercial") public service. You only need to look at the SNCF as an example of that.

Passport control, however, is a 'service public administratif' rather than a 'service public à caractère industriel et commercial', which therefore gives rise to the application of stricter public law standards.

:). But does this not assume that there is a distinct service public industriel et commercial in relation to queuing distinct from the service public administratif of passport control? The idea of a "service public de la queue" is, I must say, rather intriguing...

This would be a nice one ;) and also shows how discussing administrative law on FT can be fun! I was thinking more along the lines, as suggested by the Minister's response, of a service public industriel et commercial d'exploitation d'une plate-forme aéroportuaire ouverte aux passagers commerciaux.

dont la compagnie ou l’opérateur estimerait nécessaire
d’accélérer le parcours, dans le cadre d’une saine conception de
l’exploitation et dans des conditions de nature à la satisfaire.

service public industriel et commercial d'exploitation d'une plate-forme aéroportuaire ouverte aux passagers commerciaux.

.

If you could make this into a single word, you would have a heck of a long word... ;-)

If you could make this into a single word, you would have a heck of a long word... ;-)
I am sure Germans can make that a single word!

Arrived from ATL to CDG a few weeks ago. At the immigration queue, showed my BP with SkyPriority and they sent me through the Accès No. 1 lane, where I was the only one standing, with a long regular lane. Stangely, when it was my turn, a passenger from the regular lane walked on to the immigration booth. After this passenger was done, the officer called me, but another person from the regular lane walked on, this time with an attitude. I was trying to be polite, but when my turn came again, a third person wanted to go instead of me, but the officer told him to wait and called me.

Is this something normal? And if it is, should I stop being polite with the regular lane passengers and just walk to the immigration booth with a DYKWIA attitude?

Arrived from ATL to CDG a few weeks ago. At the immigration queue, showed my BP with SkyPriority and they sent me through the Accès No. 1 lane, where I was the only one standing, with a long regular lane. Stangely, when it was my turn, a passenger from the regular lane walked on to the immigration booth. After this passenger was done, the officer called me, but another person from the regular lane walked on, this time with an attitude. I was trying to be polite, but when my turn came again, a third person wanted to go instead of me, but the officer told him to wait and called me.

Is this something normal? And if it is, should I stop being polite with the regular lane passengers and just walk to the immigration booth with a DYKWIA attitude?

I've been in a similar situation on several occasions at 2E. I usually stand my ground firmly, but politely, looking at the police officer, smiling and deferring to his decision. I may have missed my turn twice on two or three occasions, but I consider that to be a pretty good result.

Is this something normal? And if it is, should I stop being polite with the regular lane passengers and just walk to the immigration booth with a DYKWIA attitude?

I wouldn't call it normal, but it happens. I would just walk up politely to the booth (once it is liberated by the previous traveller) without DYKWIA attitude, but this is your booth.

I've been in a similar situation on several occasions at 2E.

+1

The last time, after several people have passed before me from the other lane, I headed towards the policeman (who ostensibly did not look up to the queue).
He said: "wait!" and called someone in the other lane.
When I told him : "But I'm in the business lane", he said: "I decide who comes before the other!"

I did not want to argument.
I was finally called by the policeman, who scrupulously checked my passport (and calmed down a bit when he saw my address).
It was quite an uncomfortable experience to say the least. (and of course no hello or goodbye)

I was finally called by the policeman, who scrupulously checked my passport (and calmed down a bit when he saw my address)

Are you saying that your passport contains your home address? And the address is awe-inspiring ... Sounds mysterious!

+1

I was finally called by the policeman, who scrupulously checked my passport (and calmed down a bit when he saw my address).


hi Nicolas: Maybe it still says "Elyséee palace".

+1

...
He said: "wait!" and called someone in the other lane.
When I told him : "But I'm in the business lane", he said: "I decide who comes before the other!"

I did not want to argument.
...

This is basically what I tried to avoid. The agent was actually nice and made the regular line to stop.

Does anyone know if the SkyPriority lane is being used in the afternoon/late evening for immigration in 2F? Last year I tried to use it and was told it was closed.

In cases where people aggressively show complete disrespecet for priority lanes a light dose of causticity delivered with a smile helps in cases like this: "Sorry, but all you need to do next time is get a priority acces as well, it comes with every seat in First or a Gold card". That sort of thing may drive one or the other chap straight into the arms of Mélenchon and the jealousy crowd though...

(I admit this is very mean but I only resort to such tactics if someone has too much of a DYKWIA attitude in the wrong place. Which is why I actually prefer more - functioning - PARAFES gates. Fast lane for everyone and no a-hole behavior by me)

hi Nicolas: Maybe it still says "Elyséee palace".

Indeed, I heard a Nicolas is living there. ;)

I am sorry you are disappointed...
But I am glad you had to queue at immigration like anyone else.

Signed: Someone Eligible for SkyPriority Service

I am sorry you are disappointed...
But I am glad you had to queue at immigration like anyone else.

Signed: Someone Eligible for SkyPriority Service

Sorry, that was my last leg of a trip where I enjoyed very distinguished privileges like being escorted from my car all the way to the airplane without mixing with regular passengers, so I just had very high expectations of the SkyPriority Service I was eligible for upon my arrival to CDG, as it was noted on big bold letters on the top of my boarding pass. If I knew I had to wait for two passengers from the regular line to be processed before me, I would have paid the new AF VIP service.:rolleyes:

Just boarded for my flight to Manilla via Amsterdam.

2 members of AF staff were checking the boarding pass at the beginning of the SkyPriority lane (before boarding). A great improvement ^^

Just boarded for my flight to Manilla via Amsterdam.

2 members of AF staff were checking the boarding pass at the beginning of the SkyPriority lane (before boarding). A great improvement ^^

Yep! ^ Maybe there is hope...

Just boarded for my flight to Manilla via Amsterdam.

2 members of AF staff were checking the boarding pass at the beginning of the SkyPriority lane (before boarding). A great improvement ^^

Same yesterday at CDG for ORD flight

Same yesterday at CDG for ORD flight

Same thing at AMS before getting into the pre-boarding room, and then before boarding (despite there is no SkyPriority lane in this area).

Strangely no SkyPriority lane at Taipei (but great China Airlines lounge with wonderful staff, very elegant design, pleasant noodle bar).

Well, I'm at EIN now for a Cityjet flight and there is no priority for Business/Elite whatsoever: just one check-in desk, no seperate for Elites/C, no priority tags, no fastlane at security (but lines were going swift despite the large holiday crowds with kids) and most likely no prioirty boarding either.
I understand this is a very small market for ST/AFKL but is this also the case at smaller regional airports in France/Italy?

Strangely no SkyPriority lane at Taipei (but great China Airlines lounge with wonderful staff, very elegant design, pleasant noodle bar).

When I have a little time on my hands (who knows when that means) I'll write a trip report on my recent and first experience with CI with some of the weirdest things that I have experienced in my flying life.

This being said, yes, the CI lounges at TPE are nice, especially the one in terminal 2 which feels quite modern (the one in T1 feels more outdated). Readings selection is limited and if you like alcoholic drinks fear the worst (drinks selection in general is pretty much rubbish I think) but internet is good, the noodle bar is nice and the lounge design is generally pleasant. And yes, CI staff in general are great...

They don't have separate Skypriority lanes but they do priority boarding and it was fully respected in my experience.

Just boarded for my flight to Manilla via Amsterdam.

2 members of AF staff were checking the boarding pass at the beginning of the SkyPriority lane (before boarding). A great improvement ^^

The same last Friday on CDG-AMS. What i did not like that they still let both lines board at the same time. DL does it much better- first J pax, then Prem, and then according to zones

The same last Friday on CDG-AMS. What i did not like that they still let both lines board at the same time. DL does it much better- first J pax, then Prem, and then according to zones

My flight on Friday (CDG-AMS) the gate agents did not check the eligibility of those in line, boarded lines at the same time. All in all not much priority given. :td:

This experience was totally different from the boarding of my flight to CDG where the gate agent actually checked if the people in the priority line were eligible and only started boarding the second line after the priority line had nearly finished boarding (2 people left). ^

PS: as long as we are talking about Sky Priority, I find it a great shame that AF has NOT implemented any sort of priority boarding (neither for elite customers or families with children) from the Bases de Province. All the more of a shame that NCE and TLS are among the very first stations to akready feature the full Sky Priority system for their whole Skyteam network.

Regarding SP for FB Silvers, at AMS KLM offers the 'full set' of Skypriority. So the basic Silver benefits + priority immigration/security/ticket-office/transferdesks.
For ex-AMS flights, is this also offered to other ST Elites and do you get the SP logo on your BP?

Why doesn't AF offer this at CDG? I find it very strange they don't offer it at least to their own elites at their biggest hub. Or do FB Silvers get access to priority immigration/security/ticket-office/transferdesks but it isn't published?

My flight on Friday (CDG-AMS) the gate agents did not check the eligibility of those in line, boarded lines at the same time. All in all not much priority given. :td:

This experience was totally different from the boarding of my flight to CDG where the gate agent actually checked if the people in the priority line were eligible and only started boarding the second line after the priority line had nearly finished boarding (2 people left). ^

Yes, they are becoming very good at that at CDG. On recent flights I've also witnessed they were pointing people efficiently yet friendly to the other queue. At AMS, it's hit and miss. More miss actually...

At NBO, Sky Priority is a negative IMHO. They should put a sign next to Sky Priority that says business class. Because all the economy people are queuing up to Sky Priority not realizing it is something special. And of course KQ doesn't want to pay staff to direct them back to economy. And while they offer fast track in and out of immigration, it isn't ever open IME.

At NAP today : skyPriority OK for security but not at boarding. Not even a sign. It is true that the design of the airport/boarding modalities are not in favor of having priorities at boarding.

CDG to BER: no Sky Priority signage

CDG to GVA: no Sky Priority signage

CDG to BCN this morning: no Sky Priority signage, only one boarding counter open, and a big mess at boarding :(

Even though Tarom is a full Skyteam member, the news hasn't seemed to have reached Bucharest. No SkyPriority signage anywhere at their home airport. No business class lines at security, no special pre-boarding. It's a small airport so maybe not that big a deal I guess.

On the plus side the lounge is nice and the in air service is great. Better than AF/KL I think.

CDG to BER: no Sky Priority signage

CDG to GVA: no Sky Priority signage

At check-in, security or for boarding?

At check-in, security or for boarding?

Same question. My feeling about CDG is:

- Boarding cards branding: fully implemented

- I think I've seen the signage correctly displayed everywhere for check in

- Not at security though, they still seem to stick to 'acces no1'

- Randomly at boarding. In some terminals, they seem to have a skypriority lane, in the majority, they still don't and boarding does not get a specific lane. Regardless of whether there is a materialised line (I really do think AF should look at BA's LHR T5 for best practice: separate lines materialised by hardware. My experience is that far far fewer dare to try their luck/cheat when separation is so clear materially while they do when it is a mere screen signage). Implementation of the priority boarding also seems to depend on individual agents.

My priority order would be (1) install materialised separate skypriority lanes at all gates, (2) ensure staff fully implement/check boarding privileges (3) rebrand security controls as skypriority instead of acces no1.

With respect to priority boarding at CDG2 (other than the bus gates):
2D: I don't believe there is room for lanes that are separated by "hardware"; in addition, as Air France is leaving 2D soon, I would agree that it is not something where investing is a top priority
2C: Air France is leaving 2C even sooner than 2D, so it is even less of a priority
2F will be the interesting case; the long-haul flights will be relocated to 2E/S3/S4 and the airside area, currently divided into two separate parts, will be reunited; replacing long-haul flights with medium-haul flights means that there will be a better utilization of the gates in 2F2 (remember how empty 2C is in the afternoon, just as S4 will initially be closed in the afternoon?); having a joint airside area may also mean that some facilities in the gates area can be transferred closer to te security checkpoints, increasing the space available in the gates area [note that the lounges should not move before late 2013]; finally, the number of flights transferred or not from 2D to 2F (or 2G), especially the code-shares (LG, OS, AY ...), will also have an impact.
2E and S3: the separate lanes already exist, and I have never had a problem with priority boarding


So, I would expect priority boarding for Air France to gradually improve at CDG2 as the move towards completing the Hub 2012 project gets under way.

On a side note, according to discussions we had with people involved in hub and ground operations, Air France does not expect the initial steps in implementing the Hub 2012 moves in July to be seamless, as they will coincide with the peak summer season. Existing contingency plans involve mobilizing staff from all departments of the airline and informing passengers in advance.

The same last Friday on CDG-AMS. What i did not like that they still let both lines board at the same time. DL does it much better- first J pax, then Prem, and then according to zones

Well, I prefer that the priority lane be opened at all times, especially when I choose to leave the lounge late. The last time I took DL, admittedly a few years ago, when you miss the priority boarding time, there is no separate lane for premium passengers. Has that changed?

With respect to priority boarding at CDG2 (other than the bus gates):
2D: I don't believe there is room for lanes that are separated by "hardware"; in addition, as Air France is leaving 2D soon, I would agree that it is not something where investing is a top priority
2C: Air France is leaving 2C even sooner than 2D, so it is even less of a priority
2F will be the interesting case; the long-haul flights will be relocated to 2E/S3/S4 and the airside area, currently divided into two separate parts, will be reunited; replacing long-haul flights with medium-haul flights means that there will be a better utilization of the gates in 2F2 (remember how empty 2C is in the afternoon, just as S4 will initially be closed in the afternoon?); having a joint airside area may also mean that some facilities in the gates area can be transferred closer to te security checkpoints, increasing the space available in the gates area [note that the lounges should not move before late 2013]; finally, the number of flights transferred or not from 2D to 2F (or 2G), especially the code-shares (LG, OS, AY ...), will also have an impact.
2E and S3: the separate lanes already exist, and I have never had a problem with priority boarding


So, I would expect priority boarding for Air France to gradually improve at CDG2 as the move towards completing the Hub 2012 project gets under way.

On a side note, according to discussions we had with people involved in hub and ground operations, Air France does not expect the initial steps in implementing the Hub 2012 moves in July to be seamless, as they will coincide with the peak summer season. Existing contingency plans involve mobilizing staff from all departments of the airline and informing passengers in advance.



Well, I prefer that the priority lane be opened at all times, especially when I choose to leave the lounge late. The last time I took DL, admittedly a few years ago, when you miss the priority boarding time, there is no separate lane for premium passengers. Has that changed?

On priority boarding in the terminals, I agree 2E (including satellite) works well, but 2F doesn't so that's the one I would like to see improved with similar hardware system. I believe it would be fully doable space-wise. I agree 2C and 2D are not worth the trouble considering their short life span. Unfortunately (figure of speech!!! ;) ) I never use 2G so not sure what the situation is over there. As for bus boarding, just one word - blllllaaahhhhhhh... :D

One of the reasons why I prefer the priority lane be materialised separately is that it is thus opened at all times, which I fully agree is my personal preference. It is definitely so on DL though - be it from JFK, NCE, FRA, SFO, LAX, MSP, DTW, LHR, etc. As mentioned by ajs123 it is even better because not only do they have physically separate lines, but they also only start opening the 'regular' line once the skypriority line is empty (of course, if you board later, you can still go there and it works as an excellent shortcut - I have made it many times). CI has the exact same system too. I paradoxically don't tend to connect at ATL (which I haven't used for over 2 years and I don't remember how it was then) so not sure if it is different there, but I would be surprised if it weren't: rendons a Cesar ce qui est a Cesar, Skypriority was very much DL's invention, then spotted by AF as a great case for adoption and then generalised to Skyteam. DL has made great efforts to focus on its signage over the past few years, including at the gate so I would be surprised if they had left their main hub out, especially as gate space would make the implementation particularly easy at Hartsfield.

So to me, in terms of priority boarding implementation, CI or DL would be 'best practice' for Skyteam while KL (albeit for partly infrastructural reasons) lags behind. Finally, it is worth nothing that unlike AF, CI and DL do NOT make exceptions when it comes to priority boarding. AF excludes domestic flights and Bases Province flights (including international) while CI or DL extend it to everything including regional jets flights.

On priority boarding in the terminals, I agree 2E (including satellite) works well, but 2F doesn't so that's the one I would like to see improved with similar hardware system. I believe it would be fully doable space-wise.
Well, at peak times in 2F1, I am not sure that is always doable; so this is why I believe any additional space that can be freed would improve the ease of implementation.

One of the reasons why I prefer the priority lane be materialised separately is that it is thus opened at all times, which I fully agree is my personal preference. It is definitely so on DL though - be it from JFK, NCE, FRA, SFO, LAX, MSP, DTW, LHR, etc. As mentioned by ajs123 it is even better because not only do they have physically separate lines, but they also only start opening the 'regular' line once the skypriority line is empty (of course, if you board later, you can still go there and it works as an excellent shortcut - I have made it many times).
I agree that combining an earlier opening of the priority lane with the fact that it is open at all times is the best way to implement priority boarding.

rendons a Cesar ce qui est a Cesar, Skypriority was very much DL's invention, then spotted by AF as a great case for adoption and then generalised to Skyteam.
Well Air France had also made incremental improvements to the priority security lanes even before ADP had decided to name these lanes "Accès n°1" in a somewhat quaint fashion. Priority immigration lanes came later, and Air France was the only airline (as opposed to an airport authority) to fund and launch a trial for faster immigration. On the other hand, the SkyPriority brand naming is easily understood worldwide and a very good marketing tool.

Finally, it is worth nothing that unlike AF, CI and DL do NOT make exceptions when it comes to priority boarding. AF excludes domestic flights and Bases Province flights
For full disclosure, during the discussions we had, chrissxb, you and me with Air France, this is currently under review as an area for improvement.

At check-in, security or for boarding?

Boarding

I agree that combining an earlier opening of the priority lane with the fact that it is open at all times is the best way to implement priority boarding.
In 2F it actually stays open the whole time. However after the first few pax have gone through they often stop checking, and treat it as a regular line.

Well, at peak times in 2F1, I am not sure that is always doable; so this is why I believe any additional space that can be freed would improve the ease of implementation.


Why not? Every gate at 2F1 has the two sides of the boarding table used. It would only take one side marked as Skypriority and the other as regular and it would work. I fully agree with you that more room will make it even easier, and so much the better, but in fairness, DL manages it at JFK with some far more limited space in some parts of the terminal. This being said, as you suggest, maybe AF is awaiting the 'reshuffling' of its operations to fully implement the changes in 2F which would be very positive.

And I also agree that AF made a valuable effort to bring acces no1 to immigration (shame that the authorities do not always make the most of it and even more that EU lines are rarely if ever respected) but the big difference between AF and DL is that AF has worked on improving things at its hub airport while DL has worked on providing a cross-network, clearly visible system of priority airport services for its 'best customers'. As a result, for example, while things seem to have recently improved at LHR (but we were told this might not have been fully formalised so maybe I was just lucky on my recent AF trips), for several years, FB Platinum would get you fast track security at LHR on DL Y but not on AF Y. So while the 'marketing' element is important, to me, the universality of the benefit is much more so and I am glad that it is now being progressively extended to all Skyteam destinations.

@Xandrios - on which flights did you get it?? None of my recent flights ex-2F had a materialised priority lane so maybe they started implementing it for some destinations but not others??

@Xandrios - on which flights did you get it?? None of my recent flights ex-2F had a materialised priority lane so maybe they started implementing it for some destinations but not others??

CDG-AMS, from gate 34 or 36 if I am not mistaken. These gates have two lanes, one with a Sky Priority sign, and one without.

Also I didnt wanna keep this picture from you guys. CDG 2D last week, gate D72. I'm with my back to the window, gate entrance to my left. The now empty seating area to my right. Note that everybody (~150 pax for an A320) are lined up...yes, at the Access No.1 line. The regular line has 1 guy reading a newspaper. I just walked up and boarded first :D

http://upload.xandrios.net/cdg2daccessno1.JPG

CDG-AMS, from gate 34 or 36 if I am not mistaken. These gates have two lanes, one with a Sky Priority sign, and one without.

Also I didnt wanna keep this picture from you guys. CDG 2D last week, gate D72. I'm with my back to the window, gate entrance to my left. The now empty seating area to my right. Note that everybody (~150 pax for an A320) are lined up...yes, at the Access No.1 line. The regular line has 1 guy reading a newspaper. I just walked up and boarded first :D

http://upload.xandrios.net/cdg2daccessno1.JPG

Impressive!

GVA to CDG today: SkyPriority Boarding enforced.



CDG to GVA: no Sky Priority signage

Noticed that yesterday, however, my CDG-GVA flight departed from one of the bus gates, so it wouldn't make any sense.

The last time I took DL, admittedly a few years ago, when you miss the priority boarding time, there is no separate lane for premium passengers. Has that changed?
Yes, DL has now two separate lines for boarding, one SkyPriority and one for General Boarding.
The new procedure is to board:

Passengers with "PREM" written on their boarding pass - First or Business at least on one of the legs of a one-way trip (Ex: ORD-ATL in F, ATL-FLL in Y, you are PREM for both segments)
SkyPriority
Zone 1 to X

SkyPriority can board whenever they want while zone boarding is happening through the dedicated lane.

Last Friday Priority Boarding was used at 2F for my CDG-IST flight. SkyPriority lane fully enforced, but then we were bussed to a remote stand, so didn't really see a benefit.

There is no more clear separation between Accès Numéro 1 security check lane and other lanes at T2D (after the SkyPriority door), and Security agents send any passengers to the so-called fast lane.

It happened to me today and two weeks ago, and had to wait 15 minutes to go through security when it was done in just a breeze before.

Which means that fast lane at T2D is a nonsense.

After my non-Sky Prioirty equiped boarding in FRA, I went out of CDG high-F on Wednesday. The mass of people made it that I couldn't even get to the roped off area where one side had been opened for SkyPriority. They diligently checked BP's and turned a fair amount of people away. These people jest moved to the side, created a more dense throng and making it impossible to reach the line entrance. By the time the Sky Priority line was full, I finally made it and the GA checked my BP and waved me in.

The same GA then went around and opened the other side, letting the flow of people into the general boarding side and proceeded to board them. I had now gone from being #20 in the boarding line to #40.

There is no more clear separation between Accès Numéro 1 security check lane and other lanes at T2D (after the SkyPriority door), and Security agents send any passengers to the so-called fast lane.

It happened to me today and two weeks ago, and had to wait 15 minutes to go through security when it was done in just a breeze before.

Which means that fast lane at T2D is a nonsense.

That's somewhat idiotic, indeed, and of course defies the purpose. They also do that in T1 in some of the satellites, where the fast lane access merges with the "normal" line to finally access the same X-ray machines. But it at least the access to the X-ray machines is shorter, even if then one is mixed up with the "normal" lane. Who knows, maybe that is the "same access rights" principle. As a matter of fact everyone has same access right, at least for the final 2 meters ;)

And it's not as bad as what I have recently experience at DXB during one of Emirates' hub times: they shuffled people from the "normal" line to the fully dedicated (i.e. no merge at any time) line, because "there are so many people". But that's *exactly* when you need a fast lane! Then again, security personnel wouldn't be doing that job if their capacity to think a little more were more developed.

There is no more clear separation between Accès Numéro 1 security check lane and other lanes at T2D (after the SkyPriority door), and Security agents send any passengers to the so-called fast lane. (...).

Experienced this as well. It would be so easy to fix....

BTW, on my boarding pass today, the Sky Priority logo was gone. Called AF, but they could not care less.

Rome: priority check in, board in, and security for originating flights very well shown and implemented. No priority channel that I could see for transfers though (although in fairness it went faster without one than typical skypriority/acces no1 transfer elsewhere so maybe they only do it at peak times?)

Nice: priority check in and boarding perfectly marked and implemented but no fast track security for regular sky priority (only the airport card) and no fast track emigration/immigration, which is a pain in the back when many terminal 2 non-Schengen flights leave around the same time (we had JFK, SVO, TUN, TLV etc all within a few minutes) especially as, as is typical in France, EU/non-EU lines are neither respected nor implemented (as is typical in France too, signage for EU/non-EU is not clear enough and people can 'pretend' they did not know).

JFK: T2/T3 great. DL's concept of a separate terminal for Skypriority check in is probably the best I can think of. Great implementation of priority boarding too. However, no fast track immigration.

T1: Not so great. Priority check in works well (I found the AZ version more clearly signed than AF and KE's), fast track security poorly implemented (although signed). Priority boarding very efficient (see below) for AZ. Again no fast track immigration.

Note: on my recent flights both DL and AZ had people effectively checking individual boarding passes of people who were queuing in the Sky Priority lane and sending "mistaken" passengers back to the long line. It makes a real difference and I think is good practice.

JNB (AF/KL) : usual dedicated J & P counters for check-in, so no problem. No fast track for immigration and security and that was really missing because lines were very long and very slow :( . Priority boarding well organized and checked at gate entrance (separate gate for SkyP)