Air France Frequence Plus - Now it's AF turn to offer paid for pre-order meals in long haul Y and W

From today, in addition to the standard meals offered on long haul flights in voyageur and premium voyageur (Y and W), passengers can pre-order paid-for 'a la carte' meals. There are three meals to choose from: 'Tradition' (code TRML) for an extra €18, Organic (code BIML) for an extra €22, or a 'signature meal' by the Lenotre team (code SIML) for an extra €28.

AF say that they will further develop the offer at a later date. In the first instance, these special meals can already be ordered on flights from CDG (only) to LAX, HKG, LBV, DXB, LAD, and NRT as long as they are both AF coded and AF operated (not sure why the AF coded makes a difference...). They can be ordered on the airfrance website either as you book your ticket or through manage my booking.

Second snack and drinks remain the same as for all other passengers, the standard meals remain unchanged, and there is no discount for FB or ST elite/elite plus pax. Thoughts??

From today, in addition to the standard meals offered on long haul flights in voyageur and premium voyageur (Y and W), passengers can pre-order paid-for 'a la carte' meals. There are three meals to choose from: 'Tradition' (code TRML) for an extra €18, Organic (code BIML) for an extra €22, or a 'signature meal' by the Lenotre team (code SIML) for an extra €28.

AF say that they will further develop the offer at a later date. In the first instance, these special meals can already be ordered on flights from CDG (only) to LAX, HKG, LBV, DXB, LAD, and NRT as long as they are both AF coded and AF operated (not sure why the AF coded makes a difference...). They can be ordered on the airfrance website either as you book your ticket or through manage my booking.

Second snack and drinks remain the same as for all other passengers, the standard meals remain unchanged, and there is no discount for FB or ST elite/elite plus pax. Thoughts??

Will pass on meals...waiting for on board massages .

From today, in addition to the standard meals offered on long haul flights in voyageur and premium voyageur (Y and W), passengers can pre-order paid-for 'a la carte' meals. There are three meals to choose from: 'Tradition' (code TRML) for an extra €18, Organic (code BIML) for an extra €22, or a 'signature meal' by the Lenotre team (code SIML) for an extra €28.

AF say that they will further develop the offer at a later date. In the first instance, these special meals can already be ordered on flights from CDG (only) to LAX, HKG, LBV, DXB, LAD, and NRT as long as they are both AF coded and AF operated (not sure why the AF coded makes a difference...). They can be ordered on the airfrance website either as you book your ticket or through manage my booking.

Second snack and drinks remain the same as for all other passengers, the standard meals remain unchanged, and there is no discount for FB or ST elite/elite plus pax. Thoughts??

the Y/W main meal on CDG-LAX has been consistently very good. However ex LAX it's very bad (suffered through it again just a few days ago). So I would not hesitate buying the a la carte meal on the way back, even if it's almost twice as expensive as the KL one. It's unlikely though that it will be introduced from the outstations... so no ancillary revenue from me!

the Y/W main meal on CDG-LAX has been consistently very good. However ex LAX it's very bad (suffered through it again just a few days ago).

I am afraid it is also very bad from LAX in P (for a reason I cannot explain)

How many miles required for upgrading your Y meal to SIML ?:D

On a serious side, does it include better wines/drinks ?

It seems a bit expensive though...but i guess i could try once if i knew in advance there is no hope for an upgrade ;)

How many miles required for upgrading your Y meal to SIML ?:D

On a serious side, does it include better wines/drinks ?

It seems a bit expensive though...but i guess i could try once if i knew in advance there is no hope for an upgrade ;)

No as mentioned in my op, the drinks are the same as is the second snack. It is only the main meal which changes, and indeed, to answer others, no plan to introduce it ex-outstations thus far.

The comments on meals ex-LAX are indeed interesting. The reason why they are is that on BA in J, I probably got my best meals ever ex-LAX with excellent lobster, great Chilean sea bass, etc. It proves that it can be done/cooked ex-LAX and that there is no particularly good excuse to AF if they provide bad meals from there.

More generally, I would agree with others - I find Y meals ex-CDG usually pretty good so I personally wouldn't pay more to get something different. My guess however is that they will manage to sell the organic thinggie ('bio' in French) to some of the people obsessed by the organic fashion and willing to pay out of their noses for which, of which I am sorry to say I am not part. Whether the Lenotre signature meal is worth it or not will depend on the specific. I suspect they can offer good catering so if the menu is well chosen, I suspect some people might buy up for a premium type meal experience. One of my big questions though is the extent to which people will be informed of what exactly is on the meals. If it is a standard menu and always the same, people might be less tempted to buy over and again, but if they just buy 'AN' organic meal or 'A' Lenotre meal etc this might be a turnoff. Indeed, who would pay a restaurant menu price for the risk of getting, say, a main course ingredient they don't like? Last possibility, AF could have a 'monthly menu' for each meal type and advertise it on MMB and on the website like they do the monthly film selection.

Anyway, I'm probably not in the market for that sort of thing in part because I like the 'surprise' element of food. Off with CI in a few days an have been offered the possibility to pre-order my courses but have snobbishly refused in order to go for an old fashioned spur of the moment choice instead! Good old habits! :D

I also agree Y meals ex CDG are usually good enough, so there is not that much chance i'll give a try from France, but from outstations it could be possible, especially as my last two Y meals (especially from DKR) were really bad.

Will Bobos pay for BIML ? Probably some will but i won't
Will i pay for TRML/SIML ? maybe once

It would be interesting to have the menus online even for regular meals so that maybe it would give me (or others) a reason to splurge for a better one.

It would be nice, if there is also in Affaires-Class an option to pre-order your meal (somethink like "Book-the-Cook" on other airlines).

I am afraid it is also very bad from LAX in P (for a reason I cannot explain)

I flew LAX-CDG in Y in February and didn't find it any different from any other US station (namely JFK): good and clearly above AF's main competitors in TATL.

Here are the 3 different menus available :

Traditional meal
Spotlight on French cuisine with the Traditional meal! Encounter or rediscover authentic French products offering a variety of delicious flavors.

Start off with a terrine of foie gras and toasted pain d´épices, fig chutney, and baby spinach. Continue your meal with our delicious confit of duck, accompanied by mushrooms sautéed with parsley and shallots and Ratte potatoes sprinkled with parsley. A slice of Camembert alongside baby spinach and black grapes tops off your meal. Finally, enjoy our palet au chocolat spiced with Szechuan pepper for dessert! With the Traditional meal, your flight becomes a guided tour of French culinary heritage!

Price of the Traditional meal: €18 per person

Organic meal
Enjoy a unique and 100% organic meal prepared with seasonal ingredients carefully selected by Chef Christophe Reissfelder.

To start off, try our green bean salad with lemon, garnished with red and yellow pepper slices pickled in garlic. Next enjoy a filet of roasted salmon accompanied by a roasted tomato, artichokes, and fennel sautéed with thyme and coriander. A slice of chèvre topped with chives and a seasonal salad complete your meal. Finally, finish things off with an exquisite chocolate mousse.

Enjoy the meal you want with the Organic meal!

Price of the Organic meal: €22 per person

"LENÔTRE Selection" meal
We have the pleasure of offering you an exclusive meal prepared with recipes developed by the chefs at the prestigious LENÔTRE culinary institute. Your in-flight meal is guaranteed to be a delectable excursion into the best of French cuisine.
To please your taste buds throughout the year, the “LENÔTRE Selection” meal varies by season.

From Wednesday, April 4 to Sunday, September 30, 2012, a summer meal will be served. You begin with a zucchini and pepper paté, served with arugula, tangy tomato coulis, and pine nuts. Follow it up with an herb-crusted hake filet in a lemongrass sauce, accompanied by a mix of spring vegetables. A slice of Beaufort served with grapes and daisy butter completes your meal. Top it all off with a delicious “LENÔTRE Selection" Fragola desert made with almond milk and strawberry.

From Monday, October 1, 2012 to Sunday, March 31, 2013, you will enjoy a winter meal. It begins with a succulent quinoa and arugula salad, served with an olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. You continue your meal with a delicious Viennese chicken filet with supreme sauce, served with baby vegetables and girolle mushrooms. A slice of Camembert accompanied by grapes and daisy butter complete your meal. Finally, end on a sweet note with the famous “LENÔTRE Selection" Opéra dessert.

Enjoy a privileged culinary experience with the "LENÔTRE Selection” meal.

Price of the "LENÔTRE Selection" meal: €28 per person

Here are the 3 different menus available :

Traditional meal
Spotlight on French cuisine with the Traditional meal! Encounter or rediscover authentic French products offering a variety of delicious flavors.

Start off with a terrine of foie gras and toasted pain d´épices, fig chutney, and baby spinach. Continue your meal with our delicious confit of duck, accompanied by mushrooms sautéed with parsley and shallots and Ratte potatoes sprinkled with parsley. A slice of Camembert alongside baby spinach and black grapes tops off your meal. Finally, enjoy our palet au chocolat spiced with Szechuan pepper for dessert! With the Traditional meal, your flight becomes a guided tour of French culinary heritage!

Price of the Traditional meal: €18 per person

Organic meal
Enjoy a unique and 100% organic meal prepared with seasonal ingredients carefully selected by Chef Christophe Reissfelder.

To start off, try our green bean salad with lemon, garnished with red and yellow pepper slices pickled in garlic. Next enjoy a filet of roasted salmon accompanied by a roasted tomato, artichokes, and fennel sautéed with thyme and coriander. A slice of chèvre topped with chives and a seasonal salad complete your meal. Finally, finish things off with an exquisite chocolate mousse.

Enjoy the meal you want with the Organic meal!

Price of the Organic meal: €22 per person

"LENÔTRE Selection" meal
We have the pleasure of offering you an exclusive meal prepared with recipes developed by the chefs at the prestigious LENÔTRE culinary institute. Your in-flight meal is guaranteed to be a delectable excursion into the best of French cuisine.
To please your taste buds throughout the year, the “LENÔTRE Selection” meal varies by season.

From Wednesday, April 4 to Sunday, September 30, 2012, a summer meal will be served. You begin with a zucchini and pepper paté, served with arugula, tangy tomato coulis, and pine nuts. Follow it up with an herb-crusted hake filet in a lemongrass sauce, accompanied by a mix of spring vegetables. A slice of Beaufort served with grapes and daisy butter completes your meal. Top it all off with a delicious “LENÔTRE Selection" Fragola desert made with almond milk and strawberry.

From Monday, October 1, 2012 to Sunday, March 31, 2013, you will enjoy a winter meal. It begins with a succulent quinoa and arugula salad, served with an olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. You continue your meal with a delicious Viennese chicken filet with supreme sauce, served with baby vegetables and girolle mushrooms. A slice of Camembert accompanied by grapes and daisy butter complete your meal. Finally, end on a sweet note with the famous “LENÔTRE Selection" Opéra dessert.

Enjoy a privileged culinary experience with the "LENÔTRE Selection” meal.

Price of the "LENÔTRE Selection" meal: €28 per person

Sounds nice.
I'd love to have an organic meal option in J.

I would personnaly go for the Traditions one ! Always love Duck Confit !

The options sound nice, albeit a bit limited. They are all 'French Style', which is the opposite of KLM's offerings..which are very different from each other. Not necessarily a bad thing, just something I noticed.

They are quite pricy though. Keep in mind that you do not only pay for the extra fee, but you also give up your regular meal. So assuming the regular meal costs €10 (already included in ticket price), these are actually €28, €32 and €38. Which I find quite a lot for microwave food.

I wonder if these will actually be served in courses, or if it will be a tray containing everything. If these are served in separate courses the low cost PV + Special-meal combo might even in some ways compete with Affaires.

They are all 'French Style'

France is indeed famous for having a poor tradition in cooking ;)

They are quite pricy though. Keep in mind that you do not only pay for the extra fee, but you also give up your regular meal. So assuming the regular meal costs €10 (already included in ticket price), these are actually €28, €32 and €38. Which I find quite a lot for microwave food.


The cost is more due to differenciation and logistics than food itself
And the objective for AF is to make profitS not adding OPEX

I wonder if these will actually be served in courses, or if it will be a tray containing everything. If these are served in separate courses the low cost PV + Special-meal combo might even in some ways compete with Affaires.
This is Y (and Y+), so I don't see them serving one course after the other like in J or F. It will be obviously everything-on-tray.

I would personnaly go for the Traditions one ! Always love Duck Confit !

+1
Thanks for posting the menus

Indeed, all 3 trays are very French which is what you expect when you travel on Air France.
Also, know that from july 2012 another 2 meals will be available : The Italian Meal and the Seafood Meal. Also from july AF will expand the routes on which you will be able to order the trays.

The Organic tray is nearly all organic with the plates etc made of sugar cane pulp, the cutlery are made of bamboo and the dish for the hot meal is made of porcelain for reheating purposes.

The Organic tray is nearly all organic with the plates etc made of sugar cane pulp, the cutlery are made of bamboo.

So if you are VERY hungry, you can also eat the plates.
And that even reduces trash on the plane (same story with newspapers on domestic flights).
Brilliant idea :D:D

It would be nice, if there is also in Affaires-Class an option to pre-order your meal (somethink like "Book-the-Cook" on other airlines).

Well as KLM already has it, maybe AF will follow on this again too.

I do find AF's options to be quite expensive though.

It would be quite nice to have these offers available on medium-haul routes.

It would be quite nice to have these offers available on medium-haul routes.

A very good point. Even on shorthaul.
Sad that you can eat on Easyjet but not on AF.

I am not against, as long as it doesn't deteriorate the quantity and quality of currrent Y meals, which are usually quite decent for an airline in Y. (J offerings need polishing though!)

On shorth haul it's easy. Anything paid will be better than "sucre or sale?"

I d be more tempted to try it with the wine pairing. Seafood and champagne would be great on a diet!

Seafood and champagne would be great on a diet!

Remember that a glass of champagne brings between 85 and 120 calories (lots of sugar), as much as a glass of vodka... ;)

Oh boy,

I fear that I will repeat myself once more, but again, AF has to cut costs ( aka fat )

All revenue-enhancing options are a step forward, albeit this is a very small revenue increasing add-on.

I really hope that they understand the situation and that offers like this are not meant to offset the high operating costs.

I also hope that the quality of the $$$ meals in Y will not be higher than the average C class meal.

Vice versa, such high prices ( for guests from countries with lower per capita expenditures for food ) could also result in a lot of complaints, in case the quality&quantity do not reach certain expected levels...


I applaud them for following a current trend ( local food from the airline's origin is highly demanded ) , however do not see the masses going for it...

It's a nice idea but the long haul (Y) meals for flights ex CDG are already pretty decent (and generous).

OS is following suit, including on most of its intra-European network: ^

http://www.austrian.com/Info/OnBoard/DoCoAlaCarte.aspx?cc=DE&sc_lang=en

Unfortunately, you need a PNR for an upcoming flight to see precisely what is on offer.

OS is following suit, including on most of its intra-European network: ^

http://www.austrian.com/Info/OnBoard/DoCoAlaCarte.aspx?cc=DE&sc_lang=en

Unfortunately, you need a PNR for an upcoming flight to see precisely what is on offer.

As I posted in a corresponding LH thread a week or so ago, they are not just following suit, they implement in also from outstations which AF & KL only consider. The possibility to order it atthe airport up to an hour from deprting VIE is also great. Wonder whether at least KL could pull that off.

It would be quite nice to have these offers available on medium-haul routes.

Just as it would be quite nice to get ANY food on shorthaul!!!

So for 15 EUR, OS food in Y is much much much better than AF food in C (at XXX EUR or 200% miles extra).

DO&CO is regarded as one of the best caterers for airlines in the world.

DO&CO is regarded as one of the best caterers for airlines in the world.

Lenotre is not unknown, either.

Lenotre is not unknown, either.

For general catering or just the desserts (that's were I know them from)?

For general catering or just the desserts (that's were I know them from)?

For both. And also, just as Do&Co in Vienna, for their high-end restaurant:

http://www.restaurant-precatelan.com/

Do you think that it will be possible to book an OS a la carte meal if you purchase a ticket from AF on a code shared flight (CDG-VIE) operated by OS?

I wish AF would have a purchase option for a simple cold meal like a salad, smoked salmon, and cheese, high quality of course. This would be easier to handle than the special hot options and could be offered on shorter flights.

I wish AF would have a purchase option for a simple cold meal like a salad, smoked salmon, and cheese, high quality of course. This would be easier to handle than the special hot options and could be offered on shorter flights.
+1

Do you think that it will be possible to book an OS a la carte meal if you purchase a ticket from AF on a code shared flight (CDG-VIE) operated by OS?

You do need to have a PNR that can be recognized by the DO&CO web site. Further than that, I have no idea.

Two new menus:
“Fresh from the sea” with Ocean (EUR 15),
• Starter
– Crevettes marinées à la coriandre
– Purée de courgette au niora
– Roquette
• Hot dish
– Marmitte de poisson façon dieppoise
– Polenta aux champignons
– Julienne de légumes
• Cheese
– Camembert
“A taste of Dolce Vita” with Italia (EUR 12)
• Starter
– Jambon de Parme
– Rondelles de tomates
– Copeaux de Parmesan
– Artichauts et pesto au basilic
– Roquette
• Hot dish
– Tortellini aux quatre fromages
– Sauce cèpes et au mascarpone
– Tomates, courgettes, mozzarella et oignons
• Dessert
– Tiramisu

in addition to:
- Tradition,
- Organic,
- Signature Lenotre.

Pictures (http://corporate.airfrance.com/en/press/media-library/photos/cabin-classes-comfort-and-gastronomy/inflight-gourmet-dining/image/a-la-carte-menu-a-taste-of-dolce-vita-with-italia-057929/)

So for 15 EUR, OS food in Y is much much much better than AF food in C (at XXX EUR or 200% miles extra).

Do and Co is indeed providing excellent meals. I would definitely consider it if flying on OS Y at meal time. Several of us have long mentioned that AF should also offer some pre-paid full meal in European Y since the 'free' offer is certainly not going to improve any time soon. It would even be easier to implement as return meals are typically charged at CDG except for the longest flights (e.g. TLV etc).

Thought I would add my 2 cents. DO & CO are excellent, worth noting that Demel (Niki airlines) do some great pre order meals too, had some recently, totally blown away at the quality. Loving how you can pre order near Gate 3 @ VIE up to 1 hour prior to departure on OS services. Wonder if the others will follow suit?

Two new menus:
- “Fresh from the sea” with Ocean,
- “A taste of Dolce Vita” with Italia,

in addition to:
- Tradition,
- Organic,
- Lenotre.

Pictures (http://corporate.airfrance.com/en/press/media-library/photos/cabin-classes-comfort-and-gastronomy/inflight-gourmet-dining/image/a-la-carte-menu-a-taste-of-dolce-vita-with-italia-057929/)

Nice, they are yet to update the website though!!

With a name like yours, you obviously know a thing or two about in-flight meals!!!

Do&Co are certainly excellent. I was delighted to see that "Turkish Do&Co" were catering the BA flight I recently took from IST.

Two new menus:
- “Fresh from the sea” with Ocean,
- “A taste of Dolce Vita” with Italia,

in addition to:
- Tradition,
- Organic,
- Lenotre.

Pictures (http://corporate.airfrance.com/en/press/media-library/photos/cabin-classes-comfort-and-gastronomy/inflight-gourmet-dining/image/a-la-carte-menu-a-taste-of-dolce-vita-with-italia-057929/)

Thanks for the link! Looks awesome. Though the a lacarte meal pics give the impression that the portions are half the size of a standard Y meals because half is covered by paper.

In fact, the tray is almost fully exposed in each photo; the entirety of each main course is, in any case, fully on display. Sorry to disappoint you, but the area underneath the tray cover does not contain another half of the tray, fully laden with food!

In order to check what is not visible on each of the three menus that were announced first, you can compare the photographs with the detailed description provided in manureva744's excellent post (n° 10 in this thread).

For the "Signature Lenotre" winter meal:

http://corporate.airfrance.com/typo3temp/pics/actualite_repas_a_la_carte_630x0.jpg

Guys, I know. I saw the trays at the do. All I am saying is that it gives that impression!

still think they are slightly pricey compared to some of the other premium bob options, am keen to try them though!

Will the rolls be warm? :D

Note that since PV already has improved starters and desserts, the case for an improved whole meal is slimmer. Did I read there is an option for drink pairings ?

Last time I traveled in PV it was not offered in the reservation or at check in. Maybe June 1 was too early.

Regarding the quanity of the meals. From what I saw at the DO the quantities looked considerable. Defenitely more than what you'd get from the standard meal.

Effective July 1st:
the five à la carte meals are available for long-haul flights from CDG & ORY, except flights to India, Canada, AMM & DAM
from CAY, FDF, PTP & RUN, three meals are available: Italia, Océan & Tradition

Restrictions:
as mentioned by orbitmic, the flight must be both AF-coded (marketed) and AF-operated
à la carte meals are offered in the Voyageur & Premium Voyageur cabins, not in Alizé
a passenger that has already checked in cannot order an à la carte meal
à la carte meals are served prior to standard meals, at the same time as special meals
there is a limited number of à la carte meals per flight; if the number of meals available is smaller than the number of passengers in a PNR, à la carte meals are not offered
Italia, Océan, Signature Lenotre & Tradition meals can be booked from 90 days to 24 hours before the flight
Bio meals can be booked from 60 days to 24 hours before the flight
if you select an à la carte meal on a flight segment, it is not possible to order a special meal on other flight segments
after July 1st, for flights operated starting October 1st, SFML meals (fish and seafood) will no longer be offered; SFML meals ordered before July 1st will be offered on flights until January 15th, 2013

Effective July 1st:
[list]the five à la carte meals are available for long-haul flights from CDG & ORY, except flights to India, Canada, AMM & DAM

:confused: What's special with these destinations to justify this restriction. I can eventually understand AMM & DAM served by a narrowbody but India and Canada ???

:confused: What's special with these destinations to justify this restriction. I can eventually understand AMM & DAM served by a narrowbody but India and Canada ???

For India, I would guess (without any kind of insider information) that it has to do with the number of special meals that are ordered already. For Canada, it could be something similar, involving a significant number of passengers travelling between Canada & India via CDG. Just a guess.

For India, I would guess (without any kind of insider information) that it has to do with the number of special meals that are ordered already. For Canada, it could be something similar, involving a significant number of passengers travelling between Canada & India via CDG. Just a guess.

I hadn't thought of it but suspect you're right. YUL always seems to have lots of Indian meals and KSML (not sure about Toronto though) and as you point out, India has huge proportion of the various Indian meals + regular vegetarian meals.

Just logged in to check my TATL flight next week, and the meal purchase option has been activated (CDG-BOS). It was only available on the flight over, which is Voyageur, but not on the Premium Voyageur for the return. Perhaps it is because they upgraded the Premium Voyager meals, they feel they don't need to offer the paid options?

Just logged in to check my TATL flight next week, and the meal purchase option has been activated (CDG-BOS). It was only available on the flight over, which is Voyageur, but not on the Premium Voyageur for the return. Perhaps it is because they upgraded the Premium Voyager meals, they feel they don't need to offer the paid options?

Unless I am mistaken, à la carte meals are not offered from outstations except for CAY, FDF, PTP & RUN.

I hadn't thought of it but suspect you're right. YUL always seems to have lots of Indian meals and KSML (not sure about Toronto though) and as you point out, India has huge proportion of the various Indian meals + regular vegetarian meals.

For India, I would guess (without any kind of insider information) that it has to do with the number of special meals that are ordered already. For Canada, it could be something similar, involving a significant number of passengers travelling between Canada & India via CDG. Just a guess.

KLM also does not offer it on flights to Toronto (due to the high number of special meals on that flight).

They do, on the other hand, give you the option to book it on flights to India.

KLM Website (http://www.klm.com/travel/nl_en/prepare_for_travel/on_board/dining_on_board/alacarte_menu.htm)
Exclusively when seated in Economy Class on intercontinental KLM flights departing from Amsterdam except when flying to Cairo, San Francisco, Tel Aviv and Toronto

Unless I am mistake, à la carte meals are not offered from outstations except for CAY, FDF, PTP & RUN.

ah okay, that explains it ^

On the downside, I just noticed that my Siege Plus seat disappeared after I ordered the special meal. Need to call them and get it back. Ugh.

ah okay, that explains it ^

On the downside, I just noticed that my Siege Plus seat disappeared after I ordered the special meal. Need to call them and get it back. Ugh.

Maybe you've been upgraded ;)

Maybe you've been upgraded ;)

Nah, just talked to them, apparently it is an apparition.

I'd like to share with you the 1st "not-so-good" experience on FT (I believe) about this paid meals on AF. I was flying to JNB at the beginning of the week. About 24 hrs before flight time, I was looking at my booking on AF web site and saw the link to order a paid meal (I was flying PV). I thought why not, as during the CDG DO, we saw these trays during the Servair tour and they looked really nice. I ordered an "ocean tray" for 15€. The process went very well, no bugs. For those of you who want to order these meals, remember to do it before you do OLCI. Once you're checked in, it's too late. The following morning, so the day of the flight, the ROC System advised me that the flight was technically cancelled and re-programmed as a day flight (AF990A) the following morning. So we took off from CDG around 9 am. We were served breakfast and around 2 pm (French and S.A. Time), lunch was served. The F/A asked me :" you ordered a paid meal ?". Answering yes, she gave me an "Italian tray" (there was a label stuck on it with my seat number). So I said that it was not what I ordered and she said she had nothing else. She made instantly a call to enquire if my tray was elsewhere but she had confirmation that nothing else was on-board. She was embarrassed but even more when I realized and showed her that the tray was incomplete as there was only apetizer (ham, Parmesan cheese, small salad) and main course (cheese tortellini) but no cheese or dessert (the menu attached to the tray was mentioning tiramisu which was absent from the tray). So at the end, the paid meal was less nice than the regular free tray:(. She offered me to have either the regular tray or to keep this one. I choose to keep the paid tray and she bring me the dessert trio from J class. And later during the flight, she gave me a voucher that can be redeemed as 50€ for a future flight or 5000 miles, as a compensation.
So it's hard to understand why there was a mistake in the tray loaded on that flight, and, for this particular tray, why it was incomplete.
If I have to give an opinion about the Italian tray, I would rate it as average and not worth paying the extra 15€ (although I didn't taste the tiramisu), as the pasta were the same as the one you usually get on a regular Y tray.

So, there is room for improvement...

Effective July 1st:
the five à la carte meals are available for long-haul flights from CDG & ORY, except flights to India, Canada, AMM & DAM
from CAY, FDF, PTP & RUN, three meals are available: Italia, Océan & Tradition

Restrictions:
(...)
à la carte meals are offered in the Voyageur & Premium Voyageur cabins, not in Alizé


From the Air France French travel agent portal:

Effective immediately, à la carte meals are now also offered in the Alizé cabin.

Effective July 1st:
[list]the five à la carte meals are available for long-haul flights from CDG & ORY, except flights to India, Canada, AMM & DAM

So AF is flying to DAM ? ;):D

So AF is flying to DAM ? ;):D

That's a great one ;)

One should be able to rely on local ATC :D

One should be able to rely on local ATC :D

Of course ! But at least you have a better meal on-board :D

So AF is flying to DAM ? ;):D

No it was only a problem of clarification: what they meant is that at the same time as the a la carte meal, they are experimenting paid for a la carte petrol on flights to DAM...

No it was only a problem of clarification: what they meant is that at the same time as the a la carte meal, they are experimenting paid for a la carte petrol on flights to DAM...

And if you can pay with the AF/KL Amex, that gives you a lot of miles. Oh...but I forgot ... cash only :p

I just read air France is offering business style meals for pre purchase on long haul flights out of Paris. Has anyone tried them?

I just read air France is offering business style meals for pre purchase on long haul flights out of Paris. Has anyone tried them?
Yes, read this thread to start ;)
I would not call those "business style meals". It is certainly better than regular Y meal, but it's not J class food.

I am flying Y+ Paris to LAX in Oct. I am flying blue member and went to AF website to order a la carte meals. I was absolutely unable to do this though the web site. I called AF and attempted to do this by phone but have yet to receive email confirmation. Anyone have ideas similar problem etc..?

I am flying Y+ Paris to LAX in Oct. I am flying blue member and went to AF website to order a la carte meals. I was absolutely unable to do this though the web site. I called AF and attempted to do this by phone but have yet to receive email confirmation. Anyone have ideas similar problem etc..?

Maybe that's what you did already but just in case : the normal process is that you go on AF web site, find your booking in "manage my bookings", and there is a part on the page to order such meals. Then you choose the meal and pay with CC, and receive a confirmation by e-mail.
You don't need to be a FB member to do this. You just need your Amadeus booking ref (and your name/1st name ;)) to access your reservation on the site.

Yes that is exactly what I did. But was unable to do the ordering on line. I then called AF and they confirmed that a la carte was available (flight 72) CDG-LAX. She then took my credit card info and said I would receive an email confirmation. That was 20 hours ago and no email. A lot of work for a paid meal. I wonder if others are having similar problems.

Could you check if the charge was deducted from your CC?

I have an upcoming CDG-DXB flight and wanted to pre-order a meal. can't find a way to do it! Ticket was booked on KLM stock, could that be the reason?

I have an upcoming CDG-DXB flight and wanted to pre-order a meal. can't find a way to do it! Ticket was booked on KLM stock, could that be the reason?

I don't think that could be the reason.
Normally, you have to go into your booking details in manage my booking. A you trying to do this on KL site ? If yes, you should rather do this on AF site.

I don't think that could be the reason.
Normally, you have to go into your booking details in manage my booking. A you trying to do this on KL site ? If yes, you should rather do this on AF site.

The AF site doesn't give me the options. I can only select the usual "special meals" (diabetic, kosher, etc)

The AF site doesn't give me the options. I can only select the usual "special meals" (diabetic, kosher, etc)

I checked in one of my upcoming reservation, and I have in fact the same problem. Very strange, as the AF site mentions it can be done up to 90 days before departure (reservation ticketed)...
I have sent a message to AF IT team using the form on their web site. I'll let you know what they respond.

I have sent a message to AF IT team using the form on their web site. I'll let you know what they respond.
I got the response very quickly and they said we need to call AF :confused:
Very strange as it was very easy to do on-line (I did it once and was quick and easy)

I got the response very quickly and they said we need to call AF :confused:
Very strange as it was very easy to do on-line (I did it once and was quick and easy)

Thanks a lot for checking into the matter and contacting AF. I will give them a call.

Updated A la carte menus (http://corporate.airfrance.com/fileadmin/dossiers/documents/press_releases/Air_France_renews_its_A_la_Carte_menus.pdf)

Updated A la carte menus (http://corporate.airfrance.com/fileadmin/dossiers/documents/press_releases/Air_France_renews_its_A_la_Carte_menus.pdf)

To make the menus more summery for the new season they propose blanquette? :confused: Weird...

2 More reservations, CDG-DXB, CDG-JFK, cannot find the "A la carte option" in the reservation. Called and they said it can only be reserved online.

2 More reservations, CDG-DXB, CDG-JFK, cannot find the "A la carte option" in the reservation. Called and they said it can only be reserved online.

This is becoming really ridiculous :rolleyes:
You can try to use the online form on their web site (for Internet assistance) and explain this crazy situation. Good luck ;)

I just checked my upcoming CDG-JFK flight and I cannot locate where I could order an a la carte meal. I am sure that is a hidden way how AF is trying to tell me that they plan to upgrade me :P

But seriously, it still holds that a special meal including an a a la carte meal drops you chances for an upgrade to nil?

Few times ago book a flight through AF.be: got a KLM (074) ticket: no "à la carte" meal option when checking my booking.

Due to sheduled change, then reticketed me with an AF (057) ticket: can see the option !

Update:
Sent an email, was asked to contact AF by telephone, but I gave up after waiting 35 minutes on the line.

My CDG-DXB flight for this week now shows "A la carte", I was able to purchase it. My booking for CDG-JFK and a new one for CDG-SDQ, both on 006 ticket stock, are not showing the option.