Flying Blue (Air France, KLM, and Other Partners) - AF Gold

I just wanted to post my experience, since there is so much negative written here about FB programm.

I am FB Gold, which is a result from my intercontinental flights.
My last flight took place on Saturday: LJU-CDG-JFK-SFO.

When I arrived to to CDG (becauase of my bloody "smart" phone) I exited 2G terminal instead of going to 2E connection. Since my layover was only 1h, I thought I would never make it. But thanks to my Golds status, I could use Access no 1 line on 2E terminal (with normal line I doubt I would be able to make it) and still managed to catch my flight on time.

But the best thing was on Delta. I was flying on W ticket and delta has no premium economy. So the W ticket and FB Gold together broght me upgrade from Economy to First class and I must tell you, that first class on JFK-SFO flight is the best. Not to mention, that DL gives you sky priority, which means priority through security check-up and priority boarding.

On Sunday I am doing LAX-ATL on W. Lets see if this will also bring an upgrade.

So basically what i wanted to say, that FB (maybe is not so great as MM), gives to me all the benefeats I need. On the other hand I normally do 6 flights (4-6 legs) with AF and 6-10 DL flights inside US, to I am definatelly staying on FB, because for me it works.

You got a complimentary upgrade? Like you were on the upgrade list? Was this done at the gate (I presume not).
Or was this in advance as a Y fare that immediately clears into First?

Seems very, very rare that a FB Gold would trump all Delta FFers with a complimentary upgrade on JFK-SFO! :eek:

However nice to hear you really had a good experience! ^

You got a complimentary upgrade? Like you were on the upgrade list? Was this done at the gate (I presume not).
Or was this in advance as a Y fare that immediately clears into First?

Seems very, very rare that a FB Gold would trump all Delta FFers with a complimentary upgrade on JFK-SFO! :eek:

However nice to hear you really had a good experience! ^

I was on the upgrade list. Few minutes before boarding I saw, that my upgrade was confirmed, i went to the counter and the nice lady there gave me new (better) ticket.

As I said, I will update next week for LAX-ATL flight :)

As I said, I will update next week for LAX-ATL flight :)
Good luck :)

But the best thing was on Delta. I was flying on W ticket and delta has no premium economy. So the W ticket and FB Gold together broght me upgrade from Economy to First class and I must tell you, that first class on JFK-SFO flight is the best. Not to mention, that DL gives you sky priority, which means priority through security check-up and priority boarding.

It was my understanding that they offer their "Business Elite" service, rather than "First Class" on that route - or at least, that's what's strongly implied on the Delta First Class (http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/inflight_services/first_class/index.jsp) page.

By the way, SkyPriority is now being rolled out globally on all the SkyTeam airlines - you should have seen "SkyPriority" on all of your boarding passes, even if SkyPriority hasn't yet made its debut at CDG (if it had, I'm sure you would have used it)

By the way, SkyPriority is now being rolled out globally on all the SkyTeam airlines - you should have seen "SkyPriority" on all of your boarding passes, even if SkyPriority hasn't yet made its debut at CDG (if it had, I'm sure you would have used it)

Sky priority is fully in place at CDG for several weeks now (at least 2E/2F, I have not been in 2C/2D for a while)

At 2D it is not at all. I passed there a few times the last month and it has been the same each time:

- Security for gates 0-50 (or so) does not have any priority lane, nor SkyPriority signs.
- Security for gates 50-100 (or so) is on the other side of the terminal. It does have access no.1, however, if one has a 0-50 gate one would not know that going there is an option.

Basically transiting pax arriving in 2D with a gate <50 will find a huge queue for the security checkpoint, no further signage, and no personnel to direct you to the No.1 checkpoint located at the other side of the terminal. Nowhere is mentioned that the No.1 checkpoint (gates 50-100) can be used for elites with gates < 50.

- Lounge is outside of the secure area, and with unpredictable queue lengths one needs to leave early.
- Way too few seats at the gates, no place to sit when there is a full A320 or A321. Besides one perfume and one newspaper stand - no stores or other entertainment at all airside.
- At boarding there are two lanes. However SkyPriority is not called, both lanes open simultaneously and its a hopeless push-for-your-right display. During my last flight Gate announcements were made only in French - for an international flight!

Having passed here a few times I no longer wonder why people consider AF a 3rd ranking airline. Even, previously worst of all, Alitalia has impressed me more at FCO.

The above is about terminal 2D - for example 2F for AMS connections is a lot better. It too has its problems, but as a whole much better than 2D.

The above is about terminal 2D - for example 2F for AMS connections is a lot better. It too has its problems, but as a whole much better than 2D.

You'll be thrilled to hear then that AF plans on redesigning their terminals as soon as S4 opens and the new plan is to get rid of 2D and also not have people go through security again if connecting...

At 2D it is not at all. I passed there a few times the last month and it has been the same each time:

AF is leaving 2C and 2D very soon, so I believe they did not want to invest in SkyPriority signage there just for a few weeks.

I turned Gold in the middle of my trip to China and on the way back in CDG I got to use SKY PRIORITY and it was awesome, so fast for customs and security that is worth it.

So far I'm happy with Airfrance FB treatment on FF.

It was my understanding that they offer their "Business Elite" service, rather than "First Class" on that route - or at least, that's what's strongly implied on the Delta First Class (http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/inflight_services/first_class/index.jsp) page.

By the way, SkyPriority is now being rolled out globally on all the SkyTeam airlines - you should have seen "SkyPriority" on all of your boarding passes, even if SkyPriority hasn't yet made its debut at CDG (if it had, I'm sure you would have used it)
Yes, it's special BE service and seats on the JFK-SFO/LAX flights. Regular domestic DL FC isn't quite as good, although narrow-body mainline aircraft are 2-2 seating, with more space per seat (pitch and width).

You'll be thrilled to hear then that AF plans on redesigning their terminals as soon as S4 opens and the new plan is to get rid of 2D and also not have people go through security again if connecting...

But then, what to do with 2G terminal where I will be in 3 weeks time?
I remember an annoying bus navette in public area and nothing else....

AF is leaving 2C and 2D very soon, so I believe they did not want to invest in SkyPriority signage there just for a few weeks.

I understand, but I still find it ridiculous. You either implement SkyPriority or not. You do not implement it half and call it done.

Besides that, basic services like Priority security and Priority boarding should have been available for years at CDG 2D. Which is absolutely not the case :)

Besides that, basic services like Priority security and Priority boarding should have been available for years at CDG 2D. Which is absolutely not the case :)

Priority security, in my experience, has been available for years at 2D.

But then, what to do with 2G terminal where I will be in 3 weeks time?
I remember an annoying bus navette in public area and nothing else....

Will you be arriving, departing, connecting?

I understand, but I still find it ridiculous. You either implement SkyPriority or not. You do not implement it half and call it done.

Besides that, basic services like Priority security and Priority boarding should have been available for years at CDG 2D. Which is absolutely not the case :)

Couple of points.

2D has Priority lanes and has had them at least since they re-organised the security to be at the end instead of the middle. Things will change a fair amount during Q3 and Q4 at CDG with the new satellites opening, etc. Things might even get worse before getting better.

The problem with some airports (Lisbon and Paris being the case, just to name a few) is that it is the Airport Authority that runs the security and the lanes. Since these airports already have a priority service, they do not necessarily want to re-brand it for each airline using their airport. Sky Priority has been rolled out across all airlines, just not across all Skyteam airports.

Priority security, in my experience, has been available for years at 2D.

It has - but one needs to have knowledge of the floor layout to be able to use it. There are two security checkpoints: One for gates D53-D63 and on the other side of the terminal D64-D73. The last one has Access.No.1, the first one does not. The first one also does not redirect Elites to the other.

So perhaps it is indeed a matter of signage. Call me stupid, but I too was waiting in the regular (long) line for a short connection at D55 while I could perfectly have used Access.No.1 (D64-73)

Priority boarding at the gate I do not understand. The gates have two lanes and can be used for priority services even without the proper signage. The fact that priority is not offered seems to be just a matter of policy and/or lazyness of the GA's. While Air France is touting these priority services at CDG (Including 2D) for years.

Lets just keep it at that I was quite disappointed at the state of 2D when passing there for the first time a few months ago.

Couple of points.

2D has Priority lanes and has had them at least since they re-organised the security to be at the end instead of the middle. Things will change a fair amount during Q3 and Q4 at CDG with the new satellites opening, etc. Things might even get worse before getting better.

The problem with some airports (Lisbon and Paris being the case, just to name a few) is that it is the Airport Authority that runs the security and the lanes. Since these airports already have a priority service, they do not necessarily want to re-brand it for each airline using their airport. Sky Priority has been rolled out across all airlines, just not across all Skyteam airports.

I do not mind so much that the Skypriority-logo is not actually being used, but for somebody passing through the terminal the first time things are confusing.

I understand well that it is actually airport personnel that operates the checkpoint (And boarding?), but in the end I did not buy a ticket from the airport. I bought an Air France ticket, in the Skyteam alliance and with that certain privileges are to be expected. In a way for me it does not matter how they do it - as long as I receive what they promised.

I do not mind so much that the Skypriority-logo is not actually being used, but for somebody passing through the terminal the first time things are confusing.

I understand well that it is actually airport personnel that operates the checkpoint (And boarding?), but in the end I did not buy a ticket from the airport. I bought an Air France ticket, in the Skyteam alliance and with that certain privileges are to be expected. In a way for me it does not matter how they do it - as long as I receive what they promised.

OK, but in practical/concrete terms, what are you suggesting? AF simply does not have the power/right to impose signage or labelling in French airports. there are many countries (including the US) where airlines are given license to organise operations within 'their' terminal but that is not the norm in Europe. For example if you use BA's second hub (LGW), it does not have BA-specific signage anywhere and priority only works (for all airlines) at certain hours. There is no LH-specific signage at FRA or MUC. There is similarly no dedicated signage at terminal C at FCO, and as we all know, in AMS, many gates (basically the whole of terminal D) do not have priority boarding at all. And similarly, all priority services in ATH, IST, DUB, PRG, CPH, BRU, and more or less all the other European hubs I can think of are airport-specific and common to all the airlines willing to pay for it. Some airports 'play the game' (e.g. at NCE, even though everything is airport-operated, the airport has collaborated with Skyteam airlines to offer the Skypriority signage, and I think the same is true at TLS) but if an airport is keener on their own branding (e.g. ADP with 'acces no1') then the airline is not really in a position to force their hand.

Will you be arriving, departing, connecting?

Connecting on the one-way (from 2F to 2G) and return but on the return, because of the long wait, I could likely have a hop to Paris using the RER-B. I'm now used to run every time I pass through CDG:)