Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - very cheap Kuwait air fares CDG-FCO

I happened across a €246 fare for Kuwait airlines from CDG to FCO in business class. Or €377 in First class on their A340. Has anyone taken this flight or been on a Kuwait A340? Is it worth a few extra Euros for First?

I happened across a €246 fare for Kuwait airlines from CDG to FCO in business class. Or €377 in First class on their A340. Has anyone taken this flight or been on a Kuwait A340? Is it worth a few extra Euros for First?

I wouldn't recommend going on the airline in the first place. You may view online reviews of the same and decide for yourself.

Yes I've seen the bad reviews. But it's a 2 hour flight and the business class fare is only a 1/3rd the price of AF/AZ economy. So it seems like a no-brainer to me.

If you must, KU has a 60EUR fare in economy.
Otherwise, you could always book return with AZ/AF and don't show for the return leg.

I finally took the flight and boy am I happy I chose KU. I am not trying to discount the poor experiences that others had, but my experience was awesome. Far, far, far better than flying AF or AZ on this route. It was an A340 that featured full international service with an excellent meal, hot towel before and after the meal, real Arabic coffee, and nice French macaroons with the coffee/tea service. Service throughout was excellent. The seats aren't flat, but they are wide and quite comfortable, especially for such a short flight.

KU gives premium passengers access to the AF Premiere lounge which is nice. Throughout the process, I cut in front of all the economy passengers. At check in, at the border check and again at the gate security. The only negative was that at FCO we arrived at a non-Schengen terminal so I had to "immigrate" into Italy. But that was a breeze as they just waved me through when they saw my passport.

All for a fraction of what I would have had to pay on AF or AZ! I'll take this flight any time. I saw in the flight mag that KU has several tag routes like this so I'll keep an eye out for this next time. My only warning is to not fly economy with KU as the lines looked horrific. And I wouldn't spend the extra money for First class. Slightly better seat and I'm sure slightly better food, but not worth the expense. Business class is the best choice.

I finally took the flight and boy am I happy I chose KU. I am not trying to discount the poor experiences that others had, but my experience was awesome. Far, far, far better than flying AF or AZ on this route. It was an A340 that featured full international service with an excellent meal, hot towel before and after the meal, real Arabic coffee, and nice French macaroons with the coffee/tea service. Service throughout was excellent. The seats aren't flat, but they are wide and quite comfortable, especially for such a short flight.

KU gives premium passengers access to the AF Premiere lounge which is nice. Throughout the process, I cut in front of all the economy passengers. At check in, at the border check and again at the gate security. The only negative was that at FCO we arrived at a non-Schengen terminal so I had to "immigrate" into Italy. But that was a breeze as they just waved me through when they saw my passport.

All for a fraction of what I would have had to pay on AF or AZ! I'll take this flight any time. I saw in the flight mag that KU has several tag routes like this so I'll keep an eye out for this next time. My only warning is to not fly economy with KU as the lines looked horrific. And I wouldn't spend the extra money for First class. Slightly better seat and I'm sure slightly better food, but not worth the expense. Business class is the best choice.
If I understand you correctly, as a business class passenger on Kuwait, you were sent to the AF special First Class lounge at CDG? This is the lounge where AF strictly controls access and sells it for an enormous amount as part of a IFC ground handling package for AF passengers in business class (IIRC, paid unrestricted fares) on flights that do not have an IFC cabin.

Kuwait is a dry airline, right, so no nice wine to go with that good food between France and Italy?

If I understand you correctly, as a business class passenger on Kuwait, you were sent to the AF special First Class lounge at CDG? This is the lounge where AF strictly controls access and sells it for an enormous amount as part of a IFC ground handling package for AF passengers in business class (IIRC, paid unrestricted fares) on flights that do not have an IFC cabin.

Kuwait is a dry airline, right, so no nice wine to go with that good food between France and Italy?

Sorry I wasn't completely clear. I was given access to the AF Premier lounge at T1, which is not at all the same as the AF Premier lounge at T2 which you are referring to. The one at T1 is like a business class lounge, albeit a nice one. 18 year old Scotch and 1er Cru Chablis. But as this was a morning flight I didn't drink any alcohol in the lounge, nor miss it on the dry flight.

Sorry I wasn't completely clear. I was given access to the AF Premier lounge at T1, which is not at all the same as the AF Premier lounge at T2 which you are referring to. The one at T1 is like a business class lounge, albeit a nice one. 18 year old Scotch and 1er Cru Chablis. But as this was a morning flight I didn't drink any alcohol in the lounge, nor miss it on the dry flight.

Agree. I think it's the best lounge in T1, they typically have a decent champagne too.

Sounds like a good flight. The AF and AZ service in J on this route is pitiful. I know it's an economy seat across Europe, but the plastic containers on the tray meal on AF belong on a transatlantic flight going to the 80s...

Just bought 3 First Class and 5 Business Class tickets on this flight (They wouldnt sell 8 Biz class seats despite the cabin being empty). Anyone know what the difference in service is on these flights? Do all pax have access to the same lounge at T1 in CDG? Any mileage earning opportunities with US-based programs on these flights?

Do they offer printed menus and amenity kits on this very short sector? Unfortunately, my flight is on an old A300.

No mileage earning opportunities except with KU. No menus, no kits.

A couple of KU shorthaul TRs from another site:

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/202681
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/186045