Air France Frequence Plus - Ground service at JFK for La Premiere pax?

I have to go to JFK in a couple of days and for scheduling reasons the only way to go for me will be AF. I don't particularly like the idea, but schedule is the driver.

I heard rumours about Premiere pax arriving in JFK being fast-tracked through immigration. Is that true?

Also, what are the procedures for Premiere pax departing JFK? Anything special? Or benefits the same as for Affaires pax and Platinums (same lounge, same fast tracks)?

Thanks for sharing if you have some first hand info.

Upon arrival, same as in CDG (you are awaited in the jetway and you clear immigration without waiting). When you depart JFK, there is a specific P counter just in front of the 1st door when you arrive by car at T1 (there is also a big sign "La première" outside. Then, you are escorted through security (no wait), then to the lounge (same lounge as J) and to the plane when you board.
I hope this helps :)

Thanks Goldorak! Just the info I needed.

then to the lounge (same lounge as J) and to the plane when you board.
I hope this helps :)

Actually the upper floor of the lounge is reserved for AF La Premiere passengers only (I don't know if they open it to normal lounge users when flight is full but was definitely reserved for P on my last two visits including the last one about a week ago).

Actually the upper floor of the lounge is reserved for AF La Premiere passengers only (I don't know if they open it to normal lounge users when flight is full but was definitely reserved for P on my last two visits including the last one about a week ago).

I'm surprised about this (but of course, I completely trust what you say :) ), because it used to be the case until about 5-6 years ago, but for me not anymore. I have flown from JFK about twice a year since that and, whatever I was flying J or Y (or P ;) ), I always sat upstairs (I prefer the upper floor as it is quieter). And my last experience in JFK is extremely recent because it was...yesterday evening :cool: . I was flying AF007 (A380 :)) in J and I sat upstairs in the lounge. Maybe they allow elite+ pax upstairs ?

I wonder why the ground services like escorting through immigration is not done at every P station ? By example, in IAD, I've seen many times P pax greeted on arrival and escorted through immigration, while I didn't benefit from this when I flew in P to EZE last fall. Is it due to some rules in some countries (where such VIP fast track is not allowed) ?

I'm surprised about this (but of course, I completely trust what you say :) ), because it used to be the case until about 5-6 years ago, but for me not anymore. I have flown from JFK about twice a year since that and, whatever I was flying J or Y (or P ;) ), I always sat upstairs (I prefer the upper floor as it is quieter). And my last experience in JFK is extremely recent because it was...yesterday evening :cool: . I was flying AF007 (A380 :)) in J and I sat upstairs in the lounge. Maybe they allow elite+ pax upstairs ?

Not elite+ because that's what I am too (plat). I can only imagine it might be a question of loads? Both last week and a couple of months ago, I was told I would need to stay downstairs as upstairs was reserved for P on AF only. Strange...

And yes, rules seem to keep changing at that lounge. First it was upstairs for P, then only the back room for P, then all for all and now I was told that a couple of times in a row and you are not told the same - mystery!!!!!!

Not elite+ because that's what I am too (plat). I can only imagine it might be a question of loads? Both last week and a couple of months ago, I was told I would need to stay downstairs as upstairs was reserved for P on AF only. Strange...

And yes, rules seem to keep changing at that lounge. First it was upstairs for P, then only the back room for P, then all for all and now I was told that a couple of times in a row and you are not told the same - mystery!!!!!!

As Goldorak mentioned, the upstairs used to be for F class only some 4 years ago (and before). Then the whole lounge became J only. That was still the case six months ago. Given the few F seats they now offer (and the even fewer pax), it would not make sense to keep the whole upper floor for F pax as the lounge often gets very full. Even when both floors were open to J and elite+, the place was very crowded. I assume, as they do in most airports, that they now keep a section of the upper floor cordoned for F pax (with same seat and service, possibly a better champagne). They might tell pax, who specifically ask, that this is where F pax sit.

As Goldorak mentioned, the upstairs used to be for F class only some 4 years ago (and before). Then the whole lounge became J only. That was still the case six months ago. Given the few F seats they now offer (and the even fewer pax), it would not make sense to keep the whole upper floor for F pax as the lounge often gets very full. Even when both floors were open to J and elite+, the place was very crowded. I assume, as they do in most airports, that they now keep a section of the upper floor cordoned for F pax (with same seat and service, possibly a better champagne). They might tell pax, who specifically ask, that this is where F pax sit.

In the USA, IAD is one of the rare (only ?) lounge which has a clear separate part (with another access) for P pax. You can see it when you order a drink at the bar attendant (the P part is right in front of you - the bar is serving both the J and the P sections).

Thanks for all the replies! Interesting policy on the lounge. Actually I always wondered why AF didn't have a segregated lounge offering like BA and LH.

As a matter of fact the only one deciding factor in the end will be schedule and the time it will take me from the plane doors to midtown Manhattan. Hence my question about fast track at immigration. I am glad to hear that they do it (and kudos to AF for managing to keep that service up ^^, as officially the INS is no longer allowed to do it).

Let's see, if timings of my commitments stay as they are I might eventually end up on AF Premiere. Otherwise it'll be "my usual" Swiss flight from Zurich which arrives at the same time and where it never takes me more than 20 minutes from plane to car at JFK.

PS: since we are on this: anyone knows how this works for British Airways flights? Do they fast track pax at immigration at JFK, either based on class of travel or on status? And: BA says on its website that flights to JFK now have the new First - all JFK flights? Or just the ones on the B777? Sorry, off topic... (you may PM me, or I'll ask over at BA)

And dont forget the nice A388 by Singapore airline from FRA. Great suite and it arrives at 11am at JFK which is a traffic-light time to get into the city.
Regarding AF immigration fasttrack, I agree with San Gottardo that it is surprising that AF can do it. That is an undemocratic process quite different from Global entry. I cannot see an AF escort jumping a regular line, so I assume that they take the pax to the special lane for diplomats, etc... Occasionally an officer directs a family with young children there. But that kind of privilege could be revoked at any time and very odd that other airlines don't do it.

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Sure, the SQ experience is very nice (done it a few times when it was still operated by the B747-400) but it leaves FRA very early so I would need to "position" myself to FRA the night before. Taking one stops instead of nonstops I sometimes do for a more pleasant flight, but spending a night in dreadful FRA just for that flight, no thanks. I'll be either in Paris or Zurich and need to be in Manhattan at 2pm. Depending on where I'll leave from it'll be the Air France or the Swiss flight which both land at 12h35. Both offer fast track immigration so my timing will work.

OT: Why not fly EI to JFK then? OK, IE doesn't have F but the new J seats looks up to par with any other airline and you need to connect in DUB. Immigration is cleared at DUB so when arriving in the US its just like a arriving on a domestic flight.

Have done this a good number of times (at least when I lived in Dublin) at it works wonders.

Regarding AF immigration fasttrack, I agree with San Gottardo that it is surprising that AF can do it. That is an undemocratic process quite different from Global entry. I cannot see an AF escort jumping a regular line, so I assume that they take the pax to the special lane for diplomats, etc... Occasionally an officer directs a family with young children there. But that kind of privilege could be revoked at any time and very odd that other airlines don't do it.

Where everyone else is snaking to the front, you get escorted to the side. This looks defenitely designated, and you get served by the far end officer who is also treating the normal queue. As soon as the immigration booth on the far side is free, it is your turn. So yes, you effectively get to jump the line. Also the immigration officer is aware that you have been traveling in F and therefore got to jump the line. All this happens efficiently and professionally, there are no embarassing situations. After immigration the escort continues until outside the terminal.

OT: Why not fly EI to JFK then? OK, IE doesn't have F but the new J seats looks up to par with any other airline and you need to connect in DUB. Immigration is cleared at DUB so when arriving in the US its just like a arriving on a domestic flight.

Have done this a good number of times (at least when I lived in Dublin) at it works wonders.

I am sure this is neat. However in my particular situation I am (probably) faced with the situation where I have a commitment until 8.30am in Paris and another one at 2pm in New York. Now that I know that there is a way to fast track immigration my logistical problem is resolved (albeit at a high price). I was mentioning LX not because they offer F but because their 12.35 arrival also offers fast track an gets me into town on time. That is what I'll be doing if I don't have to be in Paris that morning but leave from Zurich anyway.

My point was less about flying F but what would fast track me through security on arrival in time for my next "milestone". For LX it's my FFP status (so I can also fly J and still fat track), for AF it'll have to be a ticket in P.

Where everyone else is snaking to the front, you get escorted to the side. This looks defenitely designated, and you get served by the far end officer who is also treating the normal queue. As soon as the immigration booth on the far side is free, it is your turn. So yes, you effectively get to jump the line. Also the immigration officer is aware that you have been traveling in F and therefore got to jump the line. All this happens efficiently and professionally, there are no embarassing situations. After immigration the escort continues until outside the terminal.

Thanks. Good to understand the procedure.

It's just a shame, I guess, that the "US Helicopter" shuttle service between JFK and Downtown Manhattan has been withdrawn! :( However, I think you can still find private charters (http://www.newyorkhelicopter.com/airport-transfers/) - if you're really in a hurry - for around $1,500!

-- Henry

They might tell pax, who specifically ask, that this is where F pax sit.

Actually the first time (a couple of months ago) I did not ask anything. I was flying J and started making my way upstairs which I usually like best and got (nicely) told off and explained that it would be downstairs as upstairs was only for La Premiere passengers. The second time (last week, flying AZ J) I did ask if I could go upstairs and was made the same answer. I must say that on both occasions, the loads were pretty light (first time a Sunday, second time a summer Sunday, both times after the main A380 departure) so it is possible that in those cases they kept us all 'normal' lounge users downstairs. As you said, it used to be all P upstairs, then it was P in the back room and normal to the front (window side), then it became all unified, so I was surprised to be told it had changed again, but am even more surprised that Goldorak and I got told different things within less than a week of each other!

but am even more surprised that Goldorak and I got told different things within less than a week of each other!

In fact, to be precise, I have not asked if I could go upstairs. After having checked-in in the lounge, I have taken the escalator and nobody has told me anything (and the lounge attendants have clearly seen me as the escalator is right in front of them). And I always did like that in the past, since they removed the sign saying that the upstairs part was reserved for P pax.

I have frequently sat upstairs while not flying in P with no issues. However, about a year ago, I was told that upstairs was for P. I said, c'mon, I've been using it for years, and they said that they had what they essentially described as a VVIP in one of the side VIP rooms upstairs, and didn't want anyone else upstairs. But just one data point. The food and beverage offerings are the same upstairs.

Last year was "sent" upstairs with the wife when in J, as a plat. Next 2 trips was told to stay downstairs, but then I was Y.

The more contradictory experiences are described, the more random lounge attendants' answers seem to be! I still think it must have something to do with loads somehow but that is, indeed, an equally random guess...

The more contradictory experiences are described, the more random lounge attendants' answers seem to be! I still think it must have something to do with loads somehow but that is, indeed, an equally random guess...
I agree. The mood of the lounge attendant is obviously playing a big role here !

I agree. The mood of the lounge attendant is obviously playing a big role here !

+1

Check my recent trip report, La Premiere to JFK, in the trip report forum. I guess you will get the answers there ;)

Check my recent trip report, La Premiere to JFK, in the trip report forum. I guess you will get the answers there ;)

Link to the trip report: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1363902-air-france-la-premiere.html

The reason AF can do it and other can't is a holdover from Concorde days. Obviously they have kept the relationship with CBP that they used to have with Immigration. BA was able to do the same @ T7 but TBOMK they no longer can, or just don't want to

Check my recent trip report, La Premiere to JFK, in the trip report forum. I guess you will get the answers there ;)

Excellent trip report!