jbak_ft
Aug 15, 12, 6:29 pm
Introduction:
After visiting Amsterdam (See my other trip report), took the Thalys down to Paris and after spending a few days there, flew back on Air France from CDG-IAD.
Thalys from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9936/p1070756eo.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/p1070756eo.jpg/)
Thalys Comfort-1 Class
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/2473/p1070746z.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/p1070746z.jpg/)
Thalys Lunch
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5746/img0135rf.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/269/img0135rf.jpg/)
Thalys Snack/Coffee
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/7387/p1070752c.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/171/p1070752c.jpg/)
Check-in at CDG: Checked-in online and was offered an upgrade for Affaires for 300Euro and of course I took it. Security & immigration was a breeze, and was on our way to the lounge in no time.
Lounge at CDG: Went to the AF Salon lounge in T2 and there were plenty of open seats, and since we had about 3 hours until boarding, we found a nice corner and settled-in. There were plenty of snacks, sandwiches, and other treats. Left the lounge about 20 minutes prior to boarding, and made our way over to the boarding area.
Entrance to the AF Salon Lounge in Terminal 2
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/2659/img0381sg.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/607/img0381sg.jpg/)
Comfy Seats
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2931/img0367fhy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/26/img0367fhy.jpg/)
AF Salon Lounge Snacks
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8207/img0373cq.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/337/img0373cq.jpg/)
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/1913/img0359kt.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/img0359kt.jpg/)
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/9260/img0364je.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/img0364je.jpg/)
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7724/img0374bw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/267/img0374bw.jpg/)
Boarding: Boarding was delayed by 15 minutes and began at 4:00 PM and we made our way to our seats 7K&L. Pre-departure drinks of Champagne or water was offered, followed by amenity kits, hot towels & dinner menu.
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/8641/img0382mz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/713/img0382mz.jpg/)
http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/5994/img0388ci.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/837/img0388ci.jpg/)
On-board | Flight AF 26 | CDG-IAD: After about a half-hour departure delay, it was wheels up out of CDG at 5PM and soon the crew sprang into action with drinks and nuts. Soon enough, it was time for appetizer which was scallops & duck terrine with foie gras. Dinner choices were: Beef Sauté, Free range chicken, Sautéed shrimp, and spaghetti with Basil. I opted to go with the shrimp (a bit bland) and the Mrs. went for the chicken, and it was pretty good. Time for dessert, and it was a trio: Mini lemon shortbread, raspberry and apple compote, and mini chocolate lava cake, and I also opted to have the ice cream. After dinner, I caught a movie, and some cookies and chocolates were handed out.
Drinks & Nuts
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9351/img0407jr.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/img0407jr.jpg/)
Menu
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/8199/menu1mw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/menu1mw.jpg/)
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/6175/menu2jh.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/716/menu2jh.jpg/)
Appetizer
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/8568/img0420d.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/705/img0420d.jpg/)
Shrimp with Pasta Shells
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/1542/img0423ll.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/259/img0423ll.jpg/)
Free-range Chicken
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/4770/img0424pz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/img0424pz.jpg/)
Desert trio with ice-cream
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/271/img0430tv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/228/img0430tv.jpg/)
Conclusion: Overall this was a good flight and the cabin was very spacious although all the seat controls and moldings seemed to show it’s age. The meal was just ok compared to other carriers in the same class, but nonetheless it was something to experience. The crew did a remarkable job, and it was a good ending to a wonderful vacation!
Our bird from CDG to IAD
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/212/img0456ja.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/214/img0456ja.jpg/)
After visiting Amsterdam (See my other trip report), took the Thalys down to Paris and after spending a few days there, flew back on Air France from CDG-IAD.
Thalys from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9936/p1070756eo.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/p1070756eo.jpg/)
Thalys Comfort-1 Class
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/2473/p1070746z.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/p1070746z.jpg/)
Thalys Lunch
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5746/img0135rf.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/269/img0135rf.jpg/)
Thalys Snack/Coffee
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/7387/p1070752c.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/171/p1070752c.jpg/)
Check-in at CDG: Checked-in online and was offered an upgrade for Affaires for 300Euro and of course I took it. Security & immigration was a breeze, and was on our way to the lounge in no time.
Lounge at CDG: Went to the AF Salon lounge in T2 and there were plenty of open seats, and since we had about 3 hours until boarding, we found a nice corner and settled-in. There were plenty of snacks, sandwiches, and other treats. Left the lounge about 20 minutes prior to boarding, and made our way over to the boarding area.
Entrance to the AF Salon Lounge in Terminal 2
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/2659/img0381sg.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/607/img0381sg.jpg/)
Comfy Seats
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2931/img0367fhy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/26/img0367fhy.jpg/)
AF Salon Lounge Snacks
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8207/img0373cq.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/337/img0373cq.jpg/)
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/1913/img0359kt.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/img0359kt.jpg/)
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/9260/img0364je.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/img0364je.jpg/)
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7724/img0374bw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/267/img0374bw.jpg/)
Boarding: Boarding was delayed by 15 minutes and began at 4:00 PM and we made our way to our seats 7K&L. Pre-departure drinks of Champagne or water was offered, followed by amenity kits, hot towels & dinner menu.
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/8641/img0382mz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/713/img0382mz.jpg/)
http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/5994/img0388ci.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/837/img0388ci.jpg/)
On-board | Flight AF 26 | CDG-IAD: After about a half-hour departure delay, it was wheels up out of CDG at 5PM and soon the crew sprang into action with drinks and nuts. Soon enough, it was time for appetizer which was scallops & duck terrine with foie gras. Dinner choices were: Beef Sauté, Free range chicken, Sautéed shrimp, and spaghetti with Basil. I opted to go with the shrimp (a bit bland) and the Mrs. went for the chicken, and it was pretty good. Time for dessert, and it was a trio: Mini lemon shortbread, raspberry and apple compote, and mini chocolate lava cake, and I also opted to have the ice cream. After dinner, I caught a movie, and some cookies and chocolates were handed out.
Drinks & Nuts
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9351/img0407jr.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/img0407jr.jpg/)
Menu
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/8199/menu1mw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/menu1mw.jpg/)
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/6175/menu2jh.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/716/menu2jh.jpg/)
Appetizer
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/8568/img0420d.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/705/img0420d.jpg/)
Shrimp with Pasta Shells
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/1542/img0423ll.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/259/img0423ll.jpg/)
Free-range Chicken
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/4770/img0424pz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/img0424pz.jpg/)
Desert trio with ice-cream
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/271/img0430tv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/228/img0430tv.jpg/)
Conclusion: Overall this was a good flight and the cabin was very spacious although all the seat controls and moldings seemed to show it’s age. The meal was just ok compared to other carriers in the same class, but nonetheless it was something to experience. The crew did a remarkable job, and it was a good ending to a wonderful vacation!
Our bird from CDG to IAD
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/212/img0456ja.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/214/img0456ja.jpg/)