You know the worst part? I flew the outbound yesterday (CDG-DTW) and I actually liked it!
I mean, I feel totally embarrassed to admit it but it was much better than your typical TATL C class experience on LH:
1. The brand new AF pier in (the favela airport) CDG for intercontinental flights is pretty humane.
2. Their business lounge over there is huuuuuge (I am not sure whether I was entitled to use it as a business class customer or as a CO Plat, I showed both and they told me I'm good to go). Food/snack/drink offerings are quite comparable to a SEN lounge (AF lounges have better (real ) cheese and wines/champagne)
3. I was almost alone in the section of the C cabin I was seated and the service was superb. Food was mediocre but I can say the same thing about LH C food anyway. On the upside, I tasted 3(!) different champagnes and some very good red wine.
4. The brand new terminal in DTW is very nice and pleasant and immigration/customs/baggage recheck/transfer was a breeze compared to my usual US gateways (JFK, EWR, ORD).
5. Highlight: AF planes feature an external live camera! You can see the take-off and landing of the aircraft live as if you were seated in the cockpit. After take-off the camera continues to shoot the landscapes you fly over! That, combined with the usual GPS flightshow is enough to have me totally glued to my screen and to that of my (empty) neighboring seat!
I had completely avoided Air France for the last 12 years, despite having CDG as one of my bases (spend about 3 months per year in Paris). I somehow decided to give them a shot again. I was not disappointed: among other things, AF lived up to their reputation. Upon arrival to DTW, my (hardcase) checked bag was broken!
Andre, I am shocked
How about the seat? Did you like it? It's just "lie-flat" and not "flat-bed", isn't it?
Did you arrive on time? One of the main issues I had with AF was punctuality, especially when connecting from a intra-france flight to a european one in the evening. Missed my connection more than once and had to stay at CDG for the night
So am I. Although 10 years ago I sweared not to fly with them again, I made the mistake last year to travel on a route which is only served by AF and occasional ferries (NCE-CLY, while CLY is famous for the breathtaking landing like INN and LUG). The aircraft was obviously not cleaned for several days / weeks / years, and the checkin-agent at NCE was surpassing everything I saw so far with his rudeness.
Such things make me unforgiving - and I don't like to have the thought to be cramped next to people using their cellphones (AF makes trials with that) as well.
) cheese and wines/champagne)
