SFO777

Mrs. SFO777 and I are off today for a week in France, 3 nights in Bordeaux and 3 nights in Paris. And we're both happy to be far away from American and back on the amazing Air France 77W, La Première service today from LAX. Lots of Saturday traffic on the 405 as it took nearly 90 minutes from southern OC. We arrived at TBIT two hours before scheduled departure.





There was hardly anyone at the Air France counters. Not sure why the La Première lane was roped off though. Painless check-in and our personalized Air France First Class service began, with our own La Première escort to security and then to the Qantas First Class Lounge. Air France apparently used to use the Korean First Class Lounge but the new deal with Qantas is a major improvement.















































Today's lounge menu.



We ordered the Croque monsieur and Korean tacos. Both were pretty institutional and we had a little of each to tide us over until the real deal.







The Qantas lounge at LAX is very nice, but not the wow that others seem to think it is.

offerendum

I see, you did something nice again Waiting for more

snabbu

Another SFO777 report, bring it on!!

JohnRain

Please tell me you lost a bet or is this maybe a Membership Rewards point run?
Either way, I salute your courage to come to Paris with Mrs SFO777 for shopping during Fashion Week, SFO777...
Your Amex rep will send you a gift basket for Christmas!

pewpew

I'm in Bordeaux

If you feel like slumming it with a poor student, let me know . If you don't, check out the Cité du Vin. It has a great view on the top floor + a glass of wine is included in the admission fee.

TheBOSman

The QF F lounge at LAX is "wow" if you're against the low bar of set by 95% of all other domestic USA airline lounges . It's plenty good, don't get me wrong, and it is much better than what I've seen on the KE F lounge. It's probably one of the five best airline lounges in the USA. It just isn't on the same level as QF's MEL/SYD F lounges, or LH's FCLs/FCT, or the AF CDG F lounge.

mike&co

Here we go again, this is getting a bit tedious lol. On a more serious note, looking forward to (yet) another SFO777 report with all the trimmings. Looking forward to the journey. Just one observation, the pouring of the champagne isn't correct, angle of the glass should be 45 degrees. When poured at 90 degrees it results in too many bubbles = half a glass when it settles down. However, I'm sure it was topped up.

Madone59

Have a great trip SFO777!! As always thanks for bringing us along.

BasedinCLE

Great start! I'm looking forward to the subsequent installments. I love Bordeaux, so I can't wait to see what you experienced.

SFO777

At around T-40, another La Première agent arrived to escort us to our plane.



Los Angeles-Paris
Air France 69
777-300ER (77W)
6:35p-2:00p +1
September 24, 2016
Suites 1E and 1F



We were warmly welcomed on board by the crew including our wonderful FA Caroline. What a gorgeous cabin. In my opinion, the most elegant First Class cabin in the skies.





And again today, the very strange "water only" policy until the doors close. Just pay the CA tax on the champers.













Today's menu, featuring another one of our favorite chefs, Daniel Boulud.











And the wine list. Nothing fancy but servicable selections.











And the star of the cabin!



A nice touch from the captain today as he walked into the cabin and personally welcomed the 4 of us on board, and apologized that he anticipated turbulence through much of the flight. Once the doors closed, I heard the cork pop in the galley and Caroline brought out the Bollinger.

















Our classy cabin mate, another Hollywood type who no doubt puts his feet on his furniture at home.



After take-off, more Bollinger!



But a rather strange boxed snack unlike the usual plated nuts and fruit. I'm thinking catering error today.











Showtime!











Seasonal salad, just to say I had something healthy today.





Duck gâteau with truffles and Port wine sauce.





For our main, we both went Daniel Boulud and the Atlantic Lobster with curry, black rice and bok choy.





OMG... divine!



Said turbulence which came and went much of the flight, although nowhere near as bad as the wine on the ceiling on a Cathay flight a few years ago.



A little cheese? Bien sûr.







For dessert, the Chocolate truffon and a little sorbet.





O-M-G.



Preparing the bed for 1K.









After a movie, Mrs. SFO777 decided to call it a night. The privacy curtains are one of the most brilliant ideas in air travel.





We both slept for a solid 6 hours and woke with about an hour to go. We also both passed on breakfast. I figured I'd wait to eat in the lounge.







We landed a few minutes late and then taxied for some 15 minutes before pulling into our gate.
What can I say? This was a spectacular flight with wonderful Air France service. It doesn't get much better than this.

SFO777

Thank you offerendum.

Thanks snabbu.

LOL. Thanks very much JohnRain. Yeah, note to self: Next time you plan a trip to Paris, check "Fashion Week" dates. Even Mrs. SFO777 agreed that after market prices for tickets was tickets, quickly noting that she'd rather take that money and spend it on Avenue Montaigne.

Thank pewpew and for the recommendation. Enjoy the gorgeous weather!

Good point TheBOSman. I did see a few knowledgeable AA passengers enjoying themselves before heading over to T4.

Thank you mike&co. Good observation. And although she was not pouring it properly, she waited for the bubbles to disappear and then topped up our glasses.

Thanks very much Madone59.

Thanks so much BasedinCLE, and for the PM.

seat38a

I see that Mrs. SFO777 is getting less camera shy with each trip.

HMPS

SFO777 for your next trip to France you may need this interpreter....as in I am volunteering

BTW the first photos gave me a pause for a fraction of second ! Signs say, AEROFLOT & TURKISH. I thought you are a goner.

Thor3

Ah! The start of another great adventure!

Duke787

Another fantastic TR!

I would love to give AF F a try one of these days but the cost is hard to justify for the short hop from the East Coast. For now I'll just have to live vicariously through your excellent pictures