JOUY31

Well, this thread about suggestions to improvements to CDG operations now includes a comparison of CDG1 vs CDG2. Since the beginning of 2009, I've had about 40 flights from/into CDG2 and I have not experienced any significant disruption to my travel pattern. The fact that most of my destinations are served by 2F and 2E, rather than 2A/B or 2D probably helps.

There are, of course, things that I don't enjoy in CDG2 and improvements by ADP would be welcome :

- 2B should have been renovated earlier than scheduled, when half of it became a Schengen terminal; ADP should have renovated it instead of bringing into it U2 from CDG3
- 2A and 2C should also be improved; the plan for an additional airside area connecting them is welcome news
- 2D is more like an overcrowded bus station, and I especially dislike the audio system that is often inaudible in the gates area
- I don't really like the fact that regional aircrafts from Schengen destinations scheduled to arrive at 2D now arrive at 2G most of the time
- I am still waiting for the replacement to the Air France Pegase initiative for biometric scans, although the Acces n°1 lines are a nice substitute

On the other hand, there have been some improvements and I especially like:
- the airside transfer bus from 2D to 2E
- the premium check-in desks in 2D (in addition to the existing ones in 2C, 2E and 2F) as well as its associated Acces n°1 checkpoints
- the ease with which I breeze through 2E's baggage drop for premium customers and Acces n°1 (also on arrival) for immigration and security
- to a somewhat lesser extent, the same seamless experience in 2F1 & 2F2
- the fact that all my flights from/into 2E have had a jetbridge up to now (except for flights using regional aircrafts)
- the replacement of the iMacs with HP PCs in AF lounges
- relaxing in the 2E lounge while reading GEO and sipping a glass of chilled Poire Williams

Of course, there are non-functional escalators, moving walkways, or screens, just as in other airports; I have always managed to walk alongside the moving walkway, use stairs alongside the escalator or elevator, walk a few meters to another display screen; without any significant impact on my travel experience.

So is CDG1 better than CDG2 for some passengers ? Of course it is, if that is your experience. In my case, with the exception of two unexpected arrivals into 2G rather than 2D, CDG2 has been a pretty much seamless and enjoyable experience this year.