Part 2

Got into the far, far end of the UA Terminal B at about 18:30 so have plenty of time to make a 20:30 in the int'l terminal. Start to walk, and walk, and walk. Get over to T5 to see about 4 people in line at AF, one entry point to the queue. Pull out my biz class DL (ticketed for AF flt) and get waved through. Don't seem to have any biz class line--about 5 mins and I'm waved over to a regular ckin position. The agent seems competent, but not very friendly, and speaks French, first. Anyway, get my lounge pass, connecting boarding pass, and am sent over to the AF lounge. Go through security to lounge. Really disappointing lounge--the extent of the food is olives (standard US green pimiento stuffed), crackers and cookies. This is it...although a good selection of drinks. Wait for about an hr--they don't really call the flt but people kind of straggle out to the gate (which is right next door). Get on board the 767-300 with 5-across biz class (yes!) and sit down. I note that biz class is full (25 seats) and coach has 95 (which would be about 60% full only).

I was not expecting much from AF, but was quite pleasantly surprised! Everything was done very well, and I actually think I prefer it to Delta Biz Elite.

Sit down to a blanket and 2 pillows in the seat, amenity kit in seatback pocket. Preflight drinks are very slow in coming, but it seemed that this was just the way AF did it. They were passed w/a smile right before takeoff.

Menus handed around after takeoff. Effective safety demonstration, with flight attendants actually standing in aisle as the video played. (I was in row 4 and it was tough to see b/c of place ment of screens).

Appetizer choices--smoked salmon or (cold) roll of chicken w/gorgonzola and smoked duck breast over salad greens (my choice--was delicious.

Dinner choices--filet steak or boulliabasse (I had boull. which was delicious, with crunchy croutons. My seatmate had the beef, which looked deliciously rare)

Cheese offered (pre-plated, 3 choices--a blue veined Roquefort, a rind-ed cheese (very mild and delicious) and an yellow firm type.

Dessert was fresh fruit from a basket or strawberry tart.

Leaned back with help of 1/2 Ambien tablet and think I slept.

B'fast was either pancakes filled with apple, sausage link and (oddly) a broiled tomato, or egg omelet. I had the pancakes.

Interesting, all wine and champagne was served in tumblers--kind of unpretentious.

Best looking trays I think I've ever seen--everything in blue and white, really attractive chinaware, big utensils.

I was definitely impressed. Stopped at a bus gate at CDG, long bus ride to terminal. Walked over to 2D for flt to Hambourg. AF lounge nice, light and airy on 2d level of terminal. Security area congested but got through in abt 10 mins. Walked onto 737 to HAM--3 rows of biz class. 1/2 full in biz, DK how full in coach.

Served cold plate of roast beef along with a really delicious square of tirami-su like cake--nice and moist.

Right on time into HAM. 2 hr wait for KL flight to AMS. Explore airport a bit--Diners Club lounge closed on Sundays.

KL uses Ogden for handling at HAM. Not very good service--they open ckin only 1 1/2 hours before flight time, so when they open they have a long queue. Lots of people seem to be going to Cairo. Finally open a biz class line 1 hr before flt time, but the effort is futile.

F70, all coach, nearly full. Amazing they serve a sandwich on this flight. In to a bus gate at AMS, short wait for luggage.

Onto the Hotel Ibis...