Hard to believe, I know, especially given all the other corners cut by AF, but this is standard and as far as I can tell, not just for elites. Every time my connections at CDG have been close, I have been whisked away by ground staff and made my plane, with my bags.

The transfer of bags between planes is really pretty remarkable. And the one time my bag arrived at CDG but didn't make it to the carousel, a baggage agent was able to track it by computer and have it delivered to the correct carousel in under ten minutes. I am sure there are horror stories out there, but - touch wood - I've always been impressed.