Air France 28 CDG-IAD 1050-1310

Despite missing my phone, the English language, Flyertalk, my Pontiac, my dog, my family and my friends, I really did not want to leave. It wasn't just that I had adventures and experiences in exotic places. It was the whole thrill of the vacation. I was unreachable unless I chose to contact someone. No one knew who I was or my story, I was completely alone while being surrounded by people. I was eating veal and drinking beer daily, waltzing around 14th Century churches and having my very German last name pronounced correctly! But, it was time to go.



After breakfast at the lounge (quite good, eggs, bacon, sausage, pastries, yogurt, juice and coffee) we waited out from for the shuttle. The driver defied rules (AND the map in his van!) and dropped us right at Terminal 2E. What a guy!





Air France has Business Class checkin behind a wall of plants. You know, just in case a video game style shoot out breaks out.



A line? For shame!



Luckily there were no roof collapses today and I managed to get through passport control quickly. However, once I got through I was confronted with a cluster of people trying to get access to the Monorail which takes you to the E Satellite Gates. Before I had time to wonder what was going on, several members of the French Army brandishing FA-MAS Submachine Guns and Border Police blowing whistles and screaming in French pushed us away from the area against the opposite wall. Eventually, that wasn't good enough and we were herded against the flow of people coming up from the busses that drop you at 2E to the lower level. Eventually, we were let through. It turned out some idiot left his bag unattended and they reacted as such. I must say, I've never had a machine gun leveled at me and it was not a very enjoyable experience.





After that I desperately needed lounge access. Sadly, unlike KLM (and yes I WILL continue to compare the two airlines and AF will rarely win) the AF J lounge was not very impressive. Nothing but cold snacks (many of them PACKAGED (The Horror!)) and the whole room felt uninviting. Low ceilings, no variety of furniture, poor signage, too few agents for too many passengers etc. etc. I ended up leaving about two minutes after arriving (though not without consuming my third and fourth croissant of the day!).



Now a note about CDG. I hate Terminal 2D, hate hate hate it. And 2E landside was not very impressive. However, 2F where I arrived the day before and the 2E Satellite are actually quite nice. Plenty of large windows, high ceilings, an abundance of natural light, and a decent amount of places to shop without being too obstructive about it. Clearing security hadn't been a problem either (though it's a LONG escalator ride up from the monorail station).





Today would be my second A-380 ride but my first in a premium cabin. It would also be the first time I sat on an upper deck in 11 long years. Also, that time was on a South African 747-400 that configured its upper deck in a bone crushing 3-3 Y layout. And it was awful. Thankfully, today would erase those memories.







I'd heard bad things about the AF J cabin from everyone from my Dad to noted Flyertalk Trip Report writer SR 103 . However, I ended up being very impressed. Maybe it was the comfortable 2-2-2 layout on the 380 but I had no issues with it. It may not have gone full flat but it beat the KL seat and I was able to get in and out quite easily. Plus I had plenty of room for my legs under the seat in front of me (which I did not have on UA and to a lesser extent, AA). The tray table was big and I liked the electronic controls.





Still thrills me. And yes I know, you can see my full name and my DL FF# number in that picture but I don't have any miles left for you to steal so don't even bother trying.







A very nice amenity kit today too, I love the case and they have a comb!Plus, now I have a bag for my shoes, should the need for one arise.



Takeoff camera? I'll drink to that!