And the review for the return flight...
Flight: AI 142
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR
Flight route: CDG-DEL-MAA (DEL-MAA on A321) on Nov 28-29
Booking class: Business
Seats: 2-3-2 layout, almost flat (the foot area doesn't come up fully)
What I liked:
~ Business class was barely a third full, so plenty of space (not different from the outbound, Y was almost full though with tourists going to Kathmandu)
~ Flight was 30 mins ahead of schedule coming into DEL
What needs work:
~ Food wasn't great this time around, just no taste for the entire mass served on the tray
~ Why is the blanket so narrow and thin?
~ No amenity kit, but toothbrush+toothpaste available on request
~ No dedicated lounge in DEL, back to Delhi Daredevils restaurant
~ CDG lounge managed by AF was bad, no food at all other than a thin sandwich and beverages; my plan of having dinner in the lounge and getting about 6 hrs of sleep on the flight was therefore dashed
~ Online check in is not available for CDG departures
~ Be prepared to walk quite a bit in CDG - to the checkin counter, then all the way back to immigration and then to gate C91 which is the farthest in terminal 2C
Overall: My expectations were low, so AI had no problem meeting them. The DEL airport experience was excellent with an escort through security. Both ways, they had my paperwork ready including a security tag for my handbag.