This was a mileage redemption trip; I got the cheapest rate for business class (at the time, 100,000 SkyMiles) for IAD-CDG-DUB on AF on the eastbound, LHR-IAD on VS on the westbound.

At IAD, AF and KLM have a combined check-in and lounge operation. I think that the IAD lounge is actually nicer than the KLM lounges in AMS; for that matter, I like the lounges in CDG better than the ones in AMS. The one thing I don't like at IAD is outside AF's control--Virginia state liquor regulations forbid self-service adult beverages, so you have to go to an attendant to get them to serve you.

AF was flying the 777-300, which I believe is a newer aircraft than the 777-200 that KLM was using. The AF seats recline much further than the ones on KLM (this comment is limited to the 777; the KLM seats on their 747 and A330-200 aircraft are similar to the AF 777-300 seats and are almost lie flat (I think 176 degrees, or 4 degrees from horizontal).

AF did not serve a PDB on my flight (beyond the bottles of water at each seat), but the FAs were up and about fairly quickly after the plane had ascended above 10,000 feet.

IAD to CDG is a relatively short flight (about 6:30-6:45, depending on the winds and traffic at CDG). There has been a push on by airlines (VS is certainly another) to have express dinner service on flights out of IAD. Our dinner was basically served all on one tray, and dinner service, including desert and an aperitif, was completed before we reached Halifax, NS (about 800 miles NE of IAD). Food was acceptable, but was accelerated on this flight (I've been on flights out of IAD were dinner was not completed until beyond Newfoundland, another 500 miles down the road). Whatever flight kitchen AF and KL use at IAD always seems to do a good job catering the flights.

I drink champagne with dinner as I like it better than still wines; they had something like Philliponat on the flight (another brand they use is Monopole). I like Calvados, and I made sure I had one on this flight before turning in. As I had been drinking in the AF salon for a couple of hours before the flight, I was ready for bed when the tray was cleared away, and I woke up in time for landing at CDG.

Service was courteous and efficient. Flight left the gate 15 minutes early (one good thing about AF out of IAD, their crews want to get home to France, and they try to get boarding and baggage services complete so that they can leave the moment the last person boards). The flight parked ahead of schedule.

I didn't have much of a wait in the Acces #1 line (they actually had two different lanes open on my trip), although it drives me crazy to have to go through security more than once on a trip (and in Paris, they make you take all your electronics out of the bag, not just your laptop). I didn't have to change buildings at CDG, so the AF lounge in T2E is pretty close to the security check-point, down the stairs or elevator, and I was greeted with a smile there.

This was one of the most uneventful TATL trips I've ever taken, which as a frequent flyer is what you want the most. Quick, comfortable, enjoyable.