Originally Posted by
jrl767
unfortunately this is another instance of an operational disruption hosing at least one passenger when a flight is coded as "through/direct" for marketing purposes
the ATL options are AF at 855pm (a 744; J is downstairs) or DL at midnight (A330-300); looks like the MEM-DTW trip (connecting to an AF A340) is on schedule
If you're in J, watch out for the 2-3-2 business class configurations on AF aircraft, with seats that aren't really flat beds (some are slanted, for instance). Note also that IIRC the AF flights from CDG (or Orly) to NCE are coach only.
IME a better recovery option would be to try for DL (not KLM for the same seat/configuration reasons) to AMS followed by AF or KLM to NCE. You could also explore DL or VS to LHR connecting to AF to NCE, but the VS and some DL flights would require a change of terminals at LHR, which is a hassle. (You use the underground train.)
If your MEM-ATL flight is posting a delay, IMO you should assume that you will miss the ATL-NCE segment. If you cannot get onto an earlier flight to ATL, you should take action now to protect yourself. If DL won't protect you on another flight, I'd just switch the reservation now rather than hoping for the best. The fact that today is Tuesday is on your side, but it's toward the end of high season and many flights are likely to be packed. If you do nothing now, the odds are extremely high that you will arrive into NCE at least one day late.
BTW, does DL no longer fly JFK-NCE? I thought that was the old PanAm route that DL acquired, rather than ATL-NCE. The nonstops into NCE tend to be full with high revenue passengers.