I don’t know if some of you noticed, but approximately since 3 or 4 months, AF has changed its protocol of service in J long-haul, and not for the best. It is still under testing period, so I sincerely hope it won’t stay.

I usually always travel at the front (rows 1 or 2) for the usual reasons : disembarking faster and being served food first. The latter is especially important for me on night flights to maximize sleep time (crucial for US/CAN flights).

Since 3-4 months, I noticed that it was taking longer and longer to be served the meals and finally noticed they are now starting the service from the back of the cabin. I discussed with some flight attendants and they explained me it was the new protocol decided with the suppression of 1 FA in J and the introduction of the configuration of the new retrofitted B777. With each cart (one per alley), you have now only 1 FA instead of 2 and the remaining FA are in the galley to prepare the warm main dishes and bring them to pax. Due to this, they start the service from the back, to facilitate access to the alley to the FA bringing the main course. The result of this is that, if you are seated at the front, it takes literally forever to be served (minimum 2.5 hrs, up to 3hrs after take-off). I have a significant number of data points now. Today for instance, I am on a flight that left CDG gate at 13:20 and I received my tray at 16:10. I did a BOS trip recently and it was the same from CDG. Worst on the way back, when they removed my tray, there was only 3h45 of flight time remaining (total 6 hrs flight time).

You will tell me that one just need to take a seat at the back of the J cabin, but I don’t like this because more traffic with galleys and toilets and because of the noise coming from W/Y cabin with baby bassinets.

This is also affecting Y (and W to a lesser extent). The service is also taking much more time than before.

I discussed a lot with the FA of my flight today and they are unhappy of this. They realize also it’s taking forever.

Another thing to mention is that Ultimates are supposed to be served first, but it is more and more forgotten.

I will report this to AF as I believe it’s really a very bad trend. I encourage you to do the same if you also noticed this and don’t like it.