Just returned from another long-haul trip (CDG-JNB) on Affaires in the New Travel Concept (NEV) on 777-300.
I've said it before on this forum and it was once again confirmed: I feel it is a mediocre product in more ways than one!
I make a few comparisons with sister-company KLM, who is bashed quite regularly on this forum.
1) Check-in at CDG:
Yes, internet check-in now more widely available (thanks to KL system now implemented on the AF site), but if you travel with a bag (and most of us do now, due to the EU safety regulations), the counters only open 3 hours before flight departure.
Now for the main AF hub, this is really strange and customer unfriendly, can anyone explain why?
The check-in agent was friendly and efficient.
2) Lounges at CDG
Lounges are very good. However, quite crowded at around 21:00 hours. Nice selection of drinks and snacks. Good seats, poor magazine selection.
3) Boarding at CDG
A mess! No priority boarding enforced. Boarding through two bridges but no indication of who should board through which door, so most pax chose the left bridge.
4) Cabin
The J-class cabin is divided into a mini cabin with two rows of 2-3-2.
And a main cabin with 1 row of 2-2 and then 7 rows of 2-3-2.
When you are on row 6 or so, on the middle seat, there are about 52 other pax around you.
How is that for a Business Class experience...?
I counted only 3 toilets for 67 pax. A ratio of more than 1:22...
(comparison: on KL the biggest single J cabin is 35 (on 777 also), with 747 having 18 (downstairs) and 24 respectively. And may I add, 2 toilets per cabin, so worst ratio is 2:35).
5) Seat
The seat is poor!
It is the lie-flat type, with a hard back (which is better than KL, where your front neighbor reclines into you).
However, the footrest of the seat is considerably shorter than KL so your feet hang over the edge.
My solution was to place my carry-on at the end of my feet.
6) Audio-video
Poor selection of movies/programmes.
Only two handsfull of channels.
Poor music selection.
Bad headset.
Compare this to the KL on-demand system on 777/A330 with noise-reduction headset.
And even to the old KL 747 system with good movies, although not on demand.
7) Meals and drinks
Now bearing in mind the name of French cuisine, you'd expect AF to excel in this.
Not really so!
Apperitif served without any snack (where are my nuts...!)
Choice of starter (foie gras or shrimps) is good and better than KL (no choice).
Nice breads served with generous cup of good butter.
But main course (choice of 3) was rather disappointing.
Choice of wines not really adventurous.
Champagne was Charles Heidsick.
Wines and champagne served in whisky glasses...?
Cheese platter good but served with main course.
OK choice of deserts.
8) Inflight bag/blanket
Nothing special, shoe bag is nice touch.
Blanket too small to cover average person's body.
9) Service of flight attendants
OK, nothing special.
Sufficient crew
assenger ratio though(I counted 4 flight attendants and a purser for 67 pax).
This is better than on KL with only 2 for 35 pax in J-class.
10) De-planing
Good. Y-class pax kept back while F/J deplaned and were whisked away by the first bus.
11) Baggage.
Poor, despite the "priority" tags my 2 bags were delivered in the third batch. I would say I'd seen at least 120 bags drop on the belt before mine arrived.
All in all, OK experience.
But no better than KL
Inferior to BA J-class (current style, I am guessing the new product will be even better) or SA.