Yes, it was a great flight.

While one hesitates to heap too much praise on the Perfidious French, I find it difficult to recall many other flights where I left the plane thinking "yep, that's how the experience ought to be".
Interestingly, the Chef de Cabine made an observation along the lines of 'it's all about the crew, there is little to choose between the hard products'. I think the subtext was "and I make bloody sure that anyone on my watch does it properly". Perhaps she was trained in a former life by the eminent Dr Pucci. I'd like to think so.

And that was one thing in common on both flights - crews were top-notch but it must be easier to deliver what is sold as a premium service when aspects beyond the crew's control - such as basics like food and booze - back up the offering.

So far as hard product goes, I think the CW seat would be better for a kip, but overall I left the AF (day) flight with a feeling verging on the euphoric, if truth be told. The Armagnac helped, I'm sure.

For comparison, I left the BA flight thinking "I try very hard to love you, BA, but you make it bloody difficult sometimes, In fact, a lot of the time". And I write as someone who still believes that one should 'Fly the Flag' (what a great campaign that was, but I digress) and I really want to walk off a BA flight thinking the same thoughts I had leaving the AF equivalent.

It's also disappointing that a 'third world' airport managed a better show in all resoects (save lounges) than LHR T4 - though in the interests of balance my T5 experiences thus far have been excellent. And yes, that isn't entirely within BA's control.

I digress again, possibly due to the influence of the Chateau Laplagnotte-Bellevue Grand Cru 2003.

Sincere thanks to all for the kind words regarding my humble trip report - I'll get off the soap box now.