Paris MLL
 

I will be going to Paris early next week for business, on Air Canada. How is the AC MLL there, compared to other MLLs? Will I have access to any other Star Alliance lounges, from the terminal building that AC departs? If so, how do these lounges compare to the MLL?

There is an MLL at CDG T2- it's in the basement of the pod-like departure area (gates A-38 or so). It is about average, I think - bathrooms located outside of the lounge, no windows and a bit smallish, same Yabu Pushelberg design (I think it was them who designed the lounges). Better snackies, though, which isn't surprising.

I've never used the other *A lounges in CDG - the general chaos of that terminal causes me to run to the MLL as soon as possible to recover from the cramped checkin facility and long security lines (and if you're doing that VAT return thing, add an additional measure of frustration). Anyone know if AC is likely to move to one of the newer terminals ?

Well, AC is in one of the 'newer terminal' already. It is more likely that they will move in the Old T1 terminal to join other Star Alliance Carriers.

Obviously, newer terminal means 2F or 2E, it won't happen anytime soon because they are for AF and Skyteam members.

According to AC Horizons, AC and OS have signed the agreement but will determine their position regarding Terminal 1 at a later date...

OS uses Air France Lounge as they code share their flights with AF in the Schengen area of terminal 2D .

Other *A lounges are located in T1, this includes United, Lufthansa, SAS, ANA and maybe others that I am not aware.

*A partner BD (bmi) also have a lounge in Satellite 3 of CDG T1.

I sincerely hope that AC doesn't move into T1 without there being a MAJOR overhaul of that facility. The place is very worn, and though it may have been cutting-edge when CDG opened in the early 70's, it has not aged well.

Personnally, I enjoy AC's current MLL in the "pod" at CDG T2A, although it does tend to get crowded around 9:30 when SE, E and J pax from 871 (YUL)and 881 (YYZ) have checked in and start arriving "en masse".

I don't think any of the other *A companies has a lounge in T2A.

AA have a lounge (Admiral's Club ?) very close to the CDG MLL. You come right to it as you take the escalator downwards to the MLL in the "pod". I've never been inside but you can get a bit of a look through a series of windows when you head into the 2A terminal when deplaning upon arrival on 870.

I've always enjoyed the MLL at Paris, although it's a bit of a walk to and from the new 'pod' if you are trundling lots of carry-ons.

The surroundings are quite nice, and staff was helpful the last time I was there.

Actually got an unexpected op upgrade at the gate when I boarded as well. (G)

Lots of the usual edibles in the lounge, although I, too, thought the selection was a bit better than most MLLs.

And the internet access was working -- and available -- which was a plus.

You'll feel right at home.

Oh, and the *E/SE checkin area is kind of hidden behind the LONG lineup for regular check-in. I was so grateful to discover it after seeing the hundreds of folks in line for both Montreal and Toronto flights.

AirbusFan, I share your enthusiasm for the CDG MLL : as continental breakfasts go, this place is better than many Paris hotels.

One of the attendants showed me the showers they have in there; he explained that they were mostly aimed at serving customers who were connecting in to CDG from flights ex-Africa which arrive around 5-7 A.M., before departing to YUL and YYZ. They are however available to all admitted patrons.

The staff are indeed nice and usually show flexibility when you have 1 extra guest; sometimes they charge the 14 Euros fee, sometimes not.

The walk to the "pod" is indeed long, but the walk to the gate isn't.

Excellent point on the J/SE/E and (don't forget) P priority check-in line. It's usually hidden behind the HUGE crowd for 871 and 881; look for the documents control kiosk to the extreme left of the Y check-in line, closest to the 2 or 3 check-in counters behind a concrete pillar http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif. AC coordinators, C, F or JP and one of the concierges are usually right there along with the ADP supervisor.

Anecdote : the passport and security control gate for AC flights in CDG is the same one that let Shoe-Bomber Richard Reid onto the CDG-MIA flight (December 2002 ?). http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by NordsFan (edited Feb 04, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by NordsFan (edited Feb 04, 2004).]

"he explained that they were mostly aimed at serving customers who were connecting in to CDG from flights ex-Africa which arrive around 5-7 A.M.,"

that's me, great place to wash up and get refreshed after 7 hours in coach!--hate to see this move to older Terminal as I connect to my AF flights to Africa and on return to AC to Canada at this part of the terminal so it is very convenient going to and from Africa.

Does this lounge keep a selection of Canadian newspapers and magazines?

Usually available from the previous day : Montreal Gazette, National Post, La Presse, Le Devoir.

Usual same day French papers : France Soir, Le Figaro and Les Echos.

I was in the lounge, yesterday, on the way back to Ottawa.

The quality and quantity of food was indeed superior to the average MLL.

There was no Canadian reading material yesterday.

There were 2 computers with internet access - one was down.

I agree - the lines in T2, for all airlines, were horrendous. It is difficult to circumnavigate these lines, to get to the AC priority line. The AC priority line was short - one of the 2agents was dealing with someone from the regular line, when I showed up. I arrived at this terminal building at about 10:15 AM - it still took me 45 minutes to have passed passport control/security.

Getting through to passport control and security - again, very long line.

The pod had all the stores that the main hall had (including duty-free store) - but much less congested. Also, there was a branch of the dept store, Gallerie Lafayette (did I spell it correctly?), in the pod?

The lounge agent usually announces to the people to leave the lounge at noon - the official closing time for the lounge - for the 12:25 PM flight to Toronto. I left 15 minutes before this; by the time I arrived at the gate 5 minutes later, the announcement had been made the SE/E/business class passengers can start boarding (onto the shuttle bus which takes you to the plane, sitting on the tarmac, some distance from all the gates).



[This message has been edited by FlyerGoldII (edited Feb 12, 2004).]

I recall reading that T1 will undergo a lengthy renovation process beginning in April. They will renovate the Terminal in 'quarters like a pie' is the quote I recalled reading.

I find T1 architecturally interesting but it is not very passenger friendly (ok, after years of ex-YVR I may be a bit spoiled).

When I flew CDG-AMS on RG, the clueless third-party check-in agents were not only unsure if I was allowed to go to the lounge; but whether it would be worth it since UA and RG were in different satellites. I was content to forgo the RCC and snack on my French baguette sandwich that the RG FAs passed out to pax minutes after we took off.

A bit OT, but I found that RG CDG-AMS flight a blast.

Free seating on a 777, 45-minute flight. That plane took off like a rocket out of CDG http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif