San Gottardo

Thanks olivedel, that report gives us a good sense of what traveling in the new P could look like. ^

I wouldn't argue that it's "the best" out there (but then define "best" - and it's not because it isn't that I would refute it), I wouldn't say that they have come up with any real innovations other than the curtain, but all in all I really really like it. The cons that you listed are cons, surely, but absolutely nothing there that would make me hesitate to fly in that cabin and to fully enjoy it.

Maybe as a single traveler I would avoid at all costs to be in the central block. Enclosed with another person behind curtains but only that small divider, feels a bit like a field hospital from one of the world wars.

For trips from Paris to destinations served by P this is a great product. I hope to have an opportunity to test it as soon as it is deployed this autumn.

Well done Air France ^ Just cut the marketing blubber about "the best" and just let facts speak for itself. From the pictures I can see I'd put this easily on par with what European competitors offer, there is absolutely no need to hype it up by language. It is good enough as it is! It looks like a very good First Class cabin, bravo

irishguy28

Great report!

And now I no longer than think that olivedel is a lady called Olive with connections to Delhi.

orbitmic

Hi olivedel, thanks again for the report! One question you did not answer (tss tss!! ) is whether AF have finally listened to feedback and the noise cancelling headphones are now normal detachable Bose or if they are still "permanent headphones". I have had numerous problems of non-working headsets so hope they did listen!

Shame about the central block. 2 out of 4 seats seem to have little privacy.

Goldorak

Thank you Olivedel for this great live report.

What a disappointment

MikeFromTokyo

At first glance I do not see a material difference in comfort over the current P seats. I do not like the idea of curtains.

olivedel

I am afraid to tell you that they did not listen to your feedback: the headset is attached.

Well. They have full privacy towards the aisle, not between each other.

FD1971

Indeed, cause we all know that there is no better way to fly just to the east of France.

First of all, this is a very realistic F class. One, which can be sold at realistic prices to earn a decent return on a few routes.

One should not forget that AF is in the early stages of cutting a lot of fat and that we will very likely see those rather superficial attempts being followed by one or two more serious rounds of cuts, so per se a slightly updated F makes sense from various points of view.

Letting the facts speak for itself is indeed the major task for KL/AF in the next couple of years. Without any doubt, communication is important, but there is far more demand for letting the facts speak for itself in the Finance &Controlling departments.

A slightly better product will not save KL/AF from getting another major round of Government aid paid by the general public, despite the cont. attempts by the unions to convince us of that. The only thing to get back on track is a realistic product in all classes and major cuts.

Another look to the east will reveal how to do it.

I certainly hope that KL/AF is strong enough not to become a slave of some rather obscure Middle East Government owned carrier. It would be sad to see such proud carriers follow the path of airlines like Air Serbia, Air Berlin or Alitalia.

GetSetJetSet

as usual Air France goes to market with a product that is obsolete (as far as competing with the best) before it's even installed.

orbitmic

I think I'll make them a forcible appointment to an ORL. If it were only me, that would be a thing, but complaints about fixed headset problems have been common on FT over the years (and very natural too, for all practical purposes, headsets are essentially not designed to live as long as planes).

Hmmm... a "50% private" seat does not strike me as quite good enough for P. I hope that as for the new J they give priority window pre-assignments to elite plus members although I doubt that they will.

jbcarioca

As an F flyer with AF, EK, LH, SQ, CX and others, I admit to choosing AF whenever possible. They have not the cabin consistency that some might, but La Premiere has without exception been a stellar experience for me in the air. The Lounge and services at CDG are unparalleled for me. At several stations the lounge itself is below par (JNB comes to mind as an excellent example of a poor AF lounge) but the other P services are excellent. I suppose I am an outlier in this, but I understand that precise cabin configurations change and I do not especially mind not having the EK 'over-the-top' and the upcoming EY 'over-the-over-the-top' physical layout.

MikeFromTokyo

Quite apart from these enhancements, due to AF's poor FFP I tend to fly foreign carriers for travel to Paris. I prefer to fly Asian, US, or gulf carriers whenever it makes sense.

TPJ

Looks poor comparing to EY Residence and Apartment concept that was also released this week

AshleyB

AF/KLM receive no government aid. EU rules strictly prohibit government subsidies to airlines. The merged group has been standing on its own for quite a long time. Allowing for the volatile nature of market conditions it has performed rather well overall.

I must say that the two seats in the centre of the cabin are likely to be really quite odd for two strangers who find themselves sharing what amounts to a sort of airborne tent. Looking at it from that point of view, for a single traveller, this cabin is ONLY worthwhile if you get a window seat. A serious flaw in this design.

orbitmic

Indeed, I'm almost thinking that if I was in one of the middle seats and had a stranger next to me, I would have an incentive NOT to draw my curtain because if I did and so did the other person but we had nothing more than the small divider it would feel most awkward to me. And I am a man, for a woman I imagine it would feel even worse.

jtmnyc00

Excited to to try it.