Jul 21, 2015, 3:15 am
Last edit by: FN-GM
LIST OF ROUTES/FLIGHTS WITH BEST SEATS - update 21 April, 2017. Flights looked up for week of June 12, 2017
IMPORTANT NOTES :
- This is the list of "BEST"-operated routes for a typical week during the summer season in June 2017.
- Some of the routes listed below may see a non-BEST aircraft operating the flight some day(s) of the week
- Last minute aircraft substitution is always possible
NORTH AMERICA
- BOS (AF334/333) : on days the flight operates with a B772
- IAD (AF026/027)
- IAH (AF636/639)
- JFK (AF032/019) : operating from ORY
- JFK (AF022/023)
- JFK (AF008/009)
- LAX (AF072/073)
- LAX-PPT (AF076/077)
- SFO (AF082/083)
- YUL (AF342/345) : on certain days
- YUL (AF344/345 B787-9)
- YVR (AF374/379)
CENTRAL & LATIN AMERICAS
- EZE/MVD (AF394/393)
- EZE (AF228/229)
- SCL (AF406/407) : on certain days
- GRU (AF456/459)
- GRU (AF454/457)
- PTY (AF474/475)
- CAY (AF852/853)
- CUN (AF650/651)
- HAV (AF820/825)
ASIA
- BOM (AF218/217)
- HKG (AF188/185)
- HND (AF274/293)
- KIX (AF292/291)
- NRT (AF276/275)
- NRT (AF272/271)
- PEK (AF382/381)
- PVG (AF112/117)
- PVG (AF116/111) : only on days when the flight is B777-operated (A380 has no BEST cabins at the moment)
- CAN (AF102/107)
- SIN (AF256/257)
- SGN (AF258/257)
AFRICA
- ABJ (AF702/703) : only on days when the flight is B777-operated (A380 has no BEST cabins at the moment)
- BKO-ABJ (AF520/521)
- ACC (AF780/781)
- DLA-NSI (AF982)
- BGF-NSI (AF775/775)
- NSI (AF900/901)
- LBV (AF976/977)
- LAD (AF928/929)
MIDDLE EAST
- BEY (AF566/565)
- CAI (AF570/567 B787-9)
- DXB (AF662/643)
CONFIGURATIONS OF THE B777 FLEET
Note : this list is not up-to-date
Boeing 777-200ER 309 seats J-W-Y without new cabins : 4/25
Boeing 777-200ER in modification process : 2/25
Boeing 777-200ER 280 seats or 316 seats "quick change" J-W-Y with new cabins : 16/25
Boeing 777-200ER 312 seats (28J) J-W-Y with new cabins : 3/25
Boeing 777-300ER 303 seats P-J-W-Y without new cabins : 0/43
Boeing 777-300ER 381 seats J-W-Y without new cabins : 5/43
Boeing 777-300ER in modification process : 0/43
Boeing 777-300ER 296 seats or 322 seats "quick change" P-J-W-Y with new cabins : 20/43
Boeing 777-300ER 468 seats J-W-Y "CIO" without new cabins : 12/43
Boeing 777-300ER 381 seats J-W-Y with old J and new W-Y : 6/43
IMPORTANT NOTES :
- This is the list of "BEST"-operated routes for a typical week during the summer season in June 2017.
- Some of the routes listed below may see a non-BEST aircraft operating the flight some day(s) of the week
- Last minute aircraft substitution is always possible
NORTH AMERICA
- BOS (AF334/333) : on days the flight operates with a B772
- IAD (AF026/027)
- IAH (AF636/639)
- JFK (AF032/019) : operating from ORY
- JFK (AF022/023)
- JFK (AF008/009)
- LAX (AF072/073)
- LAX-PPT (AF076/077)
- SFO (AF082/083)
- YUL (AF342/345) : on certain days
- YUL (AF344/345 B787-9)
- YVR (AF374/379)
CENTRAL & LATIN AMERICAS
- EZE/MVD (AF394/393)
- EZE (AF228/229)
- SCL (AF406/407) : on certain days
- GRU (AF456/459)
- GRU (AF454/457)
- PTY (AF474/475)
- CAY (AF852/853)
- CUN (AF650/651)
- HAV (AF820/825)
ASIA
- BOM (AF218/217)
- HKG (AF188/185)
- HND (AF274/293)
- KIX (AF292/291)
- NRT (AF276/275)
- NRT (AF272/271)
- PEK (AF382/381)
- PVG (AF112/117)
- PVG (AF116/111) : only on days when the flight is B777-operated (A380 has no BEST cabins at the moment)
- CAN (AF102/107)
- SIN (AF256/257)
- SGN (AF258/257)
AFRICA
- ABJ (AF702/703) : only on days when the flight is B777-operated (A380 has no BEST cabins at the moment)
- BKO-ABJ (AF520/521)
- ACC (AF780/781)
- DLA-NSI (AF982)
- BGF-NSI (AF775/775)
- NSI (AF900/901)
- LBV (AF976/977)
- LAD (AF928/929)
MIDDLE EAST
- BEY (AF566/565)
- CAI (AF570/567 B787-9)
- DXB (AF662/643)
CONFIGURATIONS OF THE B777 FLEET
Note : this list is not up-to-date
Boeing 777-200ER 309 seats J-W-Y without new cabins : 4/25
Code:
F-GSPA – NEV4 F-GSPE – NEV4 F-GSPM – NEV4 F-GSPZ – NEV4
Code:
F-GSPD F-GSPP
Boeing 777-200ER 280 seats or 316 seats "quick change" J-W-Y with new cabins : 16/25
Code:
F-GSPB – BEST F-GSPC – BEST F-GSPF – BEST F-GSPG – BEST F-GSPH – BEST F-GSPI – BEST F-GSPJ - BEST F-GSPK – BEST F-GSPQ – BEST F-GSPR – BEST F-GSPS – BEST F-GSPT – BEST F-GSPU – BEST F-GSPV – BEST F-GSPX – BEST F-GSPY – BESTor
Code:
F-GSPL – BEST F-GSPO – BEST F-GSPN – BEST
Boeing 777-300ER 303 seats P-J-W-Y without new cabins : 0/43
Code:
All Converted to BEST
Boeing 777-300ER 381 seats J-W-Y without new cabins : 5/43
Code:
F-GSQD – NEV4 F-GSQE – NEV4 F-GZNH – NEV4 F-GZNI – NEV4 F-GZNJ - NEV4 F-GZNK – NEV4
Boeing 777-300ER in modification process : 0/43
Boeing 777-300ER 296 seats or 322 seats "quick change" P-J-W-Y with new cabins : 20/43
Code:
F-GSQA – BEST F-GSQB – BEST F-GSQC – BEST F-GSQF – BEST F-GSQG – BEST F-GSQH – BEST F-GSQI – BEST F-GSQJ – BEST F-GSQK – BEST F-GSQL – BEST F-GSQY – BEST F-GSQM – BEST F-GSQU - BEST F-GSQV – BEST F-GSQY – BEST F-GZNA – BEST F-GZNB - BEST F-GZNC – BEST F-GZND - BEST F-GZNE – BESTor
Code:
F-GSQN – NEV4 F-GSQO – NEV4 F-GSQP – NEV4 F-GSQR – NEV4 F-GSQS – NEV4 F-GSQT – NEV4 F-GSQX – NEV4 F-GZNF – NEV4 F-GZNG – NEV4 F-GZNL – NEV4 F-GZNN – NEV4 F-GZNO – NEV4
Boeing 777-300ER 381 seats J-W-Y with old J and new W-Y : 6/43
Code:
F-GZNP – NEV4 (delivered new from Boeing in April 2015) F-GZNQ – NEV4 (delivered new from Boeing in May 2015) F-GZNR – NEV4 (delivered new from Boeing in November 2015) F-GZNS - NEV4 (delivered new from Boeing in March 2016) F-GZNT - NEV4 (delivered new from Boeing in March 2016) F-GZNU - NEV4 (delivered new from Boeing in April 2016)
777 New Cabins - Deployment Schedule
May 20, 2015, 12:19 pm
#241
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 238
Thanks Goldorak - but my real concern was my first question....even though I have assigned seats in a cabin that is 1+2+1 for April 2016, based on the recent comments, should I presume that could be AF being overly optimistic about the rollout of the new biz cabin? ...that I am likely to end up in an old seat? We are flying IAH-CDG.
May 20, 2015, 8:59 pm
#242
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,568
Thanks Goldorak - but my real concern was my first question....even though I have assigned seats in a cabin that is 1+2+1 for April 2016, based on the recent comments, should I presume that could be AF being overly optimistic about the rollout of the new biz cabin? ...that I am likely to end up in an old seat? We are flying IAH-CDG.
But it is fair to say that you are not certain to end up in a new seat. You could end up in an old seat, but that is not "very likely". Impossible to make a probability assessment 11 months ahead.
May 21, 2015, 12:23 am
#243
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,930
May 25, 2015, 11:37 am
#244
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Not next to Dorian anymore =(
Programs: Status... we don't need no stinkin' status
Posts: 218
A new update for BEST deployment has been posted by AF. As it would take me too much time to compare from the previous version, I put everything here.
- 5 frames end 2014
- 26 frames end 2015 (so 21 retrofitted in 2015)
- 44 frames end 2016 (so 18 retrofitted in 2016)
So total of 44 B777 in BEST out of 62 today in AF fleet ==> 18 B777 will stay in NEV4 (in config 42J or COI/14J).
- in 2017 : beginning of retrofit of the Airbus fleet (except A340 which will be in the process of leaving the fleet).
List of 2014/2015 destinations and date of 1st flight (warning : it doesn't necessarily mean that BEST is present every day on a specific route)
(J) means that this flight has no P and so is equipped with J/W/Y BEST
(P) means that this flight has the 4 BEST cabins (P/J/W/Y).
- YVR (AF374/379): 20 june 2015 (J)
- 5 frames end 2014
- 26 frames end 2015 (so 21 retrofitted in 2015)
- 44 frames end 2016 (so 18 retrofitted in 2016)
So total of 44 B777 in BEST out of 62 today in AF fleet ==> 18 B777 will stay in NEV4 (in config 42J or COI/14J).
- in 2017 : beginning of retrofit of the Airbus fleet (except A340 which will be in the process of leaving the fleet).
List of 2014/2015 destinations and date of 1st flight (warning : it doesn't necessarily mean that BEST is present every day on a specific route)
(J) means that this flight has no P and so is equipped with J/W/Y BEST
(P) means that this flight has the 4 BEST cabins (P/J/W/Y).
- YVR (AF374/379): 20 june 2015 (J)
May 25, 2015, 2:45 pm
#245
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,930
May 25, 2015, 3:10 pm
#246
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,834
I just booked a YVR-CDG for Sept/Oct. I checked the seat maps on af.com for every day of the week around the dates I wanted to fly and only found the new BEST seats on one day out of the week both outbound and return, the rest being the old 2-3-2 config. So I grabbed them. I am hoping the new roll out means more dates with the new seats by then and I can change the outbound. So just check the seat maps on AF website for each day around your travel dates. And Seat Guru does have a version of the new 1-2-1 config.
May 25, 2015, 6:40 pm
#247
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Not next to Dorian anymore =(
Programs: Status... we don't need no stinkin' status
Posts: 218
I just booked a YVR-CDG for Sept/Oct. I checked the seat maps on af.com for every day of the week around the dates I wanted to fly and only found the new BEST seats on one day out of the week both outbound and return, the rest being the old 2-3-2 config. So I grabbed them. I am hoping the new roll out means more dates with the new seats by then and I can change the outbound. So just check the seat maps on AF website for each day around your travel dates. And Seat Guru does have a version of the new 1-2-1 config.
). I hope that changes to Wednesday and Fridays also.
May 25, 2015, 8:09 pm
#248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,568
Given AF experience, it is not likely that AF "forecast" that BEST will fly one specific day a week to YVR would be honored. It could be, that I would not count on it with certainty. There will still be few retrofitted frames available and with AF policy to sprinkle them to a very large number of destinations, nothing is assured. A simple delay in delivery of one plane, some maintenance/tech problem on a couple of planes could fully disturb the schedule of that plane. And that is assuming that AF does not chnage its mind on where to send those BEST planes.
I would suggest that you set your expectations on getting an "old" plane and be happily surprised if a BEST plane shows up.
I would suggest that you set your expectations on getting an "old" plane and be happily surprised if a BEST plane shows up.
May 28, 2015, 6:38 am
#249
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,592
Off topic : who is the marketing genius who called this cabin "BEST"
"COPY / PASTE" will be more appropriate hahaha
"COPY / PASTE" will be more appropriate hahaha
May 28, 2015, 4:43 pm
#250
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Programs: FB Plat for life, FB PC, M&M FT, Hertz President (+ many low tier cards)
Posts: 2,777
Jun 2, 2015, 4:02 am
#251
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 11
AF 777-200 CDG-LAX Layout
Hi all,
Apologies for such a newbie question, but I've checked all the usual places but can't figure out the layout of the Air France plane I'm booked on from CDG to LAX. I'm booked in economy and it looks like economy starts at row 7 and it's interspersed with Seat Plus seats. I can't find any reference to this cabin layout online (Air France site, seatguru etc). Has anyone flown this plane?
Apologies for such a newbie question, but I've checked all the usual places but can't figure out the layout of the Air France plane I'm booked on from CDG to LAX. I'm booked in economy and it looks like economy starts at row 7 and it's interspersed with Seat Plus seats. I can't find any reference to this cabin layout online (Air France site, seatguru etc). Has anyone flown this plane?
Jun 3, 2015, 12:01 am
#252
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,930
Hi all,
Apologies for such a newbie question, but I've checked all the usual places but can't figure out the layout of the Air France plane I'm booked on from CDG to LAX. I'm booked in economy and it looks like economy starts at row 7 and it's interspersed with Seat Plus seats. I can't find any reference to this cabin layout online (Air France site, seatguru etc). Has anyone flown this plane?
Apologies for such a newbie question, but I've checked all the usual places but can't figure out the layout of the Air France plane I'm booked on from CDG to LAX. I'm booked in economy and it looks like economy starts at row 7 and it's interspersed with Seat Plus seats. I can't find any reference to this cabin layout online (Air France site, seatguru etc). Has anyone flown this plane?
What we see here is the configuration "quick change". You are likely traveling this summer ? You are on a 772 equipped with the new BEST seats. AF had a crazy idea which is to remove some rows of J seats during the period of summer holidays when J cabins are less filled, to replace them by Y seats all sold as seat plus. This results in a crazy config with J, then Y, then W and then again Y.
More info about Quick Change here :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-f...il-2015-a.html
The picture of the seat map you included in your post is the 1st one we see here on this forum. So thank you for having shared it with us ^
I have to say that I had hesitations. I mean, reading your post, I immediately thought about Quick Change, but I was wondering "where is the W cabin ?" So I checked the regular config on AF site and W is from row 19 to 21. And we don't see these rows on your seat map because it's a different cabin.
PS : LAX is supposed to receive this config from July 6 on AF072/069, so it seems they are on schedule ;-)
Last edited by Goldorak; Jun 3, 2015 at 3:20 pm
Jun 3, 2015, 12:16 am
#253
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,568
DO we have feedback on the quickchange experiment went (I think in April)?
Jun 3, 2015, 3:15 am
#254
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 11
Ah. This one is tough !
What we see here is the configuration "quick change". You are likely traveling this summer ? You are on a 772 equipped with the new BEST seats. AF had a crazy idea which is to remove some row of J seats during the period of summer holidays when J cabins are less filled, to replace them by Y seats all sold as seat plus. This results in a crazy config with J, then Y, then W and then again Y.
More info about Quick Change here :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-f...il-2015-a.html
The picture of the seat map you included in your post is the 1st one we see here on this forum. So thank you for having share it with us ^
I have to say that I had hesitations. I mean, reading your post, I immediately thought about Quick Change, but I was wondering "where is the W cabin ?" So I checked the regular config on AF site and W is from row 19 to 21. And we don't see these rows on your seat map because it's a different cabin.
PS : LAX is supposed to receive this config from July 6 on AF072/069, so it seems they are on schedule ;-)
What we see here is the configuration "quick change". You are likely traveling this summer ? You are on a 772 equipped with the new BEST seats. AF had a crazy idea which is to remove some row of J seats during the period of summer holidays when J cabins are less filled, to replace them by Y seats all sold as seat plus. This results in a crazy config with J, then Y, then W and then again Y.
More info about Quick Change here :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-f...il-2015-a.html
The picture of the seat map you included in your post is the 1st one we see here on this forum. So thank you for having share it with us ^
I have to say that I had hesitations. I mean, reading your post, I immediately thought about Quick Change, but I was wondering "where is the W cabin ?" So I checked the regular config on AF site and W is from row 19 to 21. And we don't see these rows on your seat map because it's a different cabin.
PS : LAX is supposed to receive this config from July 6 on AF072/069, so it seems they are on schedule ;-)
Has anyone flown this configuration yet? I'm just wondering whether I'd be better to choose an Exit Seat or a Seat Plus seat (I'm 6' 4").
Jun 3, 2015, 5:06 am
#255
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
I agree with those that argue that Air France should not be relied upon when it comes to deploying the new cabins exactly as announced in their statement. When they say "From date, flight AF xxx, CDG-yyy" one may still end up on a plane with the old cabin (yikes).
However, I use expertflyer's seat map and I find that very reliable. Air France has to decide many weeks ahead which plane will do a certain flight on a certain date, and they can do so by planning planes' rotations, their ground times for maintenance, etc. Otherwise it would be impossible to offer seat maps at the time of booking.
This does not protect passengers from a last minute change which may occur because the BEST plane that was supposed to operate the flight has gone tech. But expertflyer in general is a very reliable indicator at least of what Air France intends to do.
However, I use expertflyer's seat map and I find that very reliable. Air France has to decide many weeks ahead which plane will do a certain flight on a certain date, and they can do so by planning planes' rotations, their ground times for maintenance, etc. Otherwise it would be impossible to offer seat maps at the time of booking.
This does not protect passengers from a last minute change which may occur because the BEST plane that was supposed to operate the flight has gone tech. But expertflyer in general is a very reliable indicator at least of what Air France intends to do.