AF IAH-CDG - Business Class
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 1
AF IAH-CDG - Business Class
I'm confused about business class on this route. I have tickets purchased (Flight 639) in July -- and the booking seat map shows the 1-2-1 configuration. However, I couldn't complete seat selection on the return route (same seat configuration shown).
I called AF, which routed me to the Delta I believe -- and the Delta rep says that it is not the new business class cabin.
Can anybody help me to figure out, if this is --or is not-- the new business class product?
-R
I called AF, which routed me to the Delta I believe -- and the Delta rep says that it is not the new business class cabin.
Can anybody help me to figure out, if this is --or is not-- the new business class product?
-R
#3
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Delta DM; Marriott Plat; United Silver
Posts: 41
I flew this route at Christmas. While it could be the new upgraded business class, it likely is not.
I was told that an A330 was the norm now and not the B777. I few over in an A330 (2-2-2, 7 rows) arriving at 850a and sent to a bus-in gate again. I flew back on the B777, which was 1-2-1, 18 rows or so. The B777 has one row of true first, but it is not even sold on this route.
Anyway, the new business seats could be in the A330 by then. I'm just relating my experience and will defer to an FB elite.
I was told that an A330 was the norm now and not the B777. I few over in an A330 (2-2-2, 7 rows) arriving at 850a and sent to a bus-in gate again. I flew back on the B777, which was 1-2-1, 18 rows or so. The B777 has one row of true first, but it is not even sold on this route.
Anyway, the new business seats could be in the A330 by then. I'm just relating my experience and will defer to an FB elite.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
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I flew this route at Christmas. While it could be the new upgraded business class, it likely is not.
I was told that an A330 was the norm now and not the B777. I few over in an A330 (2-2-2, 7 rows) arriving at 850a and sent to a bus-in gate again. I flew back on the B777, which was 1-2-1, 18 rows or so. The B777 has one row of true first, but it is not even sold on this route.
Anyway, the new business seats could be in the A330 by then. I'm just relating my experience and will defer to an FB elite.
I was told that an A330 was the norm now and not the B777. I few over in an A330 (2-2-2, 7 rows) arriving at 850a and sent to a bus-in gate again. I flew back on the B777, which was 1-2-1, 18 rows or so. The B777 has one row of true first, but it is not even sold on this route.
Anyway, the new business seats could be in the A330 by then. I'm just relating my experience and will defer to an FB elite.
You say "The B777 has one row of true first, but it is not even sold on this route. " : this is of course wrong : F is sold on this route when it is proposed.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
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#6
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Delta DM; Marriott Plat; United Silver
Posts: 41
AF Purser on the flight on January 4, 2016 said they don't sell La Premier on this route---like I said it may a distinction between high and low season.
A B777 will have the new seats.
I purchased tickets in August 2015 for Christmas travel on a B777. In November, the plane was changed to an A330 for my 19 December 2015 flight.
I had to endure a 7-hour layover because the arrival time changed from 835a to 850a and they would not honor the original 945a departure connection despite being a Diamond in a purchased premium cabin. That 15-minute difference is because of the change from a B777 to an A330 so it is most certainly not a classic 777 route.
I flew this route in March 2014 and both legs were B777. But when we had the B777 back on January 4, the purser said it was an operational anomaly for four days.
The bottom line is that AF will do what it pleases. Good luck.
A B777 will have the new seats.
I purchased tickets in August 2015 for Christmas travel on a B777. In November, the plane was changed to an A330 for my 19 December 2015 flight.
I had to endure a 7-hour layover because the arrival time changed from 835a to 850a and they would not honor the original 945a departure connection despite being a Diamond in a purchased premium cabin. That 15-minute difference is because of the change from a B777 to an A330 so it is most certainly not a classic 777 route.
I flew this route in March 2014 and both legs were B777. But when we had the B777 back on January 4, the purser said it was an operational anomaly for four days.
The bottom line is that AF will do what it pleases. Good luck.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Delta DM; Marriott Plat; United Silver
Posts: 41
I had a little time today so checked this summer. It does appear that La Premier is being sold with a B777 for some parts of the year and for relatively good prices---8K round trip from IAH.
My next confirmed AF flight---next Christmas is on an A330 in business 2-2-2.
So we are all saying the same thing.
The posters above noting B777 service in high season are correct. And my statements regarding A330 service are obviously correct as well since it just happened.
I would urge caution though because I don't think that AF would feel compelled to honor an $8K La Premier seat or a lie-flat business seat. Considering that my A330 experience was being sold in November after the change from a B777 to an A330 for $10K, I would not be surprised by anything that AF chooses to do. And I see little recourse in EU 261.
Frankly, I found AF customer service and Paris operations inflexible and obstinate, but the cabin crews delightful. Nevertheless for my Eastern European Christmas trips, it is a truly difficult decision whether to do a three-legged trip on DL vs. a two-legged trip on AF. For Western Europe, I'm sticking to DL metal unless the alliance significantly improves or the policies become a bit more uniform.
My next confirmed AF flight---next Christmas is on an A330 in business 2-2-2.
So we are all saying the same thing.
The posters above noting B777 service in high season are correct. And my statements regarding A330 service are obviously correct as well since it just happened.
I would urge caution though because I don't think that AF would feel compelled to honor an $8K La Premier seat or a lie-flat business seat. Considering that my A330 experience was being sold in November after the change from a B777 to an A330 for $10K, I would not be surprised by anything that AF chooses to do. And I see little recourse in EU 261.
Frankly, I found AF customer service and Paris operations inflexible and obstinate, but the cabin crews delightful. Nevertheless for my Eastern European Christmas trips, it is a truly difficult decision whether to do a three-legged trip on DL vs. a two-legged trip on AF. For Western Europe, I'm sticking to DL metal unless the alliance significantly improves or the policies become a bit more uniform.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,927
Sorry, but I continue to be very confused by your statements.
I do insist and confirm : when this route is operated by a 777 with P, P is sold on it. And whatever a cabin crew has told you about P not proposed for sale while the plane being equipped with P seats is plainly wrong or you may have misunderstood. When the flight is operated by an A330, as they have no P, obviously P is not sold in this case.
Remember that AF has only a couple of routes and planes with P, so when they place a plane with P on a route, this class is definitely proposed for sale (if they sell those seats is another story). If not proposed for sale, then they have plenty of other adequate plane configurations to use instead.
I do insist and confirm : when this route is operated by a 777 with P, P is sold on it. And whatever a cabin crew has told you about P not proposed for sale while the plane being equipped with P seats is plainly wrong or you may have misunderstood. When the flight is operated by an A330, as they have no P, obviously P is not sold in this case.
Remember that AF has only a couple of routes and planes with P, so when they place a plane with P on a route, this class is definitely proposed for sale (if they sell those seats is another story). If not proposed for sale, then they have plenty of other adequate plane configurations to use instead.