Goldorak

Are you serious ? knowing you, I'm sure you are, but that's crazy !
Any link/source ?

stimpy

I sent an email to [email protected] asking about the VIP service
and the reply back was....

Goodmorning,

The VIP service in Amsterdam is only for customers departing Amsterdam on their first segment of the tickets and therefor for trips starting in Amsterdam and tickets bought in the Netherlands,


Best regards
XXXX-name removed

KLM The Netherlands
KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES

Also here is a link about the service http://www.airfrance.nl/NL/en/local/...a_Premiere.htm

But notice that it states it is for journeys that begin at Schiphol and that are bought and paid for in the Netherlands.

delanotre

This specific link for NL should be extended to all Air France country websites!

ijgordon

Yeah, that makes no sense. So on your return P journey AMS-CDG-SIN, you show up at AMS, have to use Business check-in, and find your own way to the lounge?! (Hmm...okay, that does sound like first world problems, but still...)

FWIW, earlier this year I did JFK-ZRH on DL and ZRH-CDG-JFK in AF P (so ticket purchased in the US), and got the full treatment in ZRH (minus the chauffeur which I knew was only for tickets purchased in Switzerland, and coming from Zermatt it didn't matter anyway). So it was the escort to lounge, roped off area in lounge with snacks set-up, and escort to gate and then seat.

SkyteamEP

I never had escort from the lounge to the gate when I was flying in P from ZRH (last time was a year ago). The escort always left me at the lounge.
It's nice they started escorting to the gate.

CCayley

This is such a helpful, if slightly worrying, thread.

I have my first ever Air France flight in 2 days. I booked JFK-LHR return in La Premiere class. I have had no contact from Air France beyond the booking confirmation email. So I have a couple of questions (please accept my apologies if they disclose Air France newbie stupidity):

1. I assume I just turn up at JFK Terminal 1 as normal. How early can I arrive? Does anything special happen or do I just queue at that terminal's somewhat charmless security like everyone else (no problem if so - I just want to know);
2. What happens on arrival at CDG? Do I just wander to my LHR flight as per other passengers?
3. Based on this thread I assume my arrival at T4 in LHR will not be in any way 'special'. Is the position any different when I arrive for the return flight in a month's time?;

Thanks in advance for any comments/advice!

Goldorak

There is no need for a special prior contact with AF if you have no specific question or demand.
1) you go at T1 indeed. There is a dedicated check-in counter for P pax. You will be escorted through security (bypassing all lines) to the lounge. There is a dedicated area in the lounge upstairs for P pax and there is a special menu. I believe you can arrive anytime you want. AF counters will open something like 3-4 hrs before their 1st flight of the day.
2) arriving in CDG, you will be greeted in the jetway by a La Première agent who will drive you to the P lounge by limo. When it will be time for your LHR flight, they will escort you (by limo or just walking if the gate is very close to the lounge) to the plane.
3) no personal experience, but as per the information posted here, it seems that there is nothing special on arrival indeed.

lloydah

It seems that you get the full service- leaving and returning - at airports where there are P flights taking off rather than biz connections. I may be totally wrong on this but I've been met and escorted at all times leaving from LHR but never met returning, whereas in CDG or IAD or similar where the P flight actually lands it's all smooth and seamless.

CCayley

That is really helpful and informative. Thanks very much.^

delanotre

As promised, my report as a La Première traveler from LHR, airport with no AF flights with «.La Première.». You need to fly via CDG.

At check-in, red carpet for business class but nothing special for first class
It is a private company that checks the AF flight to CDG
The attendant, asked me if I want to be accompanied to the lounge: I agreed
A few minutes later, I was accompanied to the Skyteam Lounge through VIP fast track for immigration, but public security checking lane

At the lounge the hostess, asked me if I wish to be accompanied to the gate later. I agreed.
She then accompanied me to the 1st floor where a closed space is reserved for VIP.
She then came back with a few snacks, hams and cheeses, chocolates and a bottle of champagne Paul Drouet, refrigerated.
However, there are many more choices outside this reserved space.

At the time of boarding, I was accompanied and was the first in the plane, greeted by the crew, including Captain ...

On arrival in CDG, nothing special as I stop in Paris for 3 days. I take my flight in «.La Première.» next Monday.

afmiami

Thank you for the update. I will be flying in/out of LHR La Premiere through CDG from/to Miami later this year. From other posts I assume that there is not an arrival special service in LHR

delanotre

I come back to LHR at the end of the month and, as posted above, I do not wait anything...

Goldorak

Thank you Delanotre for the update
I'm not sure what you mean here. There is no immigration control on departure from LHR, so you just go through security (by the VIP/Priority lane ?) bypassing the queue if any (I have to say I never had anyone in front of may at the priority security at LHR T4).

delanotre

I am better in french than in english
Yes, you are right, it is a passeport control by VIP fast track private lane isolated by high walls. So probably not the same way that you mention. A new one?

Goldorak

no problem
I think I know the lane you are talking about, but for me this is the VIP lane for security ? There is no passport control normally here. Unless of course they just introduced that in link with the recent terrorist attacks in London. But I have been through LHR T4 several times since those events and never experienced anything unusual in the procedures.