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Of course, who knows what next year will bring. Perhaps CO will announce new European destinations in October. Some of us here would bet on NCE, but I wouldn't plan a trip around that long shot!
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Clearly, Continental needs to start IAH-NCE nonstop service.
Or IAH-Rome/Milan at least!

IAH-CDG-NCE on AF all the way. AF has very nice food on intercontinental routes, which is extremely well-presented. I'm also a fan of their service.


Myth #1: CDG is impossible to negotiate. Sure it's no AMS, but it's not the end of the world. Thousands of people do it each day, follow the signs, it's fine. The only thing that messes me up at CDG are the Macs in the lounge with French keyboards. I can deal with a Mac or a French keyboard, but not both.

Myth #2: The French are mean. A little "bonjour" and "merci" go a long way. If you can order your drink in French, even better. You may mess up their language, but hey, you tried, and they'll appreciate it.

Myth #3: AF service is spotty. Their service is very nice, but Americans are often put off by the fact that the flight crew doesn't roam the cabin much during the night part of the flight offering refills. This is very typical of European carriers. There's a self-service area near the galley, and they never cop an attitude if you ask for something you'd like.

I'd agree with Rome and/or Milan. Though who knows what AlItalia will do--airlines under threat often do strange things with ticket prices! Good for consumers, bad for competitors.

Untrue. Some don't mind and appreciate it, but many also sneer in disgust at one's miserable failure to grasp the beauty and glory that is the French language. Or they're just obnoxious. Either way, I'm about 50/50 on them appreciating the attempt at French versus hating me for it. And my French is actually pretty passable.

CDG is navigable, but way more painful than the other options presented. The redeeming factor is the in-flight food service, but I'd rather go non-stop from this side of the pond and arrive where I'm actually headed than connect on that side.

I would take CDG over JFK any day, especially if the DL terminal is involved. The place is a mess and the people who work their make the folks at EWR seem like charm school graduates. That it is the POE for so many international flights is a disgrace to the US.

I completely agree with Channa. My French is rusty at best, but I have a few phrases down pat, one of which makes fun of my poor use of the language. It always gets a smile. That, and a courteous greeting before jumping into business have helped make my visits to France very enjoyable.

For anyone needing to get from IAH to Europe, I would highly recommend the late-night AF flight. Even the people in Y seemed content after a nice dinner. I don't think I would want to take an AF 777 because of the seven across configuration. CO has the edge in J on everything but the Airbus.

I agree 100% with each of your points. Although CDG can be a bit of a challenge, it is improving, albeit slowly. AF gets a ^ from me.

Hmmmm....I wonder what they would think if you tried to use German on them after they didn't appreciate your attempt at French?

While that's generally true for non-Elites who are stuck using Terminal 3 for check-in, all First/Business class as well as Elites (including SkyTeam) can use the premium check-in facilities at Terminal 2...that has become my favorite premium check-in facility in the U.S. There is almost never a wait for a check-in agent at the BusinessElite area, even during the peak 2-6pm time (the most I've waited has been about 5-7 minutes) and the TSA line is also never more than a 5-10 minute wait, even during peak TATL travel times...

FWIW, I think the AF transatlantic catering in J is highly overrated, at least based on my r/t JFK-CDG. CO is much better, IMO. I like the AF seat a lot (for a wedgie seat...), but the IFE is a sad excuse for AVOD. I speak passable French, and agree with Channa about the French people, both the AF flight attendants, and in general.

Most flights out of JFK "feature" an abbreviated meal service to allow more time to sleep. I have never flown from the east coast so I really don't know what abbreviated means other than most of whatever is served is brought out at once similar to the executive option on CO.

I have the menu somewhere around here, but that was not the problem. It actually wasn't "all at once" unless you requested it, although in that case there was no hot entree. The food ex-JFK was decent. The food ex-CDG, which I presume is a full meal service, just wasn't good. Bland veal in a watery sauce. OK appetizer, good cheese and desert. Then the afternoon snack was just some bizzare concoction of pastrami and dried fruit. Not that I dislike pastrami or dried fruit, it was just completely unappetizing at the time...