ORD to CDG First Class
 

My mother and I are visiting some relatives in the Alsace area of France this August. We will be Flying First Class on United Airlines Boeing 777-300 out of Chicago O’Hare into Paris Charles DeGaul. Then taking a train into Strasburg. This is my first time going First class and also going international.

What kind of perks does flying the first class global get me? Lounges...ect?

What to expect on the plane? Seats...Meals...Entertainment...ect.?

Can anyone tell me what to expect once I get into CDG and getting to the
Train area and Customs at CDG? We plan on using the TVG Train system if that helps. And also doing first class type seating on that as well.

Does CDG have any perks for when we come back? Lounge access for First Class?

Appreciate any and all input. This is probably going to be my mom’s last trip overseas and last time probably to see distant relatives so I want to be ready to help make the trip as easy as possible and be able to take every advantage that would be offered that may not be commonly known.

Thank you

Flying out of ORD you will get Access to the UA First Class Lounge and also any United Clubs near your gate.

Here is a somewhat recent review of the Lounge http://upgrd.com/regionalfirst/unite...stination.html

On the plane you'll find a large fully flat seat with mixed reviews on the service and meals but you will get at least 2 meals.

At CDG arriving I wouldn't expect much because CDG is one of my least favorite airports.

Here is a link to info about the CDG TGV station http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A9...e_Gaulle_2_TGV

Flying out of CDG You get access to the Star Alliance Lounge.

Thanks!!!

UA forum is probably a better place for this (mods may move this), but I can assure you that you will be flying 777-200 if it's UA metal, as UA does not have -300.

I have not flown UA's Global First, as many, many reports say it's not much different from BusinessFirst other that slightly wider seats and one extra course during mealtime. In other words, according to many posters, be prepared to be underwhelmed :(

I have flown Biz1st a few times, and usually see a movie, and then just sleep, so in many ways the Biz1st experience is lost on me, but it's a lot better than trying to sleep in coach.

Sorry if I sound negative, but the "new" Flyer Friendly United is the same old flyer unfriendly United where you will get senior flight attendants who don't care and give mediocre service.

Others may beg to differ, but UA's F seat is not much different from its J seat except wider and in single style. On the way to CDG I would want to maximise seep rather than trying out all perks of F (which on UA are pretty slim anyway) otherwise you'll be shattered when you get to Paris. I've personally not taken the TGV from CDG to Strasbourg so I can't tell you if that's a non-stop service or not, but TGV is pretty good in most respects. I would go for first class seating there since these trains are often heaving, especially during holiday times, which in France is quite frequently.

wife and i have only flown once recently in ua F(tpap). iAd-tokyo ret). the seats?beds are much better. as beds they are wonderful. the dedicated FA is great. the food and entertainment is about the same as tatl ua biz class(flown an lot of those) similar to lh and austrialin air. the wines and the lack of really upscale food was a disappointment. the wines were of the $20 use variety. nothing really special.

the ua gf lounges are very attractive, and also serve $20 wine, and plenty of not super special food. the nh first class lounge serves slightly better food, and $30-40 wines.

For the train to Strasbourg, have you booked a TGV from the airport, or one from Paris? That'll make a difference in terms of what you need to know for the connection

We booked with TVG from the airport.

The TGV station at CDG is underneath Terminal 2, between the C/D and E/F concourses.

This site seems to have a good walkthrough of the process you'll follow for T2, along with photos and lots of instructions. For elsewhere, try the official terminal maps. (From T2G it'd be a shuttle bus, from T1 or T3 the people moover shuttle thingy)

If you want to know exactly what the layout is of the station, then this map from SNCF is pretty comprehensive!

Flounder724;
Don't let all the negativity ruin your vacation
I think the taking your first international trip in First class is something special.
The First Class UA lounge is better than the regular lounge; better food, better drinks, less crowded and much calmer.
Global First on UA is better than business and incomparable to coach; Lie-flat seats with turndown service (you get a pad on top of the seat) extra pillows and a nice comforter/duvet; it is wide and conducive to a very nice sleep in the sky. Get a glass of sparkling before departure to celebrate the trip with your mother. The food is usually tasty and I find the service is usually very good with better flight attendant to passenger ratio when compared to business class. You can grab the two middle seats
On arrival there is a welcome lounge.
On departure check-in has a separate line and there is a separate line for immigration. There is a shared lounge with other Star Alliance airlines but there is a separate section for first class passengers which is quieter and less crowded. You can find the usual coffee/tea/drinks and some breakfast food.

Suggestion:
Bring a box of chocolates and give them to the flight attendant and let them know that this is a "special" trip for your mother; trust me on this one, they will treat her very nice. Do this both ways. I usually get See's on the way there and some nice French/Belgian chocolate on the way back.

Enjoy your vacation. take lots of pictures

At ORD:

You'll have access to the "Global Services" checkin area - a separate room (Yes, room) inside Terminal 1, all the way to the left, beyond the Premium security lanes.

Inside there, a very nice well-trained person will check you in and then you'll get to go through a special door that lets you bypass the security line - you still go through security, but skip the waiting line.

From there, your plane will almost certainly leave from the C concourse, right when you come up the escalator to the C gates walk STRAIGHT and left a little circling behind the customer service desks. You'll see a door to the Global First Lounge. Inside you'll find a full buffet, complimentary beverages, including some fairly nice wines, and the ability to order off a menu.

If you're lucky, when it comes time to board someone will fetch you and walk you to the gate and whisk you around all the barriers and right onto the plane.