AF v NW
 

Anybody have any experience/thoughts on AF Business vs. NW Business class trans-atlantic travel?

I've done AF J on CDG-JFK and was pretty impressed, though the lie-flat-at-an-angle seats bother some. NW's A330s are considered much better than their other TATL planes, so that may affect your enjoyment as those are only on limited routes. Then again, the AF New Concept seats are limited, too.

Food & Beverage should be better on AF.

See also the following previous threads that discuss it at some level:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ss#post8914679
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ss#post7166145
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ss#post3606511

NW A330 WBC is pretty good ride. Avoid the 757. Even though it is configured different than domestic it still does not hold a candle to the A330. Can't help you on the comparison to AF.

I have flown both in the past couple weeks and find them pretty similar. I flew AF JFK-CDG and then AF CDG-PVG. On the flight to Paris I was very disappointed with the breakfast- it was no better than the breakfasts served in domestic US F- a fruit plate with yoghurt and a roll (no hot plate option). Also the dinner was served express-style with appetizer, entree, etc on the same plate. T

he second flight CDG-PVG was a bit nicer with a more "proper" meal service and a nice hot breakfast with a choice of omelette with mushroom cepe sauce or crepes suzette with cream and syrup. There was also supposed to be a buffet with Asian noodles and ice cream- I passed this so-called area several times and didn't see anything. They're probably kept the ice cream in the freezer though so if I had asked I could probably have gotten it but they didn't walk around and pass it out as they do on some flights.

The seats on AF/NW are pretty identical- I find them a bit annoying since you can't maneuver some of the seat parts without moving others. I prefer the AF pillow to NW's- it's a lot comfier.

NW has more movies on their AVOD system than AF does but AF has the game "Who wants to be a millionaire" which can be quite addictive... I was pretty disapponted in AFs food this time around so can't say it's that much better although the desserts are usually more inventive and it is mor elikely you will get a choice of appetizers on AF than on NW. Also I prefer AF FAs- not saying they're anything spectacular just that I'd prefer them over NW's.

Amenity kits are pretty much the same- no chic products on either carrier although AFs does have a sample of Clarins day cream and the amenity pouch is nicer.

The bottomline is I would prefer AF but if NW is a lot more convenient or you are saving money by using them you wouldn't be missing all that much.