Air France La Premiere
Jul 10, 2012, 4:25 pm
#46
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Excellent report thanks for posting!
Btw, only two entree selections in F on JFK-CDG is a little off-putting to me. Even though you can eat in the lounge, you'd think they'd have at least three.
Btw, only two entree selections in F on JFK-CDG is a little off-putting to me. Even though you can eat in the lounge, you'd think they'd have at least three.
Jul 10, 2012, 9:15 pm
#49
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Excellent report. Flying SIN-CDG-JFK in a few months and upgraded to La Premiere even on the cheap RGN ticket. Really looking forward to the 20+ hours now on the 380. I have almost 7 hrs connection in CDG. (I wanted the 380 CDG-JFK) Do they have sleeping rooms in the lounge at CDG?
Jul 16, 2012, 2:28 pm
#52
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Thanks Dag. I posted my most recent La Premiere experience earlier this year in the AF forum but without all the great pictures you took. I agree it is, for the most part, the best F experience in Europe. I fly BA F often and have done LH F many times, but I haven't tried Swiss in recent years.
Jul 17, 2012, 1:29 am
#53
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A nice report! What opened my eyes was the limited selection on an F menu! Quite surprised, but then it makes sense with what the AF budget is.
Connecting flights terrible as always. Thank goodness the FA on the OSL-CDG asked about the transfer, you'd think it would be done automatically or by OSL station.
Connecting flights terrible as always. Thank goodness the FA on the OSL-CDG asked about the transfer, you'd think it would be done automatically or by OSL station.
Jul 18, 2012, 9:15 am
#55
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Enjoyed the whole report and great to read about AF as I've not flown with them for an age. A pleasant change from the many reports on LH F!
Jul 27, 2012, 4:51 am
#56
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Thanks for all the comments
I'm not that into amenity kits, but I guess they were ok. Kits and PJ's on flights in both directions, I'll put in pictures in the next post.
Lounge was busy from 9:30 to 10:15, then almost empty.
The inflight product might look subpar, but compared to Lufthansa (which so many have flown and seem to like, it is slightly better)
The presentation was not the best, but I tend to care more for the taste.
Selection was the same, but the 380 menu contained all the La Premiere wines, not just the one for actual flight.
Kind of wierd, and something AF should improve. Could be just this flight, or could be standard procedure.
Could have been 3, or a dine-in-the-lounge option. But it looked like the other 8 in the F cabin were more into sleeping than eating a full meal.
Yes, pictures will follow in the next post.
It was an award. Paying for F to NYC, I'd go with Swiss or Singapore, since Air France is probably the most expensive option out there.
Not separate rooms, but relaxing area and couches which I think they can make a bed on. Just ask the assistant.
It is not that the inflight product is so bad, it is the ground experience that is so good, far better than Swiss / Thai and even Lufthansa.
The pick up at 2G was arranged automaticly, but the FA offered to get the pilot to confirm it via ACARS on her own intiative. Very good service. I've not had Lufthansa or Thai do the same without asking.
Anyway, it's kind of funny to see how hostile people on this board are to Air France.
The inflight product might look subpar, but compared to Lufthansa (which so many have flown and seem to like, it is slightly better)
The presentation was not the best, but I tend to care more for the taste.
Could have been 3, or a dine-in-the-lounge option. But it looked like the other 8 in the F cabin were more into sleeping than eating a full meal.
It was an award. Paying for F to NYC, I'd go with Swiss or Singapore, since Air France is probably the most expensive option out there.
Anyway, it's kind of funny to see how hostile people on this board are to Air France.
Jul 27, 2012, 5:27 am
#57
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Sorry for the delay, I've been gone for work for some weeks. Here are the pictures:
PJ. A380 to the right. Slightly different bag, and slightly different PJ. Liked the 380 better, since it was a little bit bigger.
A380 PJ, not the best pic
Got this kit when I requested a shower at JFK
Contents of the kit
The kit found in the washroom of the 380, grabbed a few since no one else did. Getting dusty already, lost in box.
Contents of the kit
A kit was handed out on the A380, but I only kept this bag that was inside it.
Contents of the kit
PJ. A380 to the right. Slightly different bag, and slightly different PJ. Liked the 380 better, since it was a little bit bigger.
A380 PJ, not the best pic
Got this kit when I requested a shower at JFK
Contents of the kit
The kit found in the washroom of the 380, grabbed a few since no one else did. Getting dusty already, lost in box.
Contents of the kit
A kit was handed out on the A380, but I only kept this bag that was inside it.
Contents of the kit
Jul 28, 2012, 11:39 am
#58
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Thanks for the nice report and lovely photos!
I agree. I tried Air France La Première earlier this week on Paris-Tokyo and found the whole first class experience better than many airlines frequently featured here (and I have tried about a dozen airlines in F). I don't think AF is a perfect airline but they don't deserve all the bashing.
The ground experience in CDG is truly wonderful, I'll rank it above LH FCT in FRA and probably above all other ground services I have tried (hard choice with the SQ Private Room in SIN which is pretty good too). The actual transfer works better than FCT and includes limo transfer also on arrival. The food in CDG beats FCT hands down, no competition. The drinks selection is obviously wider in the FCT but the drinks selection in CDG was still rather good and the staff knew what they serving and could give advice. The service was very elegant in CDG and I personally found it very attentive. My personal assistant was a lovely woman who made her outmost to make me feel comfortable.
I found the inflight experience to be excellent but obviously this depends on the crew. I fully enjoyed the food service and would rank the food pretty high compared to competitors. The drinks selection had a very French touch, as the food I guess. Lots of interesting liqueurs for example but for me who enjoys a whisky after a nice meal I would have prefered to see something else (JW Blue surely missing).
The seat is perfectly OK although not the most modern, they could have opted for something more modern when they launched the A380. I slept well in the seat and loved the very comfortable duvet offered as well as the pyjamas which wasn't too warm (which I have found a problem on some other airlines).
All-in-all I wouldn't hesitate a second to do it again.
The ground experience in CDG is truly wonderful, I'll rank it above LH FCT in FRA and probably above all other ground services I have tried (hard choice with the SQ Private Room in SIN which is pretty good too). The actual transfer works better than FCT and includes limo transfer also on arrival. The food in CDG beats FCT hands down, no competition. The drinks selection is obviously wider in the FCT but the drinks selection in CDG was still rather good and the staff knew what they serving and could give advice. The service was very elegant in CDG and I personally found it very attentive. My personal assistant was a lovely woman who made her outmost to make me feel comfortable.
I found the inflight experience to be excellent but obviously this depends on the crew. I fully enjoyed the food service and would rank the food pretty high compared to competitors. The drinks selection had a very French touch, as the food I guess. Lots of interesting liqueurs for example but for me who enjoys a whisky after a nice meal I would have prefered to see something else (JW Blue surely missing).
The seat is perfectly OK although not the most modern, they could have opted for something more modern when they launched the A380. I slept well in the seat and loved the very comfortable duvet offered as well as the pyjamas which wasn't too warm (which I have found a problem on some other airlines).
All-in-all I wouldn't hesitate a second to do it again.
Last edited by jacob_m; Jul 28, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Jul 28, 2012, 3:16 pm
#59
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Jul 28, 2012, 3:35 pm
#60
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But when this is your meal on a 1hr35 minute flight (VIE-CDG) and then the crew disappears for the rest of the flight you find yourself thinking "wow, had I been flying AA First on a similar length leg it would probably be better, more comfortable too". And don't get me started on the overcrowded CDG J lounges with no hot food