Wine in Bordeaux, Shopping in Paris via spectacular Air France 77W La Première
Oct 8, 2016, 8:44 am
#76
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It's a wonderful hotel. 
Merci nicolas75. We also say bonjour with a big smile.
I would agree that restaurant service in France is very good compared to most other countries. But the hostess/host thing of frequently trying to seat you at a crap table is the same all over the world. In that case, our SOP is to request and get a better table. In the case of Champeaux, the hostess-with-an-attitude told me that there were no tables available in a quieter and more spacious section. When I walked over and pointed out 3 available tables to her, she grudgingly moved us there.
Thanks nequine. It was a haul with just our carry-ons.
All I can say is Bonne Chance! 
Thank you worldtraveller73. You were in the old Business Class which is indeed pretty crappy. The new BEST Business Class product looked very nice from what I could tell.
Thanks very much adampenrith.
Strangely I very rarely receive bad service in France (maybe because I say bonjour with a big smile). And service at (good) restaurants is definitely more professional in France than in many other countries (people know their products, have a culture of etiquette). By the way, service is very smiling and attentive at Champeaux (food is solid brasserie like with a twist).
I would agree that restaurant service in France is very good compared to most other countries. But the hostess/host thing of frequently trying to seat you at a crap table is the same all over the world. In that case, our SOP is to request and get a better table. In the case of Champeaux, the hostess-with-an-attitude told me that there were no tables available in a quieter and more spacious section. When I walked over and pointed out 3 available tables to her, she grudgingly moved us there.
This looks like another great trip.
I am sorry to report that the Air France Business Class experience is nothing like what the La Premiere experience looks to be. Having recently experienced it in September on YVR-CDG-MUC, it meant (to us) apathetic crews, strange food that just tasted bland, and business lounges packed with weary travelers.
It must be the personal touch of La Premiere that sets it apart from other First Class carriers as, unlike a fine automobile, those finer trickle down features like seat heaters and coolers aren't turning up in the business class products.
I'd take Lufthansa Business over Air France Business any day - and maybe even Air Canada over Air France. Looking forward to the rest. ^
I am sorry to report that the Air France Business Class experience is nothing like what the La Premiere experience looks to be. Having recently experienced it in September on YVR-CDG-MUC, it meant (to us) apathetic crews, strange food that just tasted bland, and business lounges packed with weary travelers.
It must be the personal touch of La Premiere that sets it apart from other First Class carriers as, unlike a fine automobile, those finer trickle down features like seat heaters and coolers aren't turning up in the business class products.
I'd take Lufthansa Business over Air France Business any day - and maybe even Air Canada over Air France. Looking forward to the rest. ^
Thanks very much adampenrith.
Oct 9, 2016, 3:54 pm
#83
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Oct 9, 2016, 8:52 pm
#85
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Phenomenal trip report! Love the attention to detail in your photography, especially in AF F and around Paris.
It's tempting to switch to DL, but I hate Skyteam (save for AF) and AA's OW partners BA, JL, and CX are essential to me based on where I fly. The ability to redeem miles on AF F is super tempting, though.
If you end up getting an apartment in Paris and want some extra revenue from renting out while you're away, drop brewdog11 a PM!
It's tempting to switch to DL, but I hate Skyteam (save for AF) and AA's OW partners BA, JL, and CX are essential to me based on where I fly. The ability to redeem miles on AF F is super tempting, though.
If you end up getting an apartment in Paris and want some extra revenue from renting out while you're away, drop brewdog11 a PM!
Oct 10, 2016, 5:27 am
#86
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Geneva, Dubai, Paris
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The salad has been on the menu for years and I've enjoyed it on many occasions. It might indeed be the best salad ever.
Oct 12, 2016, 3:39 pm
#87
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,159
, 11am-5pm with a lunch and a drive around too. Not a bad deal really Anyhow, a great TR (^) and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I got really drawn into it and the different parts of each city and the culture, architecture etc. and I could tell you both had a great time.
Of course fab quality photos as usual capturing the 'moment'. To me that is what Photography is all about and your very good at that.
You also say you can get AF F tickets for 3k return from the US?! That's an amazing price.
Thanks for sharing SFO777
Pete
Oct 12, 2016, 4:55 pm
#88
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Heading home... and one the best travel experiences ever!
Light traffic in Paris Saturday morning and we were at CDG in 25 minutes.
And at the La Première door of Terminal 2E some two and a half hours before departure.
And a warm welcome at La Première check-in.
Our wonderful La Première agent escorted us thru a labyrinth of locked and secret doors to a private Customs office where our Tax Free forms were processed.
Then back to the departures level...
... and VIP passport control and security.
To the amazing La Première Lounge.
We passed on breakfast at the hotel so that we could enjoy an Alain Ducasse lunch before our flight. With a sensational 1er cru Chassagne-Montrachet.
Mrs. SFO777 started with the Lobster Caesar salad...
... while I just had to have the Coquillettes avec jambon/Comté/Truffe noir one more time. Simply amazing!
While Mrs. SFO777 had the wonderful croque-volaille.
What a wonderful place to spend time before your flight.
Light traffic in Paris Saturday morning and we were at CDG in 25 minutes.
And at the La Première door of Terminal 2E some two and a half hours before departure.
And a warm welcome at La Première check-in.
Our wonderful La Première agent escorted us thru a labyrinth of locked and secret doors to a private Customs office where our Tax Free forms were processed.
Then back to the departures level...
... and VIP passport control and security.
To the amazing La Première Lounge.
We passed on breakfast at the hotel so that we could enjoy an Alain Ducasse lunch before our flight. With a sensational 1er cru Chassagne-Montrachet.
Mrs. SFO777 started with the Lobster Caesar salad...
... while I just had to have the Coquillettes avec jambon/Comté/Truffe noir one more time. Simply amazing!
While Mrs. SFO777 had the wonderful croque-volaille.
What a wonderful place to spend time before your flight.
Last edited by SFO777; Oct 12, 2016 at 9:05 pm
Oct 12, 2016, 4:55 pm
#89
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Join Date: Nov 2007
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Posts: 21,603
During lunch, our wonderful Personal Assistant from last weekend, Georgette stopped by to say hello. She then accompanied us downstairs...
... hugs and kisses later, bid us adieu as our PA for today escorted us to our waiting BMW.
And the drive across the airport to our waiting 777-300ER and one of the best flight ever.
Talk about First Class, a private jet bridge only for First Class.
Paris-Los Angeles
Air France 072
777-300ER (77W)
1:40p-4:25p
October 1, 2016
Suites 1E and 1F
A happy Mrs. SFO777, even more so when we learned that we were going to enjoy a private charter to LAX as we were the only passengers today. I can't get enough of this stunningly gorgeous cabin.
Enough with the pics already. LOL.
Our wonderful FA Sophie doted on us for the entire 11 hour flight, starting with a glass of Cristal at the gate.
Today's new October menu.
After take-off, more Cristal and caviar.
Since we had eaten in the La Première Lounge, we opted to wait a couple of hours before our main inflight meal.
Showtime, with Sophie offering Mrs. SFO777 a glass of the lovely 2014 Joseph Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Embazée.
The Chicken cream aspic starter was delicious.
Our refreshing fresh seasonal salad.
Showtime for our mains.
Mrs. SFO777 opted for the Tenderloin of Beef with red wine sauce and morel mushrooms. She said is was good although a little too well done for her taste.
My turn.
My Scallops and rock lobster with truffles was sensational.
OMG, one more time before the diet.
And the most amazing dessert selection with the sweets from Lenôtre.
Mrs. SFO777 went for the chocolate.
While I chose the Saint-Honoré, sweet almond paste, vanilla cream puff and white vanilla chocolate ganache. Wow, this was to die for.
After dinner, Sophie made our beds for us in the adjacent suites, so we could nap at our leisure.
After a movie, I decided to explore the rest of the 77W. The Business Class cabin featured Air France's new BEST seats, 1-2-1 configuration that looked pretty good, if you can't be in First.
Meanwhile, back up front.
We both moved over to our beds. I napped for 3 hours, Mrs. SFO777 for nearly 5 hours.
Around 2 hours before landing, Sophie served another lighter meal.
My veal with sugar snap peas was delicious, with anchovy flan, carrots, thyme and veal jus flavored with ajowan.
Mrs. SFO777 surfaced after my meal and had a few nibbles including a Chicken croque-monsieur and cheese plate with Neufchatel, chestnut honey and quince.
Just over 11 hours after wheels up, we are on final approach to LAX.
What can I say? This was one of our best flights ever. And the service continued at our LAX arrival gate as our La Première Assistant from a week ago was waiting for us in the jet bridge as the door opened. She escorted us to customs, waited while we paid taxes/duty and then walked with us outside to meet our driver. Wow, amazing.
The entire Air France La Première experience is simply spectacular both on the ground and in the air. Today solidifies our ranking of Air France as the absolute best first class in the world.
For more pics and an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com.
... hugs and kisses later, bid us adieu as our PA for today escorted us to our waiting BMW.
And the drive across the airport to our waiting 777-300ER and one of the best flight ever.
Talk about First Class, a private jet bridge only for First Class.
Paris-Los Angeles
Air France 072
777-300ER (77W)
1:40p-4:25p
October 1, 2016
Suites 1E and 1F
A happy Mrs. SFO777, even more so when we learned that we were going to enjoy a private charter to LAX as we were the only passengers today. I can't get enough of this stunningly gorgeous cabin.
Enough with the pics already. LOL.
Our wonderful FA Sophie doted on us for the entire 11 hour flight, starting with a glass of Cristal at the gate.
Today's new October menu.
After take-off, more Cristal and caviar.
Since we had eaten in the La Première Lounge, we opted to wait a couple of hours before our main inflight meal.
Showtime, with Sophie offering Mrs. SFO777 a glass of the lovely 2014 Joseph Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Embazée.
The Chicken cream aspic starter was delicious.
Our refreshing fresh seasonal salad.
Showtime for our mains.
Mrs. SFO777 opted for the Tenderloin of Beef with red wine sauce and morel mushrooms. She said is was good although a little too well done for her taste.
My turn.
My Scallops and rock lobster with truffles was sensational.
OMG, one more time before the diet.
And the most amazing dessert selection with the sweets from Lenôtre.
Mrs. SFO777 went for the chocolate.
While I chose the Saint-Honoré, sweet almond paste, vanilla cream puff and white vanilla chocolate ganache. Wow, this was to die for.
After dinner, Sophie made our beds for us in the adjacent suites, so we could nap at our leisure.
After a movie, I decided to explore the rest of the 77W. The Business Class cabin featured Air France's new BEST seats, 1-2-1 configuration that looked pretty good, if you can't be in First.
Meanwhile, back up front.
We both moved over to our beds. I napped for 3 hours, Mrs. SFO777 for nearly 5 hours.
Around 2 hours before landing, Sophie served another lighter meal.
My veal with sugar snap peas was delicious, with anchovy flan, carrots, thyme and veal jus flavored with ajowan.
Mrs. SFO777 surfaced after my meal and had a few nibbles including a Chicken croque-monsieur and cheese plate with Neufchatel, chestnut honey and quince.
Just over 11 hours after wheels up, we are on final approach to LAX.
What can I say? This was one of our best flights ever. And the service continued at our LAX arrival gate as our La Première Assistant from a week ago was waiting for us in the jet bridge as the door opened. She escorted us to customs, waited while we paid taxes/duty and then walked with us outside to meet our driver. Wow, amazing.
The entire Air France La Première experience is simply spectacular both on the ground and in the air. Today solidifies our ranking of Air France as the absolute best first class in the world.
For more pics and an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com.
Last edited by SFO777; Oct 12, 2016 at 9:08 pm
Oct 12, 2016, 5:10 pm
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,603
Thanks nequine.
LOL, rdrnnr. Working on that one. For some reason, I have more des filles de Bordeaux.
Phenomenal trip report! Love the attention to detail in your photography, especially in AF F and around Paris.
It's tempting to switch to DL, but I hate Skyteam (save for AF) and AA's OW partners BA, JL, and CX are essential to me based on where I fly. The ability to redeem miles on AF F is super tempting, though.
If you end up getting an apartment in Paris and want some extra revenue from renting out while you're away, drop brewdog11 a PM!
It's tempting to switch to DL, but I hate Skyteam (save for AF) and AA's OW partners BA, JL, and CX are essential to me based on where I fly. The ability to redeem miles on AF F is super tempting, though.
If you end up getting an apartment in Paris and want some extra revenue from renting out while you're away, drop brewdog11 a PM!
Looks like another great meal at Le 114, SFO777. ^
The salad has been on the menu for years and I've enjoyed it on many occasions. It might indeed be the best salad ever.
I don't know of any other hotel that has two cats as permanent residents. Fa-Raon and Kléopatre almost have cult status at the hotel and it looks like Mrs SFO777 is a fan as well!
The salad has been on the menu for years and I've enjoyed it on many occasions. It might indeed be the best salad ever.
I don't know of any other hotel that has two cats as permanent residents. Fa-Raon and Kléopatre almost have cult status at the hotel and it looks like Mrs SFO777 is a fan as well!
You got off lightly then on that day! , 11am-5pm with a lunch and a drive around too. Not a bad deal really
Anyhow, a great TR (^) and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I got really drawn into it and the different parts of each city and the culture, architecture etc. and I could tell you both had a great time.
Of course fab quality photos as usual capturing the 'moment'. To me that is what Photography is all about and your very good at that.
You also say you can get AF F tickets for 3k return from the US?! That's an amazing price.
Thanks for sharing SFO777
Pete
, 11am-5pm with a lunch and a drive around too. Not a bad deal really Anyhow, a great TR (^) and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I got really drawn into it and the different parts of each city and the culture, architecture etc. and I could tell you both had a great time.
Of course fab quality photos as usual capturing the 'moment'. To me that is what Photography is all about and your very good at that.
You also say you can get AF F tickets for 3k return from the US?! That's an amazing price.
Thanks for sharing SFO777
Pete