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I spotted the spirit bottles on the way back from the buffet, they are tucked in the corner at the unmanned bar
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f36bb69f6.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cb7293208.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7d8074ab3.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c8b9f9362.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ef50f1a35.jpeg |
Down to the gate with forty minutes to boarding and I was surprised how crowded it is.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0d83b37d3.jpeg Boarding commenced almost immediately and group/lane/priority was strictly enforced. Onto this A320 and I have picked the window seat for a change hoping for some views on the way out https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f9e722347.jpeg Once I https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8549afa64.jpeg Once I was tucked away in the corner I was given a bottle of water, face wipe, and welcome card Looks like 4 rows in the business cabin so not too busy up front. No seatbelts yet as they are still fuelling so with 20 minutes to scheduled departure it is time to watch the remaining passengers stream onboard. |
This crew look like they could be fun, as people are quite slow moving down the plane there is a good amount of banter with those coming onboard.
Today we are flying on F-HEPH which, unsurprisingly given the relatively few flights I have done with AF, is a new one for me. Looks like we have some laggard passengers as it is now ten minutes or so to departure and the cockpit and main doors are still open. Next stop, Charles de Gaulle airport in around three hours time. And just as I was about to submit this update…. indeed we were waiting for a laggard, an AF employee. Dispatcher on board so hopefully not long now and It’ll be goodbye to sunny Malaga…. I will definitely be back https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...851583075.jpeg |
We were eventually off the ground ten minutes late and I don’t know if there was something imminently incoming or just that the pilot felt the need for speed but we did a real turn and burn for take off. Great views on take off, glad I chose the window seat, although 1C is empty so I have my choice in flight.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...db865f463.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8ad288794.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5cbe44d04.jpeg Seatbelt sign off after ten minutes and the crew immediately closed the curtain to the galley and much banging and crashing commenced. The trolley emerged through the curtain about 30 minutes into the flight and the meal details can be seen on the menu card. It was OK, definitely nothing to celebrate. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bef1cdd38.jpeg A pretty mean pour of champagne and a cup of coffee were the order of the day although he did top the glass off on the way back to the galley. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2f017311d.jpeg Around 70 minutes into the flight the seatbelt signs were switched on and we had a bit of a bumpy ride. Five minutes after the light was on a lady got up to use the toilet and was unceremoniously sent back to her seat. This was followed by a ”the seatbelts are on, stay in your seat” announcement just to further embarrass her :( A little later and there was a double-bong from the flight deck prompting another “stay in your seat” announcement and the crew retired to their seats, and we had a decently bumpy ride for a while. I had been feeling quite queasy this morning, not something I usually suffer from, hence the lack of food or drink for me in the Sala lounge. Luckily my stomach had settled by the time we took off because this gave us quite a shaking. Just before the turbulence I had asked for a cognac and a coffee. The coffee didn’t arrive, no surprise there, as the crew were sent to seats, however it was then subsequently forgotten. The cognac turned out to be the pear liqueur which is nice enough in its own right but not what was asked for. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...857f8f70e.jpeg The curtain to the galley remained drawn the entire flight and any initial hopes for an interactive crew were dashed once we had passed the half way mark. Not a terrible crew, but definitely a low effort one, nothing offered proactively, everything had to be requested. With fifteen minutes to landing the seatbelt sign was on again for the final time, glasses and debris were collected, and the Galley curtain was open for the first time :D. the cabin manager had checked my connection info and came up to tell me that we were landing on time but I had over 4 hour connection which I already knew but at least it was something. Having been warned by the captain during his initial announcement that it could be a bumpy descent into CDG the reality was not too bad at all and we were on the ground roughly on schedule and are now trundling around GDG airfield heading for our gate. Next up, the joys of getting from one set of gates to another at CDG :D |
A little photo heavy because it is a serious long walk. You’ll never be able to claim that you got lost in CDG given the bright yellow signage everywhere
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1b6cab51a.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4d22dc3c8.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ff483cae7.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...871de624e.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ac77a7c82.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...326840306.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...83167a5e4.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9a9a022e5.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...376332b3c.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6a70973c5.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...795272546.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0f7f9385d.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f8dd9e4e4.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...67e44dabb.jpeg I stopped off at one point to snap this 777 in Sky Team livery and noticed that right next to it was a smoking cabin. There were no toilets that I saw until the very end of the march but you could get your nicotine fix :D https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cbdf12a42.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...615f0444c.jpeg |
Arriving at the L gates you come in behind the security screening area and the gates stretch in both directions
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c232a202d.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...afa46e21a.jpeg The lifts to the lounge are almost immediately to your right but I decided to check out duty free first https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a56771b5b.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ccc1fd957.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...44165114f.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...51b06b86c.jpeg There was nobody at the Remy XO stand and in the end I decided to avoid temptation, mostly because I already have two bottles at home. Interesting to see a barbers shop in the corner, also unmanned https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e720cba69.jpeg And so, to the lounge. Lots of signage before the entrance telling you who is not getting in https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e0634ec35.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ac3b17fd6.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ce1871993.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a8e7ffa7b.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e26c60345.jpeg And this brought the most surprising moment of any trip, a shout of ‘no photos’, in French, from one of the lounge dragons. As I’m an ignorant Brit and clearly would not understand French I completely ignored it and there was no follow up. And that brings me up to date fully an hour since I set foot landside. The champagne cart has been so I’ve been refreshed whilst I write :) Time to have a mooch around the lounge, checkout the food and drinks, and see if I get challenged again for taking photos. |
A good array of food on offer and very sad to see Heineken in the fridge!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a803a84c9.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cfe7a8bf1.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...51f348c5b.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3ea69a5f6.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...498fe2dd0.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...807d1838b.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...501f2dc22.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...04b57a7e2.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8da6e1e9a.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5aba448db.jpeg I opted for the Coq au Vin. There was only one small piece of the chicken left which was lucky for me as I scooped up plenty of the sauce and it was delicious. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...17cdb87a7.jpeg With two and a half hours or more before boarding it’s time for a little mooch around the lounge and see what else it has to offer |
With the lounge entrance behind you the area to the right is the main food buffet, bar, and dining area. To the left there is a lot of seating as can be seen in my initial photos, but there are a few more interesting bits
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9dc7eb695.jpeg Secondary drinks area https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...03da823d0.jpeg Secondary buffet https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4baa97c18.jpeg Flying blue ultimate enclave https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a9a5efdff.jpeg Funky light display https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...355916c25.jpeg Clarins spa https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...09e4e107b.jpeg Sleeping area - beds are behind the wall, didn’t picture for obvious reasons The 20 minute free facial at the Clarins spa had no availability:( Returning to the main food area most of it was gone, guessing they’re replenishing or rotating it, so down to the satellite buffet. Back at the table and the main buffet had been replenished and had a few different items, so double dipped! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7933a277c.jpeg The yellow mustard will clear your sinus very nicely! |
Just been a lounge announcement that someone is here to make non-alcoholic cocktails from 6-8pm. I believe I can resist that temptation.
Still two hours in hand I’m going to head out for a better explore of the terminal before coming back to the lounge for desert. |
The low number gates are definitely the place to be. The eateries are funkier, and there is this huge cat right at the end, don’t ask me why
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...211b5ee2a.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cb1205db1.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6324e35bb.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0470bd887.jpeg Back in the lounge and desert time https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ac0baf6f3.jpeg Still an hour to boarding so it’s time to kick back, catch up on FT, and watch the world go by |
On the air bridge waiting for the plane to be readied and someone a distance behind me is very loud and clearly has had a beer or twenty. Could be interesting.
Boarding has been a bit messy, called to gate early, sorted into tensa lines, and then stood for 10 minutes until the plane was ready, and down the jet bridge and, nope, not ready. Finally on board, 1C, and Mr excessive personality is in 1D, joy! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fb3b79918.jpeg Everyone on board and the doors closed, 10 minutes to scheduled departure Hadn’t realised this leg is an Embraer, at least it’s a relatively short flight. The single crew member at the front looks thoroughly miserable, oh dear! Next stop, Newcastle, and the end of another adventure |
With two rows in business there are exactly seven people up front.
As soon as the seatbelt light is off the galley curtain is closed and who knows what or who will emerge :D. The crew member that was greeting everyone disappeared to the back of the plane and I can guess that she was helping to serve economy as she appeared complete with trolley about twenty minutes later The meal was not to my taste again , the pasta and cauliflower was sour and the salmon tasteless. The champagne on the other hand was just fine :D https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f1bf9a962.jpeg Around forty minutes later the tray was cleared and champagne topped up. I did ask for a coffee and cognac and was told there was no cognac on board but was offered the pear liqueur. Can Air France, of all possible airlines, have stopped stocking Cognac?? After the top up there was no sign of the crew until the ”we’re descending” message from the cockpit. Cabin cleared and it was time for landing which was a little exciting to say the least. |
The high winds at Newcastle were making for a very bumpy descent and the lower we got the worse it became. It was obvious the pilot was earning his wage on this one and as we approached the ground the engines went to full power, we were clearly going around.
As soon as we had regained some height the pilot came on to explain the go around and said that he would have one more attempt and then redirect to Edinburgh Second time around was as bumpy as the first time but seemed to ease right at the end and we were down. That’s a new experience for me, one I’m not it a rush to repeat :) Widespread clapping in the cabin and we were taxiing over to the walk in gate. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3effc89a8.jpeg Whilst we waited for the stairs the pilot came out and he said the second one was indeed a lot smoother right at the end and the first one he had no choice but to go around. Quickly through passport control, Uber booked and arrived in 1 minute as usual and now finally home and writing this last update. Definitely a more exciting end to the trip than I expected! |
Enjoyed following along in near real time, JapesUK . That Air France lounge looks swish compared to some of the domestic lounges here in Sydney.
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