While it had partially opened at the beginning of 2018, with a new catering offer and a much-improved spa, Air France’s new Business lounge opened doors in full yesterday for customers departing from Gates L. A 16 million euro investment for the airline.

TravelGuys had the chance to be invited to the inauguration on Tuesday as part of the Referrent Customer Club, and which reflects the work done by this club on the lounges for the past 5 years.

An interesting hot offer now available in all international lounges at CDG

The mistake has now been rectified: the new hot lounge offer, previously available in the lounges of Terminal 2E in Halls K and M, is now available in Hall L, and in Terminal 2G since last year.

It accompanies the already improved cold offer compared to terminal 2F.

What’s special about this lounge is that a cooked-to-order offer is available in addition to the usual hot holding bells.

A sober and elegant decoration

In the vein of the new Best&Beyond and Smart&Beyond cabins, the furnishings and decor are very sober, reminiscent of the new cabin harmonies, with elegant shades of blue and a few touches of the airline’s signature red.

The bar, created in the second part of the lounge opened yesterday, is very qualitative, in blue-green and brass tones, and is accompanied by a cocktail service provided every day from 7 to 9 pm with a bartender.

The furniture seems to be well made and will withstand the onslaught of hungry and hurried travelers who pass through these lounges.

International competition forces Air France to constantly improve its lounges

Air France must constantly improve its ground product. The competition for the group’s product comes from all over the world: Europe, Asia, the Gulf but, and this is new, America. American airlines have increased their lounge offerings, especially Delta and United in recent years.

Let’s not forget the Asian majors who continue to offer an exceptional product, both on the ground and in the air, and Emirates which continues to offer a number of its own lounges to guarantee their quality.

The next big step: the 2F’s single lounge

The new big challenge for Air France is to come: the frequentation of the lounges in terminal 2F, which is sometimes unbearable at peak times.

First, lounge eligibility: the new Flying Blue program makes qualification more complex, and therefore access to the lounge as well.

Secondly, the creation of a new lounge. Within the referrent customer club, we worked on two options: the renovation of existing lounges, and the creation of a new lounge, the option chosen by Air France in fine.

This lounge will be located just behind the main screening station, in the middle of the two piers of Terminal 2F.

It will be 5 times larger than the current lounges, and will offer a number of services, and eventually a seated and elaborate restaurant-like food service. It is scheduled to openin 2020, and work has already begun on the demolition of Gate F36.

The current lounges will either be given back to Paris Airport as commercial spaces or converted intoa fast-track waiting area for loyal passengers, near the boarding gates.

In the meantime, a new catering area will be opened at JFK for the Night Service, and two new lounges will be opened at Washington IAD and Orly West (excluding Schengen)

Bottom line

A very nice lounge, which brings this boarding hall up to standard, which was much needed. When it comes to ground handling, Air France remains in the global race for the best experience for High Contribution customers.