As part of a long-planned business trip that was moved several times during the lockdown period, I have to go to Stockholm for business over a weekend.
In this context, I booked the simplest option from Paris, i.e. a departure on Air France then a return with a connection, forced, on KLM, Air France operating the destination only 4 times a week (and not on Saturday).
A look back at a ‘world-after COVID19’ experience.
Boarding
COVID-19 and post-confinement require special justification for any travel over 100km. I therefore have a self-certificate and a justification of travel from my employer.
To get to Paris Charles-de-Gaulle, I order an Uber 2 hours before the scheduled departure time.
As road traffic is very low at this time of year, I will reach Paris Charles-de-Gaulle in less than 40 minutes.
On arrival at the platform, as expected, road traffic is very limited and the platform is almost deserted. The Air France hub and its terminals 2E and 2F are among the terminals that remain open.
I arrive at terminal 2F about 1h20 before departure. I am joined a few minutes later by colleagues. The traditional SkyPriority zone is closed and all flights check-in in zone 6/7.
The priority security checkpoint is also closed, and everyone has to wait in the same queue that stretches for about 100 metres until check-in. Social distances are partially respected.
Just after the security checkpoint, and before accessing the two peninsulas, a police team checks the various passenger certificates and passport matches.
Given the 25 minutes spent at the security checkpoint, there is not much time left to wait before the theoretical boarding time.
The flight is delayed to 10:30 iso 10:15. We wait in the boarding lounge.
In any case, the lounge is closed, as are all those on the platform.
Being at the very beginning of the economy cabin, we are in zone 8, which is at the very end of boarding.
We stand up when our zone is called and proceed to boarding. Our identity is checked and our temperature controlled.
Cabin and reception
We were greeted courteously and made our way to our seats, located in row 3. We were seated in 3A, 3D and 3F, and the middle seats had been blocked for almost a week on the cabin plan.
On our arrival and as expected, the luggage racks are already quite full.
And surprise, the last person to board… is in seat 3E, between my colleague and me!
Unbelievable… Should someone be put between a Club 2000 and a lifetime Platinum?
The cabin manager’s discomfort is perceptible and she will do everything to find a solution.
The flight is now over 45 minutes late as we taxi to the runway.
Just after take-off, the purser comes up to me, addressing me by name, and offers me a seat in the Business cabin, seat 1F, which I obviously accept. She tells me that the service will not be available, which I understand!
Service and catering
The service starts right after I get into the cabin with an aperitif.
So the purser serves me a glass of champagne served with gavottes similar to those served on long-haul flights. Several refills will be done.
The cabin manager then arranges a service for me in a Business plate with the elements of the Economy service. Pretty cool!
The champagne refills will be permanent until the clearing.
The actual Business service looked excellent, with a real hot dish.
A tea is offered to me, I’ll take a tea from Le Palais des thés, always excellent.
Arrival and disembarkation
We arrive 45 minutes late in Stockholm and I take leave of the purser, once again extraordinary… Thanks to these motivated crews to transport us in such a context!
The terminal is almost deserted and we are in our taxi 10 minutes later.
Bottom line
It is difficult to evaluate an airline in this context. However, two points are important: the priority ground service could be maintained. There is no real reason not to offer a priority tracka (except at boarding). Similarly, why not block the seats next to the High Contribution passengers in this context?
On board, however, a real service is deployed. And this is commendable because the whole crew is making an effort.
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