As part of a last-minute business trip to Paris, I decided to book on Air France for its convenience and for the high frequencies offered by the French airline compared with British Airways or even Eurostar.
Here is the itinerary followed:
Ground experience and lounge
The flight I booked from London to Paris was a very early one, departing at 6.25am. It was the only flight that morning to leave Heathrow Terminal 2 before 8.30am.
I arrive by Wheely at Heathrow about 1h15 before departure. With my boarding pass already on my mobile, I skip check-in and head straight to security, which will be almost deserted, and am airside less than 5 minutes after arriving at the airport.
Air France has not renewed its agreement with Plaza Premium, and no longer offers a lounge at Heathrow.
Fortunately, I can still access this lounge, the only one open in the terminal, thanks to my Priority Pass card, compliments of American Express Platinum.
In front of me, a dozen or so passengers from all airlines are being turned away.
You can find my review of this lounge from the previous week here.
Boarding
Boarding begins a good 40 minutes before departure, in relative order due to the very limited marking of the priority lane. Nevertheless, I’m on board quickly after checking my PCR test.
Cabin and welcome
The welcome is rather cold. I don’t have far to go, since I’m at seat 01F.
It’s an Airbus A318, equipped with the least comfortable cabins in the entire Air France medium-haul fleet, since the same seats are also used on the domestic fleet based at Orly.
Service and catering
Where to start… Nowhere, since there will be absolutely no service. No oshibori, water bottle, cushion or blanket.
On the way up, I hear the announcement that there will be no service on this flight, thinking that the message is intended for economy class. Not at all!
There will be absolutely no service on this flight, not even a bottle of water. For just over £560 return, I’ve got it bad!
Arrival and disembarkation
We’ll get to Paris on time, but the jetway will take a long time to arrive. There I go again, forgetting my computer in the seat pocket, what a moron! The baggage department will do everything in its power to find it, as the aircraft was moved to the maintenance hangar after the flight. After a 45-minute wait, I collect my equipment and join my driver.
Bottom line
No service? A shame, no doubt due to the crew.