A few minutes before the theoretical boarding time, we leave the lounge and head for gate F48 for our boarding.
As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:
Boarding
When we position ourselves in the ersatz SkyPriority queue, a 15-minute delay is announced for boarding. While we wait, a flight attendant on the ground checks each passenger’s Passenger Locator Form and negative PCR test or vaccination certificate.
As I present my BP in electronic format, a small piece of paper with “OK” written on it is the key to the boarding gate. It doesn’t matter whether my documents have been checked in London or not, everything is rechecked at the gate (what a waste of time and energy for the agents).
Boarding finally begins, and we board via the SkyPriority queue.
Cabin and welcome
The cabin is the now-traditional Smart&Beyond you know on Air France medium-haul on A319 and above.
The welcome is excellent and I take a seat with my fellow traveler, who is also seated in Business class. We occupy the 01A/C doublet.
The Business cabin will be fully occupied today, and no wild upgrades will be operated on board.
Service and catering
With the post-pandemic protocol, the service inspired by long-haul cabins has disappeared from Air France’s long-haul medium-haul service.
On our seats, a bottle of Thonon and a cold wrapped oshibori, but no more cushions or real welcome drink.
The purser comes to greet us at the start of the flight, making herself available if we need anything, and entrusting us to the care of the steward who will be operating at lunchtime in the Business cabin.
After take-off, the service starts about 30 minutes later, all at once.
The champagne won’t stop flowing, with more than 4 refills throughout the flight, until all 6 bottles are finished!
I chose the beef which was excellent, not overcooked, just right. The asparagus starter was a little too vinegary for my taste.
The dessert was excellent, but the size of a mignardise.
And what about the horrible blister-packed bread?
Alongside my end-of-meal herbal tea are some excellent snacks.
Then I’ll take a pear liquor to wash it all down.
Arrival and disembarkation
We arrive in Heraklion about ten minutes behind schedule. It should be noted that two oddballs refused to wear masks for the entire second half of the flight in Business, forcing the captain to get out of his cockpit to lecture them, to no avail… I would have loved to have seen the police pick them up when they arrived…
Disembarkation will be by bus, and there will be no bus reserved for Business passengers.
Bottom line
A very good flight in itself, but the experience is degraded on the ground, both on departure and arrival.
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