This flight confirmed to me that Air France’s medium-haul business class is improving, although I do think that certain factors certainly influenced the way I was treated.

So here I am, finally on holiday! My stay in Gothenburg was just a pre-positioning flight, as my ticket was for Gothenburg-Singapore-Bali.

For the record, here is my summer itinerary.

You will find a summary of the articles on these holidays in Singapore and Bali at the bottom of the page.

Ticket purchase

As I explained in my introductory post, I wanted to go to Singapore and, from there, see where I would like to go next depending on the opportunities available.

As also explained, I did not intend to favour any airline or alliance for this trip.

Departing from Paris, I found a business class flight with Air France for 3,700€. Not surprising for this destination.

By changing my departure city, I found a Gothenburg-Paris-Singapore flight for €1,900! I found the same fare departing from Stockholm and Oslo, but as you know, I have a soft spot for Sweden’s second city.

But since Air France no longer charges a flat rate for tickets purchased with miles, but instead applies the same yield as for normal tickets, I ran a simulation and, unsurprisingly, the price was cheaper from Gothenburg than from Paris.

I will therefore book a return flight from Gothenburg for 190K miles + 400 euros in taxes.

Check-in and ground experience

I checked in online the day before my departure, but the next day I noticed an offer in the app to upgrade to first class for €2,000 or 200,000 miles. Thinking that the end of 2024 and 2025 would be a happy time, I decided to treat myself, but not before checking that there was still a window seat available! I had missed La Première Air France so much over the years.

It’s been a long time since I last flew with Air France, and I see that they now charge for seat selection even in business class for passengers without status. €89… I’m not a fan.

I wanted to write a review about the upgrade of the long-haul business class service, but now I’ll just have to wait for my return flight.

But it is with a big smile and in excellent spirits that I head to the airport.

Baggage drop-off is hassle-free and always handled by super-friendly staff. However, there was no recognition of my status or the fact that I was travelling in first class.

I can’t find the fast track and find myself in the ‘normal’ queue. Has it disappeared? No, it’s been moved and improved, but I was too distracted to read the sign in front of me.

I find myself in a long queue… inevitably much slower than my usual experience here.

I finally get through security, the staff are still friendly, and I walk through the duty-free area to reach the departure lounge.

I will resist the temptation and wait a while in The Lounge.

It’s finally time to head to my boarding gate after taking my time, as Flightradar informed me that the flight would be arriving 20 minutes late.

Boarding

The plane is there, but passengers are still disembarking.

Passengers wait patiently for boarding to begin.

Finally, we boarded with only a 10-minute delay… only to find ourselves stuck in the feeder.

We will finally be released and I will be the second to enter the cabin.

The cabin

This is the standard cabin layout for Air France Embraers in a 2-2 configuration.

It’s far from new and will soon be replaced, but the seat has aged well.

The legroom is adequate, but with this type of aircraft, you shouldn’t expect anything better.

The flight

It’s really hot in the cabin.

We are given high-quality refreshing wipes and, unlike the other business class passenger, the staff address me by name. It has been ages since this happened to me on a medium-haul Air France flight, and I have no doubt that the ‘La Première’ effect is behind it.

We are offered seats in row 1 as there are only two of us, but we decline: it is better to be in row 2 and stretch our legs under the seat in front than in row 1 where we would be blocked by the partition.

The steward seems experienced but not jaded: he smiles and talks to passengers during boarding without being overbearing. It’s a refreshing change from most medium-haul crews.

We’ll finally leave on time.

Bye bye Gothenburg.

The steward brings me my tray a few minutes later and, unlike others, takes the time to remove the lids. And once again, he greets me by name as he serves me. There’s no doubt about it, La Première protocol is in full swing.

On the menu: smoked trout, conchigliette pasta salad with basil cream, Cantal AOP cheese, Crottin de Chavignol AOP cheese, Paris-Brest pastry.

The trout is very good, fresh and even a little filling. The pasta is perfect, the basil cream is excellent and doesn’t weigh down the dish.

The Paris Brest will also be light, a delightful surprise.

A really excellent selection!

The steward will refill my water and wine several times, checking on me each time…

Par contre les buses, même fermées, m’envoient de l’air froid, je sens le mal de gorge arriver.

After dozing off for a bit, it’s already time to prepare for landing.

Arrival

As we approach Roissy, we are warned of turbulence at low altitude. And it’s true that at one point it really shakes.

We finally settle down and drive towards the remarkable (!) Terminal 2G. On our way, we pass Terminal 2, where I will be in a few minutes.

And we finally arrive at our parking spot 10 minutes early.

A Porsche hybrid SUV is waiting at the foot of the aircraft, with an Air France agent standing next to it. Any bets it’s for me?

No surprises: as I step off the plane, the steward nods to him and he heads towards me. He greets me, asks how I am, offers to carry my bag and invites me to take a seat in the Porsche so he can drive me to the La Première lounge.

His name is Laurent, he will be extremely friendly, will chat with me on the way and will be my chaperone until I leave for Singapore… but you’ll find out more about that in my next articles.

Staff

When there is cause for complaint, I complain; when there is cause for praise, I praise. The crew was perfect, at least the ones working at the front of the aircraft.

Bottom line

It’s been just over a year since I gave Air France another chance on medium-haul flights, and I keep seeing improvements in the service. An excellent flight in any case.

Articles about these holidays in Singapore and Bali

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