Air France? Recent experience

[ellen10]

Hi I am looking at flights to Paris with Air France. It will be in Economy (sadly) anyone had any recent experience?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Hi I am looking at flights to Paris with Air France. It will be in Economy (sadly) anyone had any recent experience?

Where are you departing from?

 

[ellen10]

Departing from Sydney. Looking on the Qantas website for flights to Paris, best deal is Qf or Ba to Singapore and then Air France to Paris. This is for Sept next year.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Departing from Sydney. Looking on the Qantas website for flights to Paris, best deal is Qf or Ba to Singapore and then Air France to Paris. This is for Sept next year.

Why AirFrance in that case? coughpy french government airline?

Got any status or points programs?

What is important to you when you fly?

 

[Postcode]

Have flown to and from CDG twice in Classe Affaires and loved it. A very pleasant airline. It means flying QF to SIN, HKG or other destinations and continuing with AF. Flying on QF to LHR then onto CDG is tiresome.

No idea of AF economy but this might a bit of help. Air France Customer Reviews | SKYTRAX As always ignore the extremes of the spectrum of reports and come to your own conclusions.

If you are interested try investigating 'Premium Voyageur' which is like premium economy. Flying AF is like stepping into France before you even arrive there.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Thankyou Cats.

 

[arraitch]

Note that QF bookings for PER-SIN-CDG return will return QF codeshares on AF flights for the SIN-CDG-SIN sectors. PER seems to be unique in this respect. Of course, this may require transcontinental positioning flights and if QFF points and SCs are of no consequence ...

 

[ellen10]

Thank you for your replies.

When I did a flight search to Paris I thought it would offer most flights through LHR, flew that route last year on points. But all flights offered were via SIN and then on Air France. The price was $1965 on the website (sale price?), which was better than the TA offered.

Do not have enough points for 2 return flights on points, used them all up last year. So thought if possible I would use QF or codeshare to gain points.

 

[ellen10]

Meant to mention the flight search was on the Qantas website. I don't seem to have much success working out the oneworld site.

 

[Rebekkap]

I flew that route (in economy) last year - really enjoyed the food on the Air France leg, with particular reference to the basket of bagettes handed around with dinner. The service was fine too.

My only comments, and they're minor ones, are
1. they don't give you a bottle of water, only glasses, and I stupidly forgot to empty my bottle in SIN before boarded, so had it confiscated - it's a pain in the neck not being able to keep water next to you while you try to sleep, so make sure you have an empty one.

2. The seats were HARD. Otherwise fine, but I needed more padding under my bum - I'm flying with them again in Jan and will be taking a seat cushion!

 

[ellen10]

mmm French food sounds good. Hard seats not so good.
Thank you for your review

 

[Stealth]

They cannot be as bad as BA.

 

[Postcode]

They cannot be as bad as BA.

Agree totally. It's one airline I try to avoid as much as possible due to lack of service, cough food, delays due to not rostering on a second officer, having to reload luggage because it was all placed in one area in the hold, indifferent onboard service, needing to use LHR and having to pay the high fees for the pleasure of dealing with them and their airport.

If AF had a decent customer loyalty program I'd join.

Mind you CDG airport is not one of my faves at all. It looks great but is a shocker.

 

[ellen10]

Still looking at the Air France flights missed the previous sale, as had problems with return date. This fare is a little more expensive but still sale prices.

Have read more reviews and must admit the reviews of the 777 that they fly out of Singapore are not too good.

Is it better taking the longer route via London? did that last year on BA.

Hoping to earn points for the flights

 

[Rebekkap]

Personally, I wouldn't think the extra hours in transit and going through LHR were worth it just for a marginally more comfortable Y experience - I guess you have to weigh it up, but I've flown on their 777 out of SIN before and am doing it again at the end of Jan, it's not so bad - certainly not bad enough that I'd be several extra hours in transit in order to avoid it.

Cheers
Rebekka

 

[ellen10]

I have been doing some more investigating into Air France and was shocked to read (and indeed I did check the configuration on seat guru), that Air France configure their 777 by 3x4x3 whereas most other airlines do 3x3x3. So that is why all the online reviews talk about a cramped cabin.

I did also confirm this with friends who are quite small in stature and they said they flew on a full flight and it was very cramped.

I have now rejigged my flight and travel plans and am looking at flying into Frankfurt. The flights will be then with Qantas.

 

[ozmille]

Have flown to and from CDG twice in Classe Affaires and loved it. A very pleasant airline. It means flying QF to SIN, HKG or other destinations and continuing with AF.

Do they still have that delicious Foie Gras in Classe d'Affaires? It's been 4 years since I've flown them. Always enjoyed the service on them even in economy. Cabin crew always up for a chat.

 

[docjames]

I would go qf via lhr or fra every time.

AF's "hard product" is far inferior to most flying to Europe.

Have you considered other carriers? EK or VA/EY via middle east? CX via hkg?

 

[anat0l]

I wouldn't fly AF save if it were my life, but the reason for that is rather based on one incident, so you and others may not like it. (No, it is not a personal experience, which is probably more why you wouldn't want to hear it).

 

[ellen10]

Yes I did look at CX but their closest price was about $650 more. Qantas has a sale on at the moment. I have looked at some other Asian carriers but their price is only about $100 less so the points earning with QF is worth it.

I guess I could wait for perhaps another sale but who knows where prices will go.