Air France - any feedback?

[leny]

I am wanting to fly BNE-SIN-CDG-PRG, with the first leg on Qantas and the last two legs on Air France. My travel agent has provided me with a 'rough' quote of $2200 for travel in very early December, returning late January. Is that a reasonable price given the time of year? Also, is Economy on AF good? I would appreciate any feedback on it, and the features. Thank you.

 

[agfox46]

Also, is Economy on AF good? I would appreciate any feedback on it, and the features. Thank you.

If you haven't already checked....Air France Reviews and Passenger Opinions about Air France product and service standards

 

[NYCguy]

Ahhh... The Skytrax trip-ratings. Always a favorite! It is fascinating to read about the expectations and disappointments that people have.

For instance, "We had advised the airline {AF} that my husband is 6'3", but no allowance [was] given for that". What did they expect? An announcement that every economy-class passenger over 6'0" tall should report to the Gate Agent for reassignment to Business Class?

IMO, many of the comments seem to be from the disgruntled minority, and not from the 300 people on their aircraft who had no problem with the legroom, the food, the connections, the FAs, the GAs, the fact that the flight took place at night and no compensation was offered for the lack of a view out the window, etc etc.

There is nothing wrong with AF. They have a four-star Skytrax rating, the same as QF, NH, BA, NZ, LH, TG, JL... Need I go on?. Sure, Frenchmen can be a little difficult to get along with at times, but so can Aussies, Germans and Americans (ESPECIALLY Americans!). Just remember that economy isn't Business or First, and you won't be disappointed. (By the way, AF's F is very good!).

 

[leny]

Thanks for that, I have had a look at that page and see many submissions good and bad. So I guess I'm going to try my luck. And you are right NYCguy, some people do have expectations that are all to high. I think I might go for it at that price. I have flown for cheaper, but haven't been able to find anything else this time around.

 

[Evan]

I thought i had commented to you or somebody else about AF before, but my personal experience i would avoid it if there was another better airline at a not too much more cost. But if its cheapest and by more than say $200 on this route then just do it and enjoy the money on the trip.

Its economy and pretty much the same as others, i just thought the lack of decent IFE would annoy a lot of people, since i just sleep and rest no real issues. But its now almost 2 years since my last flight with them and only had a couple so all things may have changed.

E

 

[Judge Dee]

There is nothing wrong with AF. They have a four-star Skytrax rating, the same as QF, NH, BA, NZ, LH, TG, JL... Need I go on?.

So, there are no significant differences between airlines with the same rating? No differences in seat pitch, quality of food, entertainment options, etc etc? It's not only people posting on Skytrax who are unrealistic methinks...
Fortunately, a modicum of common sense should enable readers to identify comments from the unrealistic &/or disgruntled minority

 

[NYCguy]

So, there are no significant differences between airlines with the same rating? No differences in seat pitch, quality of food, entertainment options, etc etc? It's not only people posting on Skytrax who are unrealistic methinks...
Fortunately, a modicum of common sense should enable readers to identify comments from the unrealistic &/or disgruntled minority

Obviously you are in a better position than I to comment about economy class, though I can't imagine that the difference between food, legroom and entertainment options varies significantly in the economy cabins of the 4-star carriers. A couple of the carriers might have those 8" LCD screens in the seat in front, but I don't think you'll be getting linguine with lobster and white truffles even if you fly economy on the 5-star carriers.

To some flyers, a $200 saving is more important than being able to watch some tacky romantic comedy, play a geriatric Nintendo game, or drink their terrible airline coffee from a tiny porcelain cup rather than a plastic one.

 

[Judge Dee]

Obviously you are in a better position than I to comment about economy class

...and given leny's initial enquiry requested information about economy class travel on Air France, comments on Skytrax from people who have actually travelled AF economy would likely be of interest.

though I can't imagine that the difference between food, legroom and entertainment options varies significantly in the economy cabins of the 4-star carriers.

Try travelling on a long haul flight with Qantas (31" seat pitch) & Air New Zealand (34" seat pitch) & I suspect you may have a different opinion about relative differences

..but I don't think you'll be getting linguine with lobster and white truffles even if you fly economy on the 5-star carriers

Thank goodness, I'm allergic to seafood & don't like truffles!!

 

[NYCguy]

Try travelling on a long haul flight with Qantas (31" seat pitch) & Air New Zealand (34" seat pitch) & I suspect you may have a different opinion about relative differences

That's a pleasure I will never know. You enjoy yourself back there, though.

 

[Judge Dee]

That's a pleasure I will never know. You enjoy yourself back there, though.

Clearly then, you're just the person to offer advice to leny on travelling in Y on Air France - or in Y with any other airline for that matter! For some reason, the phrase 'another unmarried marriage guidance counsellor' springs to mind!

 

[agfox46]

Clearly then, you're just the person to offer advice to leny on travelling in Y on Air France - or in Y with any other airline for that matter! For some reason, the phrase 'another unmarried marriage guidance counsellor' springs to mind!

LOL - careful, he'll accuse you of being a bolshie!!

 

[NYCguy]

LOL - careful, he'll accuse you of being a bolshie!!

Who, moi? I'm shocked that anyone would think that...

 

[simongr]

...and given leny's initial enquiry requested information about economy class travel on Air France, comments on Skytrax from people who have actually travelled AF economy would likely be of interest.


Thank goodness, I'm allergic to seafood & don't like truffles!!

Out of interest have you travelled in Y on AF and do you have something to advise Leny regarding their impending trip?

 

[baswitzer]

I have always found Air France ridiculously expensive.

Simple LHR-CDG were out of the park.

 

[leny]

I'm sorry to have started this argument. I got myself a $1500 return ticket with Korean Air BNE-ICN-PRG and return. Not that I can do much about that now, but can anyone offer feedback on KE? Thanks.

 

[leny]

And yes I have checked the Skytrax feedback forum as posted previously about AF. I do have an overnight layover each way, but I will have to pay accommodation myself. Korean Air does give a maximum of one free hotel night on a journey, but they won't accept me because I'm under 18 at the time of travel (due to minibar ?!? ) - why can't they just take out the alcohol while I stay... So I will be getting myself a room in the Air Garden hotel which is located inside the international terminal; around $150 a night for Deluxe, $136 for Standard.

But I guess it's better than paying $1000 more (the $2200 fare I mentioned previously was no longer available. AF now costs $2585 for economy)

 

[Judge Dee]

Out of interest have you travelled in Y on AF and do you have something to advise Leny regarding their impending trip?

Unfortunately, no - otherwise I would have posted in response to leny's initial enquiry. My most recent o/s flights have been with Qantas, Cathay & Malaysian.

 

[NYCguy]

Unfortunately, no - otherwise I would have posted in response to leny's initial enquiry. My most recent o/s flights have been with Qantas, Cathay & Malaysian.

Well there you go...

 

[Judge Dee]

Well there you go...

eh?

 

[simongr]

I think the point is that it is a bit rough to join a forum and attack a member for his lack of carrier & class experience when you have no experience of the carrier.