Good day from Paris, as I’ve kicked off my newest evaluate journey. I simply flew Air France’s new Airbus A350-900 enterprise class on the very brief six hour in a single day flight from New York to Paris.
Whereas I’ll have a full journey report quickly, on this submit I wished to share my preliminary impressions. I used to be enthusiastic about this flight, since Air France just lately launched new A350 cabins, which shall be put in on all future supply A350s.
So, how was the flight? Unbelievable, actually. I believe this would possibly simply be the nicest jet operated by any European airline. If you mix the final attributes of the A350 (together with a quiet and fashionable cabin, tail digital camera, and so forth.) with Air France’s distinctive new enterprise class seats (providing doorways, superb tech, and extra), that is fairly unbeatable.
Air France’s tender product is nice as effectively, and was particularly effectively tailor-made to this brief in a single day flight, the place it may be robust to steadiness nice service with permitting passengers to maximise sleep.
Air France’s A350 enterprise class seats are unimaginable
Air France’s new A350-900s are in a premium configuration, with 48 enterprise class seats. The cabin is solely beautiful — I really like the darkish blue, the carpet with the sample, and Air France’s iconic winged seahorse brand in so many locations.
Air France chosen the STELIA Opera seat for its A350s. What’s attention-grabbing is that this product is primarily supposed for slim physique jets, however Air France partnered on a personalized model of the seat for its broad physique plane, which you gained’t discover on some other airways.
Now, the cabin would possibly initially look acquainted, as Air France just lately began reconfiguring Boeing 777-300ERs with a brand new enterprise class product, and the enterprise class seats look very comparable. Nevertheless, imagine it or not, that’s a completely completely different product, as 777s have the Safran Versa seats. It’s type of superb how comparable seats from completely different producers might be, eh?
Anyway, there’s so much to like about these seats. They’re spacious reverse herringbone seats with doorways, and the footwells are a great dimension.
That is in some ways an improve over the 777 product. For instance, you’ll see that there’s a big monitor subsequent to the seat, which you need to use to manage all seat capabilities, or to observe the map function whereas in any other case having fun with the leisure system.
The seat has distinctive tech, together with USB-A, USB-C, and AC chargers, bluetooth audio, and a crisp leisure system. The leisure choice is intensive, although in fact my favourite function is the tail digital camera.
This is likely one of the “new model” A350s, which implies that it has a barely wider cabin than earlier variations of the A350, and it additionally has dimmable home windows (which I’ll speak extra about in a separate submit).
Air France’s A350 bulkhead seats are the perfect within the sky
Whereas Air France’s “customary” A350 enterprise class seats are nice, the eight bulkhead enterprise class seats on the airplane take private area to a distinct degree, simply as you’ll discover on the reconfigured 777-300ERs.
Whereas the seat could look the identical in a single route…
…it’s a completely completely different story within the different route, as your footwell is changed with a large ottoman. The bulkhead seats actually have a storage compartment beneath the ottoman.
For what it’s value, these seats might be assigned by Flying Blue elite members on the time of reserving. Inside 4 hours of departure, they are often assigned identical to some other enterprise class seat, so I used to be in a position to snag one then.
Air France’s meals is scrumptious, with nice service move
On a six hour in a single day flight, it may be laborious for airways to strike the appropriate steadiness between offering premium service whereas additionally minimizing disruption within the cabin and permitting individuals to relaxation. Alongside these strains, I used to be happy with the environment friendly but well mannered service on this flight.
Service after takeoff was lightning quick. For instance, 20 minutes after takeoff, the crew proactively got here via the cabin with glasses of champagne for passengers, together with snacks. It’s at all times good to have your first drink rapidly after takeoff, and it’s uncommon to get a drink so quick in enterprise class.
The meal tray was served simply 35 minutes after takeoff, with an appetizer, salad, dessert, and cheese.
Then as quickly because the appetizer was completed, my principal course was introduced out. I chosen the sauteed shrimp with lobster sauce, which was fairly tasty.
What impressed me most was that the complete meal was cleared round an hour after takeoff, which should be some type of document time.
Then about 80 minutes earlier than touchdown, there was a full breakfast service, with fruit, yogurt, pastries, and extra. There was even the choice for an egg dish, although I declined that.
That is precisely how meal service ought to be carried out on an in a single day flight, for my part.
Air France’s facilities are fairly good
For probably the most half, Air France’s product actually shines throughout the Atlantic. I’d say the one space the place Air France doesn’t impress as a lot is with facilities. That’s to not say they’re not good, they simply aren’t exceptional.
Every enterprise class passenger was supplied an amenity package with a few merchandise from Clarins. That is maybe a barely above common amenity package throughout the Atlantic, although inferior to you’ll discover on some Asian carriers. It’s not an enormous deal, however with France being such an iconic nation relating to luxurious items, the package feels type of forgettable.
Air France’s bedding in enterprise class is comfy, with a considerable pillow and blanket. Nevertheless, it’s inferior to what you’ll discover on carriers like United. For that matter, I believe it might be cool if the bedding had some type of a distinct sample so as to add a little bit of coloration to the cabin, because it in any other case principally blends into the seats.
Backside line
Air France’s new A350 enterprise class is the general greatest enterprise class expertise supplied by any European airline, for my part. If you mix Air France’s wonderful seats with the final advantages of the A350, this product is hard to beat. In the event you handle to snag one of many bulkhead seats, you’ll even principally get a first-class seat at a enterprise class value.
I’m thrilled to see Air France proceed to spend money on its passenger expertise. In the meantime we’re nonetheless ready on Lufthansa’s new Allegris enterprise class, first introduced in 2017…
What’s your tackle Air France’s A350 enterprise class?
