Spending 250 euros on an Air France business class upgrade left me amazed by the meal offerings.
Flying Air France Business on Paris-Dublin Trip: A Mixed Bag of Comfort, Cuisine, and Convenience
So, my spouse and I took a trip to the City of Lights to celebrate our anniversary. We splurged on a round-trip Business Class trip with Air France for our two-hour dash from Dublin. Usually, we'd fly economy, but for a special celebration, we went all out, setting us back an extra 275 dollars (242 euros) per ticket.
Check-in and Sky Priority:With our Business Class seats, we qualified for Sky Priority, a service meant to whisk us through check-in, baggage drop, security, and boarding. We could use a dedicated lane, and each of us got an additional 20 kg (44 pounds) baggage allowance compared to the economy. However, the efficiency of this service varied from airport to airport. While Dublin was smooth sailing, Paris left us waiting around in security and immigration lines!
Lousy Lounge Lounging:Since we bumped up to Business Class, we got access to airport lounges in both Dublin and Paris. In Dublin, we found a cozy spot with snacks, drinks, and even a bit of champagne (a highlight, I have to say). Unfortunately, Paris' lounge was under renovation, so we were shuffled into a cramped, dim space with not much fanfare.
Boarding: A Bit Rough Around the Edges:We didn't go to the gates too early, given our priority boarding status. Unfortunately, neither lounge made any flight announcements, and we ended up in long queues waiting to board. A bit of a letdown for a premium experience.
Comfortable Cabins:On both planes, we had dedicated Business Class seating areas separate from the main cabin. We didn't get fancy lie-flat seats, but our leather seats were quite comfy, complete with adjustable armrests and ample legroom. The best part? An empty seat between us, offering plenty of space without bumping elbows with our seatmates!
Food and Bevvies:The food on both flights was perfectly edible. Real cutlery and cloth napkins were a classy touch, and the fare was pretty decent. We gobbled down a tasty breakfast of puff pastry, salmon, and yogurt on the way out and gorged on smoked salmon, couscous, bread, and cheese on the return. To wash it down, we sipped champagne (more of that, please) and enjoyed other drink options.
The Verdict:Overall, it was a mostly satisfying experience with some areas needing improvement, particularly the lounge situation and occasional hiccups in service. For the price, it was reasonable, and I'd do it again if the cost is right. Perhaps next time, the Paris lounge will be back in business, leaving no more excuse for cutting corners!
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Insights:- The meals and service on Air France are generally well-received, particularly the use of real cutlery and cloth napkins.- Paris' airport lounges can be hit or miss, with the lounge in Terminal 1 offering a better experience compared to the temporary lounge during renovation.- The priority boarding process can be inconsistent, with some users experiencing frustration due to no flight announcements in the lounges.- Business class seats offer a significant upgrade from economy, particularly with the added legroom and empty seats for passengers.- While the food offerings are good, pastries and desserts may sometimes be criticized for being hard or overly sweet.
- Definitely, the tasty breakfast of puff pastry we had on the outbound flight was a highlight from our Air France Business trip, although some pastries might need improvement.
- Our premium lifestyle was integrated with the additional 20 kg baggage allowance and dedicated Sky Priority lane, which we used for our round-trip from Dublin.
- The lounge in Terminal 1 at the Dublin airport was a great oeuvre of comfort, offering snacks, drinks, and even champagne, in stark contrast to the cramped, under-renovation space in Paris.
- Despite some areas needing improvement, such as the lounge situation and occasional service hiccups, the overall experience with Air France was worth the 275 dollars (242 euros) we paid per ticket, and we'd definitely integrate this lifestyle of travel into our celebrations again, especially when the Paris lounge reopens.
