Review of Air France A380 Washington to Paris Business Class
Flight Review: Feeling Parisian on Air France (Economic system Class Airbus A380 to Paris)
This twelvemonth we were super excited to check off a couple bucket list items on our list: Paris and Disneyland Paris! Being a starting time time location for both of u.s.a. we researched every pocket-sized item to no finish. One of the components to this trip was how to get in that location. We were a little surprised that the best option cost wise concluded upwardly being a direct flight on Air France. We were excited to try a new international carrier and become a head start on the French feel en road. (Hello complimentary champagne!) Read on for all the details of this circular trip flight experience…
Booking Our Flight
Whenever we travel we always research to try to discover the best deals. Many times in the past booking a travel parcel has been cost saving by bundling components such as air, hotel, and car. For this trip packages did not aid at all, and a la menu was better. Fifty-fifty looking at different connecting cities didn't help the price either. So subsequently all that research the end result ended upwards being pretty simple: book through the airlines, at a close to habitation aerodrome, on a direct flight. Who knew?
Since we live(d) in the Washington, DC metro area, we opted to fly out of Dulles International Airdrome (IAD), which is nearly 30 miles west of downtown. During our search, in that location were two major airports we could fly into in Paris, Charles de Gaulle (CDG), which is northeast of downtown, and Paris Orly (ORY), which is s of downtown. Our best option was flying direct to CDG.
When selecting our flight, we were given the pick of Light, Standard, or Premium Economy. We chose Standard Economy because this included one checked bag and the departure betwixt the 2 fares was less than the baggage fee. This was perfect every bit for our almost two week trip we were able to take ii checked suitcases and two behave ons to avoid extra luggage fees.
We also were able to pay a footling actress to select certain seats for the long flight. The cheapest upgrade selection was $22.72 per person each way and made up a large majority of the economic system seats. The about expensive uncharge was $54.00 for exit rows. The shipping we were on was an Airbus A380, which is a double decker aircraft. The lower deck was where a large majority of the economy seats were. However, there was a small-scale area of economy upstairs in the very back of the plane. The reward to the upstairs was there were rows of two seats side by side to the window, which is what we went with both ways. Sitting simply the 2 of us was nice (plus aviation enthusiast Andrew thought it was absurd to sit on the upper level.)
Super excited to head to Paris!
Thanks to free champagne!
The Airline Ambiance
The Airplane Environment
The Airbus A380 was a huge plane, but nosotros found the boarding process non stressful. We headed upwardly directly to the second level to find our seats. On the main level information technology is iii-4-three seating in economy. On our deck it was 2-4-2. The interior of the cabin felt spacious with contoured overhead compartments and accent lighting. The color scheme featured more often than not navy fabrics with pops of red. When boarding there was relaxing french music playing and nosotros instantly felt like our vacation had begun.
Something small to note that we really enjoyed was the condom conference video. Information technology featured stylish Parisian women and was besides beautiful to ignore. Another cool feature was the camera on the tail of the aeroplane. They circulate the takeoff on the overhead screens and you could likewise bank check out the view during the flying too.
A view from our seats on the upper deck.
The safety video was tres chichi!
Julie's hometown upward on the screen.
The view from the tail camera.
Service & Comfort
Everyone nosotros interacted with from Air France was lovely. From the check-in counter agent giving us recommendations for restaurants in the city, to the on flight coiffure gladly bringing u.s.a. more wine we felt very welcomed and taken intendance of the unabridged time. We also loved some of the small-scale extras that made the flight more than enjoyable. Upon arrival all seats featured a collection of in-flight items:
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Small Pillow
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Fleece Coating
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Headphones
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Middle Mask (you can have these dwelling house with yous, the graphic patterns were different then we ended upwardly with a little collection of iv!)
We as well appreciated some of the niggling things similar the small refreshing towels handed out. And the variety of Air France magazines available in the airdrome to read and take abode likewise.
A collection of in-flight comfort necessities.
Even footling things similar a refreshing towel were a nice affect.
In-Flight Entertainment
Each seat features a screen that serves several functions. While some items seems a flake glitchy (like trying to view the bill of fare) the bodily amusement choice was very wide. You lot can bask:
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Movies (both popular new releases and a selection of French films)
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TV shows
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Radio (Julie loved listening to some French tunes to make it vacay manner)
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Video Games using the attached controller
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You can also bulletin every bit well
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There are USB chargers for your phones
(You tin run into a listing of current entertainment offerings here)
One big thing to note is we did non have Wi-fi. We figured this would be a given and planned to connect on the flight home. This was very odd considering there was literature about it and how to connect just it seems it is only on some flights. It sounds like at that place will exist Wi-fi on all flights by 2020. You can learn more here.
The multi--purpose entertainment screen.
Our Seats
Washington to Paris
We knew we wanted to attempt to get some sleep on the overnight flight to Europe. We paid to upgrade to an get out row and had plenty of space. The entertainment screen and tray table both came out of the aforementioned arm rest. This causes the seat width to be slightly smaller but we didn't find it bad at all, plus it was worth information technology for all of the extra leg room. The downside to these seats were the lack of window and phone chargers, plus our numberless had to go overhead. Just we weren't worried near that on this detail flying since we wanted to sleep most of the time anyway. Which we did (at least for a few hours!).
Paris to Washington
For the flying back, nosotros had ii seats correct in front end of the exit row. The advantage to this was that nosotros could recline without having to worry well-nigh bothering anyone behind us. Likewise, the window seats on the top level include some spare elbow room along with cubby where you tin can store items. It seems the perfect place to put some extra shopping bags or reading cloth. We had the under seat storage and telephone chargers here which was perfect for the flight domicile every bit we were move awake and using these items.
Ahhhh leg room.
The extra storage cubby.
In-Flying Meals
Drinks
Commencement off, it is smashing to annotation that all drinks are included with the flight. It was nice to exist able to get holiday started with some developed beverages and non have to pay extra. The first potable service is kicked off with champagne. When the food is served at that place is another chance to order a drinkable. (Julie stocked up on some French wine) And later on the meal is coffee service too. The drinks included items such every bit white and red vino champagne, Heineken Beer, mineral water, fruit juices, iced tea, soda, tea, coffee and hot chocolate.
Beautiful lilliputian wine bottles.
A peek at the drink cart.
Repast Service: Washington to Paris
On the style to France, the drinks and meals were served fairly quickly afterwards departure, probably to allow passengers to go to sleep since it was a red eye flight. Prior to the service little menus were handed out which was really helpful. You could also pre guild (for a fee) special meals besides.
Our bill of fare for Air French republic Dinner. (Click to overstate)
It seems most flights feature two options: chicken and a vegetarian pasta. We tried both options on both flights and have to agree the pasta tastes way better. These meals looks like frozen meals. While the chicken basically tastes how it looks, the pasta could have passed for a non microwave meal. Nosotros were glad to order 1 of each though and share to get a little protein. The sides were all actually tasty as well. Nothing like having some bread and cheese to get with some wine. The dinner meal consisted of:
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Master dish selection of Chicken and Rice or Pasta with Basil Sauce
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Side dish of Edamame, sweetcorn and olive salad
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A small baguette and butter
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A piece of Black Diamond white cheddar
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A brownie (that did not gustation like coconut)
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A small water
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A packet of utensils, napkin, salt/pepper
The pasta with basil and love apple sauce.
The craven and rice dish.
Upon waking upwardly it was a very quick beverage and potable service. There was no pick, simply a little tray for anybody. While it was calorie-free with yogurt, a muffin, and juice, it was perfectly fine since nosotros weren't that hungry. The nice thing is everything is quite portable to take with y'all and eat a little subsequently.
The light breakfast repast.
Meal Service: Paris to Washington
For the flight dwelling house, we were kickoff served a modest snack and drinks. The snack included a fiddling handbag of lycopersicon esculentum and herb crackers. Shortly afterwards, nosotros were given menus and served tiffin.
A litter aperitif and champagne.
Lunch Menu (click to enlarge)
Drink Card (click to enlarge)
Once again there was either a option of chicken or pasta, with slightly different recipes. Once once more we ordered both. The lunch included:
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Main dish choice of Chicken and Vegetables or Pasta with Mushroom Sauce
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Side dish of Tunips and Carrots (kind of like a cole slaw)
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A small baguette and butter
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A slice of President camembert
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A lemon poppyseed muffin
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A pocket-size bottled water
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A packet of utensils, napkin, common salt/pepper
The chicken and veggie luncheon option.
The pasta with mushroom sauce lunch pick.
Most an hour before nosotros landed at Dulles aerodrome, we were given an additional small meal. This snack came in a cute little Bon Appetit bag which was perfect to have with us and eat some later in the customs line. The light snack included:
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Minor mushroom and cheese sandwich
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A drinkable raspberry yogurt
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A soft Madeleine cookie
About Charles de Gaulle Airport
Arriving at CDG is quite easy. We got off the aeroplane and followed a series of corridors until nosotros got to customs. There are bathrooms and a seating expanse along the way before reaching customs if needed. We arrived in Terminal 2E then it took quite a fleck of walking and a trip on a people mover to get there merely just follow the signs and it is easy to navigate. Later clearing customs, we collected our baggage, which beat u.s. there, and went out to become our Uber.
For departure, it was pretty easy to follow the signs to check-in. For Air French republic, there are kiosks for passengers to print their boarding passes and luggage tags. A representative checks your passport and shows you which line to make it to. Bag driblet off was besides automated. We used a handheld scanner to scan the pocketbook tag, then put it on the scale. Once you confirm the bag is expert to go, it automatically gets whisked away by chugalug. We did this for each bag. Afterwards that, we went through passport control then on to the people mover for our concluding. Once we arrived at the terminal, we went through security and into a big shopping area. Just similar inflow, difference is easy; just keep following the signs.
Final Thoughts
We really loved flight with Air France. We have but used United in the past for long haul flights and this airline blows them out of the water. The staff were so incredibly prissy. The onboard entertainment was plentiful, the food was skillful, and the seats were as comfortable as would be expected. The one downside was the lack of WiFi. Overall it was the perfect mode to boot off our French hazard and nosotros definitely expect forwards to flying Air France again.
A view of the Normandy beaches below…
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Source: https://www.theorlandodinks.com/blog/air-france-flight-review-a380-washington-to-paris-charles-de-gaulle