Happy New Year 2018
Happy new year 2018 to everyone. And to celebrate this event, we usually take good resolutions. So I'm posting my first FR on the site in English about the journey I did last year to Japan.
Introduction
I've always dreamt to fly to Japan but I never had the opportunity to go, until now. Before consulting airlines's prices, I am interested in flying with 3 of them:
* Air France which is a very good airline I previously flew with, but prices can be very expensive in no time. Besides, transiting in Paris CDG airport can turn into a mess at any moment…
* Lufthansa like AF, a very good airline too. If prices are cheaper, we can fly aboard the newest B747-8i. LH is also the only European airline to use this aircraft's last version. Of course, we need to transit in FRA airport, Germany.
* Japan Airlines with a transit either to London, UK or Paris, France.
If your trip starts from the French capital city with Japan Airlines's flight, you can only go to Tokyo Haneda (HND) because JL abandoned the flight Narita (NRT) - Paris.
Because I don't travel a lot, I don't use any frequent flyer programs. And when I do, all the airlines I like are spread in various alliances and so, I don't join one. Plus, if I don't join a Frequent Traveller Program, I'm free to choose. I usually take the local airline according to the destination (LH for Germany for example) for the prices, cheaper but also for the exotism before arriving.
While I was searching for the tickets, I found an organized tour in promotion with flights included and operated by AF. But because I don't know a lot the arilines's product, I personnally decided to break the rules and fly Emirates for the return.
The Road
Our road is:
- AF 7701 NCE - CDG (English Version) Here AF 7701 NCE - CDG (Version Française) Reparti
- AF 0276 CDG - NRT coming soon
- EK 0317 KIX - DXB coming soon
- EK 77 DXB - NCE coming soon
Departure
It's under the French Riviera's beautiful sunshine that I'm going to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport.
Knowing that the flight CDG - NRT was in Economy Class, Flying almost 11hours is quite difficult for me to accept. Once the tour is paid, I try to upgrade my ticket for Premium Economy or Business on the departure day.
By arriving to Terminal 2, I immediately go to AF's ticketing desk if there's still availability. There's one seat in Premium Eco remaining but 349€ for having this seat, no thank you. Plus, there was a general bug. I'm going to wait until I'm in CDG for the upgrade…
Even if I already have my Boarding Pass because I'm already checked-in, I need to pick up my baggage tag to the machine. But I can't have it… so I have to go to the check-in desk. The agent will give me all the travel documents with a nice smile.
BP on my smartphone.
The news:
Despite an important crowd, Security will be passed quickly enough. Since the airport has been restored, Terminal 2 passed from 2 security checkpoints to only 1. And after security, we have to pass a duty-free before arriving to the boarding gates.
Our aircraft is waiting for us. Its name is F-GRXB.
Introduction of the aircraft:
Before boarding starts, let's go to the lavatory.
Because of the bug, the AF employees are boarding manually instead of using self-boardings. Besides, lots of passengers didn't have their seats yet.
Newspapers space.
Greetings from stewards before going to my seat.
Our neighbors F-HEPE and F-HBNJ.
Gateway removing and pushback with 15 minutes due to the breakdown.
I'll be back, Nice !
A couple of photos during the flight.
Snack time. For this kind of flight, AF doesn't give that much but it's still better than low-cost airlines. My selection.
Cheers !
Until I get to Paris, the flight will be very calm. The final approach where the captain will squeeze the brakes very vigorously.
Little spotting on our way with 2 AC and of course, AF.
There we are. A little bit late on the arrival time but without consequences for our next flight.
The road taken to join Paris CDG Airport.
And it's on this picture I leave you for the next flight.
Thank you for reading me. I hope you enjoyed this Flight Report. If so, you can leave a like and a comment. You can also tell on the comments if there's something that needs to be improved for the next time. For me, I'll find you soon for the next flight between France and Japan's capital cities.
Thanks for sharing your first FR in english with us.
What is price difference between your route and JL to HND? NRT is such an inconvenient airport to arrive at other than for flight connections or accessing Tohoku.
Standard service aboard AF on this short hop (no pun intended^^).
Thanks for your comment :)
About your question, I usually travel by tours. Especially those which the airlines are communicated in case of flights included. All flights (except those operated by EK) were included in the price. So I can't answer.
I know HND is closer and easier to get to the capital city than NRT. I would also rather landing at this aiport. But In the current case, I didn't have choice but to go to NRT..