Review of AtlasGlobal flight Paris → Istanbul in Business

Welcome to the second part of this routing. We now have to connect from 2G to 2C.

J wasn't aware that it was possible to go from the G terminal to the C via airside bus, this was a nice surprise, not being a great fan of clearing security multiple times. The bus is not direct though, you need to connect at 2E. The strange thing is that a connection to 2B/D is also available via 2E but not advertised.

Passport control is performed by the coldest agent I have ever met. That doesn't play in favour of France's image. Sad.
Here comes the shuttle.

While driving we saw this SQ A380:

Then AF - 777-300ER:

AA - 330:

It is the first time for me to use 2C

Mandatory way through the Duty Free:

Our flight is scheduled to be on time:

Walking through the terminal to go the Paris Lounge:

Lounge "Salon Paris" cdg terminal 2c

The hall is not really welcoming, the lounge looks old and dated.

It is now 12:30PM and I' like to check something on the buffet.

I read in one of the french report that a fellow Flight Reporter visited the lounge after lunch time and that the breakfast offer was still in place. Bingo, that is exactly the same here. A shame for a lounge, IMO.

There is no small water bottle which is really odd, as there are soda cans, beer cans, juices can. Water is something that people love to take away and costs nothing. I don't understand the rational behind. Also on display some sweets that are certified, without pork. LOL.

I inform one of the staff member that the breakfast offering is still on the buffet and given the time, it should be lunch by far. She apologizes and says it has been forgotten. She brings a plate of sandwiches and finger food out of the kitchen but the breakfast items stay where they are. I grab something to nibble, nothing to write a home about.

We both hated this lounge: no view, the food is appealing, the staff not really helpful.

THE FLIGHT

Sorry I wasn't able to get a better picture of the plane:

MD to Antananarivo:

The flight is codeshare with AF but all AF passengers need to come to the desk to have a new boarding pass printed on KK stock.

A few words about this codeshare: the least I can say is that there is no communication between AF and KK: KK does not allow advanced seating assignement for non KK tickets. But they open their check in 48H before the flight. I selected 1DF for my mom and I. AF opens the check in 30H before the flight and then, we got 2A and 1F assigned. Impossible to make any change on AF site, I log on to KK and see that we are indeed in 2A /1F, I change it bacck to 1DF but then impossible to print the BP. On AF nothing changes. This got sorted out at the boarding desk, the agent explained that their systems are not working together at all.

Boarding starts on time: Business first and then all others :)

At the door :)

Fuselage Shoot :

Very friendly and nice welcome, the hostesses are wonderful, dressed in all red (that might be a bit less wonderful). They are wearing very high heel red shoes, a bit Louboutin style. They remove the shoes for the service though. The cabin is not the Euro-style business but a real business class with only 8 seats.

Real pillow and big blanket:

The only not so nice thing are the paper seat cover, but that is not a big deal:

The seat is very comfy with good padding and a generous recline.

Safety card:

Onboard magazine:

Our neighbor is the HiFly A380

Slides are not armed yet:

I have never seen that before: the curtains are closed to serve the pre-departure drinks. Folks in the back are not allowed to see what the guus at the front drink :)

Here it is:

One can chose between OJ, sparkling wine or water.

The curtain to the galley is also closed.

And opened back for the safety demo. The HiFly A380 again:

EK A380:

Teaser for the next flight:

Pretty smart compartment but mind to not forget your belongings after the flight…

How I miss this beauty in the skies!

Primera - A321 NEO:

E-135 - Equaflight:

A320 - Small Planet:

Qatar - 333:

Line up soon:

V1, V2, rotate !

Short movies are shown on drop down screens:

The table is dressed:

15 minutes into the flight the tray arrives

The offer today is either beef, fish or pasta. The only regret here is not being handed out a menu.

Very basic cuttlery:

The wine is pretty cheap but drinkable.

Salt and pepper:

We both went for the beef that was good. It was more a chinese style beef, but without menu, not sure on what it was exactly. The starters were fresh and the bread is served warm in a bread basket. Once finished, hot drinks, digestive liquors and dessert are offered in a separate step.

The dessert was nice and a good way to round off the meal. No service trolley was used during the whole meal.

In cruise:

The flight is smooth and the crew comes very often to check if nothing is needed. Very proactive!

Shortly before arrival the captain takes the mike and informs us that we have to do some holding as IST very busy is. As usual, indeed!

As we land I am surprised to find this TU134:

Impossible for me to know more about it, apart that it seems to be a russian state plane.

Once at parking stand the crew thanks the passengers for using KK and tells the business passengers that a dedicated crew bus is waiting for them.

We have fast pass cards for immigration and breeze through it in no time. Our bags are delivered among the first and we are out 20 minutes after landing, great job. But catching a cab is a nightmare: ridiculous long lines and very few taxies available: we will need 50 minutes to get one. The only good news is that the ride to the hotel costs … 20TRY and that is less than 3€ for 10 minutes.
Stay tune for the next part to come soon!