Welcome to this report where I would cover my first ever Air France flight from Toulouse to Paris Orly. Originally, I was going to take the TGV from Toulouse to Paris but when my onwards flight to Newark on a separate ticket had a schedule change of 1 hour, it was really risky to take a TGV to Gare de Montparnasse due to the self-connection and as I didn't want to leave Toulouse at 8am, I decided to try this airline, about a month before I was originally planning to fly them.
So, this report would consist a brief report of the Air France A319 from Toulouse Blagnac to Paris Orly on their La Navette shuttle.
AF 6129 Toulouse to Paris Orly ( Economy ), Airbus A319You are here
BF 720 Paris Orly to Newark ( Eco blue ), Airbus A350-900Coming soon
Loads for this flight
Economy: 90-95%
ONLINE CHECK-IN
The online check-in process was painless and was easy. Despite checking-in a bit later than the T-30 hour mark, I was able to select a decent window seat for my flight.
At a later stage, the aircraft type was changed to an A319 so I was able to move a bit forward. On today's flight, I haven't opted for an emergency exit row seat which was about €15 according to the exchange rates that day.
Also at the time of this flight, as I didn't have SkyTeam status and as this was a HBO fare, I was assigned boarding Group 5 which boards the last.
TOULOUSE BLAGNAC AIRPORT - TLS
That morning, I have taken the Navette Aéroport from the city to the airport which took about 30 minutes.
After a comfortable bus ride, I have headed to the COVID testing center, as my final destination ( USA ) requires a COVID test despite vaccination status. The process was easy and painless; after paying €42 ( non-EU citizen ), I got the results in 15 minutes and I was also issued a passe sanitaire valid for the next 48 hours, even though I didn't need one.
While waiting for my test results, I have went to Starbucks at the arrivals level and had a cold drink. Unlike other airports in Europe, there was no check at Toulouse Airport and everyone ( including greeters ) were able to enter the terminal.
After picking up my COVID test results in a printout format, I have headed to the departures hall.
Here are the FIDS for the day. To be honest, there weren't many flights during the afternoon hours but it was going to be a busy day during the evening.
I'm glad that I didn't need to stop by the check-in counters as they were a bit busy and there was a wait.
Security was painless with minimal wait and after clearing security it's mandatory to walk through the duty-free store to reach the gate areas.
Most of the stores/concessions were open that day
FIDS again
While hanging around airside, I have realized that the incoming aircraft is delayed thus subsequently our flight would be delayed as well. Although the delay wasn't something major.
The gate was empty about 1h30mins before scheduled departure time. As there weren't enough seating areas enough, I decided to do some spotting.
As Toulouse is not an ordinary airport, it's possible to spot aircrafts of many different carriers. Guess why?
Some more wide-bodies
Ryanair Malta 737-800
Some more wide-bodies
Some narrow-bodies this time
If we return to passenger flights, at that time, this Air Dolomiti Embraer had arrived from Munich
And shortly later the A319 that would take me to Orly had arrived from its previous flight
F-GRXB would be the aircraft that would be taking me to Paris Orly that afternoon.
Some more photos
And within a few minutes, the aircraft has parked at jetbridge E52 which corresponds to gate 31.
At that time this China Eastern A350 was getting prepared for a test flight
As well as this Tigerair A320neo was being towed somewhere
GATE AREA & BOARDING
Despite the short delay, after passengers from the previous flight has disembarked, boarding had started with UM passengers and passengers requiring extra assistance. Later on boarding was announced by groups from 1 to 5 by order. Also as a sidenote , boarding announcements were only made in French.
As the aircraft was not ready yet when boarding started, there was a long queue at the jetbridge.
Another photo of F-GRXB from the terminal
AF 6129 TOULOUSE BLAGNAC AIRPORT TO Paris Orly Airport
After being welcomed by the crew, I have headed to my seat 07A for this flight. Despite being one of the last people to board, I was able to find overhead space for my carry-on near my seat and avoided gate checking my carry-on.
Although the seats doesn't recline, they were comfortable for a domestic hop and the legroom was decent. Probably due to COVID, Air France doesn't provide any written literature onboard their flights.
A view from the window
Upon boarding at the aircraft, the crew offered hand sanitizing wipes and a regular hand sanitizer was also present near the aircraft door.
The overhead panel
It's also a nice touch that all seats were equipped with USB ports which is a nice touch.
After boarding was finished, the doors were shut and we have pushed back with a minimal delay.
At that time the safety demo was demonstrated by the cabin crew and after that, the captain has apologized for the delay due to the late arrival of the incoming flight.
While we were pushing back, this A320 from CDG was taxiing to the terminal. The Air France flight to Charles de Gaulle was delayed 50 minutes that afternoon.
After a short taxi, we were at the runway
And shortly later, we took off
Some photos after takeoff
Toulouse from the air
After taking off, I decided to check the Air France Connect personal device entertainment system
Here are the Wi-Fi options for the day. It's a nice touch that messaging apps are free of charge.
Live TV was also available but it was limited to France 24 in French and English. There were some games available as well.
There is also a route map feature
Shortly after the seatbelt sign has been turned off, the snack service had started. Today's offerings were a pastry with berries and a choice of soft drink. I have opted for a tomato juice which was served with celery salt.
Shortly later, the cabin crew came for trash collection and the captain has made an announcement prior to landing
Route map at that time
After descent preparations were completed, we were close to Paris
And shortly later, we have landed at Paris Orly Airport.
Easyjet and Vueling aircraft at Orly 1
Air France A321 at Orly 2
Some more Air France aircraft
And after a short taxi, we were going to park next to this A318 at a remote stand
Shortly later the seatbelt signs were switched off and after the buses arrived at our parking position, the front door has opened and disembarkation had commenced.
Paris Orly Airport - ORY
After saying goodbye to the crew, I have left the aircraft from the front door and took this fuselage shot
And after a 1h flight on an Airbus made in France, it was time for a 5 minute bus ride on an Iveco bus made in Turkey to the terminal.
Last shot of F-GRXB
After a 5 minute bus ride, we have arrived at Orly 2
At somewhere which used to be international arrivals in the past.
And this report has come to an end. The journey would continue in the next and the last report of the series. Thanks for reading and hope to see you in another report.
See more
Verdict
Air France
8.2/10
Cabin8.0
Cabin crew8.5
Entertainment/wifi8.5
Meal/catering8.0
Toulouse - TLS
8.5/10
Efficiency8.5
Access8.5
Services8.5
Cleanliness8.5
Paris - ORY
8.2/10
Efficiency8.0
Access8.0
Services9.0
Cleanliness8.0
Conclusion
To conclude this Flight-Report, I could say that my first ever Air France flight was pleasant and enjoyable. The seats were decent, the crew was friendly and smiling, the service was decent and the inflight entertainment options is great for the length of the flight.
6 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Must say, I have never heard of 'celery salt' before :-)
- I don't know about the rest of the world but some gourmet markets in Turkey sell it; to be honest, it's not a popular product here in Turkey so probably it's not normal that you're hearing it for the first time.
And those aircraft steps @ORY: looks like some sort of broken covering on top?!
- I have realized the same thing, probably the ground staff didn't care as it wasn't raining that day.
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4 Comments
Must say, I have never heard of 'celery salt' before :-)
And those aircraft steps @ORY: looks like some sort of broken covering on top?!
Bye, Daniel
- I don't know about the rest of the world but some gourmet markets in Turkey sell it; to be honest, it's not a popular product here in Turkey so probably it's not normal that you're hearing it for the first time.
- I have realized the same thing, probably the ground staff didn't care as it wasn't raining that day.
Best,
Er... They all fit in TLS because it’s “too - loose”? hahahahah
This is when I remember I live in the third world. :/
The grand finale, eh? :D
Thanks a lot for sharing. Stay safe!
- Yes, TLS is a big airport :)
- Don't worry about this, every part of the world has different charms. To be honest, we all could live without messaging for an hour.
- Yes, this was the grand finale :D
Once again thanks for stopping by,
Best,
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