Review of Air France flight Toulouse → Paris in Economy

Report No: 2021-702

Ladies and Gentlemen,

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.

Here is the routing for this trip;

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.