Review of Air France flight Amsterdam → Paris in Economy

AMS

I've just arrived at AMS on time.
I head for the lounge at a snail's pace from Concourse C, where BT has just dropped me off.
A quick hello to AF at the door, unaware that the drama is playing out behind the scenes.
After all, I'm supposed to be on the 12:25 KL1233…
So now you know what's going to happen, since the FR info doesn't match up with the initially planned blue flight.

But it's still a carefree walk to lounge 25.
It's not a very long walk. 

Here I am at the entrance to the lounge.
I notice that the crowds aren't too great.
Despite my share-code ticket, there's no difficulty getting in.
Everything is fine.

I sit at the high tables so as not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the buffet.
It's pretty calm. 

Once settled and before heading to the buffet for a snack, check the FIDS.
KL1233 at 12:25 on D61, all ok.  

I make my way to the central area of the buffet for extra breakfast.
It's still time for breakfast, but I confess, I'm not particularly tempted. 

So I return to my seat with my modest selection and begin to go about my business.
It's 10:02. The minute before "the collapse". 

At 10.04am, I receive an e-mail telling me that my flight has been cancelled and that I've been repositioned on the 2.50pm AF1741….
More than 2 hours of AMS as an extra bonus.
The next thing I know, the text message from KL arrives…
I have to admit, having been up since 5.15am, wandering around the lounge for almost 5 hours isn't exactly a dream come true.
A quick call to the platinum line.
 There's nothing in stock, everything's full.
There's a possible AMS-LYS-CDG out of the blue, but I don't have the energy for such a detour.
So the wise advice becomes: Put yourself on the waiting list for the 13:50 (I save an hour), you never know.
I hang up and go to the lounge counter.
The hostess, very sorry for my misfortune, confirms that the idea from the PL was a good one, but that there's already an oversold of 8 seats on the 13:50 and that, given the cancellation of the KL, my probability of getting on board is beyond nil.
I don't leave empty-handed, however, because at least I'll get a window on the 1741, even if it's in F.
Needless to say, she'll also tell me that AF1741 will be full as an egg.
I resign myself to waiting and spare you the pictures of the lounge, which now looks more familiar to me than my own living room after 4 hours…
The only problem is that, when I check the status of the flight departing from Paris, I realize that it will be delayed by almost an hour. Tavernier, get out the cup, the barrel, so we can quench our thirst to the dregs!
At this point, I say to myself, let go and forget the FR.
But, you know, the natural thing…
So here's the ID of our late plane.  

Iin fine, I'll end up wandering around the terminal for a while.
The weather's in keeping with the situation. 

The brutal reality is before my eyes.

After wondering at length about the relevance, in the rolex corner, of having only rolexes to display and not to sell (also seen at CDG), I rejoice in the passing of time and the fading rain as our plane finally approaches.

Fortunately, it's a beautiful A321.

Gate !!!
Off to the side, I can also hear a number of pax breathing a sigh of relief.
It's here at last. 

Boarding

After an endless wait, and a nameless crush at the gate, zone 2 is called after zone 1.
Everyone is anxious to get back on the plane, and I can't blame them! 

For the fuselage picture, we're in line with the current shipwreck.

But for the plane door, it's clean.

Frankly, it's in stark contrast to the BT cabin, and rather detrimental to the feeling of space (and beyond).

Space-wise, it looks okay on its own, but once the plane is full, the story changes a little.

The pitch may be the same, but now I can't move.

We close the door at 4.25pm and push back at 4.30pm.

The weather is perfect for today's trip.

flight

We're finally at the runway entrance at 4:41 p.m. for takeoff right away.
A little peace and quiet is finally offered to me through the window. 

Here, wifi and usb are present AND working.
I can keep my wife and child informed of the end of my wanderings. 

At 4.51pm, the service begins!
Sandwiches are distributed on the fly, while the liquid trolley follows.
With all my mess and the slope of the ascent, it's hard to find the right level for the tablet… 

Needless to say, it's a race for the cabin crew.
The flight is of the effervescent kind for the service.
I'll have time to say to myself though, soon the end. 

Landing

17h05, start of descent.

Once past the cloud ceiling, the weather is totally in line with AMS.
Soft landing at 5:28pm. 

Among the standard messages, numerous crew member apology for the delay, which is due in particular to a baggage problem on initial departure from CDG (but the story doesn't say what happened to my KL flight).
The gate finally takes shape.
We're parked at 5.40pm.  

Long minutes later, I extract myself from this A321, which is letting its passengers out like a leaky bucket letting its contents out.

It's a relief to be back on this finger…. but the adventure isn't over yet, as I still have to tackle the local train to Paris (RER B).
Fortunately, it won't be bringing any further adventures. 

Stunned but still clear-sighted, I didn't forget to immortalize our FR24 route between 2 photos.

The end of the adventure.
If need be, the end of this trip reminded me that, yes, a direct flight is paradise!

Last information: In view of the delay, I have opened a claims file in accordance with European Directive 261/2004. This was dealt with very quickly by Air France and I obtained the compensation without any difficulty.

See You!