Review of Air France flight Los Angeles → Paris in Economy

Airline Air France
Flight AF77
Class Economy
Seat 23A
Aircraft Boeing 777-200ER
Flight time 10:45
Take-off 26 Jan 14, 21:15
Arrival at 27 Jan 14, 17:00
AF   #24 out of 94 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings. 6118 reviews
anthonytahiti
By 9865
Published on 14th April 2014
Hello !

We live in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and we fly to France 1 or 2 times a year, with Air France via LAX. I’m tired to always fly with the same companie, the same plane, always transiting in LAX.

Here are the Flight Reports of my first round-the-world trip, with my family (2 adults and 1 child 3 years old), in Economy class.

Routing is PPT – LAX – CDG – TLS – FRA – SIN – AKL – PPT
Companies will be Air France, Lufthansa Cityline, Singapore Airlines and Air Tahiti Nui

    1ST PART : From Tahiti to France : I did it my way Papeete [PPT] - Los Angeles [LAX], Air France AF77, B772, Economy, January 26, 2014 CLICK HERE Los Angeles [LAX] - Paris [CDG], Air France AF77, B772, Economy, January 26, 2014
    YOU ARE HERE     Paris [CDG] - Toulouse [TLS], Air France AF7788, A320, Economy, January 27, 2014 CLICK HERE 2ND PART : Going East : New Horizons Toulouse [TLS] - Frankfurt [FRA], Lufthansa Cityline LH1099, CR7, Economy, February 17, 2014 CLICK HERE Frankfurt [FRA] - Singapore [SIN], Singapore Airlines SQ325, B77W, Economy, February 17, 2014 CLICK HERE 3RD PART : Back to Tahiti : Full Circle Singapore [SIN] - Auckland [AKL], Singapore Airlines SQ285, B77W, Economy, February 22, 2014 CLICK HERE Auckland [AKL] - Papeete [PPT], Air Tahiti Nui TN102, A343, Economy, February 23, 2014 CLICK HERE



After arriving on time at LAX and painful first part of transit (50 minutes for US Customs & Borders), we briefly go out on American groung, just to go up one floor

photo FR96 LAX CDG (1)

And it’s not finished yet, we must go through security filters

photo FR96 LAX CDG (2)

It’s crowdy, we must wait downstairs and the agent upstairs on the left, obviously not sporty enough to walk downstairs, orders passengers to open or close the ribbon and going up by small wave and continue to queue a little higher

photo FR96 LAX CDG (3)

1 hour and 30 minutes after landing, we finally airside.

photo FR96 LAX CDG (4)

The flight program shows many flights to AKL with Air New Zealand tonight, and also one delayed flight, guess who? Air Canada did not fail in its unflattering reputation in the field on Flight Report

photo FR96 LAX CDG (5)

We have few minutes to spent in Air France Lounge

photo FR96 LAX CDG (6)

Lounge is still unpleasant (I visit it almost each time I transit in LAX)

photo FR96 LAX CDG (7)

Fortunately there are some attractions outside :
The NZ Hobbit plane (B77W)

photo FR96 LAX CDG (8)

And also the NZ All Black plane (B77W)

photo FR96 LAX CDG (9)

Beautiful show outside

photo FR96 LAX CDG (10)

Boarding starts on time. You could think that there is not so many people, but all the economy pax are waiting offscreen on the left. We go quickly with the SkyPriority lane.

photo FR96 LAX CDG (11)

The boarding pass is always the same, simply adorned with the traditional American control scribbles

photo FR96 LAX CDG (12)

This is the same aircraft B777-200ER (F-GSPD) which performs the whole journey PPT LAX CDG.

photo FR96 LAX CDG (13)

We find the same seats, left side of row 23. It is impossible for us to choose different seats on the 2 sections (ticket PPT CDG considered one only flight), so I did not have the right to choose row 20 (and its generous legroom 20C or 20J ) yet free on LAX CDG at the time of booking

photo FR96 LAX CDG (14)

Living space for the night

photo FR96 LAX CDG (15)

Entertainment will be functional from boarding

photo FR96 LAX CDG (16)

Legroom

photo FR96 LAX CDG (17)

View from my seat

image

Through the window, the neighbor Air Canada has finally arrived, a Virgin A346 departing to LHR at the same time (I’d like to fly with them one day, DL marketing) and B77W All Black plane pushed back

photo FR96 LAX CDG (19)

A black airplane at night, not easy to photograph

photo FR96 LAX CDG (20)

Push back at the scheduled departure time.
Taxiing 15 minutes allowing me to see that it is much easier to photograph a white aircraft at night

photo FR96 LAX CDG (21)

Take off to the Pacific

photo FR96 LAX CDG (22)

U-turn and a view to the runways of LAX

photo FR96 LAX CDG (23)

Let’s go

photo FR96 LAX CDG (24)

The flight duration is particularly short this time, arriving well in advance

photo FR96 LAX CDG (25)

Distribution of menus

photo FR96 LAX CDG (26)photo FR96 LAX CDG (27)photo FR96 LAX CDG (28)

Our route seems to be moving further south than usual

photo FR96 LAX CDG (29)

My entertainment of the early flight will be a very good movie : “the buttler”

photo FR96 LAX CDG (30)

Service begins quickly after takeoff. Champagne, Heidsieck & Co. Monopole

photo FR96 LAX CDG (31)photo FR96 LAX CDG (32)

Distribution of childmeal tray

photo FR96 LAX CDG (33)

Main dish was good

photo FR96 LAX CDG (34)

Then the meal of the day, with a choice of beef Parmentier for me

photo FR96 LAX CDG (35)

Starter : vegetable salad lack of seasoning, I have not found vinaigrette on the tray

photo FR96 LAX CDG (36)

Beef Parmentier was good, even very good

photo FR96 LAX CDG (37)photo FR96 LAX CDG (38)

Dessert : Tiramisu was too dry, what a pity.

photo FR96 LAX CDG (39)

After that, it is time to sleep, the kid will sleep well without moving too much, and I find myself spending a pretty good night without long awakenings, and I finally awake 1 hour 30 minutes before landing for snack (we have saved more time in flight with an arrival more in advance)

imagephoto )

Approching European coasts

photo FR96 LAX CDG (41)photo FR96 LAX CDG (42)

Distribution of childmeal snack

photo FR96 LAX CDG (43)

Pancake and applesauce

photo FR96 LAX CDG (44)

And adult tray with a coffee to wake up

photo FR96 LAX CDG (45)

Snack is now a hot service, but that is not so good, full fat as the photo suggests

photo FR96 LAX CDG (46)

It’s daylight at this time, weather is still beautiful at this altitude

photo FR96 LAX CDG (47)

But it’s a cold destination

photo FR96 LAX CDG (48)

The cabin is prepared for landing

photo FR96 LAX CDG (49)

Final approach under the clouds with beautiful light

photo FR96 LAX CDG (50)

Landing with 1 hour ahead

photo FR96 LAX CDG (51)

Taxiing about 5 minutes :
XL Airways A333

photo FR96 LAX CDG (52)

Junction Building 2A - 2C (Terminal 2)

photo FR96 LAX CDG (53)

Terminal 2E, the Kingdom of Air France

photo FR96 LAX CDG (54)

But also:
Japan Airlines B77W

photo FR96 LAX CDG (55)

A343 Mauritius

photo FR96 LAX CDG (56)

And Skyteam livery (AF B77W) to finish

photo FR96 LAX CDG (57)

We are at our parking stand at Satellite 3 (Terminal 2E gates L)

photo FR96 LAX CDG (58)

No more long haul with AF for this trip

photo FR96 LAX CDG (59)

Disembarking, personal message for PPT passengers like me

photo FR96 LAX CDG (60)

Last look to this bird which has flown a long way

photo FR96 LAX CDG (61)photo FR96 LAX CDG (62)

Terminal 2E-2F junction is almost deserted, very fast pass through security checks and immigration is especially nice (thanks to our early arrival it seems)

A few days later, AF seeks my opinion on this flight AF77, which is the same as in this report : good flight unsurprisingly, with bad point for restrictions for passengers from PPT on this line.

photo FR96 LAX CDG (63)


One last flight , it is not finished …
See more

Verdict

Air France

7.5/10
Cabin7.5
Cabin crew7.5
Entertainment/wifi7.5
Meal/catering7.5

Air France KLM Lounge

5.8/10
Comfort4.0
Meal/catering4.0
Entertainment/wifi7.0
Services8.0

Los Angeles - LAX

3.0/10
Efficiency0.0
Access5.0
Services2.0
Cleanliness5.0

Paris - CDG

8.5/10
Efficiency10.0
Access8.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.0

Conclusion

Air France
Comfort is finally a good surprise, I had a better trip than usual. I could sleep for several hours and I was surprised to say already ? when I woke up for snack.
Catering was better than the first leg despite a disappointing dessert on the first service.
Good In-Flight Entertainment, but the screen is too small.

Air France KLM Lounge, terminal 2
Ugly lounge, limited place when two planes at the same time. Providing correct press, free wifi. Staff is the only good point about this lounge, always friendly and welcoming.
Catering : supply remains limited despite improvements for 1 year, with sandwiches

LAX Terminal 2
Following the transit was just as painful as the first part, waiting long enough for security controls. The final 1hour and 30 minutes between the landing of the first flight and the arrival in the boarding area is really too long. Terminal still ugly and unpleasant .

CDG Terminal 2E
A pleasant surprise with a very fast track of different checkpoints, passport and security, and even a smiling police officer. The transit was fast and 2E -2F connection is now well made.

Information on the route Los Angeles (LAX) → Paris (CDG)

Les contributeurs de Flight-Report ont posté 72 avis concernant 4 compagnies sur la ligne Los Angeles (LAX) → Paris (CDG).

Useful

La compagnie qui obtient la meilleure moyenne est Air Tahiti Nui avec 7.6/10.

La durée moyenne des vols est de 10 heures et 36 minutes.

  More information

6 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 105937 by
    jetsetpanda 2283 Comments
    Thank you for sharing this nice report on a West Coast-CDG route. Catering seems OK for this route and at least the 2nd meal (breakfast) is more generous than what is offered on the JFK-CDG.

    The AF lounge at LAX is really disappointing and I've heard it is one of the worst in the system. I was not very impressed when I was there last year. Fortunately it was not very full when I visited but I can imagine how uncomfortable it must be when it is at capacity.
    • Comment 292621 by
      jetsetpanda 2283 Comments
      I can't refuse to comment on a good report. ;) Thanks.

      So if I understand correctly, at TBIT you have two lounges that you can use - KE Skyteam and another one named LAXSUL?

      Here is the link from the Skyteam website:

      http://www.skyteam.com/en/Why-SkyTeam/SkyTeam-Lounges/Lounge-Finder/Skyteam-lounges-in-Los-Angeles-Los-Angeles-International-Airport/

      I've heard that AF uses TBIT for their A380's and anything else leaves out of T2, so it makes sense to have all flights depart from the intl. terminal.
    • Comment 292523 by
      anthonytahiti AUTHOR 1563 Comments
      Thank you, it´s a pleasure to find you here as a commentator.
      Economy catering has been improved for the second service on the longest flights with a hot meal.
      This lounge in terminal 2 was awful, but it´s over now. From march 31, AF moves all his flights including AF77 and AF76 between PPT and CDG to TBIT.
    • Comment 292733 by
      anthonytahiti AUTHOR 1563 Comments
      I've heard that AF will use the KE/Skyteam lounge, not a self owned lounge. Never heard about the LAXSUL International Lounge, I will see next month perhaps ;)

      Yes AF uses TBIT for A380 and T2 for other flight (777). From march 31 all flights operate from TBIT
    • Comment 292524 by
      anthonytahiti AUTHOR 1563 Comments
      The seat is narrow, 17 with the 10 in-a-row configuration (3-4-3). That´s why I was really surprised to sleep well !

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