Prior to Summer 2024, NYC has been my top traveling destination.
Originally, I had planned to go to the USA in October 2024 (due to cheaper price for flights and hotels). But I made a last minute change, so I chose New York.
The Medical Center closure (07/25/2024-08/18/2024) made all employees take a 15-day vacation. I had no vacation days left for October.
This trip was a gift from my parents for obtaining my first occupation since graduating from my Accounting Technical Degree (2018).
After 8 days, we came back to Paris.
The weather was gloomy and cloudy on the morning of August 7th.
5 years earlier, I was planespotting at Paris CDG to capture my first ever ANA R2D2.
Let's not go off topic, shall we ?
After checking out from Springhill Suites Manhattan (near Madison Square Garden), we took the subway from 34 St Penn Station to Howard Beach. Then the Air Shuttle towards JFK Airport T1.
I wanted a window seat for the returning flight. All window seats were blocked. Then, I realized the downside of purchasing the cheapest fare with Air France. I had nothing to do with it, it was my parents who made the call, not me :/ !
There was a huge difference between ANA/LH and AF.
Sorry I forgot to take pictures from the inside of T1.
Security checkpoint was much slower. Taking off our shoes was besides required.
I proceeded until G5.
Luckily, AF operated 5 daily flights to NYC.
I had anticipated a short night of sleep due to the jet lag.
I took a quick selfie before heading to our boarding gate
Some planespotting before boarding AF05.
Picture 1: Airbus A380-800 Korean Air To Seoul Incheon
Picture 2: AF03 to Paris CDG
Picture 3: Boeing 747-400 to Frankfurt
Planespotting P2
Photo 4: Boeing 777-300ER China Eastern Airlines to Shanghai Pudong
Photo 5: Airbus A380-800 Lufthansa to Munich
Photo 6: Boeing 777-300ER Air France to Paris CDG
Our airplane was F-GSQK (nicknamed Amiens).
How come flying to the East was faster than flying from the East to the West ???
Boarding began an hour prior to takeoff.
Estimated duration : 6 hours (more specifically, we actually spent 5h57 from NYC to Paris).
Despite my frustration of failing to get a window seat, I was happy as it was the first time I have ever flown with AF on a long-haul flight.
I should express my gratitude. Things did not always go the way I wanted ! That is life !
I sat at the rear of the aircraft, near the emergency exit.
We departed NY JFK between 6:30 P.M and 7 P.M .
I started watching Wonka (2023). I had decided to spend the rest of the flight sleeping after finishing that movie.
An hour after takeoff, I got up to walk around.
It was still daylight. Sunset merely began in NYC. The outside of the plane was cloudy. As a result, we could not see a thing.
Half an hour later, diner was served by the cabin crew.
Option 1 : Pasta
Option 2 : Chicken with mashed potatoes, potatoe salad, chocolate cake with a glass of iced apple juice
AF even provided us with a bottle of water
After diner, I requested a glass of hot chocolate, yummy !!!
I barely slept between 1.5 hours and 2 hours.
1 hour before arrival, breakfast was served.
Sorry I forgot to take a picture of my breakfast. Furthermore, my cellphone ran out of battery. I had 33% remaining so I intended to save energy.
If my memories were accurate, I was given a bread with jam. In addition of orange juice, I got a yogurt and a cake.
We landed at 6:57 A.M, an hour earlier than expected.
It was a sunny morning. The Olympics were still ongoing in Paris. Of course, I had been cheering for Team USA since the beginning of the Olympics :D
We got off the airplane, we did not have to get our luggage.
We carried our small luggage with us. If you booked light fare, you were only allowed to carry hand baggage. Check-in luggage was allowed but you had to pay an extra fee.
We were tired, we rested for an hour before getting on the commuter train that brought me and my mother back home.
Bonus Pictures of my departing flight Paris-NYC (07/31/2024)
