Review of Air France flight Los Angeles → Paris in Premium Eco

Here I go for a short business trip in France.

Short because family (my wife and my 3 years old kid) did not want to come with me and stay in France for holidays. But a lonely trip brings a lot of benefits ;)

As this is a business trip, I don’t pay myself the ticket, and as the stay is short, I would like to travel in more comfortable conditions than coach class. I asked for a flexible ticket in Economy or Premium Economy, so a paid upgrade would not be too expensive for me.

1ST PART : From Tahiti to France Papeete [PPT] - Los Angeles [LAX], Air France AF77, B772, Premium Eco, May 16, 2014 CLICK HERE Los Angeles [LAX] - Paris [CDG], Air France AF77, B772, Premium Eco, May 16, 2014
YOU ARE HERE 2ND PART : Back from France to Tahiti : Flying with style Paris [CDG] - Los Angeles [LAX], Air France AF66, A380, Premiere, May 25, 2014 CLICK HERE Los Angeles [LAX] - Papeete [PPT] Air Tahiti Nui TN1, A343, Business, May 25, 2014 CLICK HERE

For this trip to France, this is a Premium Economy ticket. Today is the first day of school holidays in Tahiti, so the plane is full in all classes, and I had no opportunity at any time to find a Z or I fare (cheapest Business fares).

This is how I find myself in Premium Economy cabin for this trip, in a cabin that I had often taken in the past on this route and that I’m not a fan, considering the unfavorable price value. I find the the seat too uncomfortable on a flight as long, especially at night.

I arrive from PPT and I rather enjoyed the first flight of the day, and the transit procedure has been quick.

I find myself in the corridor leading to the departure area



Lounge guide, helpful to find my way



Here I go



Upon arrival in the new TBIT, I feel it will be nicer than the horrible Terminal 2



I go immediately to my right to a food court



The dining options are not lacking with also a Starbucks in the south concourse



And a more classic restaurant on the mezzanine in the central part



The TBIT is well stocked, decoration and lighting are very nice



The huge departures board on a giant screen



Direction North Concourse



Or South Concourse



My future gate is south side



Newspapers available, thank you AF



My bird (F-GSPD) is waiting while the sun sets



The neighbor is a China Southern’s huge plane



After this short visit, it’s time to go to the Skyteam lounge, held by Korean Air



Here is the entrance with AF staff and its small desk on the left (shame not to be with Korean colleagues behind the main desk)



I arrive first in a space while length



The food area is on the right, well separated from the rest of the lounge



Here is the food offer that is identical to that proposed in the old Korean lounge, namely a fairly basic offer, no hot food despite dinner time. But we are light years of pitiful AF KLM lounge in Terminal 2, so that's a big progress!



The lounge is L-shaped around this food area, here is the second part



A mezzanine overlooking the duty free zone



A bar in a corner will remain closed during my visit



But some drinks are self service



Finally, the wifi allows me to achieve the corporate picture



Boarding has already started when I go down to the gate. Panels invite Premium passengers to board in the first jetbridge



I go in through the L1 door



That gives me the opportunity to cross the Business cabin



After joining the flow of eco pax at L2 door, I found my Premium Eco seat



Small bottles of water



Safety belt with air bag



Screen size is correct for eco



The headphones that are difficult to extract from their storage



Pilot light



The footrest, so difficult to reach for small people



Seat control with two buttons: one to recline the seat (as in eco) and the second to raise the leg rest



Amenity kits are already placed on our seats at time of boarding



We push back at the scheduled departure time
Planspotting attempt by night
China Southern A388



Fiji Airways A332



Qantas A388



We take off to the Pacific 15 minutes later



A small loop and we are back in the right direction



That leaves me a lot of time



View from my seat on the Premium cabin



Menu distribution



The aperitif (Champagne) is served quickly, 30 minutes after takeoff



I wait almost 45 minutes to have the meal tray



Hey, the metal cutlery disappeared!



I do not let down, reminder of the menu



Let’s go



Starter : the fish terrine with seaweed, marinated shrimp is very good



I choose a great value for the main course : salmon parmentier is good as usual



The box contains an American cheese and apple compote



The dessert is not a Grand Marnier almond cake as advertised on the menu but a lemon dessert that is not too bad



This time I'm entitled to my greedy cone



Some sweeties much appreciated



Finally, the catering is good again for the first meal

I start to watch a movie, Jobs



The cabin is in darkness 2 hours after takeoff

2 pictures (taken at landing) to show a big flaw of the seat : the lack of inclination
My seat fully reclined



Little difference between my reclined seat (on the right) and the seat in the upright position (on the left)



I sleep somehow, frequently awakened to change position and relieve pressure points on my backside

A little over 5 hours later (and a little more than 1h30 before arrival) the lights come back suddenly. I really hope there will be a mood lighting in the retrofitted cabin!



We are approaching the Irish coast



And GE90 still purrs quietly above a sea of clouds



Breakfast is served



It is a little better and a little more generous than the previous flight, but it's only average quality



The sandwich is hot



We reach the English coast in Cornwall above Land's End



Then France, we approach the Cotentin



Cherbourg



A little later, Le Havre



The « Oceane » Stadium, home of the soccer team of Le Havre



Normandy Bridge, linking Le Havre and Honfleur



Tancarville bridge slightly upstream on the Seine



Meanders of the Seine



Rouen



The flight is coming to the end, AF gives some practical information



Final approach



CDG



The flying saucer (Terminal 1)



Touchdown with 20 minutes ahead



Many barcode here (nickname of Air France’s logo on the tail)



At our parking stand 5 minutes later near a B744 at the K gates (Pier of the Terminal 2E)



See you soon



Disembarking across the Business cabin



Then through a glass jetbridge



Last look to my bird



Immigration by Access No 1 will not be fast, 15 minutes in a queue that does not move an inch : Welcome to France !




End of this trip to Paris for 1 week in France