I realize that Flight report having started in France the vast majority of Flight-Reports are only written in French. Yet the number of foreign readers and contributors is growing so I have decided to translate my latest report as my friend Mathieu just did.
A small group of french Flight Reporters decided to meet in Toulouse, in the Southwest part of France ,to spend the week end together. On the agenda : spotting, visit of the airbus facilities and visit of the new Aeroscopia Museum. As you all know Toulouse is where A380 and A330 are built by Airbus and the city has a long tradition of aviation since the first world war. I had no intention to report this domestic flight by finally decided to take a few pictures with my Iphone , hence the poor quality of some pics.
Waking up at 6: 15 on a saturday was by far the worst part of this wonderful week end ! I took a cab to the airport and on saturday morning the ride to CDG was very quick. It was raining in Paris but I knew that better weather was expected in Toulouse. Security check was fast as I used the SKYPRIORITY fast track. I headed to the Air France lounge in Terminal 2 F where I waited for François, also known as Ducourf on this site. Paris is served by Orly and CDG but as long as the lounge will be better in CDG , I will continue to choose CDG for my domestic departures ! It allows me to have breakfast.
It's raining outside as planes get prepared for their next flights.
François joins me in the lounge from which we can spot this Delta B 747 which is rather unusual in Paris. The B 747 is even more beautiful with the Delta livery.
Thanks to SKYPRIORITY boarding is a breeze and I take my time to take those pics from the jetbridge.
Today's aircraft is le F-HBNL and is based in Toulouse.It's an Airbus A-320 so there is no chance to see the newly designed seats as Air France is fitting first the A 319 with the new leather cabin.
I take my seat in 4 F , the cabin is far from full and the next seat will remain free for the duration of the flight. Luggage is being loaded on the plane while an A-318 babybus is waiting for its next flight.
Flight attendants seem to have a small problem, usually it has to do with the headcount on board.
The problem is solved, doors are closed and armed and the purser proceeds to make the welcome on board announcements in French and English.
A dirty B77 with the old livery arrives from Sao Paulo. I wonder why it takes so long to toll out the new livery on all aircrafts ! It's not very France is in the air
This month's inflight magazine promotes Vancouver, the third Canadian city served by Air france.
Push back
As we start to go towards the runway I enjoy spotting from my seat.
American, French and Chinese relatives of the SKYTEAM family lined up along the terminal
Two huge A-380s
As we take speed for take off, I can see CDG where many long haul flights have just arrived.
Just after taking off we can see more of CDG with the usual morning traffic
Many Asian A380 with Singapore, Malaysian and Thai are parked in terminal 1 , the first terminal of CDG build 40 years ago.
This is the maintenance zone where Air France airplanes get a check between flights
A pillow is available on board this short domestic flight.
The right engine in flight
As frequent travellers on Air France know, the catering for morning flights consists of a choice of croissant or other breakfast rolls instead of the usual salty or sweet snacks. I choose a chocolate roll with a cappuccino . The flight attendant suggest we can take more than one as the flight is not full. A little but kind proposal.
Flight attendants proceed in the cabin
I decide to join François for landing in row 7 as the seats next to him are free.
An Airbus A 350-900 is waiting for us
What I like about Toulouse is that the airport is used by Airbus and that you can spot many airlines that are not usually seen in Europe such as this nice Hawaiian airlines A 330
We land 10 minutes ahead of schedule ! A last look at my plane
A welcome sign is posted near the exit
We head to gates C& D where Mathieu and Chevelan are arriving from Lyon and where all the gang is waiting for us. No need to say it was a great week end.
A little bonus of the Aeroscopia museum which is worth visiting if you visit Toulouse !
Hey Christophe,
Do I have to comment this FR again ?
Yes I do.
Thanks for translating your french report into english. I hope the foreign community will appreciate it.
Unfortunately, there's no orange juice on these AF's morning flights.
It's pleasant to have refill in french pastries.
This cabin is my favorite one.
See you my friend,
Thanks for you report
Good idea to write it in english.
Maybe i'll be able to write one in Polish, but i don't think anybody would read it :(
MK flight was late in CDG as he landed when you took off according to your pictures :)
See you
Thanks for your comment ! I am afraid that Polish is not yet available in the language selection ! but who knows when the site will be world famous ! ;-)
Thank you for sharing this beautiful report for the benefit of non-French speakers.
The DL 744 caught my eyes. It's indeed rare to see that airplane on European soil since it is mainly used for Asian ones. As you know the 744's are a vestige of the merger with NW and these planes were deployed for the transpacific routes.
Interesting that AF started CDG-YVR this month. It now has the Pacific Northwest covered with flights to SEA in addition to YVR. However, I must say that the distance between YVR-SEA is only about 150 miles or 241 km and driving between these cities is 2 hrs 30 min. Does it make sense to serve these two markets that are so close to each other? SEA is logical because of partnership with DL and their focus to convert SEA into a main hub. YVR on the other hand is a *A fortress with AC as a hub, so the ability to connect passengers is not the most efficient. However, YVR is a wealthy city with a high tech and film industry presence, so perhaps the premium cabins get filled up more easily. Regardless, it's great to see this corner of the world get more exposure and open up this market to European customers. I'm sure nature lovers will find these destinations hard to resist.
Wonderful spotting and aerial views.
That is true, but AC doesn't serve CDG ex-YVR. KL has a AMS-YVR route already, so it must be profitable.
Thanks for your comment . In fact AF dropped the SEA route from CDG in favor of DL . Well it's the same family I have flown to both airports direct from CDG for SEA with a stop at SFO for YVR 2 years ago. There are so many things to do and see in the Vancouver area that i am sure flights will work ( at least in the summer!)
Merci Christophe,
Beautiful aerial shots at CDG on take-off.
The breakfast offering may appear menial, but the US-fliers would gladly take a pastry on a domestic flight (except for those that insist on bacon and eggs)!
When they aren't on strike^^, AF looks like a good, functional domestic carrier.