Avis du vol entre Paris et Fort-de-France en classe Premium Eco avec Air France

Welcome to this Flight report to FDF.

This year, the desire is too strong, so let's not wait until next summer.
As Christmas will certainly be too expensive, we might as well aim for All Saints' Day.

Let's face it, though, it won't be very cheap either, despite the fact that we've bought this ticket in advance.
In conclusion, let's let loose and let's go for the Premium Eco (W).

I will then be able to form an opinion on the new AF Leisure cabins in place since ~2020 on 773 knowing that for the moment, on these new cabins, I have only been able to enjoy the very satisfactory Y.

In W on the destination, I have memories of good flights in the days of "Alizés" W class, thanks in particular to last-minute Y->W upgrades at 159 euros (2017) or 229 euros (2018) on my return from FDF. But that was before.
Since then, the porcelain has gone, as has the welcome glass, and the W catering has largely become questionable.
But I hope that the cabin and its new seat will dispel all that.

For the retrofited J of the AF "Leisure" 773ER (472 seats), we'll have to wait a little longer.

Reminder of the routing hereafter.

ORY

To get to ORY on a Monday morning, I put all my trust in Uber because parking at ORY is far too expensive.
And of course, on a Monday during the school holidays, it's packed.
Our driver will drop us off at the Orly1 "professional" park. 

With copax juninor, we made our way through the corridors of the arrival level before heading back up to the departure level of ORY, right under the "Paris sous aime".
It's a good move, because the departure level is very busy. 

All that remains is to get to the SkyPriority check-in area.
It's pretty clear and of course the formality will be quick.
I notice that the boarding passes are nicer now, with a blue AF border at the top of the front and the Air France logo on the back. 

security and lounge

Now we've got the hardest part ahead of us, namely the security controls.
The place is packed, and it's even worse for what lies ahead.
Although the crowd in the queue itself is not compact, the entry process is slow because several pax are arguing with the screening officer who keeps saying "go and check with them" (I presume the company).
This of course slows everyone down. 

We somehow managed to get into the fast lane to get to the scanners.
After LCY and TRN, where I was just able to put my suitcase on the belt, having to unpack everything here at this security check seems like a real pain. 

The timestamp was clear: it would take me 12 minutes to get through the security, bearing in mind that the families ahead of me would have to negotiate (as they weren't SkyPriority but had been sent to this queue by the entry agent) and that otherwise there was just me and copax junior.
Between the two of us, that made 5 trays…
The hardest part is behind us though. 

The journey to the lounge can begin, but not without a quick visit to La Durée, our famous macaroon vendor.

The border police entrance is rather quiet.

And indeed, we'll be passing quickly.
The entrance to lounge is just beyond. 

Once we'd got through the formalities, the lounge was packed this morning.
We'll take a seat just in the corner of the bench in front of us. 

In all the fuss about the forthcoming transfer of all AF operations to CDG, I thought I'd read that the CAY flights had already been relocated, but not yet, there is still the flight to CAY.
For the 5 lines below, this is the beginning of the end at ORY, we can't be far from D-1000. 

The buffet is still in breakfast mode.
Rather well stocked and restocked after the photos, especially the pancakes, which were a big hit.
Hot dishes included eggs, bacon and pan fried potatoes.
Of course, champagne and rum were served alongside the soft drinks. 

Given that it's less than 10am, despite my taste for vanilla rum, I'll pass this morning.
But this small selection will be very pleasant (especially the pineapple compote). 

By the way, it's time to remind you who will be in charge of our flight, and it will be the 773 BELFORT.

Shortly before boarding begins, we leave the lounge, which has been very busy today in terms of traffic, but still pleasant.
The aircraft of the day is also the one you see as you leave the lounge. 

On the way down, I'll try to give him a better portrait.
Beside our door, the new master of the place, the insolent one, sticks to us. 

In the background, other competitors are preparing their weapons.

In this picture, the gate was professionally framed so that D14 and D15 could be seen at the same time (don't thank me)…

The true portrait of our plane of the day.

boarding and cabin

Boarding started on time and we were the first 2 in the queue (the impatient ones while the others rested in the lounge).
I have to admit that I didn't hear the announcements for families with children, who normally start the ball rolling.
The call from zones 1 and 2 seems to be the first.
The point of pole position is quickly summed up in the images that follow. 

Door and half fuselage shots as we enter in 1L and in 2L there is the other jetbridge.
Nice welcome from the cabin crew who will also be operating in W on my side. 

In the J cabin, with this seat that I'd like to try out but haven't yet found the opportunity, or rather the right price.

And finally, our seats.
With copax junior, we have a deal: window for me on the outward journey, window for him on the return. 

Environment review.
The pitch is comfortable, the tablet important and the screen classic (not very different from Y's although I think it's bigger of course).
As the IFE is active on the ground, copax junior will soon start his cinema session, even if he knows that the instructions will cut him off…
The blanket and pillow are pleasant and similar to the J. 

Between copax junior and myself, the electronic services gallery.
If everything's fine with the headphones, it's getting a bit worse downstairs with the cleaning.
Traces of liquid and crumbs…
It's a good thing the back seat is clean. 

We'd just forgotten to review the safety instructions!

The view from our mini-cabin is still pleasant. But not as nice as cabin J, because there are still 28 of us here.
And it will be 28/28 by the end of boarding. 

The view, wedged between 2 jetbridges, isn't crazy.

While boarding continues, we visit the amenities.
Nothing to report. 

As the IFE is active, I consult the menu.
It's nothing mind-blowing and it'll be a parmentier for us.
However, there is a second menu.
I assume it's Y's. It's not very exciting there either. 

A few drops appeared.
At 11:28, gate 2L closed and finger removed.
At 11:33, door 1L closed and finger removed.
Announcement from the captain: 8 hours of flight, a little turbulence at the start (in the end, nothing notable).
Normally, it's all good. 

Then silence, nothing moves.
11:45: Captain's message again: a default has occurred, we're waiting for maintenance as the check is compulsory.
This may take some time, and the captain apologises in advance.
The finger is handed over and 1L is opened for the maintenance squad.
Finally, at 11:55, everything was sorted. Maintenance had to hammer in the right spot, but no more than that, as it was very quick (and efficient).
We push them in the back and at noon (!), push back.
Small shots of vibrations just the way we like it (or not) when the GEs start up.
The instructions are given and Junior is grumbling to himself. 

taxi, take off and flight

The taxi will be short, but so will the spotting.

Because at 12.08pm, we're at the end of runway 07.

As we've wasted enough time as it is, we'll be taking off straight away.

Gentle take-off and climb.
The sky wasn't very inviting, but the first few minutes of flight were very smooth. 

Outside, given the environment, everything quickly turns white.
In the cabin, the atmosphere is tricolour.
The curtains will soon be drawn. 

12.15pm: Distribution of the kit and a disposable wipe.
This nice little kit will be given a second life.
Its contents are classic.
If I had to choose, I'd rather have an extra hand cream than socks. 

Suddenly I remember that we have a bottle of water and that the headphones have not been presented.
The bottle is always appreciated (and can be refilled on the flight to the bar at the galley, so long may it survive). 

Outside, it's still as white as ever, so we'll have to do something else.

I decide to move.
Most of the pax have started their cinema session. 

Back where I was, I realised that the sky was clearing but I'd missed the coasts line.
editor's note: the same goes for the Azores… although I said to myself "don't forget, don't forget…". 

1.10pm: Start of lunch service.
The tray as proposed. 

Then unwrapped.
The duck parmentier will be good.
On the other hand, the starter is tasteless in my opinion and the clafouti passable.
To reassure myself, I say to myself that it could be even worse given what I've read about the 2nd menu.
This is, of course, the main weakness of the W service.
If the catering was better, I'd consider W more often.
In this case, the strategy is to take advantage of it when the difference with the Y is not insane because there is still more room here. 

At 2.00 pm, end of the story.
Coffee and liquor if wanted.

As for wifi, I haven't said anything yet but it's going to be a mess.
I've worried about it more than once, and there have been several reboots, but the punishment is in, the momentarily unavailable will become permanent.
Back to the good old IFE, reading or other mindless ramblings to occupy the coming hours. 

Are we talking about the photo of the Azores?
Well, it's behind us (and so is the liquor).

Now I can sum up 3 hours of flying in one image!
For once, I'm concise. 

In the meantime, snacks will be distributed in the cabins.
The rest will be available in the galley. 

The galley bar. Not very sexy, if at all, but it does its job for the thirsty.

Of course, I didn't fill my flying hours with blue view and litres of coke.
Instead, I've worn the IFE to the bone, managing to squeeze in 3 movies.
Moral of the story: 6.45pm and it's the start of the second service with the famous AF "bon appétit" bag, just like in Y.
It's also very similar (if not identical) to the one I had in Y in August…
Same comment as for lunch.
Hate cost cutting! 

arrival

The descent begins at 7:36pm.
I switch the IFE to pilot mode so as not to be fooled like I was for the Azores. 

7:42pm: announcement… but I can't understand a thing over the noise (!)… except that we'll only be 10 minutes late.
We're back to big clouds and white. I'm worried about the views of the arrival… 

This photo is of limited interest, but I'm happy with this air to sea… as it's not often that I get to see a big boat approaching.

Stay focused, the earth is approaching.
It's blue, it's clear, I can see the "loup Garou" little sand island! 

Despite the latest heavy rains, the water seems acceptable on the coast.

It's actually quite acceptable.
About the cities: Robert, François, I'm not sure who's where, but roughly speaking, it's there.
The peak? Normally the Vauclin mountain. 

Green, everything is green, welcome to Martinique.

Damn cloud preventing me from getting a nice portrait of FDF again.

The Caribbean Sea is not far away.

"Les Anses D'Arlet" on the coast and "Le Diamant" in the distance.

Saint-Lucia!

Still Saint Lucia, but with some context.

"Le Diamant" (Diamond Rock) and "Morne Larcher", simply beautiful.

Let's go for the big right turn into the bay of FDF to line up.
I notice the Bellefontaine power station for once. 

Soon Fort-de-France.

Here we go.

Lumina tower.

The harbour.

The harbour again.

The SARA refinery.

Runway 10.

Land in sight!

Smooth landing but with a heavy rain appearing at the end of the runway.

Yes, rain, real rain, tropical rain.

nevitably, the photos are harder to take, but it's a nice change from arriving in the sunshine.

Our little cousin on the spot.

It's still a short taxi at FDF, even in the drops.
We're the first to arrive in the afternoon, so it should be smooth at the luggage claim. 

At the gate at 20:18, or 14:18 local time.
8 minutes late, that's forgivable.

Doors open and disembark quickly.

My iconic portrait of my plane in FDF is inevitably very wet.

Arrived at belt 1 effortlessly at 2.25pm.

Baggage delivery started a little earlier than indicated on the screen.
At 2:40pm, the SkyPriority baggage having been taken out first, I made my way to the exit. 

Family is there to take us home after the 8 hours flight.

The rain will give us a little respite on the final move.

I'll leave you with the details of our route, which in the end will have been free of turbulence apart from a few minor ones at the end.
The holidays are starting.
See you soon.