Prologue:
Back in 2006 my sister and I were members of NW's Worldperks and used miles to redeem a flight to Paris. The only routing available was SFO-MSP-EWR on NW and then EWR-CDG on AF. Besides the inconvenience of multiple connections I had to depart at 06:00 which really made me question my sanity in accepting this schedule.i had my heart set on the AF nonstop flight but this was not available after I called numerous times. Then my miracle came through 2 days before the flight and AF opened two award seats at the last minute. At the time this reservation was made under a PLT member and we could cancel and change it without penalties.
My luck was even more timely when I learned that the AF flight on the previous day was cancelled and our flight was now completely full. We were assigned separate seats but when we showed up at the airport the agent was able to sit us together.
We were offered an invitation to the AF lounge but on that day we had lunch with a friend that later dropped us at the airport. We were the first ones at the ticket counter when it opened in order to get the seats together and then went to lunch. We came back a little more than 1 hr before the flight and when we tried to access the lounge it was closing and we had to go to the gate.
This was the first time that I have used a digital camera and my postings were still a work in progress as I learned the ropes. Previous to that I have always relied on my 35mm SLR and this time it was not different. Thankfully I used both cameras because after the AF meal service all my digital ones were lost due to an error that I incurred by exceeding the amount limit. The pics that you will see for this report were scanned from regular prints. I apologize in advance for the blurry quality on some of them as I experimented with settings and controls..
Her "majesty" at the gate. It always takes my breath away when I look at a 747.
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As expected flight was very full and Business Class did not have one open seat. Two male FA’s were at the door greeting customers and directing them to their respective locations. Pre departure drinks were offered in glasses and the choices were orange juice champagne and water. A FA took my coat after I sat down and the amenity kit with bottle of water were already placed on the seat. Hot towels were distributed while on the ground which was bit odd.
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There was plenty of space for carry-ons. Got to love the roominess of 747’s. Overall the cabin was spacious and the seats looked smart. However when I looked up I couldn’t believe how dirty the overhead lights were.
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Take off was smooth and I was afforded a view of downtown SF during climbing as you can see. Menus were distributed when we reached cruising altitude.
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The purser greeted each passenger and explained the features of the new NTC seats and operation of the entertainment system. He was polite professional and very approachable. The first drink service took a long time. I looked at my watch and it was about 1 ½ after take off with no drinks yet. For those unfamiliar with AF service carts are rolled down the aisle during each course and breads are not warmed. I had a tomato juice and the FA handed me a package with a swizzling stick and celery salt. The drink was accompanied by Fauchon’s Gaufrettes au Sel de Guerande(mini wafers) which were excellent. I love any snacks from Fauchon as a matter of fact.
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For appetizer there was two choices - Bloc de foie gras de canard OR Demi-Homard du Maine a la Parisienne. I had the lobster which was served with some salade russe like addition lemon wedge and salad leaves. It was exquisite perhaps the best dish out of the whole meal sequence. It was a nice half lobster tail with a claw that has been perfectly chilled. Simple with a lovely presentation.
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For the main dish there were three choices - Grilled tournedos of beef OR Fillet of sea bass "duglere" OR Duck confit. The sea bass was disappointing. It was overcooked. Fish was a bit dried out vegetables were cooked to mushiness and the limp aspect of the carrots was noticeable. Deep inside I knew that the duck confit would have made a better choice but I couldn’t risk a gout attack surfacing again since I was already recuperating from one the previous week and was still in mild pain when I boarded this flight.
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I also noticed that the cheese plate was served at the same time that you requested your main dish choice. There were 3 pieces consisting of a Roquefort Camembert and one mild one perhaps Beaumont?
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The dessert cart followed and I indulged in some luscious strawberries sweet grapes intensely flavored mango and raspberry sherbets; and a sinful dacquoise pastry. I was slightly disappointed by the Danish butter cookies (found everywhere and rather common) since I was expecting some French ones like calissons. I guess provisions depend on country of origin in this case.
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Once the meal service ended a bar was set up in the galley with a basket of fruits and an assortment of beverages.
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Pretty soon it was time to serve breakfast and I tried the French toasts but they were average. There was no syrup to go with it so it was a bit dry except for the poached peaches. The orange juice was fresh squeezed but very acidic and the La Crème yogurt was reliably satisfying as usual. The bowl of fruit included pieces of watermelon strawberries and pineapples but for J or F class I prefer my fruits sliced and not chopped. Our FA asked if we wanted any hot drink but forgot to offer us the basket of baked goods. Well I guess the less carbs you consume the better.
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AF has a distinctive flair and elegance that is evident especially in the livery. Some time later after this trip report I took a camera and headed to SFO airport to capture images of planes as a project. I stumbled upon an AF 744 parked in a secluded corner of the tarmac and I started to shoot. Even though this is not part of a trip report I decided to share these images with the YTR community.
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========== San Francisco Intl Arpt (SFO) - ==========
========== Air France - Airline ==========
========== Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) - ==========
Summary:
I like flying AF because I have been a fan of this airline since I was a kid. There is a reference of elegance and class associated with the name and I find these qualities evident in its livery. I have always found their inflight magazine engaging, artistic and quite informative. It seems to be geared towards a sophisticated and cultured audience unlike other competitors' publications that feature tons of golf and love matching advertisements.AF is not perfect and some improvements can benefit its image, but in my experience I find their crew to be polite and professional, their meals somewhat enjoyable despite the exploding traces of sauce on their casseroles, their desserts something to look forward to and their Gallic panache uniquely distinctive.
14 Comments
ReplyYou know how to make me smile in the early morning ! The starter was outstanding. Thanks Adan for this vintage report.
My pleasure. It was time to add a Skyteam contribution on my part to vary things a little. ;) Variety is the spice of life as the saying goes. ;)
ReplyHello Adan!!
Thank you for sharing with us this nice old TR on AF's queen of the skies!!
Very nice pics my friend.
Take care
See you soon!
Any excuse to feature a 747. :P Glad you liked it my friend.
ReplyWonderful report and pictures. I'm a 747 fan. Lobster in business. It's great.
Take care Panda.
Thanks for your comments. I am a fan too and the catering choices on this flight were very premium. You hardly see lobster anymore in J these days. If seafood is offered is either smoked salmon or shrimps. Let's see what other "enhancements" are in store in the future. :P
ReplyThank you Panda. Short but a good ride nonetheless. The queen shines but for how long ?
Unfortunately AF retired its 747 fleet already but KL still has them (I think).
ReplyNice to see another report from a panda ! I can see that you traveled in all class in all Alliances ! Well done buddy.
I am fortunate to have been in this game for a long time and as a result I have attained top status with all 3 major alliances - sometimes overlapping each other. When I was a kid in high school I used to visit airline offices after school collecting brochures and when I got back home went through all this information dreaming one day to fly with these airlines. Dreams can become reality if you work at it. ;)
ReplyThanks for sharing this TR
You're always lucky when flying ;)
Maine Lobster is a long time AF appetizer but the presentation is particularly successful
At that time the AF service was certainly much better than the other companies on the Atlantic.
Since then it has remained good but the difference has diminished
See you soon
I don't know if AF is still serving lobster as appetizer these days but at least foie gras has not disappeared from the menu. ;)
In my experience European airlines tend to have more consistency when it comes to professional attitude and service aboard. With US carriers you play Russian roulette - it can be excellent or abysmal depending on how the crew wakes up.
Let's see how this industry develops once we start flying again. Maybe everything will be "on demand" including drinks in the back. Forget about the hot self service buffet in lounges. :(
ReplyOuaf ! JetSet' !
"Back in 2006"..And you thought about taking pictures ! Excellent !
I love your lobster for starter..I am hungry now ! Then seabass : A good cooking for fish is not so easy in flight.
Your last spotting picture with the two 747 neck to neck is beautiful !
Thank You Adan for sharing this excellent ytr !
I did not really start until 2001 with a manual camera and in 2006 I updated to a digital one. I just wished that I had started much earlier because I really flew a lot in the 1990's.
Fish is very easy to be overcooked especially in an airplane.
Love the 747's. Great memories of those planes.
A plus tard mon ami.
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