The configuration and seats in Air France’s Premium Economy. Despite the leg rest, foot rest and adjustable head rest, getting comfortable enough to sleep was out of the question. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For your ultimate well-being, your headrest, foot-rest and leg-rest adapt perfectly to the contours of your body. Here’s our guide to the best cards for airfare purchases. I would do everything in my power to book away from this jet in the future. Did you have any issues making your connection? A380 Premium Economy. Air France is widely known for its high-quality inflight meals and to go a step above to premium economy, there were certainly some high expectations. During summer, Air France flies both an Airbus A380 and a B777 on the SFO-CDG route. Without any good award availability through AirFrance-KLM’s Flying Blue, I purchased a round-trip Delta ticket, in euros, for $583. I wished I had spent $35 for a VIPOne pass through security. Each one is 19 inches wide and has 38 inches of pitch — that’s 1.5 inches wider than in economy and with six more inches for your legs. Here’s what I do remember: there was fabric but no noticeable padding. Here’s the kicker: Delta doesn’t have a proper PE cabin on its aircraft, just a section of Economy seats (called Comfort+) with more legroom. The Grand Marnier cake was decent enough for me to finish, but I passed on a second helping from my wife. Aircraft within the same airline will often have drastically different seats. It was all pretty inedible, to be honest. Did it take you quite a bit of time de-planing? Here, I would like to note that – in spite of the subpar transfer experience – the waiting area of Terminal 2E Concourse M is really nice. PE passengers can check up to two 50-lb. I noticed you mention the issue of de-planing was difficult. It is sad to see the A380 being retired by Air France (and perhaps many other airlines, if it hasn’t already). Early in the morning or late at night, the AF lounge is also open to Priority Pass members, which is how I was able to hang out there last June before my Cayman Airways flight. Two fall within the mediocre middle of transatlantic offerings, while one is exceptional. Thanks! Overhead, there were reading lights… but no air vents! December 23, 2020. I was heading to Athens and exploring Crete in Greece and wanted to see Berlin also. Air France’s Premium Economy section on the A380 is your personal haven of comfort. There is slightly better food out during the hours dedicated solely to Air France customers. Seems like all the flight reviews these days are for Middle Eastern or Asian carriers. Air France Frequence Plus - Premium Economy vs Business on a 380 - Hello all, Taking my first trip on an A380 in Feb and when deciding what to buy went with Economy Comfort over Business as I am paying for it myself ;-) No, I was proposed to upgrade to business for 25k miles each way and thought about it but decided Please continue with future articles! An abbreviated version of the prior meal service commenced; the drink cart came through, then breakfast was served. Even then, we asked the lane keeper if there’s anyway she can help us get to the front of the line, which is about 20 people deep. Airbus advertised larger windows as part of the improved passenger experience on the A380. Our seats were halfway through the cabin; I took the window seat while my wife sat on the aisle. I’ve read whining and moaning about the seats and the service, but honestly, it’s so much better than standard economy on a large long-haul flight that I’m not sure how those people justify their complaints. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Two fall within the mediocre middle of transatlantic offerings, while one is exceptional. I will say, however, that I was in 81A which is the front row, left window. While most passengers wouldn’t notice, the AvGeek in me saw that one flight was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER (B77W) and the other was on the Airbus A380-800 (A388). The first was Singapore Airlines, which has already retired 5. When TPG’s Brendan Dorsey flew Air France’s premium economy last year, he also got an upgrade offer: move to business class for $422. I went from extremely frustrated and worried to now feeling at ease & joyous again about our journey, all because of you, thank you! At IFTM Top Resa, Air France is today presenting its new Economy and Premium Economy cabins, highlighting its offer of a new travel experience on board its 15 Airbus A330s which will be refitted as from January 2019. Air France premium economy is incredible. As we hit 10,000 feet, the seatbelt sign went off and everyone tucked in for the long, 9.5 hour flight. I blame the confusion and hysteria on two parties. To her credit, the flight attendant was very apologetic, rushing her cart right back up to our seats and giving us our meal selections, plus two bottles of mea culpa wine each. Air France offers a Premium Economy product on board all their widebody jets. At our valuations, 102,000 Flying Blue points are worth $1,224. Premium economy promises to bring some civility back to air travel. Hope that helps! How is the pitch reclining for sleep? They have a hard shell in the back, so when you “recline” the seat, the bottom cushion actually slides forward, and the passenger behind you isn’t impeded. Air France SkyTeam Open a new window. I originated in Barcelona (BCN), where MegaDo Day Two left us. I became a fan after seeing his Dressed to Kill show… just clever, intellectual, higher-level comedy, mixed with all sorts of observations and expletives. I was told by more than one agent that my mom would need to navigate stair for boarding & deplaning to the Upper Lever. Before boarding, you can see the different jetbridges on the upper and lower level doors of the plane. On other dates that gap fell to the high $300s. Many friends ask me if it is worth upgrading their seats to premium economy. Deep blue and gray tones create a … Get notified of all new comments. I took the opportunity to kick off my shoes and recline my seat. Is the space to move past the person next to you without them getting up? On the Emirates Airbus A380, Premium Economy has 56 seats at the front of the main deck. Entirely designed with your well-being in mind, this cabin is available on our intercontinental flights. She just shrugs her shoulders and directed us to join the back of the queue. Dear John, What can I say your are a gem and the AF team would benefit from some training from you about their air craft, LOL!! With a scheduled 3:45pm departure, we stayed the night near the airport and spent the early part of the day in the city, and left around noon to return our rental car and be dropped off at the curb in front of SFO’s International Terminal, a seemingly too-obvious name, but a few domestic airlines do operate out of there, like Alaska Airlines and Sun Country. The answer is that it really depends on the airline. In sum, it simply makes sense for Air France to retire these aircraft. You could feel the collective sigh and rolling of eyes, and this swarm of people proceeded to do this dance of having to intersect each other just get to the correct side of the gate. Equipped with a large and relaxing seat, the Premium Economy seat gives you 40% more space compared to the Economy cabin as well as multiple storage areas. However, you can call Air France on 1-800-237-2747 to get Air France free upgrade to Business Class with a help of the agent. Economy seats were 17.5 inches wide, and had 32 inches of pitch, roughly the industry norm for this aircraft type, and a half-inch wider than the airline’s 777 arrangement. Inside the plane, there are stairs at either end of the aircraft to go between the levels: the spiral staircase in the rear that you saw, and a straight (and wider) staircase in the front. Au Revoir, Air France A380: This Grand Dame Was Getting a Little Lame – One of my last pre-COVID flights was a transatlantic leg from Paris to New York on an Air France A380. Air France economy on the Airbus A380 is arranged in a 3-4-3 configuration, standard for an A380. The aircraft previously registered as 9V-SKB has already been dismantled, becoming the first dismantled A380 in the world. Food options were very good as well, and very satisfactory...but, let's not get carried away, it was still airline food, but it was better than most. Reviews See all. At the bottom of the escalator to the landing area in SFO’s International Terminal housing Gates A9/A10 – Photo: John Nguyen | AirlineReporter. Our lounges are relaxing areas designed to meet the needs of travelers looking for a little something extra. For your ultimate well-being, your headrest, foot-rest and leg-rest adapt perfectly to the contours of your body. The seat itself was equipped with a universal AC outlet, USB charger, another reading light, and noise cancelling headphones. First, the designers of this gate area that was specifically meant for A380 operations flubbed on passenger space. (Most economy seats are on the lower deck.). not really, huh? In a worst-case scenario where you miss your flight to Rome, there are a couple of others they can rebook you onto, either on Air France or Alitalia, perhaps others as well. Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. Photo: TSA. upon entering the aircraft, there is a jet bridge to the upper level…. Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, Scott! Can you feel the despair? Flying a Air France Airbus A380-800 soon? A slow right turn over the city/fogbank, and we were on our way to Paris. Air France does offer the option to purchase a premium meal in advance. I said I’d gotten much more than from New York. Very similar to Business Class (which we flew 2 years earlier) - except for the food, which was more Economy Class. The coronavirus has produced the first retirement of an airline’s entire A380 fleet. He has logged millions of miles in such conditions and enjoyed it 99% of the time. Thanks!! About 90 minutes from landing, the cabin lights came on in preparation for breakfast service. We lucked out and found a very low fare valid for this past September, from San Francisco to Istanbul, in the Premium Economy section of Delta partner Air France. From your pik it looks like the staircase is spiral and has many steps. Inflight entertainment has a huge selection, large screen was responsive and looks new. As previously reported , passengers looking to upgrade from the standard economy experience will find themselves cradled in this more spacious seat with a pitch of "up to 40 inches" compared to the 32-34 inches of economy. Enjoyed your review, John! I nearly cried — and not because there wasn’t a pre-departure beverage service. :-0 That is exactly want prompted me to search the web for additional information, for the grace of god I found you and your BRILLIANT Airline Reporter! Air France offers a Premium Economy product on board all their widebody jets. Great review! As many as 68 people — 38 in premium economy plus the 30 coach seats — shared those two bathrooms. He was so gracious to take the time to chat with us for a little bit and take photos (which he insisted on doing himself with my phone). ANA 787-8 Business Class, Kuala Lumpur, and Economy – Oh My! After the meal, the cabin lights dimmed for the “rest & relax” part of the flight. It also allowed us priority boarding. Would appreciate your comment. Air France premium economy is incredible. Upon arrival, your mother will be met by a wheelchair attendant who should also guide her through an expedited connection and security lane to get to her Rome flight. – Photo: John Nguyen | AirlineReporter. I decided on some apple juice, which came with a small bag of mini-pretzels. ), beer, wine, and soft drinks, though not enough to make a filling meal before boarding and sleeping for the flight, for those who like to do that. The flight attendants were friendly but not memorable. BONUS: Honeymoon Trip Report, Day 0 – A Day by the Bay: Avis at SJC; Hyatt House Belmont/Redwood Shores. Very comfortable seating - tons of leg room, and neither myself or my 6' husband had any difficulty sleeping. Service was completed about 20 minutes from landing, and we all get ready for arrival. Truth be told, there was quite a bit of recline angle on the seatback, but the problem was in the head-and-neck area; since the head rest was attached to the hard wall, my head was propped up no matter how much I reclined. I just disembarked AF 83 SFO-CDG,and I\'m typing as I wait my connection flight to BCN. Drink and meal service started 25 minutes after takeoff. However, I was impressed at how good the ventilation was. Upon our arrival to the gate, I learned why being near the back of a larger double-decker plane is a bad thing. However, we would be checking them on the way home, so we asked if they had large plastic bags to protect the straps and keep them from jamming up the belt system. It’s actually a great and helpful piece of information. The cabin crew should also know about the request for wheelchair assistance and either tell her to wait or that someone will be waiting at the door for her. The moist towels that were handed out were pre-packaged; there was nothing warm in this cabin. Deep blue and gray tones create a … With SkyTeam having 20 members and their associated programs and statuses, it’s not a surprise. Follow the SkyPriority signs to receive quick, priority access through airports around the world. With two people working the Sky Priority counter at check-in — there were no self-service kiosks — I had my boarding pass in less than a minute. Tested on 2,500 passengers and nearly 1,000 hostesses and stewards, this new offer is designed to adapt to each passenger and combine a gourmet touch, balance and originality. Yes, we were planning our honeymoon around the Air France A380 — my wife is awesome. My wife and I are planning a trip to Venice and Greece using Delta and Air France. Air France Premium Economy Options Air France A380 premium economy. And wind up at the upper level? It also allowed us priority boarding. There was no wait for a shower (which would have failed the TPG shower test). With the relatively small PE + economy section upstairs, the flight attendant quickly finished serving our aisle with the beverage cart and came back up with the meal cart. The seat reclines within a fixed area to ensure your personal space and comfort for all. But an hour and 20 minutes before landing, the crew turned on the lights and started breakfast service. Actually the down stairs is the largest part of the cabin. Impressively, the crowd managed to get itself arranged into an economy line that snaked through the gate area, and a mass of Sky Priority near the bottom of the escalators. Premium economy promises to bring some civility back to air travel. Each seat has a large 13.3-inch IFE screen along with charging points. On eastbound flights across the Atlantic I normally eat in the lounge and then try to sleep immediately after takeoff. The Premium Economy it’s a quieter cabin since the area is closed by curtains separating this sector from the Economy class behind and the Business class … The seats are (38 inches) 97cm long and 48cm (19inch) wide. We finally reached the Premium Economy section. I could also have checked in online. If you decide to use the Expert Flyer, you will have to search for “0” space. The premium economy cabin is located at the front of the main deck of the Airbus A380, with 56 seats in a 2-4-2 cabin layout. The wine bottle was plastic, but at least the glass it was poured into was real. You can access our airport lounges for a fee (subject to availability), which are located in many international airports. We do know that, on the A350, Premium Economy will be arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration.. There was nothing premium about the food, either. – Photo: John Nguyen | AirlineReporter. Unfortunately, that was a bit of a mistake, as it took a full 15 minutes of my standing there in my socks, blocking everyone else’s way (passengers were lining up behind me thinking they were being processed… and just waiting there…), with nowhere to go, until someone finally “became available” and I received my TSA-approved pat down/grope. You included commentary on everything that I cared about. My wife and I were married late last year, but postponed our honeymoon because we wanted to visit Europe during the warmer months. 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