Stevens91 From France, joined Jul 2005, 45 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 1959 times:
AF, CO, AA, AI, DL, VN flies from CDG to JFK or EWR daily, I was wondering whether AF had the best product on board on F, J and Y ? Or does any of these airlines compete with AF ? Also AF, CO, AI and VN fly the 777 which is much more interesting than the 767 or 757 which fly AA, DL and CO...
Mats From United States, joined Jul 2003, 495 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 1935 times:
In economy class, Air France Tempo wins by a long shot. The food is significantly better than the American carriers, wine and beer are free, most flights have in-seat video, and the cabin crew are typically warm and accommodating.
If you must fly on an American carrier, it's a tough call between Delta and Continental. Continental has better entertainment, but some of its flights are on 757s. Delta has better staff, lousy entertainment, but slightly better food. Delta also offers one free drink, which is more than welcome after a trek through their dilapidated Terminal 2/3 at JFK.
Business class is another story. I think that Air France is the better choice on westbound flights. On eastbound services, they have a very abbreviated dinner and their seats aren't as conducive to sleep. The food ex-Paris is better, and the bright, airy cabin is nicer for the daylight flights. In addition, passengers connecting in New York are better off on Delta and Continental, since these airlines permit transfer within a sterile area; this means a shorter connection time and no need to go through security again.
Lounge-wise, Air France has a nice lounge at JFK, but it does not have internet access. The lounge has pleasant staff, nice showers, and a wide assortment of drinks and food. The showers are also nicer at the Air France lounge.
First class is hard to say. I've only flown on it once on Air France. It was okay out of JFK, amazing out of Paris. I don't think it's worth any additional fare or miles for an eastbound flight. Air France has new special first class check-in at CDG, which is bound to be nicer than anything offered by another carrier.
I do not recommend American Airlines. I haven't flown on them myself from New York to Paris, but everything I've read and heard has been mediocre to horrible.
Jr From United States, joined May 1999, 802 posts, RR: 6 Reply 2, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 1935 times:
VN - Vietnam Airlines? Do they fly NYC-CDG? Wow, that's news to me. I guess I need to wake up I would pick AF/DL on that route... however... AF needs to work on their baggage handling on connections at CDG. They seem to lose bags ever other time I transit through that stupid place. Terrible connecting airport...
Cba From United States, joined Jul 2000, 4299 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1727 times:
I'd go with either AF or CO. I've never flown transatlantic on a 757 before, but CO has one daily 777 to CDG from EWR, and generally their long haul product in both J and Y is fantastic. I'd pick AF's Y product over CO's, however both would be a good choice.
DL and AA, expect bare bones and no IFE. Definitely stick with CO or AF. Also, if you fly AF, you could get a flight on a 77W, and their product in all classes on that aircraft is brand new.
GeorgiaAME From United States, joined Aug 2005, 691 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1700 times:
I am biased, and I doubt the service out of JFK is any different from Atlanta. I prefer the AF lounges to Delta's International lounges. Delta's onboard wines are better in J compared to AF (that's a switch!), but the champagne is better in AF, and is free both in Y and up front. Food has been consistently better on AF, both out of ATL and CDG, in both directions. As for crew, that is very subjective. In my book, as an adjunct to the FAA, I know their role is to get me out of a burning aircraft, a task no one has ever had to help me with. Serving me my dinner is a perk. The DL attitude is very clearly American, and southern to boot. As a southerner by choice, I find the informality, when they are around, is pleasant. However, when I go to Europe, I like knowing that I'm already there, the moment I cross into the aircraft, and that attitude does indeed show the moment you board AF. The men are wearing their jackets, ties are in place, the women would die if a crease showed up in a uniform. You don't get that with an American airline. As I said, it is a very subjective thing. I also like having my 3 words of French politely corrected, and with a smile, and that does always happen on AF. "How long Y'ALL gonna be there?" is fine on a flight into San Francisco, but I prefer "Bon soir, miseure (-2 sp)" on a flight to Europe. Aircraft, so far every AF jet has been spotless inside, no broken seats. Same for Continental. I cannot say the same for Delta. The moment I see grime or duct tape or yellowing plastic on the overheads, after I've shelled out a couple of hundred (or thousand) dollars tends to put me off a bit. And going back to aircraft, personally, I can't stand flying 777. I don't like the 3-3-3 in Y, and for thousands of dollars, 2-3-2 is not acceptable. Delta does 2-2-2, to their credit, with a horrible seat to be sure. But the damned jet is so loud it's awful.
I love AF 340s because they are so quiet. If I'm not mistaken, CO flies 767s, and for Y class, 2-3-2 is the way to go, and in J they do 2-1-2, which is the way a 767 should be. My $0.02. Fly AF, if nothing else, the food is better, and the champagne is great (you will need it, once you arrive in CDG, but that is another story)
"Trust, but verify!" An old Russian proverb, quoted often by a modern American hero
Cba From United States, joined Jul 2000, 4299 posts, RR: 3 Reply 8, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1601 times:
Quoting GeorgiaAME (Reply 7): However, when I go to Europe, I like knowing that I'm already there, the moment I cross into the aircraft, and that attitude does indeed show the moment you board AF. The men are wearing their jackets, ties are in place, the women would die if a crease showed up in a uniform. You don't get that with an American airline.
That's such a true observation; I never really thought of it until you brought it up. It was the exact same thing on VS, with all the FA's wearing those perfectly pressed red blazers.
Quoting GeorgiaAME (Reply 7): But the damned jet is so loud it's awful.
Really? I've found the 777 to be one of the quieter jets, after takeoff anyway.
Quoting GeorgiaAME (Reply 7): Fly AF, if nothing else, the food is better, and the champagne is great (you will need it, once you arrive in CDG, but that is another story)
LOL, I totally agree! CDG can be a nightmare if you don't know what you're doing. I'm in and out of that place once every 18 months or so and I still never know what's going on each time I arrive. Had to make a 20 minute connection between 2D and 2E once (they sound close but it's a loooooooong treck, esp. when the people movers aren't working), I think that connection took a few years off my life...
Iflyatldl From United States, joined Nov 2003, 1897 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 1445 times:
My partner and I used award travel and gave Air France a try recently. Air France's product has totally turned around in the last few years. Light years in fact. We just did ATL-IAD-CDG-JFK-ATL via DL/AF in Tempo last month and didn't want to get off the plane. It was that great! We're doing it again on an upgrade next year. As was mentioned before, the whole DeGaulle experience is another story.
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's Pork!
Cba From United States, joined Jul 2000, 4299 posts, RR: 3 Reply 10, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 1430 times:
Quoting Iflyatldl (Reply 9): Air France's product has totally turned around in the last few years. Light years in fact.
The new tempo product in their 77W's (and soon to be retrofitted in the entire 777 fleet) is absolutely amazing. Both legs of my recent trip on AF (332, then 772) were excellent flights.
Evan767 From United States, joined Aug 2005, 2635 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1360 times:
Quoting Cba (Reply 6): DL and AA, expect bare bones
How can you say that if you haven't even flown DL transatlantic yourself. If you had, you'd know Delta service is at least on par, and likely better than CO's. IFE is terrible, but if DL could change to PTV's they would, but they can't.
The proper term is "on final" not "on finals" bud...
RIXrat From United States, joined Nov 2005, 597 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1327 times:
In my book, AF wins hands down as far as courtesy and professionalism from the flight attendants, plus the good food and your own entertainment screen on across the pond flights, and probably on others as well. As far as CDG is concerned, it may be a horrible airport, but with only a 40-minute connecting time to my next flight, AF managed to send my bag to the right plane.
Speaking about CDG, I ran up and down, in and out, and once ended up on the pavement inside the security zone. A security guy spotted me and I showed him my boarding pass in such a panic that he volunteered to escort me to my boarding gate. In the U.S. I would probably have been arrested.
Cba From United States, joined Jul 2000, 4299 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1327 times:
Quoting Evan767 (Reply 11): How can you say that if you haven't even flown DL transatlantic yourself. If you had, you'd know Delta service is at least on par, and likely better than CO's. IFE is terrible, but if DL could change to PTV's they would, but they can't.
I have flown AA before, not DL. The service was DFW-CDG on a 763 a few years ago. Flight wasn't bad... nothing great, but not bad. I'd give it a B- overall. The intl. product in AA's 767 fleet (at least then) was nowhere near on par with what I usually get on CO or AF.
Evan767 From United States, joined Aug 2005, 2635 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1289 times:
Quoting Cba (Reply 13): I have flown AA before, not DL. The service was DFW-CDG on a 763 a few years ago. Flight wasn't bad... nothing great, but not bad. I'd give it a B- overall. The intl. product in AA's 767 fleet (at least then) was nowhere near on par with what I usually get on CO or AF.
Well, I am talking about Delta. I don't think you should misinform the poster by telling him Delta service is "bare bones" and that it is more like American, when in reality, it is more like Continental and in some cases better (depnding on F/A's). Oh well.
The proper term is "on final" not "on finals" bud...
Mir From United States, joined Jan 2004, 10857 posts, RR: 58 Reply 15, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 1231 times:
I haven't had great experiences on AF in Tempo, but I haven't flown NYC-CDG in a while, and as others have said, I have heard that things have gotten better.
Quoting Mats (Reply 1): In addition, passengers connecting in New York are better off on Delta and Continental, since these airlines permit transfer within a sterile area; this means a shorter connection time and no need to go through security again.
Going the other way (Europe-US), I'd recommend AF over DL even if you were connecting onward. You'll have to go through security anyway, and clearing immigation is much better in T1 than T3 at JFK.
Quoting GeorgiaAME (Reply 7): so far every AF jet has been spotless inside
What about outside?
Quoting Evan767 (Reply 11): IFE is terrible, but if DL could change to PTV's they would, but they can't.
Cba From United States, joined Jul 2000, 4299 posts, RR: 3 Reply 16, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 1163 times:
Quoting Evan767 (Reply 14): Well, I am talking about Delta. I don't think you should misinform the poster by telling him Delta service is "bare bones" and that it is more like American, when in reality, it is more like Continental and in some cases better (depnding on F/A's). Oh well.
You're right, I should not have referred to DL's product as bare bones if I have not tried it. That said, he was asking for an opinion of the best service from NY to CDG. Of the four carriers in question, I had flown three, and recommended AF and then CO because I have consistently had good experiences with both of their long haul products.
Stevens91 From France, joined Jul 2005, 45 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 1126 times:
CDG is a very simple airport for transit, everything is indicated very clearly. But I still don't know why passengers are always lost so strange. Now with the CDG Val ( train connecting Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 in only 8 minutes ) it is easier to move from T1 to t2 and T2 to T1.
Concerning luggages they need to go through security check before regaining the next flights, but if your MCT is respected you should not have much problems.
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I would pick AF/DL on that route... however... AF needs to work on their baggage handling on connections at CDG. They seem to lose bags ever other time I transit through that stupid place. Terrible connecting airport...
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