Air France also operates an A380 with an older first class cabin while SWISS operates an A340 with an older first class cabin. Air France Business Class Dining. You just have to go to the Air France website to make your choice, and it's been at no charge. All of the seats are forward facing and upholstered with striking blue leather fabric with diamond stitching detail. Extra narrow aisles, tiny leg room, etc on an 8 hour flight, they were using a Joon plane on a non-joon flight for whatever reason. Their business seats are carefully designed with ample storage space, great legroom, a robust IFE, and a fantastic bed. Anyway, back to KLM, I found the FAs to be extremely pleasant, knowledgeable, and eager to keep the passengers happy. We earn Skymiles when we book on Delta even when the flight is on a partner airline, but I believe that if you book directly with the partner airline, you don't. Does Air France give preference to their own FF members and those that booked with them, as far as allowing seat assignment choices? Once transformed into a bed, the seat measures 76 inches in pitch which can sleep persons as tall as 6 feet and 4 inches. If you fly from Miami, only AirFrance operates that code share flight. Delta One Business Class Seats. Food was soso. Air France A350-900 routes. The seats measure 78 inches in pitch and about 21 inches wide. Direct return to LAX. Top Line Scoring of the Best Business Class IFE. However, this doesnt apply to Basic Economy fares. If you are on a long-haul flight, you will be served complimentary champagne and drinks in every class. Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. @ RakSiam @Bgriff -- Oh, absolutely, and Delta has a very nice business class as well! Our family is pretty good fliers although we have never flown 9 hours straight. Everyones intestinal process is their own and varied greatly. differences between first and business class, Quick Glance: Air France Business Class vs. Delta One Business Class, The Details: Air France Business Class vs. Delta One Business Class. I feel it is hype over substance. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Delta cabins are as comfortable as they come. 4. Should Parc des Princes Become An Official Travel Attraction? Monthly subscriptions begin at $69.95. I arrived at the boarding gate for CDG-LAX while the A380 was still there, but I was told I was too late and nothing could be done. Alitalia is poised to get some hand-me-downs a makeover from Etihad, which will result in a more stylish cabin, Wi-Fi, and some updates to the catering. There is a USB port to power up your phone. Overall it my favorite airline. Delta First Class is a premium first class service offered on domestic routes. There are also amenity kits and excellent gourmet meals. As soon as you settle onboard, you get pre-flight drinks before takeoff and youll be handed a menu as well. Virgin is the best if you're going to the UK (especially Heathrow and Manchester). While first class guests receive Carita Paris amenity kits, the business class kits are brandless but still look quite trendy. Best For: Which Airline Class Should You Book? Food is served over white tablecloths in real ceramic dishes and silverware. Personally, I am a major fan of Oneworld, so I would recommend CX for LAX-HKG and then fly QF for HKG-AUK via SYD or MEL (but SYD would be better for a premium passenger connecting). Seriously, though, Tiffany-- fantastic post. It is a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. The mains are then served, usually a choice between meat, seafood, or poultry. For messaging on Facebook or WhatsApp, its free. It had a great amount of thoughtful detail clearly explained. In 2019 alone, the airline carried 46,903,000 passengers. Just a small tip of advice: do NOT fly AF B. The service and food were outstanding on the outbound flight from LAX-CDG, but the business cabin was almost empty. Honestly, what we did was have a payed revenue fare on AA from ORD-JFK (I live in Chicago, so that is why we flew out of there) and then connected on CX to HKG after a nice overnight in NYC. As Delta takes steps toward a more sustainable flight experience, the airline has started adopting more eco-friendly choices in its amenity offerings. One thing to note, if you happen to be riding business class on the Boeing 767-400, the center seats will come with open dividers ideal if youre traveling with family or your partner. For the last (and shortest) of these flights, KLM switched equipment, moving from a 777 with new World Business Class to one with old (Northwest product). I've flown the ER many times; from NY as well as Cincinnati/CDG. Else, you will get one or two checked bags free regardless of what fare you book, depending on your combination benefits. Welcome to your private Delta One business class suite. Delta One Service Delta's business class service is very good, it's usually prompt and friendly. so I settle for the old AF Boeing 777. The seats themselves are essentially the . To create a full experience, Delta provides headphones to go with the entertainment system. Absolutely agree that, especially if you are traveling with a friend or partner, there are few more *fun* ways to travel than Virgin Atlantic Upper Class. Learn more about our points consulting services! I have heard people complain about Delta and always wonder why. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines. Jack - Many thanks for your thoughts. The gourmet meals are a highlight in the cabin as it comes with curated dishes by world-class chefs. Staying in the Basic Economy with no elite status or an airline credit card means you will incur fees for checked luggage wherever you fly. The new 777s have outstanding AVOD and all the charging plugs you could want, though they're over your shoulder. Next comes Delta at 2.76/3. So, before booking, here is what you need to know about how they compare. The airline's long-haul fleet consists of Airbus A330 and A350 plus Boeing 757 and 767-300/400 aircraft. I feel it is hype over substance. Air France and KLM booking classes are organized first by cabin. However, Delta for many is the preferred domestic airline, and as Tiffany mentioned, presents many great options when redeeming to Europe. Or the crew might even be a mix. These were miles I already had sitting in my account from a cancelled trip Austin - Amsterdam roundtrip at the start of the pandemic. Rest of Europe I'd say KLM because of the better seats than AF (though I'd say AF once refurbishment is completed), the strong regional network (especially in Scandinavia and the UK), Schiphol being a better airport than CDG and FCO combined and tge Delft houses which are a reason to fly in itself. Any tips on how best to do that? Being AF I expect good food but I will be skipping that trying to sleep. Image Credit: Air France, Air France Boeing 777. The current Air France promo that provides for refundability of the ticket price is only for flights through June 30, 2022. Delta offers convenient center seats with adjustable privacy dividers for traveling with your spouse or partner. If youre lucky enough to grab the new seats, please do. All meals are served in trays and stylish Alessi tableware. This class of service offers significantly more comfort and amenities than standard Economy, Premium Economy, and Domestic First Class, which usually include: Double the seat pitch (legroom) compared to Economy Since they codeshare, you may not get a choice. If you can find award space on one of the reconfigured aircraft I wouldnt hesitate to recommend Air France, but the old product is probably best avoided, at least for night flights. Oh well. 6 Things You Should Know About Surfing Before Heading Out In The Ocean, 6 Awesome Travel Locations For All Golf Lovers, Essential Camping Equipment Everyone Needs, Useful Tips That Will Make Your Next Outdoor Adventure More Exciting, Hot Air Balloon Rides in Paris: Why You Should Take One, South of France Money-Saving Tips for Students, What To Do On a Romantic Weekend in Paris, Where to Eat the Best American Food in Paris, How to Host the Perfect French Dinner Party, 4 Cities in France That Are Perfect for Shopping, Marketing your Travel Website or Holiday Home: Tips and Tricks, The Best Travel Bags For Your Next Holiday In France, Why the Transport System of Paris is One of the Best, Paris Travel Blog: The Ultimate Paris Travel Guide, Must-Experience: 3 Fabulous Flower Festivals in France, Study in France: What Books I Read in College. Yes, its a bit impersonal and more businesslike, but they do everything with a smile and will gladly help with whatever you need. Tiffany; I was not happy. We went through some bumpy skies, especially over the equator, and it was refreshing not to be awakened with seat belt announcements, which are common on Delta. I will typically choose Delta if given an equal choice, mainly because my FF status will play towards upgrades and my app works. @Tiffany: Great post even if you're infringing on my SkyTeam beat here ;-) What I'd add would be: -Air France's catering is of a bit better quality than KLM, Alitalia or Virgin Atlantic (and if you're harping on KLM's dinnerware, you're forgetting AF has Christofle cutlery) -Air France's service is not just stylish, but actively warm/personable -CDG is the worst, but that's not entirely AF's fault (after all, Terminal 1 which is the -Air France's catering is of a bit better quality than KLM, Alitalia or Virgin Atlantic (and if you're harping on KLM's dinnerware, you're forgetting AF has Christofle cutlery) Join Date: Sep 2009. However, for other status perks, like an upgrade, you either can not get one, or are at the back of the pack behind the AF status holders. Next to the shower is a relaxation pod where you can take a nap. Only got snacks on Delta. Image Credit: Air France, Air France business class. Image Credit: Delta. However, its the highest and most premium cabin offered on long-haul and international routes. If you dont like fun, this is not a good choice for you. Whether to relax or get some work done, the new Business seat boasts new features to enhance your travel experience: 17.3-inch 4K screen, noise . Air France has La Premire, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. That way you can drink even more champagne and enjoy the experience more ;) so that may be a possibility for you. The fuel surcharges can be a bummer on Virgin, but the others are pretty reasonable. She called the Executive Platinum line to make the bookings (and she did it on the first call!). Everything is capped off with dessert. Our return trip was on Air France. Soon after settling in your seat, an attendant will hand out the menu and offer welcome drinks. The lounge is free for business class passengers including SkyTeam Alliance members. Passengers can view this on setback touchscreens on most of the airlines major aircrafts. I am looking at a flight in September from Atlanta to Paris and can fly either with Delta or Air France business class, yes they code share. Delta has Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Comfort, Premium Select, Delta First, and Delta One. I've typically only found DL availability on flights to the weirder European destinations so unless your final destination is one of those or a SkyTeam hub, the partners are probably the most realistic option. Even their short Euro flight had a decent meal. Delta FAs are great too, so I'd call it even. It might not be as extra friendly but its highly professional. Air France Business Class Seats. But when you've no choice, you have to put up with it. Sleeping amenities such as a pillow and blanket are already on your seat. In this post, I will be discussing how they differ in services rendered. Maybe a different aircraft may make the difference, but I doubt it. A noise-reducing headset is also available on the seat but the monitor has Bluetooth capacity so you can use your headset if you like. Criteria Delta 777-200 Air France 777-200; Cabin Arrangement: 1-2-1 Herringbone: . Food and Snacks We noticed the there are two business class options from Atlanta nonstop to Paris. This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. more, Not allowing me to select seats in BA premium economy, Seats 15D & 15G - United Boeing 777-300ER. On the newer Safran Seats, guests can enjoy a 17.3-inch 4K touchscreen monitor. Air France also has a better rebooking offer (generally free) than Delta, it's a covid era offering. Swiss recently added the Boeing 777 to its fleet, which features a re-designed cabin interior with top comfort and visual appeal in all three classes. The 777 is older. While the service can be adorably Dutch at times, the overallexperience is still great. Great rundown. Before then, however, lets look at their background. My guess is that my experience wouldn't necessarily be replicated on another day. I am looking at a flight in September from Atlanta to Paris and can fly either with Delta or Air France business class, yes they code share. All the seats lie flat and come with a pull-out table for working and dining. Overall it my People discount Delta because the lack of "prestige" airline partners like Lufthansa, Cathay, Singapore, Emirates, the perceived lack of availability of premium award space, and a previously broke award calendar. Does Air France give preference to their own FF members and those that booked with them, as far as allowing seat assignment choices? If youve ever had food intolerances (lentil salad can be made with some fermented items) youd know just how fast some things can affect a person. Definitely a consideration when looking at your overall routing. I was unceremoniously rebooked into a middle seat on a777 leaving three hours later. If you know youll be redeeming your miles soon, this is a great way to bolster your account balances. The business class in the A380 was no longer up to today's standards, unlike the business class that's installed in the Boeing 787-Dreamliner and Airbus A350, which is modern and comfortable. The seats include excellent legroom including a big footwell. As we learned last week, leveraging Deltas partners is the best way to not get screwed when redeeming SkyMiles, sowhen reader Nolan asked the following on the Ask Lucky forum recentlyI was excited to answer: The improvement in partner products is ahuge boon to the SkyMiles program. This time last year, The Flight Deal reported rock-bottom Business Class fares with SkyTeam and the option of mixing Delta, Air France, and KLM operated flights from Dusseldorf to North America for $1,500 all-in. Chances are that you will be boarding either Air France or Delta soon. As Ive mentioned before,Alitalia isan Italian airline. Air France Business Class Bed. I have no idea. Air France has always been my first choice, then Delta. Booking your Air France Business Class ticket directly through airlines can be costly. Bistro fare is available on the first floor as well. Personally, I am a major fan of Oneworld, so I would recommend CX for LAX-HKG and then fly QF for HKG-AUK via SYD or MEL (but SYD would be better for a premium passenger connecting). On 20 November 2009, Air France introduced the A380 with service to New York citys JFK Airport from the French capitals Charles de Gaulle Airport. Image Credit: Air France. Along with its subsidiaries and regional affiliates, the airline operates more than 5,400 flights every day. Best Business Class Airline Seats 2022 1 Qatar Airways 2 Delta Air Lines 3 Singapore Airlines 4 ANA All Nippon Airways 5 JetBlue Airways 6 British Airways 7 Japan Airlines 8 Oman Air 9 Etihad Airways 10 Gulf Air Best Business Class Airline Lounges 2022 1 Virgin Atlantic - LHR 2 Qatar Airways - DOH 3 Turkish Airlines - IST 4 Singapore Airlines - SIN Delta One seats feature a family-friendly or companion-friendly center aisle. Its not as personalized as you would find in premium first class cabins but its a lot more attentive as opposed to a regular premium economy. Could be worse. These kits are handmade and contain items from eco-conscious brands like a dental kit from Humble Companies and skincare essentials from Grown Alchemist. Yes, Air France business class offers lie-flat seats, perfect for when youre ready to sleep. All of these are fitted with the Delta One Business Class seat, but the product can vary wildly as the airline has updated its fleet in stages leaving some planes with more archaic seats than others. Paul, Salt Lake City, New York City, and Seattle. These seats fully recline, provide ample storage, feature a great IFE, and have excellent amenity kits. You'll think you booked with one and end on a plane run by the other. Air France has a fantastic business section, but you can somehow fail to note the difference between economy and business class when it comes to Lufthansa. Meanwhile, I could not get anyone to refill my water. Your personal space serves as an office, restaurant, entertainment lounge and bedroom. There is no clear winner when it comes to Air France vs Delta. Review: read my review of Delta's Business Class in a Airbus A350 here. The airline has partnered with other international carriers like Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, etc. Delta Air Lines Delta One Business Class Front View. If you don't happen to be flying from Paris, Air France is a partner in SkyTeam alliance, which has lounges in most major airports. The new 777s have outstanding AVOD and all the charging plugs you could want, though they're over your shoulder. What really impressed me, though, is that KLM turns off the seat belt light upon reaching cruising altitude and does not turn it back on until final approach. Otherwise, no discernable difference between AF, KLM, and Delta other than things like movie choice (many more foreign films on KLM and AF, of course) and drink and food choices vary. It's very different from Delta domestic first class, where most will not even exchange a quick hello. Onboard Entertainment: Air France offers 500 hours of on-demand video programming, including classic and current movies, foreign films, concerts, documentaries and TV series, plus a variety of music channels and games. I can see the flights when I search by $ amount, but no amount of changes can make it appear when I click on miles - regardless of the cost in miles. I'd give Delta the edge here. Beware that the KLM 747 Combi has an inferior AVOD system with low-res screens and no USB charger (though there is AC charging). Its going to make your trip extra comfortable thanks to its fully private doors, spacious legroom, and stylish design. Lets break down the similarities and differences between their business cabins in this Air France Business Class vs. Delta One Business Class comparison. Reply. AF main meal leaving Paris was excellent but the smaller one prior to landing was odd. Yes. Business Class is found mostly on international routes and planes that are configured for long-haul travel. I'm going to be very careful booking AF in the future. All Air France planes are scheduled to have the new product by the summer of 2017. Theres a power outlet for your devices and fast Wi-Fi in the lounge too. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. On the other hand, Delta One is also a strong contender if you want a world-class business cabin. Delta One Business Class A350. I could be on an old (is there any other kind) KLM craft. Delta vs Air France 4 years ago Save My family is considering a trip to Paris in August. There are pastries, yogurt, salads, or an omelet. Apparently, there is some delay in cabin refurbishment. Keep overlooking as far as Air Europa is concerned ;-). Some have 2 while others may have 3. If you like to accumulate Skymiles, I'd also be concerned about whether you'll earn those if you book directly on Air France. On the one hand, their flight attendants are fabulously, nearly uncomfortablystylish. @ Ben -- I love first class! Planes depend on the flight. You can pick seats, always through the Air France site, sometimes in the Delta app. I really enjoyed your previous posts. I may buck the trend here, but I HATED Virgin Atlantic. Guests get either one or two lavatories dedicated to the cabin. My experience with KLM has also been stellar. I personally prefer Delta overall. Maybe the EU is less litigious, but for whatever reason, it was a pleasant surprise to have common sense prevail. I would easily choose to fly DL business class over AF, LH or BA business class. How do you feel it compares to the other partners? Delta's new product is better IMHO. We noticed the there are two business class options from Atlanta nonstop to Paris. Premium Economy: Price. That said, this was still really useful because DL is way stingier with award availability That said, this was still really useful because DL is way stingier with award availability than their partners, especially on nonstop flights. Their current amenity kit is a beautiful chevron zip pouch containing a dental kit, Clarins skincare items, an eye mask, and socks. Just head to the Delta App or your booking, and choose from the various options of mains, drinks, and dessert. 6. I'd initially chosen Seat 1A, but was involuntarily moved to the last row in the middle-most of three seats. On other aircraft, you might find the movie selections to be a bit sparse. You can expect a width of 21 inches and a pitch of 77 to 78 inches, providing plenty of room to lounge and sleep. As for codeshare flights and being switched from one to the other, at the time of booking you can see who is flying the metal, so if you have a strong preference, you can manage it. I guess that means no status next year. I would say Virgin Atlantic Upper Class is the one to go with, or if unable, KLM is a good plan B. Alitalia isn't too bad, but with the staggered, narrow seats, it's not comfortable for either a day or night flight (but their soft product is definitely better than other SkyTeam airlines (I'm looking at you, Delta and Air France. If the spa is open, guests can get a 20-minute Clarins spa treatment. For bedding, Delta hands out Coz-z-z pillows and blankets. We will be booking business class tickets. The meal service starts shortly after takeoff. @Anthony I more than agree and will Virgin has the cool factor that neither SQ, LH, CX and EK have. The reconfiguration is being done by aircraft type in the following order: At present, the new business class is available between New York and Paris, along with flights AF72 and AF69 between Los Angeles and Paris. The Airline operates a combination of fleet, including Boeing widebody jets and Airbus, on long-haul routes. Delta One business class guests receive top priority when it comes to ground services. Your companion can drink dine with you. No, Delta First Class is different from Delta One. I think business class to Europe on partners is really the sweet spot for Skypesos. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 BY AU POINTS & AWARDS CONSULTING SERVICES LLC. They serve meals and drinks from a cart to help speed things along. Avoid it at all costs because all around its not worth paying much more than a domestic first/business class fare. I prefer Delta's business class, though. He is the chef ofLe Grand Vefour,a 3-star Parisian restaurant. It is headquartered in Tremblay-en-France and is a subsidiary of the Air-France-KLM Group. Also, AVOD is available from prior to the flight until engine shutdown at the arrival gate. The service and food on the return 777 was awful. If you get hungry in between, theres a small self-service area where you can grab beverages and light snacks if you fancy. Affording Air France. The pouch is a soft herringbone-patterned zip crafted from 96% recycled material and complemented by a signature red zipper. Theyve partnered with Someone Somewhere, a Mexico-based brand. One thing you can count on when you get onboard the Delta One is that youll get beautiful and stylish seats. Its major hubs include Atlanta, Los Angeles, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. One on Air France that flies a 777-300ER. Air France's 777-300ERs feature three seating configurations. My preference? 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. I did find that, for all hour KLM flights, my stranger-seatmates were delightful. I am still eager to try VS and Alitalia (which I have only taken intra-Europe), and hope I'll have a chance to fly Korean before Delta severs its alliance completely. You really have to look at specific plane models which seat guru can help you with. Business class sits directly behind the exclusive, four-seat La Premiere first-class cabin. Air France Business Class Best Seats. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines, Delta Air Lines Delta One Business Class Overview. This is one of those times where knowing what type of plane you're flying in is important. Second that! Therefore, the airline intends to put more Airbus A220 on its domestic network. Not only is it not lie flat, but there is basically no personal stowage for passport, phone, etc and the amenities bag is a joke. I did find that, for all hour KLM flights, my stranger-seatmates were delightful. Have fun in Aukland and I hope you enjoy your trip as much as I did! (Just a tip, the cappuccino is excellent!). I have been flying with them whenever possible when booking a trip anywhere and have never been disappointed. Air France business or first class prices for my destinations have typically been less expensive (connecting flight itineraries). Both Air France and Delta offer premium passengers excellent lounge access including perks like priority boarding and check-in. Travel light and free by using your hard-earned points! The most basic cabin is economy class followed by premium economy, then business class and finally first class, also. The airport/transfer experience. Head to https://squarespace.com/trektrendy to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code TREKTRENDYJoin me on the new Delta One suite. Committed to Air France's mission to provide passengers superior comfort, the new Business seat draws on the 3F concept: Full Flat, the seat converts into a 2-meter long (6'5"), fully flat bed. Air France and Delta are outstanding airlines that have gotten their business product down to pat. Sure the soft product and food on the partner airlines is better (although the service and food are slightly worse on VS or at best no better than DL) but not drastically so. After the merger, Airbus aircraft from Northwest was added to the fleet. The flight entertainment system has many channels of audio, video, music, and games. Or is that a gay thing like Lucky Ben and The Points Guy? All my recent Air France transatlantic business flights have been in a Boeing 777, not the A350. They have finally decided that wasn't such a great idea and have installed "normal" PE seats in their newer planes, such as the 787's and A350's. Its followed by a cheese plate. If you happen to have a T-Mobile or Sprint line then you get an hours worth of free Internet when you fly on Delta. Its not the best but comes with decent performance. Although they operate a slew of different business class products, Air France's 777 business class ( except the ATL-CDG 3-class 777) offers a reverse herringbone layout that's worth spending your hard-earned points on. Answer 11 of 15: I have not flown to France in years and now doing my homework. Their crappy old planes, the seat layout where you cannot look out the windows so you spend your time staring at another person because you are angled facing that person, the truly awful meals for a business class product. I very much enjoy reading it and all of your posts before. Also, my AmEx card gives me priority boarding on Delta flights. So lets go through the four main transatlantic options when redeeming Delta miles. On Air France the flight to Europe will be covered by the EU261 rules, on Delta it will not be. Youll find a pillow, a blanket, an amenity kit, a bottle of water, a coat hanger for your jacket or blazer, and a sanitary kit. However, on the A330-300, the center aisle only has partial dividers. I arrived at the boarding gate for CDG-LAX while the A380 was still there, but I was told I was too late and nothing could be done. When we booked, Air France had cut business class award rates to and from Miami (MIA) by 25% - dropping the final cost as low as 39,750 miles for a one-way flight. These are the basics to know before flying either airline. The second meal, or breakfast, is served an hour or so before landing. They both hang up your coat. The majority of these cabins have chairs measuring anywhere from 19 to 22 inches in width in a 1-2-1 configuration. Open from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., premium business guests can enter for free but theres also an option to purchase entry for 60 Euros or about $70. Guests receive pre-flight champagne and snacks.