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Wednesday newsletters at all times characteristic a resort or flight evaluation.
Final summer season (July 2023), I loved an exceptional safari & seashore vacation in South Africa and Mozambique, in all probability my greatest vacation ever. You’ll be able to learn my journey stories right here
- Evaluation: Air France Boeing 777 new Enterprise Class from Paris to Johannesburg (in the present day)
- Evaluation: &Past Tengile River Lodge (Sabi Sand Recreation Reserve, South Africa)
- Evaluation: Lion Sands Ivory Lodge (Sabi Sand Recreation Reserve, South Africa)
- Evaluation: Kruger Shalati – The Prepare on the Bridge (Kruger Nationwide Park, South Africa)
- Evaluation: Kisawa Sanctuary (Mozambique)
- Evaluation: Air France Boeing 777 new Enterprise Class from Johannesburg to Paris
Right now: Evaluation of Air France’s new Boeing 777 Enterprise Class (Paris to Johannesburg)
Final summer season, I flew in Enterprise Class with Air France from Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport to O.R. Tambo Airport in Johannesburg. The flight was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER which was geared up with Air France’s latest Enterprise Class product: reverse herringbone suites in a 1-2-1 structure, that includes cool devices similar to sliding doorways, wi-fi charging, and bluetooth audio. The extremely non-public Enterprise Class seat, attentive service, gourmand delicacies designed by Michelin starred cooks, a fastidiously chosen wine and champagne listing, and a big selection of in-flight leisure made for a superb flight expertise, which is difficult to beat and which confirms Air France’s place as Europe’s most glamorous airline. The brand new Enterprise Class product is progressively rolled out on 12 Boeing 777-300s, which serve locations like New York JFK, Rio de Janeiro, Dakar and Johannesburg.
Have you ever ever flown with Air France? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.
- Journey: Paris (PAR) to Johannesburg (JNB)
- Airline: Air France
- Plane sort: Boeing 777-300ER
- Plane registration quantity: F-GZNS (inbuilt 2016)
- Departure time: 8:30 pm
- Arrival time: 8:30 am (+ 1 day)
- Miles: 4420 miles (8720 km)
- Flight time: 10 hours
- Seat: 4L
- Class: Enterprise Class
On this evaluation (extra data & pictures under my YouTube video):
- Air France Enterprise Class Lounge at CDG Airport
- Air France longhaul fleet
- Enterprise Class cabin
- Enterprise Class seat (+ greatest & worst seats)
- Facilities & bedding
- Meals
- Leisure
- Onboard web
- Different inflight experiences
- My verdict (rating)
1. AIR FRANCE BUSINESS CLASS LOUNGE AT CDG AIRPORT
Air France operates a number of airport lounges at Paris Charles De Gaulle airport. Its flagship Enterprise Class Lounge (which I’m reviewing on this article) is positioned in Corridor L of Terminal 2E.
Reopened in 2018 after a whole redesign, the light-filled lounge is unfold out over one (very) giant space, that includes dozens of seating areas. The latter are comprised of arm chairs organized round espresso tables, lounge sofas, in addition to a number of co-working tables with particular person sockets to work quietly. Having a capability of greater than 500 seats, the lounge is an envoy of stylish French fashion with a recent decor that strikes a delicate steadiness between class, consolation and creativity. From a design’s perspective, this is among the most lovely airport lounges I’ve encountered throughout all my travels.
On the coronary heart of the lounge is a powerful bar space, known as “Le Balcon”. Created by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, the bar is ready inside a curved wood construction sheltered underneath an immense golden mirrored ceiling. The house features a central bar and a succession of outlying theatrical field seats upholstered in blue velvet. Each night, Le Balcon serves a number of cocktails, specifically designed by the pinnacle bartender of the Lodge Lancaster in Paris.
One finish of the lounge includes a Parisian bistro styled eating nook known as ‘The Gourmand Desk’. There’s a superb buffet on show with a number of cold and warm dishes, together with salads, soups, cheeses, pastas, and pastries. A number of high quality wines and champagnes – designed by Paolo Basso, one world’s greatest sommeliers – is out there. The Gourmand Desk’s eye catcher is an open kitchen, the place a chef prepares scorching dishes in entrance of the visitors. There’s additionally a second meals station on the heart of the lounge, subsequent to the “Le Balcon” bar, providing an identical (albeit smaller) buffet.
Subsequent to the primary lounge is an in depth wellness space, which includes a rest room with mini suites, a Clarins spa with two remedy rooms, giant luxurious showers, two non-public saunas, and a detox bar providing natural teas from the Palais des Thés in addition to Evian flavoured waters. The spa has a three-dimensional digital sculpture at its coronary heart, a stunning piece of paintings that modifications form, depth and color all through the day. Additionally built-in inside this wellness space is ‘Le Petit Salon’ (a quiet space the place smartphones are silent) and ‘Le Membership’(a VIP room for top-tier elites of Air France’s loyalty program Flying Blue or particular VIP visitors).
Different amenities on the lounge embrace a youngsters nook, two press kiosk (providing French and worldwide newspapers and magazines), buying show cupboards, and a concierge desk the place Air France employees can assist to ebook a spa remedy or help with flights (e.g. delays, seats, and so forth …).
2. AIR FRANCE LONGHAUL FLEET
Air France has 63 Boeing 777s in its fleet, which have a mean age of 17 years. It’s the world’s 4th largest Boeing 777 operator (after Emirates, United Airways and Qatar Airways). Air France’s longhaul fleet additionally contains different plane varieties: 10 Boeing 787s, 21 Airbus A350s, and 15 Airbus A330s.
3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN
Air France’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ERs that are geared up with the brand new Enterprise Class cabin options 48 spacious suites unfold over two cabins. The majority of the suites is positioned within the entrance Enterprise Class cabin, which has a complete of 28 seats and consists of seven rows, whereas the rear Enterprise Class cabin feels extra intimate with solely 5 rows of 20 suites. The Enterprise Class seats are organized in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone structure, offering all passengers direct entry to the aisle.
All Enterprise Class seats are geared up with a sliding door, permitting every passenger to create a very non-public house, out of sight from the opposite passengers within the cabin. The seats positioned within the heart of the cabin are geared up with a central panel that may be lowered by urgent it down, thus making a convivial house during which to benefit from the flight collectively. Additionally, the seats on the entrance of each Enterprise cabins (in rows 1 and 9) have an infinite quantity of additional house in entrance of them for added consolation, making them one of the best seats within the airplane.
Air France’s new Enterprise Class cabin has a chic design and shows Air France’s signature colours: navy blue, the presence of white including gentle and distinction, and touches of pink embodying its excellence and savoir-faire. The carpet on the ground revisits the standard decorative herringbone sample, symbolising the emblematic world of conventional Parisian Haussmann residences. The entrance of the cabin in addition to the aspect panel of every suite characteristic a winged seahorse, embodying the founding delusion of the corporate and its wealthy historical past. The cabin additionally feels very luxurious and plush because the provider has chosen noble, tender and pure supplies similar to wool, brushed aluminium and full-grain French leather-based for the manufacture of its seat.
4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)
Air France has put in Safran Versa Enterprise Class seat onboard its retrofitted Boeing 777s. With a pitch of 106 cm (42 inches) and a width of 53 cm (21 inch), the seat feels very comfy, has wonderful padding, and options luxurious accents, similar to a darkish navy blue seat cloth and a leather-based headrest. Situated in its personal shell, the design of the Enterprise Class seat is predicated on the three “F”s: Full Flat, which means that the seat transforms into an actual mattress nearly 2 m (6.5 ft) lengthy; Full Entry, offering all passengers direct entry to the aisle; and Full Privateness, guaranteeing optimum privateness by way of a sliding door.
One aspect of the seat – positioned in the direction of the cabin wall for the window seats or the middle line for center seats – options a big enclosed console, that includes a backlit image of Air France’s iconic winged seahorse brand. On the within, the console has a hook with the noise-cancelling headphones upon boarding, however when you take away them it has sufficient room to retailer your smaller private belonging (e.g. cellphone, pockets, glasses). There’s additionally a conceit mirror inside this console and effectively as a handset for the inflight leisure. On the console’s outer wall is a studying gentle (at eye degree) in addition to a USB-A outlet.
Subsequent to the console is a big counter, which includes a wi-fi charging station and a steel trim holding the seat controls. Beneath the counter are a small storage pocket (which can be utilized to retailer a bottle of water) and several other energy shops (together with a USB-C charger and AC energy outlet). The seat’s bi-fold tray desk can be positioned on this aspect of the seat and slides out from beneath the counter.
Every seat has a big 17.3-inch 4K high-definition anti-glare display. The suite’s apex additionally includes a footwell with a further storage space beneath (which is ideal for stowing away a purse or sneakers). The ottoman is extensive, which boosts the sleeping consolation when the seat is totally reclined. When sleeping, the aisle armrest could be left up for extra privateness, or lowered for offering some welcome further mattress width.
What are the greatest Enterprise Class seats?
- The seats within the entrance of each Enterprise Class cabins – extra particularly the bulkhead seats in rows 1 and 9 – supply an infinite quantity of additional house, which equals that and even tops the house you often discover in First Class cabins. Thus far, Air France doesn’t cost further for these seats however they’re solely out there to Flying Blue elite members at reserving (though additionally they change into out there to different Enterprise Class passengers 72 hours previous to departure).
- Solo vacationers ought to select one of many window seats, whereas journey companions ought to go for the center seats.
What are the worst Enterprise Class seats?
- I recommend to keep away from the final row within the entrance Enterprise Class cabin (row 8) as a result of its proximity to the galley and bathrooms.
- I additionally recommend to keep away from the final row within the rear Enterprise Class (row 14) which is in entrance of the Premium Financial system Class bassinet seats.
Click on right here for a seat map of Air France’s Boeing 777-300ER.
5. AMENITIES & BEDDING
Air France gives the next facilities to its Enterprise Class passengers on longhaul flights:
- A consolation package product of 96% recycled materials. Its plastic packaging has been eliminated in favor of an integrity seal. Sober and refined, it’s out there in two colors, navy blue and beige. Every package incorporates a toothbrush and a pen produced from maize straw, in addition to earplugs wrapped in kraft paper to keep away from plastic. A big sleep masks, socks, toothpaste and Clarins cosmetics full the package.
- A hanger
- A tender microfiber pillow and a tender blanket
- Air France branded noise-cancelling headphones, that are onerous wired into the storage cubby and of respectable high quality
Sadly, Air France doesn’t present a quilted mattress. It’s in all probability the one factor I missed throughout my journey with the provider, as a quilted mattress can actually make a distinction in relation to the onboard sleeping consolation.
6. MEALS
Air France has an extended historical past of collaborating witch Michelin-starred cooks. Actually, it’s the one airline on this planet to accomplice with so many Michelin-starred cooks, reaffirming greater than ever its function as an envoy for high quality French eating and experience all through the world. On long-haul flights departing from Paris, Air France has entrusted the menu in its Enterprise cabin to Michelin-starred French cooks. The best names in French haute delicacies, together with Régis Marcon, Anne-Sophie Pic and Michel Roth, take it in turns to supply vegetarian dishes in addition to refined dishes with pink or chicken or fish. These meals are enhanced by tableware signed by French designer Jean-Marie Massaud. The wine and champagne listing is chosen by world well-known sommelier Paolo Basso.
Throughout this in a single day flight to Johannesburg, two meals had been served: a dinner after takeoff and a breakfast earlier than touchdown. The onboard delicacies was created by Thierry Marx, a famend Parisian-born chef with two Michelin stars whose dishes focus above all on plant-based components in a flexitarian strategy. Menus had been properly executed (with all choices talked about in English and French), the dishes had been superbly plated, and the meals tasted wonderful.
I select the next choice from the dinner menu:
- Appetizer: pea and mint purée, combined inexperienced greens
- Starter: shrimp with seaweed, tomato and basil sauce, contemporary ewe’s cheese with basil, toasted hazelnuts
- Predominant course: cod, shrimp, saffron rice, piquillo coulis
- Dessert: apricot flan, raspberry and gianduja, cream puff, opera cake
Breakfast was served 90 minutes previous to touchdown in Johannesburg and included contemporary orange juice, espresso, tea, pastries, yoghurt, and fruits. Mushroom and spinach flan was served as a scorching dish.
7. ENTERTAINMENT
As already talked about, every seat has a big 17.3-inch 4K high-definition anti-glare display, geared up with noise-reducing headphones and a Bluetooth connection in order that prospects can use their private headphones. A state-of-the-art graphic interface out there in 12 languages makes it simple to select from all kinds of programmes. Greater than 350 movies can be found, together with a big number of French motion pictures, in addition to TV sequence, documentaries, music and podcasts. A particular part on well-being additionally permits younger and outdated alike to study meditation and seated yoga through the flight. Lastly, youngsters have their very own navigation interface to simply discover all of the leisure particularly devoted to our youthful passengers. Air France’s Boeing 777-300ERs are additionally geared up with a nostril and stomach digital camera, streaming stay footage to the inflight leisure system.
8. ONBOARD INTERNET
In all cabins, passengers can use Air France Join, the airline’s in-flight Wi-Fi supply. The portal gives three passes, one in all which is totally freed from cost and permits passengers to ship and obtain messages through WhatsApp, Messenger, WeChat, and related companies, though you can’t ship or obtain pictures, movies, or audio information.
Two different web packages can be found for buy on Air France’s longhaul flights:
- The Surf Cross is out there as 1-hour voucher for EUR 8, or a full-flight voucher for EUR 18. With this go, you’ll be able to surf the web, and ship & obtain e-mails.
- The Stream Cross prices EUR 30 for your entire flight and allows you to surf the web, ship and obtain e-mails together with (giant) attachments, ship & obtain messages together with pictures, movies, & audio information, and stream music, audio, & video.
9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES
# CREW: The flight attendants on this flight had been very pleasant and provided impeccable and courteous service.
# LAVATORY: Air France’s Boeing 777-300ER options 4 bathrooms for Enterprise Class passengers: two are positioned behind the cockpit and the 2 different within the galley between each Enterprise Class cabins. The bathrooms had been filled with Clarins toiletries.
10. MY VERDICT
- Seat consolation (upright): 9/10
- Seat consolation (mattress place): 9/10
- Meals (high quality): 9/10
- Meals (amount): 9/10
- Inflight leisure : 9/10
- WiFi: 9/10 (not out there)
- Service: 10/10
- Cabin design: 9/10
- Total expertise: distinctive – 9/10
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