Introduction

On my last evening in Dublin I hadn’t really planned on doing anything in particular. But then I went for dinner at Wagamama, which is located at the top end of Grafton Street, opposite the Gaiety Theatre. By the time I left Wagamama, it was only just 19h17. I cross the street to the box office to inquire what show is on, and if there are still tickets available. And that’s how I end up spending a rather entertaining evening at the theatre seeing The Woman in Black – which is a highly entertaining play in the grand tradition of the gothic novel. The next day, I‘m leaving quite early.

Getting to the Airport

It’s only just gone seven in the morning. Apparently, there are less frequent busses to the airport this time of day, which is why I’ve ordered a taxi.

Luckily, the driver is not very talkative, which suits me just fine in the early mornings. He has the radio on in the background that is easy to ignore. But then a competition is announced with an opportunity to win a “once in a lifetime, all expenses paid” trip to Eurodisney for two adults and two kids, leaving on 15 August. To participate, all you have to do is answer one question… is Eurodisney Paris in a) France, or, b) Norway? I kid you not. The driver and I erupt into laughter at exactly the same moment…

We make the journey to the airport from the centre of Dublin in about 25 minutes.

Check-In

I’ve already checked in on the app, but they still need to see my passport. So, my first stop is the SkyTeam check-in counters.

Air France KLM operate out of Terminal 1 and check in on row 9. There are two SkyPriority counters and four for Economy Class.

The check-in agent gives me instructions to fast track security and the lounge, both of which are pretty much impossible to find unless you’re familiar with the airport. In general, signaling at Dublin airport is not very good.

Dublin Airport T1 Lounge

To get to the lounge, make a left turn after security and don’t follow the signs. They will only lead you to Terminal 2. The stairs leading up to the T1 lounge are located in between the lines for security, which makes them quite easy to miss if, like me, you’re not the observant type.

The lounge is quite nice and spacious. It was windows toward the ouside, but sadly, no views. When I get there, the poor woman at reception is trying to convince a passenger that he‘s really no entitled to enter, despite his status, because he‘s travelling on the wrong carrier. God, I can‘t imagine what crap this poor woman has to put up with on a daily basis!

In any case, I still haven’t had breakfast. More importantly, I haven‘t had coffee either. So, I dump my stuff on the first empty table and proceed to raid the buffet.

The selection is quite good and contains a nice selection of hot and cold dishes. There’s a plate with big fat scones piled up high on it. I go with the savouries, though.

Boarding

Boarding for the flight is from gate 224. This is good for me, because there are no airbridges on this pier!

There‘s a bit of a hold up for boarding because of a deportee. Apparently, the passenger was on the inbound, but was then refused entry into Ireland, obliging the carrier to take him back to Paris. I don’t know the guy’s story, but he looks so despondent.

This is likely my last flight with the A 318, seeing as Air Framce only has six remaining in its fleet. It‘s rather a strange looking thing that makes you wonder how anybody ever thought it could be a commercial success.

The Cabin & Seat

There are four rows of Business Class and the crew informs us that the flight is sold out in both cabins.

The seat pitch is good and allows me to stretch out my legs.

On each row of three there are four USB ports. In addition, the aircraft is equipped with wifi that is easy to connect to and that works surprisingly well.

The Service & Crew

The level of professionalism at Air France really is something else. Not only do the crew have impeccable manners, the way they‘re handling the delay is exceptional. They address every single passenger with a tight connection individually to keep them updated of what‘s going on.

They‘re very service oriented and cleary put the focus of their work on their passengers. For example, during the meal service, the flight attendant does a second pass through the cabin with the breadbasket. When she stops at my row, I ask her if I could have another coffee, when she has a moment. Instead of continuing with her breadbasket and returning later on, she immediately returns to the galley and brings me a fresh mug of coffee, before resuming with the breadbasket.

Before departure, packaged towels are distributed.

The Meal

The flight time to Paris is eighty minutes. Once we‘re airborne, the crew start preparing for breakfast, and the smell of warm bread starts wafting through the cabin.

The main dish is a puff pastry bun with cream cheese, smoked salmon and Julienned vegetables. I’ve certainly had this one before on Air France on a trip from Amsterdam to Paris. But not quite so often as the dreaded meatballs on Lufthansa.

I have a croissant and a bread roll with the meal, both of which are still warm. There‘s also a bowl of joghurt.

To drink, I have coffee and a bottle of still water. I like that she gives me a glass for the water, and doesn’t just assume I’ll drink from the bottle.

Arrival in Paris

Despite our delay in departing from Dublin, the crew still manage an ontime arrival. We pull onto our stand and the captain comes on again to inform us that we have reached our stand only three minutes late, and that therefore, all connections are guaranteed.

I thank the crew as we disembark and then make my way to arrivals. This being a non-Schengen flight, we arrive in Terminal 2E. The size of CDG 2 really is quite impressive. Perhaps more important is how quick and easy it is to navigate through the terminal, despite its size.

Getting into Paris

Paris CDG is served by the RER line B, a single ticket will set you back EUR17. The journey to anywhere in Paris will take you an hour.

At Chatelet Les Halles I alight and take an RER line A train from the other side of the platform to Gare de Lyon. I have an appointment for a late lunch at Le Train Bleu.