Introduction

Considering how much I fly with Air France, it really is quite unbelievable that, to date, I have yet to sample their Airbus A 350. When I made the booking for this trip, it showed the flight being operated by an A 350-900. But then within one week of making the booking, there was an aircraft change and the A 350 was subed for a Boeing B 777-200. Still, the B 777 is a mean machine, so I’ve hardly a reason to complain.

I’ve just stepped off an Air France flight that arrived at Terminal 2F from Zürich. The transfer to 2E is seamless and very easy. Of course it helps not having to go through security again.

Eventually, the official route ejects me into Terminal 2F right in front of the Louis Vuitton store. It’s coming up to 12h20, and my flight will start boarding at 12h45, so there‘s hardly any point in visiting the lounge. I park myself near the gate and busy myself uploading photos until the flight is eventually called.

Boarding

Boarding is strictly by zones and religiously enforced by the gate agents. As I enter the queue, there is a passport check mandated by the Canadian government for flights entering the country.

There are two airbridges attached to the aircraft, with the one for Business Class passengers attached to the L1 door. That‘s something that I find really useful, but that SWISS, for example, only very rarely does.

The Cabin & Seat

The Air France cabin is probably one of the most featured products on this blog. And for good reason, because it remains one of my favourite seats. Mainly, that‘s because it‘s comfortable and rather wide and long. In the bed position there‘s still plenty of space for me to comfortably stretch out my 184 cm. The seat also has a lot of convenient storage space. This seat is not equipped with a sliding door.

Already at my seat when I arrive is a hanger for my jacket, a pair of slippers, a fluffy pillow, and a nice, thick blanket. There‘s also a bottle of water tucked away in the side of the seat.

The Service & Crew

The crew on this flight are simply excellent and very charming. As I step on board, I am greeted at the door by the purser. She welcomes me back and tells me she‘s left a little note for me from the crew at my seat. And indeed, there‘s a hand-written note welcoming me to the flight and hoping I‘ll enjoy my time on board. Later on, when the crew come to introduce themselves, I notice that they all make a point of using my family name.

While we‘re still on the ground, the crew hand out the menus. While they’re at it, they check to confirm my selection. In Air France Business Class you can preorder the main course starting 15 days before the flight.

Next, the crew distribute the vanity kits and pass through the cabin with welcome drinks. There’s a choice of champagne, still water, and orange juice. Once boarding is completed, the crew hand out soft, scented towels.

The Meal – Lunch

Soon after take-off, the lunch service begins with an apéritif. I just have a glass of sparkling water with ice. This is served with an ewe cheese cream and a box of cheesy crêpes.

Shortly after, the tray is brought out with the salad and starter. For the starter, there‘s a bulgur wheat salad wirh sweet potato and shrimps. There‘s also a small bottle of vinaigrette and unsalted butter on the tray. The cabin attendant replenishes my drink and wishes me bon appetit.

For the main course, I‘ve chosen the vegetarian dish, which is the riso pasta with sweet potato, butternut squash and chickpeas. This is a really lovely dish that‘s full of flavour and quite unusual with the ginger in it. Kudos to Air France for also making sure the meal is properly heated and piping hot when it is served.

After the main course, the crew pass through the cabin with the cheese and more bread.

Before the dessert is served, my tray is cleared away. The male flight attendant shows me a tray with several sorbets and a creamy chocolate cake. I ask for the cocoa sorbet. He suggests I also take the cake, but I tell him that would likely be too much. He smiles, and tells me that „monsieur est trop raisonable“. He hands me the mint tea and a small piece of dark chocolate and continues down the aisle.

The meal is nicely paced. Within less than two hours after take-off, the service ends, which I rather like and greatly appreciate. Especially on these mid-haul flights it drives me crazy when the service drags on forever for no apparent reason.

A few hours later, once I’ve had my beauty sleep, I press the call button. Immediately, a member of the crew appears and I ask her if I could have a new bottle of water. She returns straight away with a full bottle. She‘s also brought a box of biscuits because she thought it would be a shame for me to miss out on them because they‘re just so good. This is just typical of the attention to detail this crew shows throughout the flight. They‘re a true delight!

Second Service

Ninety minutes out of Montreal, the cabin begins to stir and the crew prepare for the second service. The whole meal is served on one tray. It consists of a kind of puff pastry roll with egg mayonnaise, pickled onions and broad beans. Alas, that means that the savoury is out of the question for me, as I have an enzyme deficiency that makes the broad beans a no-go. Also on the tray, though, is a bowl of fruit and a Madeleine. To drink, I have water and a coffee.

Arrival in Montreal

The crew quickly remove the trays and then start preparing the cabin for landing. The MC passes through the cabin to personally say good bye to passengers.

Eventually, we land at 15h31, 53 minutes ahead of schedule. We taxi to our stand and park next to the earlier service from Paris, which has also had an aircraft change and appears to have been operated by… an Airbus A 350. What a cruel twist of fate!

Immigration is busy, but the queues move quickly. Unfortunately, my suitcase didn’t make it. I’m now hoping it will be on one of the two flights expected tomorrow. Otherwise, I may have a problem.