I step off the mighty Boeing B 777-200 that carried me from Montreal to Paris. It’s 07h50 on Sunday morning, and we arrived on stand fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. I now have to make my way from Hall M of Terminal 2E to Terminal 2F. I’m a bit concerned by the many aircraft on stand at Hall M, thinking many of their passengers will also be connecting to another flight just like me. But I needn’t have worried. By 08h25 I’m already sitting in the Salon Air France situated between the two piers of Terminal 2F. It’s quite impressive how smoothly the transfer goes.

Salon Air France in Terminal 2 F

The Salon Air France is located in between the two piers of Terminal 2F. When I first arrive, the lounge is very busy – mostly with bleary-eyed long-haul travellers who look like they need a good night’s sleep.

The lounge is huge and sits on two levels. The views of the ramp are excellent – if you manage to grab a seat near the window.

The buffet is exceptionally well stocked and replenished regularly. The selection of food options is also quite impressive. For example, they have both salted and unsalted butter and plenty of rolls and pastries.

Boarding

Boarding for my flight is from gate F21, which is a bus gate that I wasn’t even aware they had in Terminal 2F. As I reach the bottom of the stairs to ground level, boarding is just starting. What I really like about Air France is that they religiously respect and enforce the boarding sequence.

I take my time disembarking, to make sure I’m last off the bus once we reach the aircraft. I’m a bit hesitant to take photos because they can be quite strict at CDG. But the bus driver obviously recognises a geek when he sees one. He smiles kindly, “allez-y”, he says – and I start snapping away.

The Cabin

I’m seated on 2A, which is the bulkhead row on the port side, and the amount of available space is just excellent! There’s even a thin cut out to ensure that the first window is not obstructed by the forward storage compartment. It’s a very attractive cabin.

The Service & Crew

Once boarding is completed, the crew pass through the cabin with packaged towels. A bottle of still water is already at my seat when I board. As on the previous flights, I notice that FlyingBlue members are greeted by name. The crew on this flight are quite simply amazing and just so charming. There are four middle aged ladies working the cabin and they’re just lovely. They interact with passengers with this natural ease that immediately makes you feel welcome.

We push back on time and then make our way to the active runway on the south side of the airport. Once we’re airborne, we quickly clear the murky grey fog and emerge into a beautiful blue sky.

The Meal – Early Lunch

The meal that is served on this flight is an early lunch. And it’s excellent. My impression is that Air France have recently further upped their game when it comes to catering, especially on shorthaul, and this meal doesn’t disappoint.

The pot au feu is lovely and has a strong hint of mustard that goes very well with the sweetness of the pungent horseradish sauce. It’s a really nice dish.

Arrival in Genève

Our flight time is 45 minutes this morning. We start our descent into Geneva, which is quite spectacular, as you’re flying between the mountains on the final approach. The fog is sitting low on the ground, and we emerge from it just a short distance above the ground.

Geneva Airport is, quite frankly, a dump. The airport is really too old, small and cramped for the amount of traffic it handles and the signage is rather ineffectual.

Like Zürich Airport, Geneva is connected to Switzerland’s mainline railway network, with frequent trains to most of the country.

While I’m down in this part of the country, I figure I might as well make the best of the gorgeous weather up in the mountains. So I stop in the old town of Gruyères on the way home, which is a lovely place to visit nestled again the dramatic backdrop of the Alps.

Conclusion

In recent years Air France has firmly established itself as Europe’s leading airline. While other carriers have been busy cutting back on services that usually have them loosing sight of their customers, Air France has gone the completely opposite way by emphasizing the customer experience and orienting itself to offering a seamless and easy travel experience. And their hub in Paris CDG is quite simply amazing!