The weather on my last day in London is just gorgeous, which is why I decide to walk from Piccadilly Circus to Victoria. It’s a nice walk up the Mall and then past Buckingham Palace. With the start of the summer schedule of 2026, Air France has introduced two daily services from Paris CDG to London Gatwick.

Getting to Gatwick Airport

Trains to and from Gatwick Airport run from several of London’s many railway stations. Victoria is probably the closest one to London’s Westend. As I enter the station’s main concourse, I see there’s a Gatwick Express leaving in ten minutes from platform 13. You can just tap in and out to access the platforms. Or you can purchase tickets online.

The journey out to Gatwick takes thirty minutes by express train. There are local trains too, but they stop a few times on the way, which inevitably increases the journey time.

Check-In

Air France checks in at Gatwick’s North Terminal, which is newer and much nicer than the ancient and rather ratty South Terminal.

Air France checks in at zone B. I’ve already checked in online, but I still need to inquire about the lounge Air France uses here in Gatwick.

The London Gatwick Plaza Premium Lounge

Air France has contracted the Plaza Premium Lounge for its Business Class and status card holders. The lounge is located one floor up from the public airside area. Air France passengers get a special complimentary drinks voucher which entitles them to a glass of champagne. I have no idea if this means that alcoholic beverages are otherwise chargeable in the lounge. If so, it’s probably not a bad idea, given that the British seem to have a propensity to get shitfaced whenever they travel abroad and then make a spectacle of themselves as soon as they step aboard their flight…

The food options in the lounge are a limited, and the display is not exactly overly attractive either. The one thing this lounge really has going for it, though, is the spectacular view of the apron!

Boarding

The boarding gates at Gatwick Airport are closed. When boarding starts, it simply means that the gate is open and passengers are allowed inside the holding area. Although, when the time comes to board the aircraft, one of the gate agents does check to make sure that boarding by groups is adhered to.

As I step aboard, there is a small tray with disinfectant towels that passengers can help themselves to. In case you’re wondering, they’re great for cleaning your glasses too.

The Air France Business Class Cabin & Seat

I’m seated on 2A, which is the bulkhead row on the port side of the aircraft. I think this is the best seat in the house. The seat pitch is good and the fact that there are two windows on this row further enhances the impression of space. Each seat has an adjustable headrest.

There is a USB and USB C port at every seat. On the bulkhead rows the plugs are between seats, at the bottom of the fixed armrests. On all subsequent seats they’re in the back of the seat in front.

On this flight there are five rows of Business Class for a total of thirteen seats, and all seats are occupied.

The Service & Crew

The crew on this flight are all female with the exception of the first officer. The cabin crew are great, with friendly smiles as they engage with passengers. While we’re still on the ground, the service starts with the distribution of packaged towels.

The captain welcomes us aboard. She informs us that the first officer will be the PIC on this service, and that the flight time from wheels up to touchdown will be a quick forty minutes.

The Air France Business Class Meal – Early Dinner

With forty minutes to run to Paris, the crew spring into action as soon as the fasten seatbelts sign is turned off. The crew delivers the meal tray and inquires about drinks. I just have a Perrier. The quality of the meal is good and the taste is excellent. It consists of a quinoa salad with grilled shrimps on cocktail sauce. With that, there are two delectable pieces of cheese that are served with warm bread rolls. And for dessert there’s the infamous Paris Brest, a choux pastry filled with a hazelnut cream.

Arrival in Paris CDG

We’ve barely made it across the English Channel when the engines are eased back and the captain announces to the cabin crew the “début déscente”, the start of descent. Thirty minutes later, we touch down on the southernmost of the westerly runways and taxi to our stand at Terminal 2E Hall K. There’s a bit of a holdup while we wait for the ground crew to activate the guidance system to bring us onto our stand. Apparently, we’re running ten minutes ahead of schedule and they weren’t expecting us so soon. By the time I step off the plane it’s exactly 19h00 – perfectly on time. I now have ninety minutes to make my connection.