I arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle around 8AM, and I had a flight out of Paris Orly at 2:30PM. My first stop was the Air France Arrivals Lounge, both to get a shower, and also to get some work done.
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris Location
This isn’t Air France’s fault, but I despise Charles de Gaulle Airport (unless flying Air France La Premiere, in which case it’s awesome). We arrived at Terminal 2L. First I had to take a train towards the immigration hall. The train was so overcrowded that I thought I was in the Tokyo subway during rush hour.
Then I witnessed the longest immigration line I’ve seen in my life, and this was a Wednesday in mid-November. Fortunately there was a SkyPriority lane, and there they had a 20 minute wait just to use the automated kiosk. I can’t even imagine how long other people waited.
Anyway, once through immigration I followed the signage towards Terminal 2C, which is where the lounge is located. This was quite a walk, though I appreciated the opportunity to get some steps in after an overnight flight.
Walking to Paris CDG Terminal 2C
Once in Terminal 2C, the Air France Arrivals Lounge is located just past check-in counter 10 and on the left.
Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 2C
You’ll see a sign for it there, and then the entrance is pretty obvious as well.
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris signage
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris exterior
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris Hours
The arrivals lounge is open daily from 5:30AM until 1PM. Those hours make sense, since the intent is that you can shower here before heading to the office, or even spend a bit of time here before you can go to your hotel for check-in.
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris Access
The lounge is open to Air France first and business class passengers arriving on long haul flights, plus Flying Blue Elite Plus members.
Furthermore, you can purchase access to the arrivals lounge, subject to availability:
- The cost is 50EUR prior to 10:30AM
- The cost is 35EUR after 10:30AM
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris Review
Just inside the entrance to the lounge was a sitting area with half a dozen leather chairs.
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris seating
Past that were about a dozen dining tables, which is the main room of the lounge.
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris seating
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris seating
Behind that dining area is a small nap room with three daybeds.
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris nap area
Then back towards the entrance is a shared luggage storage area and business center, it seems. When I checked in I was encouraged to leave my bag there, though in general I’m not very comfortable leaving my bag unattended if it’s not being watched, so I kept it with me most of the time.
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris business center & luggage storage
In the dining area was a buffet spread that was pretty good for an arrivals lounge.
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris buffet
There were packaged snacks, fresh pastries and croissants, a coffee machine, and a fridge with soft drinks, water, soda, and yogurt.
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris breakfast
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris breakfast
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris breakfast
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris drinks
Then in the corner of the room was another station with cold cuts, cheese, fruit, yogurt, and granola.
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris breakfast
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris breakfast
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris breakfast
The main part of the lounge was the shower rooms, of which there were over a dozen. I first worked a bit and then took a shower, and was happy to see that the rooms were readily available.
Air France Arrivals Lounge showers
Air France Arrivals Lounge showers
The shower room was a good size, with a luggage storage rack, sink, toilet, and walk-in shower.
Air France Arrivals Lounge shower suite
Air France Arrivals Lounge shower suite
Air France Arrivals Lounge shower suite
Air France Arrivals Lounge shower suite
The water pressure and temperature control were excellent.
Air France Arrivals Lounge shower
There were nice wall mounted toiletries, and then also some other basic amenities by the sink.
Air France Arrivals Lounge toiletries
Air France Arrivals Lounge shower suite toiletries
They also have a shirt pressing service, where you can hang your shirt in a door and then they can collect it and press it for you.
Air France Arrivals Lounge shirt press service
The one downside to the shower room — which I pretty consistently find to be the case in airport shower rooms — is that there wasn’t much air circulation at all, so the air really stood. After taking a shower I shaved, and I was sweating like crazy. Maybe I just need to stop taking long, hot showers…
I ended up spending a bit over two hours in the lounge between working and showering.
Air France Arrivals Lounge Paris Bottom Line
While not the chicest lounge out there, I thought the Air France Arrivals Lounge was good, all things considered. The shower rooms were good and readily available, there was a sufficient amount of seating, and the food selection was better than in many other arrivals lounges.
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.