Hello from Vienna, as I’m on the return(ish) portion of my quick trip to Versailles. After flying Air France’s Boeing 777-300ER La Premiere first class and spending a couple of nights in the area, I flew Air Frances Airbus A220-300 business class, on the 90-minute flight from Paris (CDG) to Vienna (VIE).
Continue reading: Air France A220 Business Class: Europe’s Best, By Process Of Elimination
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Bulgaria Air has a proper, intra-Europe business-class.
And, for what it's worth, you previously said the Aegean business-class was the best within Europe.
@ FNT Delta Diamond -- Bulgaria Air is absolutely on my list of airlines to fly, but I don't think it qualifies as a major European network carrier. Regarding Aegean, I do very much like the carrier's soft product, but I also am not counting it as a major European network carrier. To me, those carriers include British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, SWISS, etc.
How is a single choice of a weird salad better than a single choice of some meat?
Surely having multiple choices is better than either of these options.
@ Michael -- Of course having multiple choices would be better (and it's something that British Airways deserves credit for offering on most routes). But if you're only going to have one choice, I think it's better to have a vegetarian option than a specific meat option (there are more people in the world who eat vegetables than pork, for example).
AF has come a long way. Pre-covid, KLM was the airline that was known for good service and AF was see as being very inefficient half. How the tides have changed. KLM long haul business class is now worse than BA or LH (which is saying a LOT) and AF has really improved its soft and hard product.
I would also say that in general the Air France lounges in Paris CDG for business class guests and elites (including Schengen) are a league above most other major carriers. The Schengen lounge has high quality food, nice showers, champagne, the free massage (if you score one to be fair). I can’t think of many other inter European lounges which offer the same level to regular business class/entry level elite members.
Aegean isn’t a network carrier, granted, but it’s absolutely the very best airline in the EU in terms of product. A3’s a treasure and a gem.
P.S. Not trying to start another debate here, but…
Aeroflot (because that’s not useful to 99.99% of us nowadays… well, maybe that’ll change soon)
The way things are going, I fully expect Aeroflot to resume flights to the US well before the year ends. And, with some luck and arm-twisting, it will strongarm and barge its way into Europe as well…
A sign of the times!
Well, "network carrier" is a huge qualifier. In 2023, you said:
"Intra-Europe business class isn’t much to get excited about, though I have to say that I think Aegean might just have among the best product you’ll find in Europe"
https://onemileatatime.com/insights/aegean-a320neo-business-class/
And the Air Baltic A220 business-class is up there with Swiss and Air France.
During my visit earlier this week, the Air France lounge at the K concourse of CDG Terminal 2E had premier cru champagne and 2016 grand cru red wine. Meanwhile, the Star Alliance lounge at CDG's Terminal 1 doesn't even serve champagne. Same for the Turkish flagship business-class lounge at Istanbul. They serve cheap Italian prosecco.
I’ve flown business class on AirFrance’s A220. It was fine, but it seemed very loud to me. Perhaps that explains the PA issue mentioned in the article.
European domestic business class is disappointing, with a few notable exceptions. Like Turkish, which is incredible. I mean, flying a wide body on a 50 minute flight (Istanbul to Bucharest) and serving a full course, excellent, meal …
This Ben character is certainly doing a fine job in convincing none-believers that there is merit in giving AF another look.
My little friend (she who must be obeyed) is always available for a long weekend in Antibes, therefore, on our next canter I will give AF a trot out.
It had better be good Ben!
You forgot about airbaltic! They are launching starlink now and new cabins will come later this year and thier bussines class soft product is also quite nice so I'm sure you can add them to your "Europe's best" list 🙂
While I understand a vegetarian snack being the option that works for the most people, I'd be disappointed to get something without meat.
@ BalticFlyer -- I like airBaltic's business model, though in fairness, the carrier doesn't have power ports or Wi-Fi on its A220s yet. Obviously once Starlink is installed, it'll be a lot more competitive.
I prefer intra-EU Business Class for a ~1.5 hour flight to US first class for the same distance. But, this is because I am a not-that-large human and I appreciate a decent little meal.
Aegean are a network carrier par excellence, they sell connections via more than one hub (vs KL with one or BA where you need to take a coach because of the split operations) and they can get you as far as DXB! The issue with them, as with THY, is that flying within Europe via Greece usually requires backtracking.
IME, it's more common for the business class meal on intra-EU to be some kind of meat and no other options. Especially surprised that AF served a meatless dish because I flew several intra-EU flights with them in business last month and the main course was meat every time.
Yeah, that's my unpopular opinion as well. I know people here hate the blocked middle seat (I do too), but having very good service and a decent hot meal and beverage selection goes a long way to make the cabin feel premium.
That being said, it does amuse me when meal service is offered on (effective) sub-60 minute flights like London to Dublin... you better hope you're seated in the first couple rows or you'll feel rushed.
Looks nice, Ben. I wish all intra-Europe flights were A220 and E175/190, but I do love my regional jets.
I second that, I recently flew Manchester to Geneva in their A350.
It was very enjoyable, Champagne as pre-boarding drink, decent cold meal, lie flat seat, good movie selection, service was meh, but still worth it.
My opinion on this has evolved; I had a similar meal on AF regional recently that was amazing. I am a meat eater but really appreciated that 1) the entree was exceptional (for a short flight) and 2) it could be enjoyed by anyone....hence simplified catering.
My opinion on this has evolved; I had a similar meal on AF regional recently that was amazing. I am a meat eater but really appreciated that 1) the entree was exceptional (for a short flight) and 2) it could be enjoyed by anyone....hence simplified catering.
Hello
I did not understand your remark concerning Turkish Airlines
Not being....
What exactly you mean
I mostly fly Turkish business class
And find the seating and service superb
Not my choice. I've yet to fly a 220 anywhere, but AF does block out 2 seats in each row of European business, so you get the empty seat next to you. There are not blocked off seats in the 2-2 Embrarer planes up front. Fortunately, the EU carriers don't seem hung up on moving FFs up front gratis.
seriously a vegetarian, can be served an apple and be happy.
the rest of us want a real meal 🙂
@Tim Dunn, what else do you call a tiny narrow body operating short domestic flights?
At least vegetarians have the option of preordering a special meal. As someone who eats (land) meat but not seafood, I basically have to choose between preordering an unsatisfying vegetarian meal or rolling the dice and hoping they don't plop down a plate of salmon or shrimp in front of me.
It's not just proper, but also features a 2+2 configuration with much wider Business class reclining seats and on top of that a 3-course meal with additional perks on the A220.
The best perk being that you can upgrade for as little as EUR 100 at any origin airport within the scheduled network.