New Air France Business Lounge Paris (CDG), For Long Haul Travelers

This is the lounge for some long haul AF travelers, not really most or all. Those departing from “hall” L or M would use the lounges in those areas instead of this one (which are probably still the nicer lounges, given this one has limited views and light due to its location).

Great to see another great lounge by AF. Only what I am not sure as I don't see any photos of it - the co-working space - does this also include a space where calls or online meetings can be held? I do hope that this was taken into account - this is to address those who like to pride around the lounge with their highest pitch.....

Cheers!

Over the last year, I've enjoyed passing through the AF lounges at CDG...my only complaints: no champagne until 11am, so no pre-departure mimosas (though if you ask nicely they will bring you a glass!) and the Clarins spas have never been open the 6 times I've passed through, including the two times I was in the M Hall lounge two weeks ago. Total business class problems, I know ;).

I found the lack of champagne in the morning quite surprising considering that they have a bunch of strong spirits available at that time (which are far less "suitable" for breakfast time than champagne).

I was surprised how poor the food in the CDG AF lounges was. Few options and not very appealing.

That's an interesting observation about morning drink availability. I wonder if champagne is truly more suitable for morning consumption than spirits, or if we're just attached to the illusion of form?

Both champagne and spirits share the same essential nature - they're alcoholic substances that alter consciousness. Their difference exists primarily in our social constructs and perceptions rather than their fundamental essence. The effervescence and lighter color of champagne creates an illusion of "breakfast appropriateness" that we've culturally assigned, while darker spirits are deemed too "heavy."

Have our associations with champagne's form created an arbitrary distinction that masks its similar nature to other alcoholic drinks? Perhaps the morning champagne expectation reveals more about our attachment to conventional forms than any inherent suitability. What do you think - is champagne's morning acceptability merely an illusion of form?

This is where most Delta passengers depart from.

A very much needed upgrade considering how sad the old one was.

It's a cost-cutting measure, nothing to do with intoxication.

Really wish they'd renovate/update the JFK lounge, or at least just update the F&B. It's been pretty awful for a while now - they never really revamped it from the pandemic. It was so much better pre-Covid.

The french don't drink at 10am. 9am is still very early for them. It's like being shocked that Chinese restaurants don't do dim sum after 2pm. Or French toast is not a breakfast item in France but a dessert.

I have to wonder about needing champagne at 10am.

Definitely varies widely throughout the day. Their AM good selection is very meh. Late afternoon and dinner time however it's much better.

"Air France lounges have legitimately tasty food, champagne, shower suites, and even spas and saunas in select lounge. It’s a much more pleasant experience than you’ll find at other hubs."

This is true but the Air France lounges outside Paris, especially in Norht America, are awful.

"Air France lounges have legitimately tasty food, champagne, shower suites, and even spas and saunas in select lounge. It’s a much more pleasant experience than you’ll find at other hubs."

This is true but the Air France lounges outside Paris, especially in Norht America, are awful.

@Bob - That's why the lounge has bottles of Armagnac, whiskey, vodka and a dozen of other spirits out at 6 AM, but no champagne, lol.

Champagne breakfasts are a thing; have you people never come across them?!

I don’t think Bob is here for a real convo. He’d rather just pull a drive by and imply that people who like a festive mimosa at the airport lounge are philistines and alcoholics. He also engages in some fun cultural stereotyping along the way. At a certain point you have to admire the economy of his gormlessness

They are in some places on earth, but not in the country where Champagne actually is from.

You can get a glass of bubbly in some of the very touristy spots in Paris or the Côte d'Azur, the places where people with Emily-in-Paris ideas of France go to (mostly Americans, East Asians, Middle East). But go to a normal café, and you're lucky if you can anything other than coffee, an orange pressé, and some viennoiserie.

So the Air France lounges, being in France and run by a French airline, have to find some middle ground between local cultural customs and a global customer set which obviously passes through a lounge. Indeed, they shuold also not have whiskey and gin out as that isn't very French to drink that early in the morning. But there is less danger of hordes of Americans invading the bottle buffet and filling bubbly in their Stanley mugs to take away with them - as happens regularly with Champagne.

Trying the new 2E Hall K lounge now. First impressions:

The food and beverage offering and quality has not changed (it is not bad) and for all the champagne and wine lovers there is still the same good selection

Upstairs feels more cramped than the old lay out and was crowded

Downstairs has a much more open feel, less crowded but an uninspiring view of a concrete wall

Seating options are more varied and comfortable - finishings and decor more modern

I happily spent 3hours here working, making calls and eating more than I needed to.

I just find it very tasty with normal European breakfast. Heavier stuff not so much. If not being served coffee then I prefer Champagne before and Whiskey to the coffee. Perhaps some Dark rom also is sufficient but not sure if this qualifies as heavy drinking in the morning? On the other hand if herring is served some Vodka will also be a preference together with some Russian caviar of course. But Russian stuff is a little bit out of style why I might just settle with some Kalles Kaviar from Sweden together with Eggs and rye bread. And Vodka of course or some more Champagne.