Review: Air France First Class Lounge Paris

Your next assignment is to take this flight originating from CDG so we can see how they do the check-in, security, etc and compare that to TG BKK and LH FCT. Considering your experience at LAX, my guess is that it is even better.

But wow, what a beautiful lounge. Glad you had a good experience.

Wow.. very nice report... worth the wait!

I am so excited to try this experience in a few weeks 🙂

My list would be quite similar to you. But before I try AF FCL, rightnow Qantas is still top of all ... minus the escort/ride to the plane 🙁

I knew you tried QF FCL at MEL before but you did not eat much there cuz you arrived not too early and wanted to save spaces for on board meal. If you tried QF FCL Lounge food more, I think you would rate them on par with top restaurants too. The service at SYD maybe a little less personal than MEL though.

Also, it would be perfect if AF can deliver this type of meal service and settings on the planes (glassware: champagne, wine, cognac glass etc., red water glass (in this FCL) similar to BA F water glass, butter/olive oil on the plate instead of packages).

Food at the BKK TG F lounge is pass-able, not "very good."

Lucky, you really have to experience the Qantas First Class lounge in Sydney. Once you do, it may make your top 5.

It's hard to think that anyone could compete with the French when they try at fine dining……….it is rather revealing that the initial autos were Mercedes and BMW so even they admit the superiority of the German hard product…………but it seems they still don't have a "cabana" where you can go lock yourself up? I guess with the kind of service they offer you don't want to be locked up…………..

Haven't you had food from a Michelin Star Chef before? Flying first only lounges, AF CDG best overall, QF SYD, MEl best food can't wait for their new LAX. These have moved up a notch or two and you can enter anytime on the day of your flight rather than when the flight check in opens. LH F in Frankfurt it's efficient, it's German. Emirates F in Dubai well you do like your bling! To locals and guests it's just Hotel George Cinq and has been for along, long time. The original hotel Luxe. Next time you fly F in LH to Frankfurt try catching a train in first to say Munich some trains in Germany have LH flight numbers and LH first ends with escort to your train. Make sure you book a no smoking carriage. For all paid flights into Germany regardless of class it includes a train ticket ti your final German destination On LH.

Lucky, not trying to be overly cynical, but from your last review post it looks like you tweeted the airline as you were boarding your incoming flight. It's...not hard to believe that resulted in some extra personal treatment upon arrival. 🙂

I'm I misunderstanding the timeline?

@ Ken Y.
Do you think the food at FRA FCL/FCT is pass-able as well? I think BKK food is a bit better than FRA .. but not restaurant-quality.
QF FCL MEL/SYD is the only restaurant quality that I've tried so far.
Actually I just ate a very nice steak at CX HKG FCL last night too.
I also like food at Concorde Room (JFK only) and VS Clubhouse (JFK only), they also pour the soup liquid in front of you there as well.

This is first time I hear a hotel vehicle can get into the tarmac and shuttle the passenger away.. That must be a nice experience to just stay in one car all the way from the plane to your hotel.

Apologies for the noob question, but how is tipping handled for complimentary spa treatments in a lounge? At a normal spa I tip when settling my bill on leaving, but I don't see that working in a lounge. Does one just tip the therapist directly on the spot? Or are tips not customary?

@ Claire -- It wasn't expected, and I don't think is customary in the lounge. I usually tip at the Thai Airways Spa in Bangkok or at the Virgin Atlantic or BA Spas at JFK, but aside from that typically don't.

@AC
The passenger would still have to clear the French immigration/customs, wouldn't he?

Very 1970s, but tres chic! And the French know a thing or two about food! Sounds like you had a terrific time. Agree with first poster - you need to go the other way now to see how they handle departure from that hideous CDG for the upper crust;-)

Wow! First Joel Robuchon on board and then Alain Ducasse in the lounge? That's like 50 Michelin stars between the 2 of them! AF is on my list now!

@Lucky, I know you say that you now have 4 top lounges world wide but I'd still be interested to know your top 3 lounges - does Air France do enough to knock Lufthansa, Thai or Emirates out of the top 3?

US airlines need to take a good look at themselves. The WHOLE point of offering (international) First class is to differentiate it from business. Business is meant to be comfortable and efficient. Full stop. First is meant to be luxurious and over-the-top, considering the price difference.

I fly AA in First a lot (mostly on the new 77W) and although the hardware is nice, the experience is EXACTLY like business -- from the treatment, to the amenities, to the food, to the lounges, to the agents... There is absolutely no reason to fly First on any US airline. I only do it to burn my eVIPs, because my underlying tickets are in business class anyway (and not every time, of course).

Thanks for the report.

By any chance, did you snap a picture of the wine list or notice what spirits were on offer?

Wow! I can really understand why the staff is so enthusiastic about their work, since 99% of the lounge visitors are paid First Class passengers. No FF Elites or mileage maximizers, as in the FCT.

That was really awesome to read about. The quotes from the people you encountered really took me there. Good pictures. I especially loved the menu pics and the food pics. Really jaw dropping. I pictured Dominique to look like the hooker John Travolta got in Paris with love. : (

Well this easily surpasses the LH FCT. I now have a new entry on my bucket list.

Superb review, as always.

I have a question. I will be flying on a Delta code share flight from ATL to CDG in business elite in June. Then connecting to an AF flight to FCO in first class. Can I possibly expect this kind of servce? It was a nightmare the last 2 times I had to transfer flights there.

I do agree the lounge is great. I was there right after it opened. They were still working on some problems and the bathrooms weren't complete. I did get offered a complimentary massage which was wonderful and the food and wine was better than most restaurants.

Thanks for the write up.

@ Barbara -- Unfortunately Air France doesn't offer first class between Paris and Rome, but rather only business class. So you can use the business class lounge, though unfortunately not the first class lounge.

Lucky,

You are correct. I just went to the website to check my ticket. Oh well, one could only wish!

@Lucky,

Don't suppose you have a wine list for us do you? Got an upcoming flight out of Paris and trying to decide if it's worth the upgrade or not.

@ William Charles -- Sorry, sadly I don't.

Lucky wrote "I loved the simplistic and modern design."

I think you mean "simple" rather than "simplistic." 🙂

Thanks for the report. Not many reports in english on Air France La Premiere out there. I totally agree on your view of the lounge and ground service. Transfer at CDG in first class beats both Thai in BKK and LH in FRA/MUC, the service and the food are better than the other. You just really feel welcome, and that the agents REALLY care. Thanks again!

Great review; lounge seems magnifique.

However "each and every one came by to introduce themselves at some point during my stay and wish me a pleasant time in the lounge" might become annoying at some point. I often wish to be left alone and 'service' can be overbearing at times. I have no need for excessive 'personal attention' though I may be in the minority these days.