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 France’s Airbus A220-300 business class, on the 90-minute flight from Paris (CDG) to Vienna (VIE).
Admittedly intra-Europe business class is rarely much to get excited about, since it just consists of economy seats with blocked adjacent seats and improved food, drinks, and service. That being said, I think Air France’s A220 business class is as good as it gets, among the major European network carriers.
That’s more by process of elimination than anything about the product being remarkably out of the ordinary. I give Air France credit for getting just about everything right, and being a bit better than the competition, as usual.
Let me of course acknowledge that I’m excluding Turkish Airlines (which has a “proper” business class, but it’s not a European carrier, in the traditional sense) and Aeroflot (because that’s not useful to 99.99% of us nowadays… well, maybe that’ll change soon). I also very much enjoy Aegean’s business class soft product.
In this post I want to share some initial impressions about the flight, and then soon I’ll have a full trip report.
In this post:
Air France’s A220 business class nails the basics
The Airbus A220 is one of my favorite planes, and I’d argue it’s the most comfortable aircraft for intra-Europe flights.
The A220 is in a 2-3 configuration, with seats that are marginally wider than on other narrow body seats. In economy this is awesome, since only 20% of seats are middles (compared to 33% on most other jets).
In business class, you can score a pair of seats on the left side (with one of the two seats blocked), while if you’re traveling with someone, you can get the trio of seats on the right side (with the middle seat blocked). That gives you the best of both worlds.
Air France’s A220s have some handy low tech features, like personal entertainment device holders, plus cupholders, in addition to the tray table.
But what I really appreciate is that Air France has 60W power outlets on its A220s, with both USB-A and USB-C plugs. It’s amazing how rare that otherwise is on short haul aircraft within Europe.
On top of that, there’s high speed Wi-Fi. Free messaging is available, or passes can be purchased for surfing or streaming (pricing is steep!). However, the airline will soon be installing Starlink, which will be free.
Above I said how Air France business class on the A220 is probably Europe’s best, by process of elimination. That comes down to the fact that there’s not another major European carrier that flies the A220, and has Wi-Fi, plus power outlets at every seat throughout that fleet. Like, I enjoy flying SWISS’ A220s, but they’re just now getting Wi-Fi, and don’t have power outlets.
Air France has tasty food and friendly service
I enjoy Air France’s regional soft product just as much as I enjoy the carrier’s hard product (well, relative to the competition, that is).
On this mid-afternoon flight, a tasty snack was served. This was comprised of a lentil, fig, chestnut, and kumquat salad, with butternut squash and orange cream. That was accompanied by Cantal PDO cheese, Fourme de Montbrison PDO cheese, and a Paris-Brest.
Admittedly this comes down to personal preference, but I’m delighted when airlines serve vegetarian snacks, that a vast majority of people can consume. I’m so used to being served a plate of mystery meat on a certain airLHine within Europe (or something with herring or elderflower), with no alternative. So this is a nice change of pace. Air France’s drinks are quite good as well, with champagne and other solid wine on offer.
The flight attendant working business class was lovely as well — she was professional, friendly, and constantly checked on passengers. What more could one ask for, especially with the view of the beautiful A220 wing? The plane just has such undeniable BJE (Big Jet Energy). Totally random, but does anyone know why the PAs on the A220 sound like they’re basically in your head? It’s different than on any other aircraft.
Bottom line
Air France’s A220 business class is as pleasant as it gets in regional business class, with the major European network carriers. A 2-3 configuration is superior to a 3-3 configuration, and when you add in Wi-Fi and power ports, Air France beats most of the competition. I also enjoyed the snack onboard, and appreciated the friendly service.
What do you make of Air France’s A220 business class?
seriously a vegetarian, can be served an apple and be happy.
the rest of us want a real meal :)
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
Looks nice, Ben. I wish all intra-Europe flights were A220 and E175/190, but I do love my regional jets.
the A220 is NOT a regional jet
@Tim Dunn, what else do you call a tiny narrow body operating short domestic flights?
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.
It’s definitely the most premium of all the regional jets!
*Turkish Airlines has entered the chat*
Not Europe. Read his description
Turkey is Schrödinger's cat of Europe.
That toilet in picture #5 looks too small for most.
Did you mean too small for most Americans? :)
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.
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.
While I understand a vegetarian snack being the option that works for the most people, I'd be disappointed to get something without meat.
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.
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.
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 :)
@ 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.
But they have blankets and pillows and an extensive pre-order meal selection.
What is your thoughts of Air France vs ITA in the 220?
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!
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 …
Ethiopian's fifth freedom routes have the best intra-Europe business class.
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.
SQ's fifth freedom route beats Ethiopian's.
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…
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...
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…
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Especially pork.
You've just eliminated Muslims, Jews, and Ben.
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.
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.
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.