I enjoyed a lovely flight from Paris to Toronto onboard the new Air France A350-900. The food and service was excellent onboard, cementing Air France as one of my favorite airline soft products.
Air France used the same seats in business class on the A350-900 as United used for its Polaris product. Seats are staggered in a 1-2-1 configuration and are quite comfortable. If you assign a “true” window seat (A and L seats in even-numbered rows) you’ll also enjoy a fair degree of privacy.
My flight crew, on the young side for Air France, was very lovely and quite attentive. The meal service was slow…painfully slow if we had been flying the other direction…but worked well for me on this daytime service since I was well-rested.
The starters included a green salad, salmon with labneh, and eggplant…all nice.
I ordered lamb for my main course, served over couscous with green olives and pistachios…it was lovely.
That was followed by cheese, petit fours, ice cream, fruit, and finally espresso (cappuccino was on the menu, but it’s still powdered, even on the new A350).
I tried to sleep, but I couldn’t. Maybe it was the espresso, maybe it was the time of day. But I beautiful views of Iceland and Greenland outside my window, the tail camera, and functioning wi-fi onboard.
A light snack was served before landing that included a vegetable cake, quinoa salad, and plain yogurt. I was still stuffed from lunch, so this was unnecessary (for me).
CONCLUSION
Air France exceeded my expectations with another great flight in business class. I’ll share more details about the service, meals, seat, and other onboard amenities in my full review.
Have you flown the Air France A350 in business class?
Unrelated (a bit) but I just flew UA101 IAH-SYD and although I was not in the new Polaris product, I really liked it as I was traveling with my wife. I must say this older product is still superior when traveling with another person as it feels more spacious compared to the new polaris seats. The service was great for the 17hr 50min flight and that did surprise me considering I mainly fly UA Star Alliance partners and typically found them to provide better service. The only problem I have is the awful onboard coffee UA serves. For a $5k ticket you should expect better than dirty water. I’d love to give a shout out to my FA, Glen, who was incredibly kind and helpful thought out the flight — this guy (and others like him) is what will keep me flying UA.
Wait, you mainly fly UA Star Alliance partners, but flights like this will keep you flying UA…seems a bit contradictory.
Well tested it too and well noisy plane compared to A380… for seat avoid aisle seat and misdle seat so only A and J row are good…. that doesn’t leave many seats…
How can food be lovely? It is either delicious or not.
Sometimes it is lovely to look at.
But did it taste good?
Delicious.
As a chief I can tell you that you eat with your eyes first. So the presentation of food is a big part of a meal.
In early February I flew AF C class ORD-CDG-ORD for business on the upgraded A330 product and as with Matt’s A350 notes, this was a very good experience. The airplane, seats, crew, service and food/drink offerings were best in class. This was my first ever time on AF (I am UA GS) and I have to say I will look forward to booking AF again when things settle down.
My only disappointment were the lounges on both ends. The AF/KLM lounge in Chicago is just OK as it was dated and very mediocre food/drink offerings. The M gate lounge at CDG was very impressive in terms of space, furnishings and style. The food offerings were not impressive and the champagne / wine offerings were also below par. But that is my ONLY complaint with AF – otherwise a fantastic experience.
TPG did a recent review of this same product and route. Unlike you, they weren’t as impressed with the food, though they chose the pasta dish instead of the lamb dish. Of course, that reviewer also did acknowledge that the food was usually better than it was that day.
I thought the food was great…just a little more creative than everyone else with a good fusion of tastes.
Flew on Air France recently – service and food were terrific- it would have been better if they served your meal when requested as some other airlines do – big bug bear: champagne was not chilled enough!! On a French flight?? Agree with the comments on the lounge in Paris- more style than substance – all in all a very pleasant experience
Did you try the butter ? It’s great butter!
It is lovely butter. French butter is the best.
As a chief I can tell you that you eat with your eyes first. So the presentation of food is a big part of a meal.