• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  A318 • Air France  >  The Airbus A318 Eludes Me Yet Again
A318Air France

The Airbus A318 Eludes Me Yet Again

Matthew Klint Posted onFebruary 14, 2022February 14, 2022 25 Comments

For years I’ve been trying to fly on the Airbus A318 and for years I have failed. Once it was due to a flight cancellation. Once due a schedule change. This time it was due to a last-minute equipment swap.

Airbus A318 Continues To Evade Me, This Time On Air France

In reviving my options to get from Amsterdam to Tunis, I chose Air France, which required an overnight in Paris before a 7:00am connection to Tunis. While that was flight was set in stone, I had six flights to choose from to get from Amsterdam (AMS) to Paris (CDG).

While I always love KLM and would have enjoyed flying the Dutch airline again, even on a short flight, I chose Air France because its 1:55pm flight was operated by an Airbus A318, the only Airbus A320 family aircraft I have never flown.

It’s a mini version of the A320 and never did particularly well, but Air France continues to operate the aircraft (so does SkyTeam partner Tarom). I’d like to fly the aircraft before it is retired (and with new Airbus A220s in the Air France fleet, I’m not sure it will be all that long) and scheduled the Air France flight just to try the aircraft.

But as I approached the gate to board, I noticed my “A318” looked a bit too big. Indeed, I pulled up my flight on FlightAware and found that my A318 had been swapped for an A319, an aircraft I fly on all the time.

Although greatly dismayed, the later Air France flight was operated by an A321 and KLM uses 737s on the route, so it made no sense to try to switch. Ironically, the day before and day after my flight it was operated, as scheduled, by an A318.

Onboard, I found my seat in row one and at least expected a nice lunch after takeoff. In European business class, you only get an economy class seat with a middle seat blocked, but can generally expect a decent meal onboard, particularly on a mainline aircraft.

But nope, apparently Air France is still engaged in some degree of COVID-19 cost-cutting because instead of being served a small cold meal, I was offered a small package of cheese biscuits and a small packet of chocolate orange candy.

Pretty disappointing considering KLM would have at least served a little box of food and Lufthansa and British Airways would have offered a much heartier meal.

CONCLUSION

Air France disappointed me by swapping out the A318 on my flight to Paris then failing to serve a meal onboard. While the A318 vs. A319 issue is meaningless to most passengers, do keep in mind that if you pay up for business class on Air France, you won’t fed on a key hub-to-hub flight.

image: Kiefer

Previous Article American Airlines Flight Attendant Strikes Passenger On Head With Coffee Pot Who Tried To Breach Cockpit Mid-Flight
Next Article A Gut Punch From Hyatt (2022 Devaluation)

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Air France 777-300ER Economy Class

    10.5 Hours In Air France 777-300ER Economy Class…

    January 30, 2023
  • My Air France Flight Cancelled: No Paris, But €2400…

    January 9, 2023
  • Air France 777-300 Engine Shutdown

    Air France 777-300 Diverts After Engine Shutdown Over London

    January 9, 2023

25 Comments

  1. Matt Reply
    February 14, 2022 at 12:51 pm

    I’m so glad I got to fly on one with Frontier many years ago. And the only reason I did was because my United flight from ABQ to DEN was cancelled, so they put me on Frontier on an A318 (when they still flew them). Fun little ‘bus.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 14, 2022 at 12:53 pm

      And a hot cookie too, right?

      • N1120A Reply
        March 11, 2022 at 4:23 pm

        Might have even had a wrap back then

  2. derek Reply
    February 14, 2022 at 1:26 pm

    I, too, have been wanting to fly aboard an A318 but have concluded that it will not be possible. If one does so, it’s mainly to check it off a list because it’s so similar to an A319.

  3. Albert Reply
    February 14, 2022 at 1:59 pm

    Surprised you never flew the JFK-LCY route. For the fun of it

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 14, 2022 at 2:05 pm

      It’s a big regret I have.

      (Though not as bad as not booking a flight on an ATA L-1011 flight, NW DC-10 flight, AF A380, or especially flying Concorde when I had the chance)

  4. AngryFlier Reply
    February 14, 2022 at 2:20 pm

    Ah, COVID: the universal excuse to make moves that you never would have gotten away with before.

  5. Max Reply
    February 14, 2022 at 2:46 pm

    I flew it a few times between CDG and HAM. It’s a fun little bird, but here in Europe AF is known for its last minute swaps on short haul routes (that is the whole point of A320 aicraft family, adjust to passenger demand). I once got “downgraded” from an A321 to an A318 on AF….Flying the A318 is fun in the rows towards the back as it makes you realize how small it is….Curious to see that you did not get a full meal, last time I flew AF in September on European short haul, I got a proper cold meal…maybe its due to route/timing?

  6. dfw88 Reply
    February 14, 2022 at 2:54 pm

    I got lucky a few years ago. My A318 flight on AF from CDG to FCO held. As someone else said, not too different from an A319, but fun to check off the list nevertheless.

  7. ps241 Reply
    February 14, 2022 at 3:27 pm

    Maybe your luck will change if you schedule a flight on Tarom? Time’s running out!

  8. DavidM Reply
    February 14, 2022 at 3:49 pm

    I wish that instead off flying the AMS-CDG route, you had taken a train instead and reviewed that option, for a change. To meet the EU climate goals, trains are supposed to become the primary option for shorter distances. Just a thought…

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 14, 2022 at 3:50 pm

      Stay tuned, I’ll be sharing about intercity train travel from Paris to Mulhouse/Basel in an upcoming trip report. We flew one direction and took a train back.

      • Eliyahu Reply
        February 15, 2022 at 10:38 pm

        I like planes, but I love trains. Look forward to this trip report.

  9. Dave Edwards Reply
    February 14, 2022 at 7:26 pm

    So did the A318 have 2 FC rows like the 319 or 3 like the A320? Or did other airlines configure them differently than AA?

  10. Max Gross Reply
    February 14, 2022 at 7:30 pm

    And what are you missing? Get a life.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 14, 2022 at 7:53 pm

      Lol. Good one, Max.

  11. dee Reply
    February 14, 2022 at 9:44 pm

    Had the best smoked salmon breakfast on KLM up front AMS to EdI!

  12. Mangiafica Reply
    February 15, 2022 at 1:51 am

    As the only Airbus to land in the heart of London, the A318 will always have my vote.

  13. Bubba Reply
    February 15, 2022 at 2:51 am

    The AF 318 doesn’t have the seatback hooks for your jacket. Otherwise, it’s pretty much the same, and the computers don’t let you enjoy the sport-coupé performance. If you want that, by the way, keep booking flights CDG-AMS and maybe you’ll get a long final to the Polderbaan with some good gusts necessitating a windshear escape G/A.

  14. Ron Reply
    February 15, 2022 at 8:50 pm

    Find it hilarious you think you should be fed on a 40 minute flight time leg. I certainly wouldn’t expect to, regardless of section I was in.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 15, 2022 at 9:03 pm

      I do based on years of experience…

      • Ron Reply
        February 16, 2022 at 10:35 am

        Not my point. Just because you have, doesn’t mean you should. I know we’re not going to agree, but i don’t expect to be fed or even served drinks on a 40 minute flight, regardless of route and regardless of past experience.

  15. Eliyahu Reply
    February 15, 2022 at 10:40 pm

    I’ve flown on an A318 a few times, and all I can think of is what an ugly plane it is (to my eyes).

    Also, those snacks… kinda look good?

  16. Bogardo Reply
    February 22, 2022 at 10:00 am

    TAROM still has four A318’s in operation… at least until 2023 when the new B737’s get delivered. I know for a fact that at least the daily, Bucharest, RO – Amsterdam, NL & retour route is assigned to a baby-bus.
    I don’t know how much time you have left considering that AirFrance too has stated, once the new A220’s arrive they will scrap the A318 baby-buses.

  17. N1120A Reply
    March 11, 2022 at 4:25 pm

    To their credit, those chocolate sticks are delicious.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • Southwest Airlines Wheelchair Accident
    Family Sues Southwest Airlines For Negligence After Death Of 25-Year-Old Daughter February 1, 2023
  • Hotel Hairdresser Massage
    Hotel Hairdresser Invites Himself To My Room February 1, 2023
  • Mount Nebo Jordan
    Visiting Mount Nebo In Jordan February 1, 2023
  • A Silly Attack On United Airlines’ Boarding Process January 31, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Casting Couch? Kuwait Airways Forces Prospective Flight Attendants To Undress For “Research Purposes” January 4, 2023
  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • Hotel Worker entered room
    Woman Demands $3,000 In Compensation After Hotel Worker Walked Into Her Room At Midnight January 24, 2023
  • SWISS First Class Awards Bookable With United Airlines MileagePlus January 5, 2023

Archives

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.