It’s not about the market confusion, though it confused customers. It’s not about fleet consistency, though that was problematic. Rather, it’s about a strategic labor gamble by Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith. That’s my take on why Air France...
An Update On My Air France First Class “Complaint”
Last week I wrote about the one thing that annoyed me about my Air France first class flight. It was another passenger in the cabin, who staked out two seats for herself, sending her companion to the seat directly...
The Only Thing That Annoyed Me In Air France First Class…
The flight itself was near-flawless. The service excellent. But there was one thing that annoyed me about my first class flight on Air France: another passenger in the cabin. Let me start by saying that this is a first...
Air France First Class Is Even Better On The Ground Than In The Air
Yesterday, I wrote about my incredible first class experience in the air. But the ground experience was even better. I already mentioned the incredible ground service I received, which included an escort almost from door to door. Let’s start...
Air France First Class: Wow, Wow, Wow!
I stepped onto my 777-300ER Air France first class flight from Los Angeles to Paris with dangerously high expectations. Even so, they were still exceeded. Air France first class is truly a special product. Let’s start with ground service,...
My Christmas Gift: Air France First Class
Christmas comes early for me this year: I’m finally flying Air France first class! As you know, my wife and son are already in Europe. Although I was in London last weekend, I flew right home for one more...
Air France A380 Decision Is Sad, But Smart
Air France will gradually retire half of its A380 fleet, starting in 2019. The move is sad, but smart. Air France currently operates 10 A380s. Five are owned, five are leased. All are tragically uncompetitive. By that, I mean...
Review: Air France Lounge Frankfurt (FRA)
Before my KLM flight to Amsterdam, I had a half hour to check out the Air France Lounge in Frankfurt’s Terminal 2. Note this lounge is also a Priority Pass lounge, but was not crowded at all around 6:30...
How New Air France-KLM CEO Hopes To Avoid Future Strikes
In a video to staff marking his first day on the job, CEO Ben Smith promised to seek harmony with unions and re-invest half his salary into Air France-KLM. Smith can earn up to 4.25MN EUR in his first...
Air France Returns To Dallas (Great Deal Using Miles)
Air France will return to Dallas for the first time since 2001. The French carrier will offer 3x to 5x weekly seasonal summer service, deploying a retrofitted A330 on the route with the latest in-cabin product. The A330 will...
Review: Air France 777-300ER Business Class Paris To Dubai
My first ever flight on Air France presented a startling revelation, to me at least: not only was Air France acceptable, it was excellent. I arrived in CDG’s Terminal 2 early and proceeded to the “Sky Priority” check-in area....
Review: Air France Business Class Lounge Paris (CDG)
I was very pleasantly surprised by the Air France Business Class Lounge in Terminal 2E, Hall M. My six-hour stay quickly flew by. My original goal was to visit the newly renovated lounge in Hall L, but I was...
Air France Unions May Give New CEO A Chance Before Striking (But Not KLM)
We are still a long way from kumbaya around the campfire, but labor unions at Air France have dialed down the the harsh rhetoric and threats to strike against the new leader. Last week I wrote about the ice cold...
Introduction: A SkyTeam Adventure in the Middle East
I’m closing in on my goal to try every member airline of the three of major alliances. My last trip focused on SkyTeam, with an opportunity to fly three new carriers: Aeromexico, Air France, and Middle East Airlines. Both...
New Air France-KLM CEO Already Has A Target On His Head
Poor Ben Smith has his work cut out for him. The Air Canada President and Chief Operating Officer was named CEO of Air France-KLM today. Already, unions representing Air France are up in arms, threatening strikes and condemning Smith’s...
I Loved Flying Air France (777-300 Business Class)
First it was Aeromexico, now Air France. SkyTeam carriers have really impressed me so far on this trip. I just had a wonderful flight aboard the 777-300ER in business class on Air France. Air France features a reverse herringbone...
Why I Turned Down An Upgrade To First Class On Air France
It was hard to resist, but I turned down a 1079EUR upgrade offer from Air France Business Class to La Premier (First Class) on my recent flight from Paris to Dubai. That is probably the cheapest price I’ll ever...
Air France Profits On The Back Of KLM
The numbers are looking mighty fine for Air France-KLM. The carrier just reported a healthy second quarter profit. But dig deeper and you’ll find a disparity…and a ticking time bomb. With a net profit of 345MN Euros (405MN USD),...
Booked! Aeromexico + Air France Business Class
Last week I wrote about my dilemma over an expiring Korean Air award. I’ve now found a solution and thankfully salvaged the ticket. Since Korean Air SkyTeam partner award tickets must end in the same country as they begin,...
A New Airport Lounge With A Sauna
I’ve written about the sauna available inside the Finnair Lounge in Helsinki before. Now another airport lounge, this one nearly 1,200 miles away, offers not just one, but two saunas. This lounge is in Paris. It’s in the new...
