Hi there,

I'll be returning from Rome via CDG to the states in a few weeks. I have never flown Air France and am unsure what to expect.

Can anyone offer advice about what I may expect? Here are my details:

--Rome to CDG with about 85 minutes to transfer to CDG-MIA flight

--747 aircraft.

I am particularly keen to know:

1) Is that connection sufficient?

2) What are the entertainment options on the AF 747 (I am used to airbus)

3) Are alcoholic drinks free?

Thanks for any info you can provide!
Ally

1. Adequate.

2. According to seatguru.com, only 3 of AF's 13 744 have personal video screens. Otherwise, communal screens. I'll bring a book.

3. Yes.

I had free drinks on my AF flights - and we had personal video service on all three legs I have done with AF - but I am unsure of what the plane was...

I liked AF better then flying American on an international flight. One thing that seems odd to mention but I really noticed on all of the flights was how clean the crew kept the bathrooms.

Yeah, because they don't clean the outside of the plane and direct all their resources for the interior:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-F...-ER/1101536/L/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-F...-ER/1064768/L/

[Note: Those are not the same plane. And you can find many many more such photos on various AF planes on that website.]

85 minute connection in CDG? IMO, if you make it (doubtful) your baggage won't. CDG is almost as bad as JFK.

Despite the horror stories, 85 minutes is plenty of time at CDG. However, the distances can be long, so don't delay too much in getting to your next terminal. Sure, if your flight is late, you will have to hurry, but if things run according to schedule, you will be fine.

As for the 747, I would see if you can get onto the upper deck. I believe that only elite fliers can pre-reserve seats there, but at check-in they should be available. You will get slightly more legroom, a slightly wider seat, and possibly a power port. The window seats have a storage bin next to them that is quite convenient. The only downside is that the overhead bins are too small for most roll-aboard carry-ons, but I believe they will store them in the galley.

Thanks all for the information! I hope the dirt on the outside isn't indicative of the maintenance!

I am glad to hear about the drinks and will make sure to bring a book with me to read...

Best,
Allyson

tipsnowflake...

I don't know if you still need the information or not, but I took a AF flight back to the states from Rome via CDG back in September 2008.

I was told by Expedia and AF that the 90 minutes allowed for transfer was more than enough time to make my flight back to Texas. Now don't quote me on this, but I think flights from Rome fly in to gate E and flights to US fly out of F.

Now even though some fodorites urged me not to trust it - I should have listened because I almost missed my flight from CDG back to Texas. Let me play this scene out for you. You have to factor in the following...

The flight from Rome was almost 15 minutes late (who knows yours might be on time);

the time it takes to get off the plane (and everybody and their momma with extra extra luggage) can seem like hours;

the time it takes to go down two levels and run (along with other connecting passengers) down a long corridor to gate F;

the time it takes to regain consciousness after fainting from seeing the long line in customs;

the time it takes to run to the gate (down another long corridor) after saying buy to the customs agent..

you finally come around the bend and see the nice gate attendent holding the sign that reads your flight number (but in your mind it says..dummy)....

And finally! getting to the gate and being told congratulations you have just been selected to undergo a primo search, off with your shoes and open your bags!

I would say yeah, 85 minutes should be a hoot!

sorry that should read "saying bye to the customs agent"

dwebb probably went from 2F to 2E. But otherwise, that sounds like CDG to me.