GiuliaPiraino

I've got a business class ticket on Air France from CDG to LAX which arrives into terminal 5. I then have a 4 hour layover in which I transfer to terminal 1 to fly on a separate first class ticket on US Airways. So my question is, does the Delta Crown Room (an AF partner) allow you to use the lounge when you are "arriving" on a business class ticket? Or can you only use it pre-departure? I'd like to just stay in terminal 5 for a few hours then head over to terminal 1, rather than hang around in 1 for 4 hours. At worst case I have a couple passes to the US Airways club in terminal 1, but I'd rather not use those if I don't have to. I sent an email to Delta asking the same question but havent' heard back. Any thoughts?

AAFrequentFlyer

It's not the airlines that make the rules, it's TSA. After arriving from Paris and going through US Immigration and Customs, you will end up land side. Once there you can't enter a terminal unless you have a BP for that particular terminal, so it will have to use US lounge in terminal 1.

rkkwan

Air France may have some arrival lounge/shower facilities arranged for its business class traveler after a longhaul. They may have DL issue you a gate pass back through TSA, or they may use a nearby hotel, or they may have nothing. Call AF to find out, or ask on flyertalk.com's Flying Blue board.

GiuliaPiraino

Thanks for the tips. I've never flown through LAX before, can't I just stay in terminal 5 and wait to go through customs in a couple hours? Or do they shuttle you right off the plane to customs?

rkkwan

You go straight from plane to immigration to baggage claim to customs. There's no place to hang around.

Patty

AF flights arrive at T2. I don't believe AF provides any arrivals facilities for business class passengers at LAX but I could be wrong. For departure lounge access, they use the NW World Club in T2.

GiuliaPiraino

Hmmm...that stinks. I guess I would probably never use those UA passes anyway since they expire soon. Thanks for all of your help.

We're not getting to enjoy the lounges too much on this trip. Heading out to CDG and from CDG to BCN is about it. Arrivals lounge with breakfast and showers in CDG is in a different terminal servicing JFK and others. Also closes at 10am and we get in at 11am. No time between transfers from BCN to CDG and now no arrivals lounge in LAX, I'm a bit bummed. It makes the airport scene so much more bearable to use the lounge. Besides, how else will I fill my carryon with tea packets and little jars of jelly? LOL

Can anyone suggest a decent hotel in LAX airport or in the immediate environs? We have to spend one night there before heading to France.

Thanks again.

AAFrequentFlyer

Hilton, Sheraton are the better ones with restaurants, lounges, etc. All the airport hotels provide free shuttles 24/7. I like the Hilton. Had nothing but great experiences there.

GiuliaPiraino

AAFrequentFlyer: How was the buffet breakfast at the Hilton? I see they have a room and breakfast rate of $129 for that night, that seems like a good rate for LAX, it it? I loved the breakfast at the Hilton Rome Airport, I wonder if the quality is the same?

AAFrequentFlyer

I don't have a clue. I have HHonors Diamond status so I got upgraded to the Executive level rooms every time I stayed at that hotel. I can tell you that the free breakfast spread at the Executive Lounge was always great. If I had to guess I would think it comes from the same kitchen.

GiuliaPiraino

Thanks for the tips. I think we can't go wrong with the Hilton, they've always been really "constant" in their quality. Now trying to find a good restaurant nearby for dinner!

Patty

I thought the CDG 2C arrivals lounge stayed open until 2:00pm.

GiuliaPiraino

Patty: You're right, it looks like those were the old hours, it's now open until 2pm. I don't think that will help us though, based on this blurb here, unless this is dated info, it says the arrivals lounge doesn't service LAX???

>>>"Arrival at Charles de Gaulle International is at Terminal 2F. Of interest is the fact that Air France has three international lounges at CDG—one each for outbound pax in the departure areas of Terminal 2F and an arrival lounge in Terminal 2C after clearance opposite Gate 2. Its facilities are designed for the arriving passenger who has time before heading to his hotel in Paris or directly to a scheduled meeting and would like to freshen up. These facilities include showers, hot breakfast, clothes-pressing service and other features to get ready for the day ahead. Because of its location, the facility doesn’t serve arriving passengers from LAX but is mainly for Air France flights in from JFK, LGH, BOS"<<<

Patty

Where did you find that? That sounds like very outdated info.

All AF flights from the US now arrive at CDG 2E (this has been the case for over 2 years now). That doesn't mean you can't walk over to 2C and use the arrivals lounge if you have time.

GiuliaPiraino

Thanks Patty! I just found that surfing the web, I figured it might be outdated since the hours were wrong. I found so much conflicting info on CDG airport! That is a big relief, I sure would like to take a breather and freshen up before making the trek into town. Especially after an 11 hour flight, even if biz class is more comfy, it's still 11 hours in a tin can!

Patty

And remember, you'll be departing from T2 at LAX, not T5.

GiuliaPiraino

>>That doesn't mean you can't walk over to 2C and use the arrivals lounge if you have time.<<

Patty: Sorry if I'm coming across as incredibly daft on this subject, but if we walk out of 2E won't we get shuttled through customs right after getting off the plane thus exiting the terminal? I can't remember it's been so long. I was looking at the map, and I see "tour de controle" which looks like it divides 2c and 2e? Is that customs?

http://www.bonjourlafrance.net/air-f...le-airport.jpg

Patty

The 2C arrivals lounge is landside so you can only use it after clearing passport control/customs and the entrance is located to the left (if you're coming from the direction of 2E) past the 2C ticket counters and before you enter the food court area between 2C and 2A. Hope this helps.

GiuliaPiraino

Thanks Patty, you're a gem!