Review of Air France Premium Economy
#42
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,913
Just flew AF SFO-CDG in PE.
Have flown only business when going transatlantic the past 20 years usually upgrading with miles, so was not looking forward to it. Paid about $1600 RT several months ago.
They switched aircraft 2 days prior to an Airbus 340 so got bulkhead seat. Bad for bag storage and haggled for overhead space. OTOH good legroom.
Had 3 hrs at airport so bought lounge pass.
Did get preferred lines and check in.
Would do most anything to avoid plain economy and in fact would prefer to wait than go straight economy.
I do prefer the quieter cabin on AF.
The Delta booking agent did err, however, in telling me my ticket was upgradable. It was not.
Meal surprisingly awful.
Had 2-4-2 configuration in PE.
Used economy bathroom along with most of economy.
Have flown only business when going transatlantic the past 20 years usually upgrading with miles, so was not looking forward to it. Paid about $1600 RT several months ago.
They switched aircraft 2 days prior to an Airbus 340 so got bulkhead seat. Bad for bag storage and haggled for overhead space. OTOH good legroom.
Had 3 hrs at airport so bought lounge pass.
Did get preferred lines and check in.
Would do most anything to avoid plain economy and in fact would prefer to wait than go straight economy.
I do prefer the quieter cabin on AF.
The Delta booking agent did err, however, in telling me my ticket was upgradable. It was not.
Meal surprisingly awful.
Had 2-4-2 configuration in PE.
Used economy bathroom along with most of economy.
#43
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,296
I just posted on the Lounge and Asia boards -- Singapore Airlines has finally launched their PE class. Hooray. http://siapremiumeconomy.com/
#44
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,913
Just returned from CDG to SFO on Air France PE and it was better than the flight out, though I had aisle seat in the center of the 2-4-2 configuration. It was the last row so no recline. Decent leg room.
Good service in the cabin, though I think I got slightly better than I would otherwise because the chap next to me, who turned out to be a colleague I had known some years ago, grew up in France and spoke beautiful French to the FA, so I got some halo effect from him.
The PE cabin was as described by AF, with a curtained off cabin of 24 people; this trip we did have a separate WC from the larger economy cabin (with the lines).
There was enough overhead storage in our area (I had checked bag for the return flight).
The main dish of the main meal was equally forgettable to prior trip; a later supper was marginally better.
A good product for the price.
Good service in the cabin, though I think I got slightly better than I would otherwise because the chap next to me, who turned out to be a colleague I had known some years ago, grew up in France and spoke beautiful French to the FA, so I got some halo effect from him.
The PE cabin was as described by AF, with a curtained off cabin of 24 people; this trip we did have a separate WC from the larger economy cabin (with the lines).
There was enough overhead storage in our area (I had checked bag for the return flight).
The main dish of the main meal was equally forgettable to prior trip; a later supper was marginally better.
A good product for the price.
#48
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,205
We just returned from our flight.
Outbound - PHX - LAX (DELTA); LAX - CDG (AF/PE)
INBOUND - FCO - CDG - LAX - (AF/PE; LAX - PHX (DELTA)
No issues with either segment. The only change we noticed was that we didn't think the flight attendants came through the cabin as frequently as before. Still great leg room in the PE and, to us, a comfortable experience worth the extra $ over straight economy.
I did learn, however, that the AF flights actually check in with Air Alitalia in FCO. Now that was a zoo.
Aside from that - still a product I would recommend and book again.
Outbound - PHX - LAX (DELTA); LAX - CDG (AF/PE)
INBOUND - FCO - CDG - LAX - (AF/PE; LAX - PHX (DELTA)
No issues with either segment. The only change we noticed was that we didn't think the flight attendants came through the cabin as frequently as before. Still great leg room in the PE and, to us, a comfortable experience worth the extra $ over straight economy.
I did learn, however, that the AF flights actually check in with Air Alitalia in FCO. Now that was a zoo.
Aside from that - still a product I would recommend and book again.
#51
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1
Hello! I'm a newbie here who will be travelling with my wife from CDG-SFO in AF's A380 Premium Economy this August. At the moment the flight has all A&B seats in Rows 82 through 85 available, and we're currently assigned to 85A&B.
I'd appreciate any and all input on the pros and cons of selecting seats 85A&B over seats 82A&B through 84A/B.
I recall coming arcross some PE traveller posts complaining about the close proximity to regular Economy (noise from Econ, curious Econ visitors wandering into PE, curtain being kept open between PE and Econ, etc.). OTOH, as the last row in PE, there are no seats behind and there may be two windows at 85A. Decisions, decisions...
Please share your thoughts and experiences. Thanks!
I'd appreciate any and all input on the pros and cons of selecting seats 85A&B over seats 82A&B through 84A/B.
I recall coming arcross some PE traveller posts complaining about the close proximity to regular Economy (noise from Econ, curious Econ visitors wandering into PE, curtain being kept open between PE and Econ, etc.). OTOH, as the last row in PE, there are no seats behind and there may be two windows at 85A. Decisions, decisions...
Please share your thoughts and experiences. Thanks!
#52
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 612
I just looked at our October flight from Toronto. I believe I had chosen aisles for both of us, but that's kind of stupid on an overnight flight. So I went over to seatguru.com. Now this flight is a Boeing 777-200ER (772) Three Class V2 (and I had to check this, it wasn't the default shown), and looking at the map for PE, I think 19 A & B,which are bulkhead are best. We've had bulkhead seats for long trips in the past, and they are great, because you can stand up in the middle of the night. You give up the display in the back of the seat, and storage under the seat in front of you (you have to stow stuff up top for takeoff), but the benefits, for me, outweigh the disadvantages.
#54
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 991
Can you please comment on whether the seats next to the outside of the plane are cold? Someone made a comment about that in reference to economy. I think they're referring to A-B, for example.
We do like flying Air France. This would be the first time we will try PE - we have always flown Economy.
We do like flying Air France. This would be the first time we will try PE - we have always flown Economy.
#55
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,913
Haven't flown on the A380 so look forward to hearing about the trip.
I prefer the A/B bulkhead seats as well. Only problem is stowing everything during takeoff and landing.
I find the window seat on either side a good location for putting a pillow there and leaning to rest. I haven't found them too cold, but then I am usually more warm than cold.
IMO main advantage of Premium economy is a bit more legroom. If you do end up in a separate cabin area it is also quieter.
I prefer the A/B bulkhead seats as well. Only problem is stowing everything during takeoff and landing.
I find the window seat on either side a good location for putting a pillow there and leaning to rest. I haven't found them too cold, but then I am usually more warm than cold.
IMO main advantage of Premium economy is a bit more legroom. If you do end up in a separate cabin area it is also quieter.
