Narnya

Hello! Looking for reviews from those who've flown the direct Air France Seattle-Paris route. How was the service? How was the flight overall? Boyfriend and I will be flying in September...

AisleSeat

It looks like it is a much more expensive option than the other carriers that fly to Europe over the pole from Seattle. SAS, BA, KLM all have fares at about 2/3rds the price on the ones I have looked at.

Fodorite018

I can't help with this specific flight, but we did fly AF nonstop from SFO to CDG in June and back in July. Service was good, flights were full, planes were clean. No issues for us. I personally like the nonstop, so it was worth it for us to pay a bit more for it. We booked our tickets before AF was flying in/out of SeaTac, but that would have been much easier for us. Next time

alanRow

Can't comment on the service but can comment on the price as I've just priced Edinburgh to Seattle and the AF fare was about $400 less than the offerings from any other airline.

Assuming you are aiming for Paris any of the other airlines mentioned would have a connection in their hub airport

ira

Hi N,

Can't tell you about that exact route, but we have flown AF more than several times and have been happy with the accomodatons (airbus), cabin staff and food.

hopingtotravel

Think I just queried on another thread about this.

I've been checking ticket prices on that route for May and they are around $1100. That's flying midweek!

However, I really don't want to deal with BA and changing through Heathrow. I already have to make a flight down from Anchorage, so leaving from San Francisco isn't a good option.

Lufthansa flies a polar charter to Frankfurt, but I could see that taking an extra night on the way home.

At the moment I'm waiting to see if/when AF will allow AK Air passengers to use mileage tickets.

lmlweb

Don't forget, there is Zoom Airlines from Vancouver, BC to Paris, at a better price. Their airline isn't as luxurious as say KLM, Air France, but if cost is a big factor and you're willing to travel in a bit of a cattle class (or upgrade to a more roomier class for a small fee), it's worth a look.

RonZ

If it's an economy seat in a 747, try for 60 and above.

meath1

SAS flies non stop from Seattle to Copenhagen and there is a good connection to Paris. The fare just depends when you are going, how flexible you are etc. SAS also has a mid-cabin section "economy flex or economy plus" it is between coach and business, and has more room and some of the amenities of business. Definitely worth it.

flyinggolfer

Regarding the connect in Copenhagen, I love transferring through that airport. There are showers and a sauna in the basement. If you have the time between flights, a sauna is a great way to take the edge off your jet lag. <g>

suze

I've always used Britist Air (Seattle thru Heathrow) so will be interested to hear how this turns out.

Narnya

Thanks for all the great info. I'll be sure to post my own review when I'm back.

As for the cost, we got a good deal because we booked pretty much once AF announced they're new Seattle service.

Have flown the pole -- and that's the only way to do it. I am willing to connect on the way home, but I can only take so much flying in a "day." British Air has been my favorite so far, but I've also flown Northwest/KLM and wasn't happy with their service. The SAS (Copenhagen) route has always intrigued me, but I've never found a reasonable rate, so haven't flown them yet. (But a sauna in the airport! A sauna?!?!)

artlover

For some reason (read it somewhere, here? Seattle Times Travel section?) I think there may be "price wars" in the Spring, so it might make sense to wait a bit if you can. I live in Seattle and was really happy to hear about this--flew with them from LA to Paris and it was fine, but SAS was a good flight too.

rkkwan

I am sorry, but SEA-CPH is hardly a "polar" flight. It may cross central Greenland, but that's as far north as they'll go. Especially the eastbound flight, which usuall only crosses southern Greenland.

It's nothing like the true Polar flights that from the E. Coast to China that gets to within 75 miles of N. Pole.