Continental or AF to CDG ?
 

I have been watching prices from LFT to CDG for June 1 & returning from GVA June 17. Continental (Boeing 777, 767 & 757) has the best price $1241. AF is $1489 (Boeing 747, 767). We are two going on the trip, so the total difference is almost $500.

My brother has flown AF a few times and says that it would be a more pleasant flight in terms of comfort. But the planes are the same, so would there really be that much different in the flights to warrant the extra cash ? I will probably book soon, as I don't see the prices dropping before the trip... Thanks!

Save the money for later. I can always use $500 extra myself.

I'd save the money. Seatwise, you might be better off on Continental, anyway. As far as I know, AF's seat configuration is 3-4-3 in economy, which is annoying on a long flight.

In terms of comfort and amenities in coach:

AF777-300 > CO 767-200 > CO 777-200 >>> AF 747-400 > CO 757-200.

Go with CO and pick a flight on the 762 or 772.

that seat configuration on Af is very bad for a long flight. I'd go with a two seat flight configuration if at all possible.

Even if they were the same rate I would choose Continental. I had some awful experiences with AF.

In case one's not clear, there are huge differences in comfort level between AF's 777 and 747; same thing between CO's 757 and 767/777.

For example, AF's 777-300 has new-style coach seats with seat cushions that slide forward. I believe they also have footrests (good for short people). They are some of the most comfortable regular coach seat (excluding premium economy) I've sat on. Personal video screens with many choices. But AF's 777 has none of that.

CO's 767 and 777 are also quite comfortable, but their 757 is perhaps the least comfortable aircraft to fly across the Atlantic in coach.

I have no idea what plane is what, but I flew on Air France from SFO to CDG last November and sat with my friend on the side and it was just the two seats, NOT three. I have flown to Europe on British Air, United, and Air France, and as far as I'm concerned coach is coach. It's 10 to 11 hours of hell followed by a handsome reward.

crefloors - AF uses the Airbus 340-300 for SFO, with 2-4-2 seating and has personal video screen. They usually don't use those for JFK/EWR.

All coach seats are not the same. IMHO, it makes a huge difference whether or not one can get rest going to Europe on the overnight flight.

BTW, I just realize the OP is going from LFT. Fly CO via Houston, and you'll definitely get their 777-200.

I typically fly Air France to CDG from Newark Liberty (EWR). AF has one flight a day from EWR at 7:30 PM and the last 3 times I have flown them, it is aboard an A340 which, admittedly doesnt have the comfort of a 747 or 777, but I find it is a good flight. Please note I am 6'2, so I usually ask to get a seat next to the bulkhead separating business class and coach. Those seats are given usually to persons traveling with infants and the disabled or elderly, but if the flight isn't too crowded, I bat my baby blue eyes (only if the agent at gate is female) and more often than not, I get the seat I ask for.

Continental charges $5 for booze (even wine with the meal) and it is free on Air France.

Personally, I would wait until March to book the flight. Go to Orbitz, and check seat selection and find out how booked the flights are. You are flying at the beginning of June when many families are still in school.

Thanks everyone for all of the help. Wally - do you think that there is enough of a shot that fares will go down in March ? My itinerary is not flexible at all, so I wouldn't want to wait on tix, unless there was a good chance for a real price break ...

I traveled both airlines several times, EWR to CDG. On AF, I always feel like I've already arrived in Paris (it's the little touches like good wine, earplugs, sleeping masks, etc). On Cont, I enjoy the personal video screens. The 3-4-3 configuration on AF is not a consideration for me anymore as my DH and I have discovered we're more comfy if we both have aisle seats. I've read alot of negatives about Cont 757 but, strangely, my best flight last year was on one of these flights (10pm out of EWR). On the 757, I found more leg room (I'm 5'8") - this was the first flight in many years that my knees weren't up against the seat in front. I actually had about 5" between my knees and the seat back! Could that have been an abberation considering all the negatives I've read here? I'd go with the lower fare. One last comment, whenever I do fly AF, I always worry about strikes so there is more stress involved.

Margaretlb - You were either sitting in the exit rows 15 (no recline) or 16 (with recline).

I don't think the price will go up any between now and early March so why book now?

rkkwan--We have tickets from SFO to CDG this summer, and our itinerary says we are on a Boeing 747, not an Airbus. Is this new maybe?

mms - Air France swapped various equipment throughout the year to match demand. If your itinerary says 744, then you will probably get the 744, unfortunately if you're in coach.

Thanks. Yes, we are in coach, lol! The nonstop price was bad enough for that. But we are going to Paris, so it's all good:)

I just booked a flight on on Air France; the new 7:45 AM flight from JFK to CDG for $495 r/t including taxes. I was fortunate enough to be able to fly on May 16 and return May 28. To be honest, I hadn't planned on going to France in May, owing to the fact that I was in Provence, Rhone Valley and Burgundy for the wine harvest in late Sept/early Oct. But, for under $500 in May, I couldn't resist.

Now, all I need is an itinerary. This time, I think I'll head for the Charente-Maritimes region along with an inland foray toward Perigord..

Any and all opinions are welcome..