We recently had a very negative experience flying Air France. When we had made our reservations, we asked if 1 hour would enough time for us and our bags to get from Paris to Naples and the Air France representative said yes. Well, we not only had to run across CDG airport to catch our next flight but sure enough our bags did not make it. We spent most of our first day in Italy trying to find an Air France representative in the airport but of course they do not work on the weekends (but every other airline does!). Then when we called the Air France toll-free number we were told that for every day our bags were missing that it would be reimbursed 100 Euros. Well, this story has changed about 10 times as I have repeatedly tried to call Air France now that we are back in the states and after being on hold for an average of 20 minutes (I can only assume that this is because everyone else who flies Air France also has their baggage lost somewhere), I get a different story (“did we say 100 Euros a day? We meant $100 dollars a day”. “actually it is only $100 dollars per person for the entire reimbursement request.” “I’m sorry, what we really meant was $100 per trip – not per person”. “it is not $100 a day – I don’t know who told you that – it is what our department feels like giving to you after reviewing your receipts”, etc., etc.). Nevermind that we were without our baggage for the first two days of a short trip to begin with, but also, on the way back home, they lose our luggage again in Paris so when we arrived at JFK we had to spend another 2 hours at the Lost and Found filling out paperwork and arguing with the representatives. Every other passenger around us flying home were complaining how bad their Air France experience was – from the food, to the service, and of course lost luggage! We were first time Air France customers. However, in our many years of both business and personal air travel using most of the major as well as independent airlines, we have never had any problems with securing our luggage upon arrival to our destinations. Regretfully, the experience with your airline was a negative one and decidedly ruined our 7th wedding anniversary. If you want to ruin your upcoming trip, then I would highly recommend to you flying Air France!

You should know by now that if it isn't in writing it never happened, was never said, never existed, etc., etc.

Sorry you had a terrible experience and just as many have flown this, and every other airline, and had a good experience.

I too had a horribly rotten experience with Air France and lost luggage and absolutely terrible customer service. While I well know that any airline can and does lose luggage, the rotten service (really, it was inexcusable) has scared me away from AF permamently

While anyone can give advice here on using (or avoiding) any vendor or commercial service - - one could just as easily post advice...

... to take with a huge grain of salt, the call to boycott - - based on a single bad experience - - from someone who is a first time poster here, with an axe to grind (based on the name chosen for registration).

And no e-mail address listed, to provide for further off-line correspondence about the vailidity of the observations.

A pot shot is just that... a pot shot. Anybody can take one. I don't think they provide much useful information to most travelers.

Best wishes,

Rex

We just booked AF because we always heard how great an airline it was - we are going to Capri via Paris/Naples - now I'm worried ! We don't have much time either between flights ! I guess we should carry as much as we can with us !

On every single air travel trip (but especially international travel), you should take, in your carry-on luggage, <i><b>every single item</b></i> you think you might need during the 48 hours after you arrive.

Nothing unique to Air France about this advice.

Excellent advice from rex. AF is certainly not the only airline to lose luggage; American has lost mine on several occasions. I do think that AF has developed a bit of a reputation for really bad customer service though, as I know this is not the first rant on the subject I've seen on these boards.

Hi JS,

AF is notorious for scheduling short connections through CDG.

Don't get upset if you don't make your plane. They will put you on the next one.

As for lost luggage, it happens all the time on all airlines.

While Air France is annoying because they allow so little time between flights and tend to lose luggage, I've had similar experiences including lost luggage with Delta, United, Northwestern, Pan Am, TWA, even Southwest. No airline has ever compensated me one cent for delayed luggage.

If I boycotted every airline that lost my luggage, I'd be stuck at home.

I flew AF to Florence via Paris from LAX in May. I made sure my layover was 2 hours (actually, 1 hr 45 min)because of all the posts regarding CDG. An hour in between connections for an international flight is just not realistic, especially if you'd like you're bags to arrive at the same time. As mentioned above, always, pack a carry on with what will get you through in a pinch.

It's too bad you had a negative experience. An expensive lesson but useful nonetheless.

I've flown AF round-trip twice to Italy with 75 minute connections at CGD. One of these flights was a problem due to the weather in November and we ended up 9 hours at CDG. This was beyong their control. All of the other flights were on time; I made all connections; luggage arrived with me. No problem. Yes, they're not the friendliest folks but the food was pretty good

Mishaps (or lousy service) such as this are why we always carry on. Certainly knew my vacation would really almost be ruined if our bags were lost. I choose what I bring very carefully. Additionally since I am barely 5 feet tall (and not a teeny-bopper) clothing is always difficult for me to find. When we land we get our bags out of the overheads and we are on our way. Trust me Ladies, if I can do a carry-on for a 17 day trip, anyone can (read that traditional overpacker-reformed). I will admit, hubby shares carrying the toiletries. On the way home we may check one bag if we have purchased too many items. It of course would be the dirty clothes that could catch up to us late and not be a big deal. Shirley

In November, we flew on Air France from L.A. to Paris to Venice. In March, we flew Air France from L.A. to Paris to Rome.

On both trips, even with short connection times, we had no problems at all on the outbound or return flights.

Woody

I posted this elsewhere, but in a similar situation with Lufthansa -- very short connecting time in Munich -- Luft provided direct transportation and speeded-up customs and security for 5 of us so we could make our plane. I was impressed.

They did fail to get one of our bags to the departing flight but had it delivered about 24 hours after we got to our destination.

All in all, it was top-notch customer service, and the type you hope every airline will provide.

Thank you, ira. You are the Imitation of Buddah.

You can have a bad experience on every single airline if you fly enough. I have had extremely bad service on United, British Airways, USAir, Air India, etc. I still fly them, though.

Sorry about your difficulties. Customers need be aware that reduced staffing is a direct result of customer demands for lower prices.

I just returned from France and Italy flying Air France. Our experience with them has always been great but I agree with other posters, it can happen on any airline. One of the things about making a connection at CDG that most first time travelers don't know (myself included) is that most planes park away from the gates and you must take a bus to and from the plane. This adds to the lag time and perhaps causes the problems mentioned above. We saw it as we went from Rome through Paris back to LAX. I saw an entire teenage soccer team race hysterically from the bus back into the airport to try to make their US flight home. In that case, since there were so many, they held the plane for them. I also agree that a paper trail is the only way to hopefully get satisfaction. Airports are stressful - I joke with my family that I don't need Xanax for the plane trip but for the time spent in airport lines - it makes me crazy. Now, I put on my I-Pod and try to tune out the stress of other travellers and remember the great trip ahead or the memories I have to take home. Sorry for your bad experience.

dontflyairfrance1:

Count yourself lucky. I flew AF from Paris to Geneva in 2001 (no connection -originated in CDG). Upon arrival - no luggage. AF reps told us to wait for the next flight, our luggage would surely be on the next flight. Well... 3 flights and 4 hours later - still no luggage. I was without luggage for 2 weeks (Thank goodness for little sis whose luggage made it from CDG! I had a carry-on with clothes for 3 days -not 2 weeks!)

AF told me to buy some clothes, and they would reimburse me. Well, to date, I have received exactly nothing! (Sounds like a commerical for the benefits of travel insurance...) I must admit that their customer service was dismal.

I got my suitcase 2 weeks later in Paris - the night before I flew back to JFK. I checked my bag in on American Airlines in CDG -and it was lost again! Only saving grace is that it was delivered the next day (having traveled to NY via Miami).

Now, I am a pro at carry-on only - and quite proud of it! I may have to check bags in on the inter-European flights, but if I can get away with my little rolling case, it stays with me at all times!

Cheers,
Chels

shouldn't you have known an hour is never enough time to confortably transfer...something always happens. Every airline loses luggage. I've heard very good things about Air France from relatives who have flown with them.

Don't accept a one hour plane change esp. into CDG. I had the choice this year (which they should not even offer) and declined it thank God.

However, of the three times I've lost luggage, two of them were Air France.