Planereality From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 103 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 19599 times:
This is the 2nd part of my trip on Air France’s inaugural AirbusA380 flight from JFK to Paris. There were so many special aspects and features to this trip that I broke the post in two parts. The first part is HERE and covers the pre-departure festivities as well as the actual flight. The second part, below, will cover the arrival in Paris and focus more on the airplane itself.
Here are some highlights of Air France’s A380
upper floor forward door
rear stairwell
door
mid galley
this area, across from the galley, was set up with snacks & cocktails during flight
front stairs; directly across from these stairs are the stairs up to the cockpit
economy class cabin; very similar to other Air France cabins
the curve of the fuselage makes for a large gap between window seats and the wall of the plane on the first floor, in economy
my seat, 21G, middle section aisle; luckily the seat next to mine was vacant, giving me much more space to eat & sleep
Upper Deck, Business Class (there is Business Class seating on the lower deck too)
wing
First Class is on the lower deck; 9 seats total; this is seat 2L
seat 2E
Each passenger was given this tote bag which included a model of the A380 (the stand commemorates the date and occasion) some cologne and perfume by Marcisco Rodriguez (on top of bag in picture) and a certificate.
After de-planning, there was this 2 piece "orchestra" and the jet bridge was lined with Air France employees greeting passengers
A few fleeting shots
Even after 12 hours of being submersed in everything that is the A380, I still had some adrenaline pumping as I walked away from the gate and the experience. At first, second and third glance, I did not find the A380 much of an aesthetic pleasure, but having flown in it, I have a new appreciation for this magnificent airplane and the saying "beauty is only skin deep"
From Paris, I connected to Heathrow for some fantastic spotting. Flew an empty, US based carrier back to JFK, then caught a painful red-eye on the newest member of the One World alliance. Thanks for reading
CrimsonNL From Netherlands, joined Dec 2007, 1618 posts, RR: 42 Reply 1, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 19468 times:
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Hello PR and thanks for these enjoyable reports! Good to see that AF made something special out of it! I love the picture of the wing and engines. While I don't think the A380 is the prettiest plane around, she sure is impressive in size!
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6190 posts, RR: 79 Reply 2, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 19451 times:
Nice second part with some good pictures.
Quoting Planereality (Thread starter): the curve of the fuselage makes for a large gap between window seats and the wall of the plane on the first floor, in economy
Airpearl From Malaysia, joined May 2001, 934 posts, RR: 37 Reply 3, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 18550 times:
Hi Planereality, thanks for posting this second part and providing us the first chance to see the interior of the new AF 380. Very nice pictures! The economy class looks pretty good actually.
Quoting Planereality (Thread starter): Upper Deck, Business Class (there is Business Class seating on the lower deck too)
I didn't realize that... I thought it was only F and Y on the lower deck according to the seat map?
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8263 posts, RR: 56 Reply 4, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 18472 times:
Nice follow-up & pictures.
Quoting Planereality (Thread starter): Upper Deck, Business Class (there is Business Class seating on the lower deck too)
- No, the lower deck has F & Y only.
I'm not keen on the F or J seating at all, especially J, lacks any real room, especially if in a window, getting out will be a royal pain in the butt of the persone next to you is alseep.
Spkyflyer From Australia, joined Aug 2006, 43 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 14753 times:
I had the privilege of flying the A380 first class on Qantas last month. From what I have seen, the AF first class experience looks very unspecial despite the fact there are so few seats and so much space compared to qantas ( have the galleys been brought forward on AF?)
regardless it looks like last generation first class. Such a lost opportunity to re-assert its chic credentials against Singapore and Australia. Quelle dommage and bonjour nouveau monde!
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