akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2333 posts, RR: 53 Posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 8290 times:
BACKGROUND
Dear fellow A.net (travel)ers,
Let me just start with the following.
Need I say more?
This A380 special itinerary was discussed here for quite a while. It did catch my attention but yet in a drill which pursued me to make a booking. Then, fellow A.netter Tim (vandenheuvel) got in touch and told me that he would be flying the LHR-CDG leg on 12th July. Soon enough, he learnt that Eric (Airbuseric) would be joining him on the flight.
The forum discussion got intensified and gradually more fellow A.netters reported their contribution on this date. Among them were Markus (FLIEGER67), Mark (BA319-131), Andrew (Brewox), FlyingFinn76, Infodesk, Stylo777, and Bobby (amigocharlie).
With such unique opportunity to meet so many fellow A.netters in person, I got more and more the feeling that I should not lag behind and for EUR 80, the offer was just too tempting. I conferred with my partner about it and he suggested a long weekend in Paris around the date. Since I have never been in Paris nor flown with Air France nor on board of A380, it was definitely a brilliant idea.
Online booking
Booking was done on the French website of AF. Crisp, easy to navigate and pretty much exemplary to other legacy airlines. AF website seemed allowing customers to conduct reservations with any frequent flyer number of other Skyteam members. At least until I tried to insert my partner’s and my Korean Air Skypass details and got rejected twice with a warning that Flying Blue did not include any letter like KE Skypass. Well, I did not get it. Eventually, I decided to insert our Flying Blue details anyway despite our intention of not using Flying Blue anymore after our miles got filched from us. By then, the system recognized our Flying Blue accounts and the booking progressed.
Some striking things I noticed. Before proceeding to the payment step, we were inquired to indicate our seating preference. The system did not actually show a seat map, but put a question of a combination between middle and aisle or window and middle seats. I chose the latest. Within seconds, our booking confirmation was delivered together with a striking notification that our boarding passes will be issued thirty hour before our departure time. We appreciated this boarding pass service, but could we not choose our own seats? I tried to make an online seat selection, but the feature somehow did not exist for us. I hoped that we would be seated together and one of us got assigned the window seat.
On 19th May, the bad news came. Our flights were not supposed to be operated by A380 anymore. Instead we ended up with A321. I was disappointed, furious and totally unhappy. Even I had never been on A321 before, I desperately wanted to fly A380.
Following the example of Mark and Infodesk, I sent a complaint letter to AF. AF replied the following day and was very apologetic about the situation. They indicated that our flights on 12th July would be operated by A321 anyway and not by A380 as previously stated. Ironically, I received an AF newsletter couple minutes later about the A380 special flight offering.
AF did mention about the rebooking option, we decided to stick to 12th July as we were not in position to reschedule our flights due to other bookings involved for our weekend. Pity I had to miss out Eric, Mark, Andrew, Infodesk and Markus. Fellows, I do hope we could meet up one day.
Anyway, I returned the mail of AF to explain our situation and made a request for any other compensation. Then it became quiet on the other side. Upon calling the AF ticketing helpdesk couple days later, I was told that they were doing their best to accommodate any inquiry of the passengers traveling on 12th July and would be in touch in about two weeks. Well, two weeks were passing by and we were still waiting. Another reminder of mine did not seem to accelerate the whole process. I was not impressed.
About ten days before our departure, fellow A.netter hotplane notified us about the AF amendment of A380’s first Friday rotation which meant that we would be able to go onboard the A380 anyway. This was just too good to be true as our itinerary still showed A321. Even though, a little hope of mine was arising that a retro equipment change would take place. Unfortunately, as you might have found out, it did not come true.
Nevertheless, I wish you a very nice welcome to the trip report of my partner’s and my long weekend trip to Paris. On this occasion you will encounter the following:
- Our stay in Kyriad Paris La Villette hotel
- The city highlights
- Our visit to Le Bourget
- Our stay in Ibis Charles de Gaulle Aéroport hotel
- Plane spotting session from our hotel room
- Our check-in attempt the day before and the outward flight to LHR including a first meeting with FlyingFinn76
I will post our return flight to CDG including a second meeting with Tim on a separate thread.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2333 posts, RR: 53 Reply 1, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 8310 times:
KYRIAD PARIS LA VILLETTE
As the LHR bound flight supposed to be the climax of our long weekend trip, my partner and I were leaving couple days earlier. We drove all the way to Paris to minimize our travel expenses due to our upcoming summer holiday in Indonesia. Our accommodation should be in accordance with our transportation method. It meant being accessible by car while located within walking distance to any Metro station. Upon recommendations on TripAdvisor, we decided that Kyriad Hotel La Villette would be suitable. Our bed and breakfast arrangement was made through a local Dutch travel agent this time.
Entrance
Bar
Double room
Double bed
Writing table
Coffee and tea maker
Bathroom
Washbasin
Towel with amenity kit
Breakfast buffet
Preserves and cakes
.
Fruit and dairy corner
Juice corner
Bread baskets
Toasting machine with the black board displaying the menu of the day
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2333 posts, RR: 53 Reply 2, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 8296 times:
CITY HIGHLIGHTS
The most convenient way to discover Paris is traveling by the metro which allows you to access most of the city highlights. I have made some selections below.
Notre-Dame
Striking wooden bridge nearby
The Eiffel Tower
Long queue
Eiffel statue
View from the first floor
View from the top floor
Me with the tower on the background
Arc de Triomphe
Champs-Élysées
Sacré-Coeur
Montmartre
Work in progress
Musée de Louvre
Impressive glass pyramid
Interior
La Joconde (Mona Lisa)
Me figuring out the map
Small photo selection of Egyptian department
La Fayette
Signage in the metro station
Interior
AF building
Hôtel des Invalides
Place de la Concorde
One of the many fountains
Obelisque
Churchill statue
View on the Seine
Pont Alexandre III with the Eiffel tower on the background
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2333 posts, RR: 53 Reply 3, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 8294 times:
LE BOURGET
Thanks to fellow A.netter MadameConcorde who had brought Le Bourget into my attention. On our way to Roissy, we were dropping by to visit the museum.
Before the entrance
The admission is free. But to enter the Boeing, two Concordes and Dakota, there will be an additional charge of 6 EUR. With Paris Visite tourist card, you are entitled for 2 EUR reduction.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2333 posts, RR: 53 Reply 4, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 8294 times:
IBIS CHARLES DE GAULLE AÉROPORT
As we did not want to miss our LHR return flight and had to continue our journey homeward bounds upon arrival, it was necessary to have our car parked within a reasonable walking distance from the terminal. We booked a double room at Ibis Charles de Gaulle Aéroport on the night before our departure date at EUR 80 including breakfast.
Entrance
Lobby
Checking in
While checking in, I had the following conversation with a guy at the reception desk.
Him: “You will have room number 468. Do you still want your breakfast?”
Me: “Yes, of course.”
Him: “Just checking. Do you want a code for the Wi-fi?”
Me: “No, thank you.”
Him: “All right. Have a nice stay.”
Apparently you can access the Wi-fi for free at the Ibis hotels.
Double room
We got assigned room number 468. I forgot to ask a room facing the runway of which I would be grateful of. However, the guy at the reception desk seemed to know exactly what I needed.
Precious window view
Sitting area
Television
Double bed
Bathroom
Breakfast buffet
Preserves
Cereal corner
Cakes
Toasting machine with the day menu on the blackboard
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2333 posts, RR: 53 Reply 5, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 8286 times:
PLANE SPOTTING
In the evening before our departure to LHR, while my partner was watching the World Cup Final on the television, I was enjoying myself with the view out of the window. Allow to share some of my catches.
AF regional EMB 170
American B752 winglet
Lufthansa A319
Korean B744
Luxair EMB145
Easyjet A319 and Air China A343
AF B77F
Oman Air A332
The crowd in front of CDG T3
AF A320 retro livery
AF A319 and KLM B733
Czech A319
AF B77W Skyteam livery
Austrian B73H
Rush hour in T3
Sunset
Niki A320
Nouvelair A320
Dedicated to Philip (OA260)
Travel Service B73H
CDG T1
I never thought that the weather could break rigorously the following morning.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2333 posts, RR: 53 Reply 6, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 8271 times:
CHECK IN ATTEMPT
My partner and I decided to check ourselves in at the airport for the time being as we were in the neighborhood anyway, so off we went to explore CDG.
Roissypôle
Our Ibis hotel has a direct access to Roissypôle where people can connect from all public transports like busses and trains to T1 and T2 and parking spaces in between by a dedicated unmanned shuttle train. T3 is located within the walking distance from the Roissypôle main building.
Signage
Shuttle train
T3 annex Roissypôle
Shuttle train network
Waiting room
Sliding doors
Terminal 2
In about five minutes, we reached T2. Thanks to the sunny weather on the day before our departure, we could get a better impression of the building.
T2
Busy Sunday afternoon
View from the escalator
Clear signage
Train station
Striking FIDS design at the train station
As our flight would depart from T2E the following day, we made our way in the direction.
Signage to T2E
We went upstairs to the airy interior of the public area.
All we needed was a free self-service check-in machine. We chose one of the many next to row 8.
While I was inserting our PNR, an AF ground attendant came by to assist. The machine did not accept the PNR, so I proceeded with inserting my frequent flyer number. It did not work either.
“Could you please identify yourself with your passport?” the attendant suggested.
I complied, but the machine was still unable to process our check-in. So, we were directed to one of the traditional check-in desks at row 7.
I told the check-in attendant that we were unable to check ourselves in. He took our travel documents and started the manual check-in procedure.
“Are you leaving for London at six o’clock?” he asked.
“No, we are leaving tomorrow at ten o’clock in the morning,” I replied.
“I see. Normally the airport check-in will become available up to four hours before departure, but let me check it out,” the attendant grabbed the phone.
After some conversation, he hung up and told us that we could only do online check-in at the moment. He then returned our documents.
“OK, see you tomorrow,” my partner said.
The attendant replied, “All right then. I will be here. Oh no, just kidding…”
What a funny guy!
OUTWARD JOURNEY
After breakfast at eight o’clock in the morning, we returned to T2E. It was raining cats and dogs. The interior looked less bright than the day before.
FIDS at Roissypôle
It was like a general repetition as we had already figured out where to go.
Terminal 2E public area
FIDS
Overview
AF KL ticketing area
This time we managed to print out our boarding passes through the self-service machine. We got assigned 28A and 28B.
My boarding pass
Signage to the gates
Before border control and security
The passport and security control was painless. We were through within ten minutes. Impressive! We then followed to signage to gate E43.
Signage
Shopping arcade
Gate area
Right wing
Left wing
We proceeded to our gate E43 on the right wing.
Internet corner
E43
View on T2C
Gate change
We made our way to E28 on the left wing. The screen information was not yet updated.
After couple minutes, an array of flight information was displayed.
Then the following announcement came.
Later on, we found out that our delay was due to the bad weather condition earlier in the morning. What I encountered for the first time in CDG and liked very much about is the extensive information the screen display like the following.
Flight details
Aircraft layout
AF FF membership
The Flying Blue membership level information at each gate.
And the free magazine racks all over the gate area.
However, the gate area is not really spotter friendly. The clear window views are available only at the both ends of the terminal wing.
AF A319 behind the net window pattern
At 09.30 an announcement was made that our departure gate had again been switched to E31. Off we went again.
Due to the gate changes, I was silently hoping that an A380 silhouette would appear somewhere.
Our equipment for today
FLIGHT STATUS
Our itinerary:
Route: CDG-LHR
Date: 12 July 2010
ETD/ATD: 10.05 / 11.00
ETA/ATA: 10.25 / 11.15
Flight number: AF 1980
Plane: Airbus 321-211
Registration: F-GTAK
Delivered: First delivered 18 January 2002 to Air France
Then I noticed someone strolling around. He snapped photos around our gate several times and pulled out his note book to jot down something. I approached him and for the first time I met fellow A.netter FlyingFinn76 in person. We got instantly engaged in conversations, mainly about aviation. I learnt that he got assigned the last row. I am still wondering whose example he followed?
Apparently, FlyingFinn76 had a meeting with Eric (Airbuseric) earlier on the other side of the terminal. If my memory serves, Eric was at T2F on transit to Basel.
Eric, were you there somewhere?
I invited him to join me and my partner at the gate sitting area.
Boarding
At 10.15, the first boarding announcement was made. Everyone just stood up and within seconds a queue was forming.
FlyingFinn76 excused himself to go to the toilet, “Perhaps the line will get shorter when I return,”
Then it was my turn to visit the toilet. When I returned, the queue seemed subsided.
“Well, you can go again then. It seems to work out with you,” FlyingFinn76 said jokingly which made both of me and him brake into a smile. “Shall we join the queue?”
After having our boarding passes scanned and passports checked, we went downstairs towards the gate.
Before the aerobridge, there were another passport control. An Asian looking female gate attendant scrutinized my documents.
Her: “Where are you from?”
Me: “The Netherlands,”
Her: “You were born in Semarang. Where is that?”
Me: “Indonesia,”
Her: “I see you are going to UK and flying back again the same day,”
Me: “That is correct. I have wanted to fly the A380,”
Her: “So, your main purpose of the trip is just the A380, then?”
Me: “Was A380, look what we have got now, an A321,“
She burst into a laugh, “Oh, I see. Well, I hope you will still have a nice flight,”
Me: “Thank you,”
‘What a lovely girl!’ I thought.
Queue at the aerobridge
My first ride with an A321
FlyingFinn76 drew my attention to the marking on the platform.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2333 posts, RR: 53 Reply 7, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 8256 times:
ON BOARD
The two flight attendants and Captain Martinerie greeted us at the door. Especially the presence of the captain during boarding was a nice touch.
The Voyageur cabin
Row 28
My seat 28A
Seat feature
Legroom
Seat pocket
Interesting about this Sicma aero seat design are the two separate racks, one for the magazine and the other for the safety card.
Magazine
Safety card
The passengers assigned to the last eight rows had been settled down.
But others up front were still busy stowing their luggage.
One guy was throwing his apparently too heavy sport bag into the overhead bin, but failed to do so. Instead, his bag ended up on my partner’s face. My partner was not amused by his action, I can tell you that.
“Oh, I am so sorry, sir!” the guy said.
Once the guy managed to stow away his bag, he returned to my partner, “I am sorry, sir! I apologize,”
My partner gestured ‘apology accepted,’ and the guy took an aisle seat on the other side.
Neighbor view
The pushback commenced at 11.00.
Captain Martinerie came to intercom. He explained the reason of the delay, introduced the purser of the flight, Carla Toune, and mentioned forty minutes as our flight time. At 11.05, we left the gate and made our way to runway 09R-27L.
Some impressions on the way
Delta B752 winglet
AF AT4 following us
Construction of a new terminal
A glimpse of AF A380
China Southern B772
AF heaven
A stranger among the group
We were next
She had to wait for her turn
The cabin lights were dimmed. As soon as we entered the runway, we accelerated and the take off run commenced.
A glimpse of Singapore A380
We lifted off at 11.15.
We were engulfed by thick cloud layers. They got thinner further in flight and revealed the typical French landscape.
At 11.20, the fasten your seat belt signs were switched off. The beverage service was started about five minutes later.
The service consisted of (non) alcoholic drinks with biscuits or crackers.
Coffee and biscuits for me
Beer and biscuits for my partner
It was cloudy above the channel.
At 11.40, Captain Martinerie came to the intercom that we were starting our descent. His announcement was followed by the announcement of the cabin attendant who at one time said the following, “…Please make sure your seat back is folded away,… Oh, sorry, I mean your tray table… “
British Airways B763 flying nearby
As we entered the LHR landing pattern, the clouds got thinner.
Typical English landscape
Private landing strip?
The City on the background
A stadium
Air Canada building
Touched down
As we touched down at runwat 09R-27L, full brakes were applied as we apparently had to vacate the runway as soon as possible. While taxiing, I could confirm that LHR is another spotter’s heaven.
SQ A380, two Qantas A380’s and Thai B744
SQ A380
Transaero B73H
QF A380
Wide-bodies at LHR T3
Wide-bodies at LHR T1
We turned left towards T4.
Kenya Airways B772
Continental B752 winglet. Were you not supposed at T1?
We were docked at 12.15 (11.15 English time).
As we were seated on the back. It took quite a while to deboard. We were waiting for FlyingFinn76 outside the gate. When he came up, we proceeded together into the terminal.
Signage
We said goodbye to FlyingFinn76 who followed the signage ‘Arrivals’. We on the contrary followed the signage ‘Flight Connections’.
With the above mentioned I put an end into the first part of my trip report. As you may have noticed, I am using another layout as I hope to make this report more digestible. Please let me know what do you think of it and feel free to leave comments and suggestions.
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 8, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 8127 times:
Hi Suryo,
yeah, it was such a pity about that flight the 12th. Anyway as you heard already from our Finnish friend, I was aroud at CDG also. Arrived in the thunderstorm that morning from AMS on a KLM flight. That was quite a turbulent ride to be honest. Let not alone that this storm made major damage later that day in the Netherlands.
I've been to Paris a few times myself, I love the city sights. But shopping is not so good I think. Culture is definitely a winner here. Have stayed in Kyriad also before as well Ibis, and I think these are reasonable hotels. Indeed, Wifi is free in Ibis-France hotels, offered by Orange. Works fine, used it a lot in early June during my holidays in mid-France.
F-GTAK, also flown on that one before, not the newest A321 in the AF fleet. But I think they are good aircraft, and I never had a bad experience on AF. Also groundstaff is always very assisting and helpful, at CDG but also my experience at ORY. Terminal 2E looks good with that red carpet on the floor.
I rebooked myself to that A380 flight which is leaving from CDG in about 15 hours from now. So I'm off tomorrow hopefully. At least the check-in and boarding pass shows the right equipment
Regards
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
LH4116 From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1672 posts, RR: 15 Reply 9, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 7957 times:
Hi Suryo, a very nice and interesting report!
It looks like you and your partner had a nice weekend in Paris, pics were nice. I liked the way you documented the hotel breakfasts, they looked pretty nice.
A pity though that you missed the A380. The A321 flight looked pretty average though, it seems like AF have changed their choice of Beer from 1664 to Heineken.
Thanks for sharing.
//Jonas
I won't stop complaining until SAS reintroduces free service in Economy Class!
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 11, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 7769 times:
Hi Suryo,
Very interesting to read a flight I took as well from another perspective. And of course to read about myself being referred in a third person..
Lots of great pictures of your adventures around Paris - I should really get to that Le Bourget aviation museum one day - as I mentioned I was supposed to go one time, but that trip turned out to be the one where I ended up on the LAN A340 so had an early CDG departure and thus no chance to visit.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Then I noticed someone strolling around. He snapped photos around our gate several times and pulled out his note book to jot down something. I approached him and for the first time I met fellow A.netter FlyingFinn76 in person. We got instantly engaged in conversations, mainly about aviation. I learnt that he got assigned the last row. I am still wondering whose example he followed?
Heh, I was really surprised to see you - somehow I was under the impression that everyone else but me had rescheduled and I would be the only one flying that day, on that direction at least. But well, a pleasant surprise nevertheless.
Hmm, did you catch the registration of that black MD-80 in this picture? I saw it from the hotel shuttle as well (now don't get me started on CDG hotel shuttles, they frankly suck big time) but couldn't see it - I'm wondering who is it flying for?
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): I never thought that the weather could break rigorously the following morning.
Yeah, when I woke up to the sounds of thunder I was very confused as well.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): “Well, you can go again then. It seems to work out with you,” FlyingFinn76 said jokingly which made both of me and him brake into a smile. “Shall we join the queue?”
Did I really say that? Well, I talk a lot and most of it bollocks so sounds like something I could've easily said
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Before the aerobridge, there were another passport control. An Asian looking female gate attendant scrutinized my documents.
So that's where you got stuck. I was wondering what that was all about as my Finnish ID card aroused no suspicions. I have to say that I'm really starting to dislike the stupid security arrangements at CDG T2E as I had to show my boarding pass and ID at least three times before getting through security plus the girl screening the EU/non-EU passports didn't believe that Finland was in the EU and tried showing me to the non-EU line. This is getting as bad as it is in the US with TSA! Other terminals, at least 2B and 2D plus T1 are much better, maybe it's a non-Schengen thing.
Hey, you can see a piece of my head and my beard in this picture! .
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): One guy was throwing his apparently too heavy sport bag into the overhead bin, but failed to do so. Instead, his bag ended up on my partner’s face. My partner was not amused by his action, I can tell you that.
Oh, I saw this. I didn't realize it was your row! That's really bad, those young guys had a hard time finding a place for their huge bag. It was quite an eventful flight otherwise as well, due to the turbulence one water bottle was knocked over from the service cart and ended up getting a teenaged boy and girl soaked. The FA apologized and shrugged it off with "It's just water!", which didn't really amuse the wet people!
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Captain Martinerie came to intercom. He explained the reason of the delay, introduced the purser of the flight, Carla Toune, and mentioned forty minutes as our flight time. At 11.05, we left the gate and made our way to runway 09R-27L.
You missed his speech about having been allocated a wheels up time at 11.15, which is exactly when we took off.
Anyway looking forward for the return part! It sure was nice meeting you, if only for such a short time!
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2333 posts, RR: 53 Reply 13, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 7107 times:
Hi fellows,
Thanks for your reply.
@Eric:
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 8): I rebooked myself to that A380 flight which is leaving from CDG in about 15 hours from now. So I'm off tomorrow hopefully. At least the check-in and boarding pass shows the right equipment
Good to know that. If i remember correctly, this will be your first A380 flight ever, right?I am looking forward to your report on this.
@Jonas:
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 9): Hi Suryo, a very nice and interesting report!
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 9): I liked the way you documented the hotel breakfasts, they looked pretty nice.
Good to know that. I will keep on documenting hotel breakfasts we get.
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 9): it seems like AF have changed their choice of Beer from 1664 to Heineken.
Did AF have 1664 earlier? What a pity they serve Heineken now. I have sampled 1664 couple times in Paris and I liked it more than Heineken.
Quoting ChrisCruise (Reply 10): Great report and sorry to hear that you were not able to fly the A380, but you made the best of it with a nice visit to Paris and Le Bourget.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 11): And of course to read about myself being referred in a third person..
My pleasure.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 11): Heh, I was really surprised to see you - somehow I was under the impression that everyone else but me had rescheduled and I would be the only one flying that day, on that direction at least. But well, a pleasant surprise nevertheless.
I did not mention my plan earlier on purpose, but decided to express my feelings in my own report. I was still hoping to meet any fellow A.netter on the outward flight, so I was delighted to meet you.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 11): did you catch the registration of that black MD-80 in this picture?
It was a Blue Line MD-80. Unfortunately I cannot figure out the registration.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 11): Other terminals, at least 2B and 2D plus T1 are much better, maybe it's a non-Schengen thing.
I have never been to other terminals, so I can not really judge on it. But I found the screening procedure not that bothersome though.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 11): Hey, you can see a piece of my head and my beard in this picture! .
You are right. I did not notice it earlier.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 11): due to the turbulence one water bottle was knocked over from the service cart and ended up getting a teenaged boy and girl soaked. The FA apologized and shrugged it off with "It's just water!", which didn't really amuse the wet people!
I can only remember the turbulence and I did not notice what was going on behind me. However, getting soaked on board is not really what you are waiting for.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 11): You missed his speech about having been allocated a wheels up time at 11.15, which is exactly when we took off.
Thanks for the addition. I did miss this part of his speech.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 11): It sure was nice meeting you, if only for such a short time!
Me too. It has been a pleasure. I look forward to your part of the story.
@Markus:
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 12): superb pictures, made me feel I was there with you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 12): What a pity that Hannah and me missed that meeting,
we´re changed the flights to the 5th of July to catch that big birdie and it finally works.
I can understand the decision of both of you. I just have to wait a little longer to fly that big birdie.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 12): Really nice that you do that flight together with our fellow finnish multi traveller,
a very nice guy.
P. is a nice chap. I enjoyed our meeting very much.
Contact Air From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 1154 posts, RR: 14 Reply 14, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 1 day ago) and read 7067 times:
Hi Suryo,
Fantastic report with lots of interesting details and great pictures - thanks for sharing! Really a pity that you missed out the main reason for the trip with the A380 but it seems you and your partner had a good time anyway. The Aviation Museum at Le Bourget looks great - seems to be worth a visit when in Paris.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): On 19th May, the bad news came. Our flights were not supposed to be operated by A380 anymore. Instead we ended up with A321. I was disappointed, furious and totally unhappy. Even I had never been on A321 before, I desperately wanted to fly A380.
I can imagine that - would have been the same for me. After all, the A321 is not so special, even if it was still missing in your log.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): What I encountered for the first time in CDG and liked very much about is the extensive information the screen display like the following.
Very informative indeed. I have never seen this before.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): As you may have noticed, I am using another layout as I hope to make this report more digestible. Please let me know what do you think of it and feel free to leave comments and suggestions.
airpearl From Malaysia, joined May 2001, 934 posts, RR: 37 Reply 16, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 5 hours ago) and read 6698 times:
Hi Suryo
Nice to see another report from you and sorry to hear you weren't able to get aboard the AF A380. That must have been quite a disappointment. Still, the Paris trip seemed to be a very fruitful one, with Le Bourget being an undoubted highlight. Also seemed like you had a great view from the CDG Ibis room. Thanks for supplying us with the nice pics.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 5): The crowd in front of CDG T3
ojas From India, joined Mar 2008, 2785 posts, RR: 23 Reply 17, posted (2 years 10 months 1 week 2 hours ago) and read 6610 times:
Hi Akhmad,
As always its a pleasure to read your TRs.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): On 19th May, the bad news came. Our flights were not supposed to be operated by A380 anymore. Instead we ended up with A321. I was disappointed, furious and totally unhappy. Even I had never been on A321 before, I desperately wanted to fly A380.
That is really frustrating!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 6): “OK, see you tomorrow,” my partner said.
The attendant replied, “All right then. I will be here. Oh no, just kidding…”
What a funny guy!
He he he
Quoting akhmad (Reply 6): Due to the gate changes, I was silently hoping that an A380 silhouette would appear somewhere
what an excitement it would've been!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 6): Apparently, FlyingFinn76 had a meeting with Eric (Airbuseric) earlier on the other side of the terminal. If my memory serves, Eric was at T2F on transit to Basel.
Hmm a mini A.net meet at CDG? nice!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 7): Instead, his bag ended up on my partner’s face. My partner was not amused by his action, I can tell you that.
Ouch, hope he wasn't hurt.
Thanks for sharing your TR and also for the "non - av" pictures as well!
A lion does not concern himself with the opinions of the sheep
oa260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24889 posts, RR: 60 Reply 19, posted (2 years 10 months 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 6551 times:
Hi Suryo,
Great report and fantastic photos. Love every bit of it. Even though you didnt get to fly the A380 your report was great. Id love to visit that museum some time. Never got to it yet. The B747 looks fab.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1241 posts, RR: 34 Reply 20, posted (2 years 10 months 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 6343 times:
Hi Suryo,
Really excellent report, lots of detail and so many nice photos, great stuff. Such a shame that AF messed things up on the 12th, but it's good to see that you & your partner made a nice weekend out of it.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): They indicated that our flights on 12th July would be operated by A321 anyway and not by A380 as previously stated. Ironically, I received an AF newsletter couple minutes later about the A380 special flight offering.
Bad marketing!! I would have been so cross about that!
Great that you managed to visit the aviation museum. Seeing Concorde there is such a sad sight. What a beautiful bird.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Instead, his bag ended up on my partner’s face. My partner was not amused by his action, I can tell you that.
I wouldn't be amused either. At least the chap apologised, nowadays you can't even expect that!
Definitely too many questions regarding your passport....good for you for getting in a jibe about the A380!
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
AI151 From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2009, 303 posts, RR: 17 Reply 21, posted (2 years 10 months 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 6303 times:
Hi Suryo another great read and such a shame that you couldn't fly the A380. If you want to sample it, there are plenty of choices from LHR as you know and I would be glad to join you.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): The forum discussion got intensified and gradually more fellow A.netters reported their contribution on this date. Among them were Markus (FLIEGER67), Mark (BA319-131), Andrew (Brewox), FlyingFinn76, Infodesk, Stylo777, and Bobby (amigocharlie).
If you all do decide to meet up then let me know as I'll always be up for a flight with other A.netters.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): On 19th May, the bad news came. Our flights were not supposed to be operated by A380 anymore. Instead we ended up with A321. I was disappointed, furious and totally unhappy. Even I had never been on A321 before, I desperately wanted to fly A380.
I'd choose an A380 over an A321 any day even if I hadn't flown the A321 previously.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 7): At 11.40, Captain Martinerie came to the intercom that we were starting our descent. His announcement was followed by the announcement of the cabin attendant who at one time said the following, “…Please make sure your seat back is folded away,… Oh, sorry, I mean your tray table… “
Always comical when someone makes a mistake, but good to see that the attendant corrected themselves straight away.
ronerone From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 1541 posts, RR: 54 Reply 22, posted (2 years 10 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 6066 times:
Wow Suryo!
Your latest two Trip Reports caught me by surprise! I had no idea they have been floating around the forum until today!
Excellent report as always, and with great pictures! It is however, such a pity that Air France switched the aircraft around to the A321! .. That must have been such an annoying thing!
How about you try the Emirates A380?
Quoting akhmad (Reply 2): The most convenient way to discover Paris is traveling by the metro which allows you to access most of the city highlights. I have made some selections below.
A B742 is so rare today! You are so lucky to touch the belly of one!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 6): While I was inserting our PNR, an AF ground attendant came by to assist. The machine did not accept the PNR, so I proceeded with inserting my frequent flyer number. It did not work either.
Usually on the day of the flight, something like this usually means you either got an upgrade, or things have radically changed to the events of the flight! So it is always a suspense issue for me!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 6): What I encountered for the first time in CDG and liked very much about is the extensive information the screen display like the following.
I am quite impressed with CDG. Many have dismissed it as a horrible airport however, i see it as nicely designed and quite spacious. I really like the brownish terminal area, and i too find the information on those FIDS quite impressive!
Thanks a lot for sharing these reports with us!
Cheers,
Roni
A Stop Away From One-Stop, Is Non-Stop : Airbus A340-500
Quoting oa260 (Reply 19): Arr thanks . OA seems to be getting into a few TR's recently lol...
Quoting oa260 (Reply 19): Thanks again for the great report,
It has been a pleasure.
Quoting oa260 (Reply 19): I love those coconut biscuits on AF
It went nicely with the coffee and beer!
@Infodesk:
Quoting infodesk (Reply 20): Really excellent report, lots of detail and so many nice photos, great stuff
Thank you. Glad you liked it.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 20): Bad marketing!! I would have been so cross about that!
At that time, it was like rubbing salt into the wound.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 20): Great that you managed to visit the aviation museum. Seeing Concorde there is such a sad sight. What a beautiful bird.
I had never seen this bird in real. When I entered the hangar and caught the sight of this bird right in front of me, I had got such an indescribable excitement.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 20): At least the chap apologised, nowadays you can't even expect that!
You are right about this. Some people would have not cared a bit.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 20): Definitely too many questions regarding your passport....good for you for getting in a jibe about the A380!
I regarded the conservation as amusing at the end.
@Sandeep:
Quoting AI151 (Reply 21): Hi Suryo another great read and such a shame that you couldn't fly the A380..
Thank you. It would have been more memorable indeed with A380.
Quoting AI151 (Reply 21): If you want to sample it, there are plenty of choices from LHR as you know and I would be glad to join you.
Good to know.
Quoting AI151 (Reply 21): If you all do decide to meet up then let me know as I'll always be up for a flight with other A.netters.
I think some fellow A.netters are eyeing the LH domestic flight with B744 in September.
@Roni:
Quoting ronerone (Reply 22): Your latest two Trip Reports caught me by surprise! I had no idea they have been floating around the forum until today!
No worries. Thanks for dropping by.
Quoting ronerone (Reply 22): Excellent report as always, and with great pictures!
Thank you.
Quoting ronerone (Reply 22): It is however, such a pity that Air France switched the aircraft around to the A321! .. That must have been such an annoying thing!
Quoting ronerone (Reply 22): You are so lucky to touch the belly of one!
The B742 is waiting for you at Le Bourget!
Quoting ronerone (Reply 22): Usually on the day of the flight, something like this usually means you either got an upgrade, or things have radically changed to the events of the flight! So it is always a suspense issue for me!
Me too. I was hoping AF had made such arrangement as our compensation of the equipment change.
Quoting ronerone (Reply 22): Thanks a lot for sharing these reports with us!
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 24, posted (2 years 10 months 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 5721 times:
Hi Suryo,
As usual, an excellent report, such a shame they changed plane. The pictures and the tour of Paris were great! I've got to check out that aviation museum when I go to Paris one day.
Wow, paper cups. Seems pretty stingy to me. Also limits you to basically one drink a day!
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Her: “Where are you from?”
Me: “The Netherlands,”
Her: “You were born in Semarang. Where is that?”
Me: “Indonesia,”
Her: “I see you are going to UK and flying back again the same day,”
Me: “That is correct. I have wanted to fly the A380,”
Her: “So, your main purpose of the trip is just the A380, then?”
Me: “Was A380, look what we have got now, an A321,“
She burst into a laugh, “Oh, I see. Well, I hope you will still have a nice flight,”
Me: “Thank you,”
LOL. Such a pity.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 7): His announcement was followed by the announcement of the cabin attendant who at one time said the following, “…Please make sure your seat back is folded away,… Oh, sorry, I mean your tray table… “
Classic.
All of the A380s that you saw that day would have made you even more envious.. I noticed at least 5 of them. Don't worry, you'll get on it one day! Maybe try another airline in the hope that they don't change aircraft either
Thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Nicholas
It's all about the destination AND the journey.
25 akhmad: Hi Nicholas, The aviation museum is indeed one of the Paris's highlights for us, A.netters. And yes, I will make up the missed chance of flying A380 o
26 PlaneHunter: Hi Suryo, great report with many stunning pictures! Just too bad you missed the desired A380 flights. I flew on AF1980 on July 18 and everything worke
27 akhmad: Hi PH, Nice to hear from you. Thank you. Glad you liked it. Ouch, that did not sound good. Luckily, it could be fixed up. You don't say? On which floo
28 vandenheuvel: Hi Suryo, Excuse me for my late reply. As I was on a holiday I couldn't respond any earlier. You've made a great report of your trip to Paris and your
29 akhmad: Hi Tim, Never mind about the late reply, how was your holiday? I hope I will be able see your trip reports this week. Thank you. Glad you liked it. Be
30 IberiaA319: Hi, Suryo, an excellent trip report. A nice collection of pictures, specially I like the ones from the city of Paris and Le Bourget. And even if you d
31 akhmad: Hi Eric, Thank you for your kind words. I am happy that you liked my report. Cheers, Suryo
32 eastafspot: Hello Suryo What an enjoyable report which has been much appreciated, you've detailed it so well, despite the A/C substitution, you've tried a new typ
33 akhmad: Hello Léo, Thank you so much for your kind words. You really make me happy. You are right. I just have to put in perspective. Unfortunately not. A380
34 Knightsofmalta: Hi Suryo As usual a very entertaining read. The pictures you took at the museum are just so cool. It's nice to have the opportunity to get up close to
35 akhmad: Hi William, You make me very happy with your reply. Thank you so much. You are too kind. Thank you. Definitely. I made a grateful use of our visit to
36 Parton87: Hello Suryo! WOW, I really want to go to Paris after reading this fantastic report Suryo! Not just because of the pictures on what to look to be an am
37 akhmad: Hello Robert, Thank you so much for taking your time to post your comment. Thank you for your sweet words. I must say, I fell in love with Paris after
38 SAAB900: Hi Suryo, Great TR,sorry for the delay in reading it but I am miles behind reading all the trip reports due to my 1 year old daughter taking up most o
39 akhmad: Hello Dave, First of all, allow me to congratulate you with your 1 year old daughter. Never mind the delay. Would you mind telling me the name of your
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