MEL From Canada, joined Oct 1999, 1082 posts, RR: 13 Posted (2 years 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 28319 times:
Routing/Flight No: Paris-Montreal AF346
Aircraft: Air France A380 F-HPJB
Load Factor: 90 Percent
I was very lucky to be able to ride in Business Class on the Paris-Montreal route. At the counter the agent asked if I wanted to travel on the earlier flight which was either a 777-300 or 747-400. I declined the offer and stated that I would rather fly the A380. Air France had only started A380 service to Montreal about 3 days earlier.
I wondered around the airport for a bit taking photos and discovering what has changed since I was last there. So here are a few spotting photos.
The gate assigned was pretty deserted up until about 90 minutes before departure, when the nearly 400-450 passengers started gathering. There were a few large groups of people traveling on the flight, probably tour groups. Economy was totally full. I snapped a few photos of the aircraft at the boarding gate, and many others were doing the same thing. Here are some photos of the aircraft in question, F-HPJB.
Once on the aircraft I settled into my Business Class in the Upper Deck. Many people had been upgraded from Economy Class to Business Class, and Business ended up being about 50 percent full. The First Class cabin downstairs was empty. Shortly after takeoff I asked the purser if I could wander downstairs and snap some photos of the empty cabin, to which he accepted.
Meal service started shortly after we reached cruise level. Meal service was good, and the wine was fantastic. I was impressed with the tasty choices offered (I selected a curry chicken main course, and elected to try every single dessert option).
The crew was very friendly. The seat was not as comfortable as other airlines I've flown in Business. The angled lie flat seat is extremely uncomfortable. I would rather set the seat in a cradle position and sleep that way. It offers more comfort that way, in my opinion. Other than that seat complaint, everything about the flight was perfect. It still amazes me how quiet the A380 is inside the cabin.
I will upload some videos shortly. For now, here are the photos from the flight.
SloAir From Slovenia, joined Jul 2010, 336 posts, RR: 6 Reply 4, posted (2 years 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 27713 times:
I had just been to Montreal and I was seriously considering on taking this flight But at the end my loyalness to *A and the fact I have never flown Swiss and I had already flown on the AF A380 were the deciding factors.
So it is nice to see a report on how the flight would look like. Seems you had the same views on your approach as we did
RvXKaz From Singapore, joined Apr 2011, 184 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (2 years 2 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 27172 times:
Hi MEL,
your photos are exceptional!
A great preview of AF's business class. And thanks for showing us the PTV system. Looks like its a great one, especially the various camera views. Would have been addictive for me.
Yeah, the gallery space looks a tad sad. What's with it. AF should really spruce it up with a bar or something like EK.
Again, just wanna say, excellent pictures!
RvxKaz
They say that I'm a dreamer. But I'd only Dreamt Skyward.
flightsimboy From Canada, joined Sep 2005, 849 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (2 years 2 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 26723 times:
Sometime less is more, and in all your reports this couldn't be far from the truth. Your pictures are crisp, a pleasure to view and the little comments in the photos make them all worth the viewing pleasure. Thanks for sharing!
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8267 posts, RR: 56 Reply 15, posted (2 years 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 20166 times:
Nice clear pictures, excellent job, thanks for sharing.
I'm not a fan of the AF or J cabins/seats, the F cabin lacks any individual privacy for passengers and the J seat is just nasty with little legroom, you'd never get out of the window seat without disturbing your seat mate.
However the A380 is a great plane on which to fly.
Babybus From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 3514 posts, RR: 6 Reply 16, posted (2 years 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 18330 times:
I loved all the pictures especially of the food. Air France have fantastic food.
I think you're right about that silly 'Art gallery' for J class pax at the front of the plane. A few nice cosy sofas would have been a much better use of space.
I'm sure AF must have done their research but I wouldn't pay to sit in that F class cabin. It seems ill-conceived.
Look forward to your next TR.
and with that..cabin crew, seats for landing please.
American 767 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 3322 posts, RR: 14 Reply 18, posted (1 year 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 15610 times:
Quoting MEL (Thread starter): At the counter the agent asked if I wanted to travel on the earlier flight which was either a 777-300 or 747-400.
I can understand that most people would choose to try the A380 if they have not done so yet, but I would rather choose to fly on a 747 instead of the A380 for the following reason: I like both, but the 747 will be gone soon, at least from the Air France fleet, much sooner than the A380 will. I would try to catch whichever will leave the fleet the soonest before its too late. I would have chosen to fly on the 747 if I were you.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy your A380 report.
Ben Soriano
"Aimer jusqu'a l'impossible, c'est possible". Tina Arena.
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But at the end my loyalness to *A and the fact I have never flown Swiss and I had already flown on the AF A380 were the deciding factors.
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