Air France Review (Paris CDG to London Heathrow AF 1180), AIRBUS A319

Tailfin of an Air France A321 Aircraft: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh

Route: Paris CDG to London Heathrow Airport 

Departure date and time of flight: 19:05am on the 27th December 2009

Flight Number: AF1180

Flight duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

Class: Economy Class

Aircraft type: A319

Punctuality of the flight:

The flight was delayed taking off by around 5 minutes due to the evening rush hour traffic at Paris CDG Airport. Further more we were delayed by a further 10 minutes because we had to circle over London (Biggin Hill)- though the actually flying time from Paris airspace to London was around 30 minutes, the rest was spent just holding and waiting to take-off/land!.

Any baggage issues:

I was taking Air France on this connecting flight from Hong Kong via Paris CDG. Thankfully this time around there was no baggage issues, and I arrived in time with all my bags in tact! Air France do have a history of losing baggage during transit. 

Comments on the check-in staff and any issues:

None- it was all smooth. I had come into Paris early in the morning at around 5.50am from Hong Kong and stayed all day Paris for an 8 hour stopover. My bags were in transit- so all I had to do was go through security and onto the gate. Because of jet lag, I was not that tired (really!).

Comments regarding the pre-meal service:

Snacks consisting of butter cookies and “Tarallucci au Fenouil” (The French equivalent of pretzels?).

Comments regarding the first meal:

None

Comments regarding the in-flight snacks (if any):

Just the above mentioned choices, along with drinks (Madame Minute orange and red wine)

Comments regarding the second meal (if any):

None

Comments on the in-flight system (if any):

None

Comments of professionalism of the cabin crew:

My selected seat was changed when I got on board the plane. I could never forget the coldness in the eyes and body language of the French cabin crew member who did not offer a proper apology when I asked to bee assigned to the seat which I had selected. I am not sure what to write over here after my experience. In regards to the customer service that I was provided by the cabin crew, I would say that your average KFC employee would do a much better job.

Comments on the interior of the aircraft (including seat comfort): 

Some of Air France’s seats are beautifully covered with seat covers that are coloured in blue, red and white (representing the national flag). Likewise, some of the planes are clean and well maintained- while the majority seem to across as they need the vacuum cleaner to be used again. 

Overall rating 1-10 (worst-best): 3 (the quality of the seats, customer service, and the unkept interior of the aircraft let down the flight)