After a memorable road trip in the charming regions of Tennessee, our journey led us to Nashville airport, where we took a Delta flight. A short stop in a Delta lounge gave us a taste of luxury and relaxation, before we embarked on the much-anticipated experience: the return journey to France on the new business class of the Airbus A350 of Air France.
This flight, far from being a simple journey, represented an adventure in itself – a perfect fusion of modern comfort and elegance, promising to transform our return into an experience as unforgettable as our American stay. Our anticipation grew as we approached the boarding gate, ready to discover what made Air France’s new business class so special.
Small digression before we go further, we left Detroit on November 1st, to arrive at Charles de Gaulle on November 2nd, the day when storm Ciaran made its way to Île de France… but we will discuss more about it later!
Discovering the new cabin
The moment we crossed the threshold of the Air France Airbus A350-900 marked the beginning of an exceptional adventure. Thanks to the Skypriority priority boarding, we were able to board among the first, without waiting to enjoy this new cabin. The atmosphere was like a luxurious lounge, away from terrestrial hustle and bustle, a bubble of comfort and serenity.
The discovery of the cabin immediately captivated us: a modern and refined space that benefits from pleasant lighting. We headed to our seats, in the central area. The business class is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, each passenger having direct access to the aisle and maximum privacy.
A warm welcome accompanied by a glass of champagne was offered to us, a simple but elegant gesture that set the tone for this experience. We took the time to settle in, and to soak up this unique atmosphere by exchanging a few words with the crew.
A seat that offers a lot!
In the new business class of the Airbus A350, each seat proves to be a small marvel of technology and comfort, with obviously the possibility of transforming it into a 2m bed when it’s time to sleep.
The screen that equips each seat is huge and impressive. It is a 20-inch Full HD 4K touchscreen, anti-reflective, perfect for immersing yourself in a movie or series. Next to the screen, a remote tablet allows you to control various functions of the seat and flight experience, offering a touch of modernity and autonomy to passengers, and the geek in me is thrilled to be able to play with it before takeoff.
One of the most remarkable aspects is the ability to completely close off one’s “suite”. Thanks to a removable partition, each passenger can choose to isolate themselves for more privacy or to stay open to the surrounding space. This is a feature particularly appreciated by those looking for personal space on long flights.
Finally, the storage spaces are generously sized and wisely placed. They allow for keeping everything necessary for a pleasant journey within reach, without cluttering the living space.
It is now time for takeoff, expected flight time is less than 8 hours thanks to the formidable jet streams blowing over the Atlantic at the start of November.
What if we go see a movie?
As our plane climbs into the sky, it’s the perfect moment to dive into the vast world of onboard entertainment. The 4K touch screens offer exceptional image quality, perfect for immersing yourself in an impressive selection of movies, series, and documentaries. The catalog is very rich and there is something for everyone, including children, guaranteeing hours of entertainment.
The active noise-canceling headset provided by Air France enhances the cinematic experience, cutting us off from almost all ambient noise, even though the A350 is one of the quietest aircraft in existence. It’s a bubble of tranquility that opens up to us, at 10,000 meters altitude. Meanwhile, the touchscreen tablet at our side displays the flight information, allowing us to follow our progress over the Atlantic.
The Wi-Fi on board, albeit paid, offers a stable connection, allowing you to stay connected with the world below, be it for work or family… but this time, we’re going to watch a film!
As we immerse ourselves in our chosen film, the crew begins to prepare the appetizer. This is the beginning of another facet of the business class flight experience, that of gastronomy and service.
Gastronomy at Altitude
As we do not change a winning team, we continue with a new glass of champagne for this aperitif. I take this moment to slightly recline my seat, immersing myself in an atmosphere conducive to serenity and gustatory pleasure, it would be about relaxing, and enjoying the present moment.
A few minutes later, the starter is served: a foie gras accompanied by a quinoa salad. The combination is both simple and refined, balancing rich and delicate flavors. Then comes the main course, equally tasty, the quality of which reflects Air France’s attention to the culinary experience at altitude. The crew members assigned to the service of our cabin are very attentive and caring, and this is truly enjoyable.
The meal concludes with a selection of cheeses, bite-sized treats, and coffee, providing a classic and elegant final touch to this little aerial feast. Throughout the meal, a limited but high-quality selection of wines accompanies each dish, enriching the experience with well-studied pairings
Sleeping above the clouds
My movie ends, and the fatigue accumulated during our roadtrip finally catches up with me. I grab the provided pillow, unfold the duvet and put the seat into night mode in an instant, to finally be able to slip into the arms of Morpheus. The comfort of this moment, is undoubtedly the quintessence of flight, where weary but satiated, I can allow myself a few dreams at altitude.
After about four hours of deep sleep, I wake up gently, rejuvenated. Breakfast is already being prepared, and soon, a tasty and well-cooked omelette is served, with its accompaniments and a coffee. It’s a delightful and energizing awakening, perfect for starting the day in Paris. Besides, we only have one good hour of flight left, the pleasure is almost at an end.
Start of descent
As our Air France flight commences its descent to Paris, the final moments onboard are marked by the Ciaran storm that rages in Île-de-France. The last few minutes of the flight become slightly more hectic, but the Airbus A350 demonstrates remarkable stability in the face of these turbulences.
The landing, despite the whims of the weather, is carried out with impressive precision and gentleness. We touch the ground of Paris, a return to reality after a journey suspended in the clouds.
The disembarkation takes place with the same priority as embarking, quick and efficient. Thanks to Parafe, going through immigration checks is almost instantaneous, and our luggage, also marked with priority, arrives quickly on the belt. It’s the end of a flying experience that’s both comfortable and exhilarating, which has transformed a simple journey into a memorable memory.
Our experience with Air France’s A350 Business Class
Our business class experience on Air France’s Airbus A350 concludes with a feeling of satisfaction and relaxation. From the comfort of the seats to the quality of the catering, every detail contributed to making this flight memorable.
A special word for the crew, both professional and warm, who managed to make our journey pleasant and secure, even in the face of challenges posed by Storm Ciaran.
This crossing of the Atlantic was a luxury and tranquility interlude, transforming a simple return into an exceptional travel experience.