IF YOU CAN, AVOID THIS AIRLINE!
We travelled from HCMC Vietnam to Copenhagen, Denmark. The whole trip was 4 hours delayed from HCMC and 3 hours from CDG. So instead of arriving Copenhagen 21:45 we arrived 01:30 am...
On the way back the 1 hour delayed from CDG. We sent 4 luggages from Billund but only received 3 in HCMC.
Our newly bought Samsonite suitcase was on her "virgin trip" when we received the suitcase it looked like it has been used for years (pictures). We made a complain, lets see what happens. Anyway, we have traveled with KLM, Emirates and Vietnam Airlines with much better service. Avoid CDG at all costs! Also strange that staff working in an International airport doesn't speak English and many AF staff don't speak English fluently. Staff is unfriendly and arrogant.

As Air France’s business class seemed to have received a lot of praise recently on various forum that I read, I thought it was time to give them a chance to St Maarten on our latest trip to St Barths, especially after a poor experience on BA via Antigua last year. Mrs Fatbear is recovering from a hip operation but can get around with the use of a walking stick, so we didn’t envisage any problems getting through Paris CDG.

Our flight from London to CDG was pretty decent. We landed at the K gates in terminal 2E and our connecting flight to St Maarten was also departing from a K gate. However, it was a long traipse to the security area, where it was chaotic, but I eventually found someone to advise where the Priority Lane was, as this was not visible from the entrance to the security area, maybe due to the masses of people there.

New security machines had been introduced so that only liquids had to be taken out of our bags, all electronic devices could remain where they were. The journey from disembarking our arriving flight to clearing security took 30 minutes, and already the board was showing that our flight to St Maarten was boarding so we didn’t have time to visit the AF business lounge.

The departure lounge resembled a zoo, and we had a long walk to the gate, which required going down a level, and with the escalator broken, we took a lift. Our aircraft was on a remote stand so a bus was needed to get to it. The bus was crammed packed and gave us a tour of most of the airfield before we were deposited at the second furthest plane from terminal 2E.

Climbing the stairs to the aircraft was difficult for Mrs Fatbear, and I had to carry all of our hand luggage.

The A330 has a 2-2-2 configuration in Business Class but didn’t seem to have any more cabin space that the 2-4-2 on BA’s 777s.

The seat had a really annoying over the shoulder seat belt with hardly any length to the buckle and there was a noticeable lack of storage space around the seats. Although it converts to a lie flat bed, the area for your feet is very narrow and goes under the seat in front. The shared armrest between the two aisle seats is also very narrow and not suitable for placing anything on except perhaps an elbow.

A standard amenity kit with the usual offerings was provided, and champagne, orange juice or water were given out prior to take-off.

Like in London, there was a problem with a passenger no-show so yet again, we took-off 50 minutes behind schedule but were still expected to arrive on time.

A very nice-looking menu booklet was handed out and our main meal order was taken shortly after departure. Drinks were served around 30 minutes after take-off with the food starting to arrive just under an hour into the flight.

I didn’t want the starters but was given it anyway, and it wasn’t particularly nice. The main chicken and gnocchi course was OK though, and some French mustard was offered to go with it so at least there was a bit of flavour, as it would have been pretty bland without this.

Midway through the flight one of the cabin crew asked if we would put down both of our window blinds as some passengers wanedt to get some sleep. Seeing this was a day flight, I am puzzled why airlines insist on this, especially as the amenity kit includes eye shades for those who want to sleep. I’m not sure why they bother to include them.

As I wanted to read we kept one of the blinds open rather than put a light on. When I went to the toilet soon after, I noticed about two thirds of the cabin were awake watching the inflight entertainment rather than sleeping.

The toilet, situated between rows 4 and 5 was the largest I have ever come across on an aircraft. Even the very large people in the US show 600 Pounders would not have any problems using the facility !

WiFi was available but it wasn’t free, costing €10 for one hour or €22 for the whole flight. I didn’t bother with it.

Just over an hour before landing more food was served. The main item was a brioche cut in half with a filler which was mostly goat’s cheese. Again, it wasn’t great. I didn’t eat the grapefruit salad, but Mrs Fatbear said it was the only nice thing she had eaten on both our flights. There was also a finger shaped piece of sponge cake which was pretty tasteless.

Our arrival at St Maarten was on time despite the late departure. Juliana Airport was ravaged by hurricane Irma in 2017 and still hasn’t been fully renovated. However, the four parking fingers to the terminal are again operational and three aircraft were already attached to the terminal as we taxied. Unfortunately, the A330 parked at the gate but wasn’t connected to the terminal. Instead, we had to go down some steps before boarding another packed bus, which took what seemed to be 10 minutes to travel the 400 metres to the arrivals area.

Finding some positives, the AF flight attendants were very friendly but surprisingly the food was terrible. Next time we will go back to BA via Antigua.

During the on-line check-in I had to scan our passports to be uploaded to our reservation. It worked first time for Mrs Fatbear’s passport but took five attempts for mine before it was successful. This turned out to be a waste of time as we had to show our passports at the gate anyway.

The boarding pass recommended arriving at T4 at 03.45 for a 06.15 departure. Nothing was open when we arrived at T4 at 04.15 except some check-in desks. Security did not open until 04.30 but not the fast-track, so this was one privilege of business class not available.

The last time I flew Air France from T4, admittedly pre-Covid, Sky Team had a lounge but this has now been taken over by Etihad. None of the information screens in the departure lounge made reference to Air France/KLM having access at any of the lounges in T4, although I have subsequently learnt that the Plaza Premium Lounge is available for AF business passengers, although it is completely at the opposite end of the terminal from where AF flights depart !

Boarding started on time at 05.45 but once on board it was announced that one passenger had been denied boarding, and their five bags needed to be off-loaded. Mrs Fatbear watched the comedy events outside from her window seat, as it took 50 minutes to locate the bags before we could proceed with the departure. I thought airlines now had baggage processes automated so they knew where everyone’s luggage was located in the hold, but apparently this must not be the case.

Our aircraft was an Airbus 220 and had a 2-3 configuration, with the middle seat of the three blocked in business class. The leg-room was reasonable and better than I remember in BA's Club Europe.

We eventually took-off over 50 minutes late but with the flight only taking 35 minutes we were on the stand at CDG only 20 minutes behind schedule.

The breakfast served was nicely presented but the pancake with a cheese filling with sliced gherkins and carrots, but it tasted very bland although it was edible. The croissant was fresh, but I didn’t try the pineapple salad. Champagne was available but it was too early in the morning, even for Mrs Fatbear, so we had just an orange juice ! On such a short flight, we were served just 10 minutes after take-off.

Besides departing behind schedule on my first flight to Paris. We had a 3 hours late departure that made me missed my connecting flight and now returning from France same issue. This Airlines only want to cater the rich and powerful. Sorry for the common folks. They make flights always late for no apparent reason so people with connecting flights arrived late. They have little care for people's needs. You have flight attendants sitting around looking at their IPADS not telling people the real reason flight is delayed just simply disregard for people's needs. I missed a day of work and slept over a different city because of Air France you're the worst and I will never travel using you again

We booked the flight. Tried logging in 2 days later, booking had been cancelled. Phoned up, they didn't know why, told me to book again.
Tried again, went to check in two days later, booking cancelled. Credit Card company said the payment went through on their end, no problems.
Had to book again. Cost me more than the time before, didn't get any upgrade (lounge, business class, free baggage, free seat selection). Spent hours sorting it out.
Heading back for a parents funeral.
Currently all 3 flights are on my credit card. So 'll also have the hassle of getting credit card to cancel first 2 transactions.
I understand that these software systems have weird bugs which cause issues, but its how you deal with these issues. There needs to be some kind of carrot, otherwise its all take which means I never fly with them and I write a poor star review on Trip Advisor.