Flying High with Air France Airlines Flights

Air France Airlines Flights: As the largest airline in France, Air France has been flying the flag for French aviation since 1933. This SkyTeam member airline connects Paris to over 150 destinations worldwide with a modern fleet of nearly 300 aircraft.

I recently got the chance to experience Air France on a roundtrip journey from New York to Paris. Read on for my review covering everything from booking to baggage and onboard dining. Whether you’re considering Air France for your next trip abroad or just curious about France’s premier airline, this comprehensive guide has you covered!

About Air France Airlines

Headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, Air France was formed by the merger of several French carriers in the 1930s. The airline expanded its international reach after World War II, launching routes to North America, Africa, and Asia. Air France absorbed other European airlines over the decades, eventually merging with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in 2004 to form the Air France-KLM Group.

Today, Air France and its regional subsidiary HOP! operate a diverse fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. As a SkyTeam founding member, Air France provides passengers access to a vast global network in alliance with airlines like Delta and China Eastern.

Air France maintains major hub operations at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. It leverages its home base to offer connecting services from France to destinations across Europe and worldwide.

Contacting Air France

Air France makes it easy for customers to get assistance through multiple contact channels:

Phone – A toll-free number is available for callers in the USA and Canada at +1 (800) 237-2747. Other countries have local helplines in their native language.
Email – Customer service inquiries can be sent to mail.customerservice@airfrance.fr.
Social Media – Air France has an active presence on Facebook and Twitter where they promptly address passenger questions.
Website – The Contact Us page on airfrance.com provides phone, email, and physical address info. An online form allows direct messaging too.

During my booking experience, I used the Air France US Facebook Messenger to ask a question about seat selection fees. They answered courteously within 15 minutes, providing quick assistance.

Air France Customer Service

From booking to baggage claim, Air France delivers helpful customer service tailored to air travelers’ needs. Their airline agents and ground staff are responsive in solving issues and transparent about policies.

Some examples of Air France’s customer commitment:

Flight delays and cancellations are handled with rebooking assistance and vouchers.
Baggage inquiries or claims are managed efficiently via bag tracking systems and dedicated agents.
Changing or canceling tickets is made hassle-free through waivers and future travel credit.
Special requests for dietary meals, assistance, etc. can be added during booking.
Airport staffers help passengers with connections, airport navigation, and mobility assistance.

No major concerns arose during my trip, but it was reassuring to see staff ready to accommodate at every stage. Their customer service deserves kudos for making travel smoother.

Air France Route Map

As the French flag carrier, Air France flies to major airports across the globe to interconnect with its Parisian hubs. The airline’s expansive route map stretches across these continents:

Europe – Extensive coverage of metropolitan France and flights connecting Paris to all major EU cities like London, Madrid, Rome, and Amsterdam.

North America – Nonstop service from Paris to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Montreal, and other airports. Regional flights within the continental USA and Canada in alliance with Delta.

South America – Destinations like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Bogotá are linked to the Paris gateway. Codeshare flights on LATAM and GOL airlines.

Africa – Former colonial links make routes from Paris to Algiers, Casablanca, Dakar, and Johannesburg in high demand. Also popular vacation routes to Cape Town and Tunis.

Middle East – Key cities like Dubai, Beirut, Tehran, and Tel Aviv are connected via Paris.

Asia Pacific – Nonstop long-haul routes from Paris to Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai among other major Asian airports.

Paris to New York direct flight took advantage of their well-established transatlantic corridor. But Air France truly excels in linking Paris to the world with its comprehensive route map.

Popular Air France Flight Destinations

Within its large intercontinental network, Air France sees high passenger volume on routes connecting Paris to these global cities:

New York – Multiple daily flights to JFK and seasonal service to Newark. Codeshare flights with Delta to other US cities.

London – Frequent short hops across the English Channel to Heathrow and Gatwick.

Barcelona – Quick weekend escapes from Paris to sunny Spain.

Amsterdam – Fast trains and flights tapping into The Netherlands.

Dubai – Nonstop flights capitalizing on strong Middle East traffic.

Montreal – Francophone ties drive demand for direct flights to Canada’s culture capital.

Mexico City – Historic links and vacationers lure Parisians to Mexico’s bustling capital.

Johannesburg – Former French colony South Africa sees heavy travel demand from France.

Tokyo – The policy of open skies drives nonstop connectivity between Japan and France.

Bangkok – French tourists and backpackers flock to Thailand’s capital.

Checking Air France Flight Status

Peace of mind while traveling comes from knowing your flight’s real-time status. Air France offers multiple options to check in on your trip:

Air France App – View flight status and gate information directly on your mobile device through the airline’s app. Enable push notifications for gate changes and delays.
Website – Find flight status updates under the My Trips section on airfrance.com.
Airport Screens – Monitor the departure screens located in terminals once you’re at the airport.
Call Center – Ring up Air France’s customer service hotline for flight status details.
Social Media – Many airports now tweet flight updates or have dedicated accounts like @JFKAirport.

I recommend leveraging the app and web tools to stay continuously updated during your journey. It takes the guesswork out of travel by having the latest flight intel in one place.

Booking Air France Tickets Online

Air France makes booking a breeze through its user-friendly website and mobile app. With a few taps, you can search, select, and purchase flights all on one platform.

Here are some tips for booking Air France tickets online:

Use Air France’s booking engine directly rather than third-party sites for the widest range of fares.
Play with dates to find the most economical fares based on demand trends. Mid-week travel is often cheaper.
Know Air France’s fare classes – Discount, Basic, Flexible – to understand change/cancellation policies.
Sign up for email alerts to receive promotions for flight deals and sales.
Compare prices for cabin upgrades if desired – Premium Economy offers a happy medium.
Register your personal details and passport info to expedite airport processes.
Securely pay via credit card, PayPal, bank transfer, or voucher to complete the purchase.

Online booking gives you full control over crafting your ideal Air France trip.

Managing Air France Reservations

The ability to make hassle-free changes to an existing reservation adds great value to Air France’s customer experience.

Here are some ways to modify Air France bookings with ease:

Website/App – Log into your booking using your reference number to change dates, routes, cabin class, passenger details, and more.
Airport Desks – Last-minute modifications to tickets can be done in person at airport ticketing counters upon arrival.
Call Center – Air France’s phone reservations team can help rearrange flights and make cancellations.
Authorized Agent – If you booked via an agency, contact them to adjust your reservation on your behalf.
Social Media – Air France’s Facebook and Twitter teams may be able to help with simple booking changes when messaged.

I had to cancel one leg of my roundtrip booking before travel. Air France quickly credited the unused portion to my account wallet for a future booking.

Checking in for Air France Flights

Air France offers digital conveniences to make flight check-in a breeze:

Online/Mobile – Check-in via Air France’s website or app starting 24 hours prior to departure. Print or download boarding passes.
Airport Kiosk – Self-service check-in kiosks are available at most airports for baggage drop and pass.
Airport Desk – Traditional manned counters are still available for those needing staff assistance.
Mobile Boarding Pass – Add your pass directly to your Apple/Google wallet rather than needing paper.

Checking in online or via the kiosk is quick and easy. I would arrive a bit early though if I need to drop bags since lines can grow long.

Air France Lounge Access

One premium perk offered to Business Class and frequent flyer elites is complimentary access to Air France’s elegant lounges. These sanctuaries provide an oasis of calm before your flight.

Lounges feature:

Comfortable seating and workspaces
Free high-speed WiFi
Buffet with light snacks and refreshments
Premium bars with wine, champagne, and cocktails
Newspapers and magazines
Private shower suites
Children’s play area

The Air France lounge in New York had chic décor, tasty bites, and attentive staff. It was the perfect place to refresh and energize before boarding.

Air France Reviews

What do travelers love about flying Air France? Here are some of the most common sentiments expressed in Air France reviews:

“Excellent service and hospitality” – Air France cabin crew are praised for being professional, friendly, and attentive.
“Quality cuisine” – Complimentary meals, even in economy, use high-end French ingredients.
“Comfortable seats” – Even basic economy gets adjustable headrests and lumbar support.
“Efficient operations” – Good maintenance and training support on-time performance.
“Competitive fares” – Air France frequently offers sales on routes to Europe and internationally.
“Seamless connections” – Air France dominates at its Paris hubs, enabling easy transfers.
“Nice amenities” – Little touches like skincare, pillows, and ice cream make a difference.

While overall positive, some downsides mentioned include older inflight entertainment systems on certain aircraft and lack of WiFi connectivity on select long-haul planes. But Air France checks most boxes for an enjoyable journey.

Key Air France Policies

When traveling on Air France, it helps to be aware of their key policies around booking, baggage, and more. Here are quick summaries of what you need to know:

Booking Policies

Tickets are non-transferable to other travelers. Name changes are possible for a fee.
Bookings are valid for a full year from the original date of ticket issue.
Fare rules dictate change/cancellation terms. Restricted fares allow no modifications.

Cancellation Policies

Cancellations are permitted before departure but fees and refund eligibility are based on fare rules.
Partial refunds are provided on unused legs for roundtrip tickets. Future travel credit was given.
No refunds are allowed after the flight has departed, especially on basic economy fares.

Refund Policies

The refund timeframe is within 7 working days after cancellation is processed.
The original form of payment will be refunded the eligible fare amount.
Exceptions are made for emergencies and force majeure cancellations by airlines.

Pet Policies

Advance notice is required for transporting pets in the cabin or as manifested cargo.
Limited pets are permitted in the cabin based on space constraints. Fees apply.
Pets in the cargo hold must meet vaccination requirements and have approved carriers.

Air France Baggage Allowances

Air France offers generous baggage allowances tailored to your cabin class and route:

Carry-On – 1 standard item plus small personal items are permitted for all passengers. Weight limits apply.
Checked Bags – International flights include 1 or 2 free bags based on the cabin class, up to 23 kg each in the economy.
Regional Flights – Within France/Europe, the economy gets a 15 kg checked allowance while other cabins go up to 18 kg.
Extra Luggage – Additional bags can be added during booking for an excess baggage fee based on weight. Sports gear is transported for set fees.

Make sure you understand the size, weight, and quantity limits before packing! I recommend packing light to avoid excess charges.

Choosing Your Air France Seat

Air France offers advance seat selection for a fee to all passengers:

Standard Seats – Reserve a preferred aisle or window seat. Free selection may be available 24 hours before departure.
Extra Legroom – Priority seats like bulkheads and exit rows offer more space for an additional cost.
Premium Cabin – Upgrade your economy booking to premium economy or business class seats.
Bidding Upgrades – Submit a seat upgrade bid after check-in for business class awards.

I opted for an affordable standard seat towards the front of the economy. But upgrading to the premium economy might be worthwhile for long-haul flights where comfort is key.

Air France Inflight Experience

From dining to entertainment to amenities, Air France delivers a quality experience in the skies:

Dining and Cuisine

Economy – Complimentary hot meals served on long-haul with snacks and beverages. And yes, they serve free wine!
Premium Economy – Multi-course meals with an upgraded menu including champagne.
Business Class – Restaurant-style a la carte dining with fine wines and table linens.

The braised beef dinner in the economy was restaurant quality, accompanied by bread, cheese, and red wine. Kudos to Air France’s onboard chefs!

Inflight Entertainment

Personal Seatback Screens – Wide selection of movies, TV, games, music, and more via an intuitive system.
Power Outlets – Available throughout the aircraft so you can charge devices.
WiFi Connectivity – Currently on select aircraft, with plans to expand. Pricing is based on data packages or time.

I was thoroughly entertained browsing the huge catalog of films and playlists. Having WiFi everywhere would be a nice plus.

Cabin Comforts

Adjustable Headrests – Supportive cushioning tailored to your height and sleeping positions.
Blankets and Pillows – Cozy amenities to enhance relaxation.
Amenities Kits – Offered in premium cabins featuring skin care products, socks, and eye masks for zzz’s.
Luxe Loungers – Business class seats recline fully into lie-flat beds.

Small touches like the pillow and kit enhanced the 3+ hour economy ride. But the seats themselves provided plenty of ergonomic comfort on their own.

Booking Your Air France Flight

Ready to plan your own Air France getaway? Just follow these simple steps:

Visit airfrance.com or open the Air France app
Use the flight booking engine to search for dates and destinations.
Select your preferred outbound and return flights.
Choose any ancillaries like seat assignments, extra baggage, etc.
Enter traveler contact details and passport info.
Securely pay for tickets via card or other payment methods.
Verify your email receipt and add it to the calendar.
Check-in online 24 hours prior to departure.

And bon voyage – you’re ready to fly away with Air France!

The Air France Travel Experience

What’s the passenger experience actually like traveling with Europe’s largest airline? Here are some of the most commonly cited pros:

Smooth digital booking and helpful call center agents
Quick airport processing with sufficient kiosks and counters
Friendly, multilingual cabin crew providing excellent hospitality
Quality meals, snacks, and beverages suited for long journeys
Comfortable recliner seats with adjustable cushions and headrests
Hundreds of entertainment options are accessible via personal seatback screens
A focus on service and amenities suited for European sensibilities.

While largely positive, areas for improvement include a lack of inflight WiFi on some aircraft and dated entertainment interfaces on select planes. But Air France does an admirable job delivering a high-quality passenger experience as France’s flagship carrier.

Conclusion: Why Fly Air France?

For over 80 years, Air France has connected the world to Europe through its Parisian hubs. As one of the continent’s largest airlines, it offers travelers extensive routes, frequencies, and partnerships. Flyers can expect quintessential French service, cuisine, and style onboard modern Airbus jets.

Air France makes booking, flying, and transiting seamlessly for global jet setters. It remains a trusted choice whether visiting France or simply passing through Paris to beyond. After my own great flight, I would certainly recommend Air France for your next voyage abroad. So book your tickets today and experience the best of French aviation!