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This winter in its medium-haul network, Air France introduces an inflight catering to its business travelers which has totally been revisited and inspired by its long-haul service, with an enhanced comfort in both Business and Premium Economy. But is it the same?
The pluses compared to the Economy class:
- More individual space on-board thanks to the cabin that now seats only four passengers per row.
- The middle seat is systematically left free to guarantee peace and comfort
- Wider seats leave 5 extra centimeters of space for the your legs
- Business passengers also now have more room for stowing their carry-on bags and can bring with them two bags and one accessory for a total weight of 18 kg
Spending a couple of days in Tunis, I chose Air France for my trip back and forth - to and from Tunis. Two and a half hours on each flight from Paris CDG airport on Airbus A320 plane and back, I had the chance to taste a couple of different dishes and wines.
After the O-shibori, it was time for the aperitifs:
- Chateau Lafitte, Champagne
- Gerard Bertrand, reserve speciale, gris de gris 2011 (European winery of the year, wine enthusiast, Jan. 2012)
- Gerard Bertrand, Syrah, Carignan, 2010 red wine
Air France wanted to upgrade the catering and special attentions enjoyed by its Business passengers on board. Today, in addition to a hot towel and an aperitif on arrival, we received a real meal tray that derives its inspiration from the long-haul service, now served to Business passengers on all medium-haul flights. The dishes served are adapted to the time of day and constitute a full meal with a first course, a main course and dessert. On flights lasting over 2 and half hours, the main dish is served hot and porcelain tableware is used for all meals on flights lasting over 3 hours. Other little details, like wine served individually from the bottle, a “café gourmand” served with mini-pastries, and a selection of after-dinner drinks are well taken care of.
The proposed menu leaving Paris CDG:
- Salmon with rice
- Rochefort cheese with butter
- A L'Olivier vinaigrette
- Artichoke salad
- Caneles de Bordeaux dessert
- Valrhona dark chocolate
The proposed menu leaving Tunis Carthage Airport:
- Couscous with steamed vegetables and fish
- Mille feuille dessert
- Chicken salad
- President wrapped butter
- President Camembert cheese
Air France is trying to make the experience pleasant as much as possible and I give them credit for that. The comfort and added touch extended is well appreciated. But I didn't like the food and would surely have expected more with the amount paid... The food is not the quality you expect from Air France. It has nothing to do with the normal long haul Air France business class food which I personally really enjoy.
