Air France ‘friendly’

We are fortunate to have an Air France flight available from Philadelphia to Paris. Taking advantage of the irresistible advance-purchase fares offered in May ’06, we flew Philadelphia-Bordeaux that November, from Philadelphia to Amsterdam that December and Philadelphia-Nice in March ’07. Our most recent Air France flight, to Paris, was in March ’08.

Air France’s Airbus is comfortable, clean and well equipped. The individual entertainment systems offer a variety of eye- and ear-catching choices.

The cabin crews are unfailingly friendly, accommodating, efficient and professional, and their concern for their travelers (especially those with small children or special needs) is admirable. They treat the grumpy with equanimity and they banter with the lighthearted, remaining chic and unruffled as they serve, inform and reassure. They regularly check the toilets and restore them to good order, if necessary.

The flight crew communicates with the travelers, offering information and explanations as appropriate, sometimes with humorous asides.

The food service is exceptional. The apéritif and table wine are free and of good quality, and the food is the best we’ve eaten in economy class (which is called Tempo on Air France). Petits pains (bread) is served from a basket, and flatware and real glass add a touch of elegance and appreciated practicality.

Breakfast is acceptable, if you like sweet foods, while the snacks we had on the return flights were varied and interesting. Water, soda and juice are always available for self-service in the rear galley, and orange juice and water are served at the seat at some point between meals.

We got a surprise, unsolicited upgrade to Affaires (business) class on our March ’07 return flight and learned why it’s called “elite travel” in their promotional material. The food surpassed that of many restaurants, the seats were luxurious and the service, discreet and agreeably attentive.

Perhaps because we were appreciative as well as obvious neophytes in business class (and we are French-speaking Americans), we seemed to receive special attention from the chef de cabine, who spoke feelingly and at length with us about Franco-American relations. The thoughtful generosity of this man and of Air France made it a flight to be remembered.

LARRY SIMMONS & JAMES

AKERBERG, Glenside, PA