Advice Booking Air France?

Greetings,

Air France has the cheapest direct flights I can find for our May trip to France. Not only do they have the best rates, they have the best timing--flying overnight and arriving in the morning. However, I%26#39;m worried about the strike factor. Does anyone have a recommendation as to whether I should book another airline where strikes won%26#39;t be as much of a possibility or if I%26#39;m worried about basically nothing since they just striked in 2007? Are there back-up plans I should consider--and if so, what might they be? I%26#39;ve only been outside the US once before--a trip to Italy--so I%26#39;m not a very savvy world traveler.

Thanks!

Amy

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well as Air France is a part of the Star Alliance, if you book an Air France flight, this onew might be operated by Delta Airlines ...And with no strike ...

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Hi! I just wanted to add that we flew nonstop at night on AirFrance last week and it was probably the best international flight I%26#39;ve experienced. I read a post from someone who flew AirFrance during a recent strike. If I recall correctly, the flight was not cancelled, but it flew with less than a full crew.

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Thanks so much! Can I ask what it was about the flight you liked best? In researching, I read a lot of reviews saying that the leg room is cramped (I%26#39;d be flying economy). When I went to Italy, I flew British Airways and I really enjoyed my flight. Good to know they don%26#39;t always cancel all flights if there%26#39;s a strike!

Maybe I%26#39;ll just book the flights and hope for the best. Also, I looked into it and it%26#39;s operated by Air France (although there%26#39;s a Delta flight available to book; it too is operated by Air France. Not sure what that means, though.

Thanks again!

Amy

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If both Delta and Air France sell tickets for your flight and Air France flies the plane, you are on a codeshare flight. This is a very common practice among the members of an alliance-in this case the SkyTeam alliance. Each airline will assign its own flight number but there is only one airplane flying.

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A Delta ticket flagged as operated by Air France means that the ticket is actually issued by Delta, but that you%26#39;ll fly on an Air France jet crewed by AF crew.

AF has excellent service -- sure, the legroom is cramped in economy -- but I don%26#39;t think there%26#39;s an economy class anywhere that isn%26#39;t cramped!

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I ahve flown British Airways and AF economy and leg room is cramped on both. Air France does offer free beer and wine which my husband enjoyed. Both times flying AF to Paris have been good experiences for us. I will use them when we go again. I would plan my trip and try not to worry too much about strikes.

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I actually like the food on AF! Well, relatively speaking. It%26#39;s not haute cuisine, but it seems to be better than most other airlines%26#39; offerings. They do offer complimentary beer, wine, champagne (and on our last flight, little bottles of after-dinner liqueur). Also there are snacks, drinks, and sandwiches available in the galley for between meals. I don%26#39;t need the extra food, but the Haagen Dasz bar at least makes me get up and walk!

I also like the personal entertainment screen. There are several movies to choose from, as well as other things to see and/or listen to.

Since you mentioned the cramped leg room, I would also suggest that you do whatever you can to be comfy. There%26#39;s a travel blanket called the Cabin Cuddler that is ultra soft, has a 10-inch pocket for your feet and is very easy to pack in your carry-on. I also take cozy socks and a travel pillow. I don%26#39;t sleep like a baby, but at least I know I%26#39;m as comfortable as I can get :)

Have a great trip!

Vicki

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we are booked on a Delta/Air France flt non stop flying during late afternoon and getting into CDG in the morning, and it looks like all we are getting is breakfast. Maybe thats their way of cutting costs.

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How late is your flight. They usually serve a dinner of some sort and then a snack.

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I%26#39;d be stunned if you didn%26#39;t have snacks and drinks, then dinner, then the movie, then another beverage service before lights out. Then a really crummy breakfast and worse coffee just before landing.

I agree -- AF is better food than any of the other carriers -- but breakfast is still a leaden %26quot;croissant%26quot;, a tub of yoghurt, some oj, and coffee that I swear is filtered through the carpets (so I drink tea!)

After we claim our bags and clear customs, we grab a cup of real coffee and a respectable croissant before we leave the airport (gives you a little extra jolt before taking on the peripherique!)