For the next segment of my ‘European whirlwind’ trip, I flew Air France’s intra-Europe business class on an A320 from Paris CDG to Zurich (ZRH), to start the ‘Switzerland’ part of this trip. I had first flown via Paris to Lyon, and I already published reviews of the VIP ONE Lounge at JFK Terminal 1, the Air France Lounge at JFK Terminal 1, the transatlantic red eye on Air France’s B777-300ER business class, the Air France’s Terminal 2F Lounge, and my domestic flight with Air France on their A320 business class from Paris CDG to Lyon LYS.

After arriving at Lyon St Exupery Intl Airport, I met up with my mom, and we spent a few days in Lyon before taking the TGV to Paris, where we’d stay a few more days. Then, I was once again off to CDG airport, where I’d meet my husband at the Air France Lounge in Terminal 2F.

Specifically, here I’m reviewing flight AF1614, departing Paris CDG at 12:30 and arriving at Zurich ZRH at 13:45. I was excited for this flight because it was to be operated by an A220 initially, but unfortunately, there ended up being a plane swap… It turned out to be an A320…

Briefly, this flight was not so different from my flight from Paris to Lyon, except the food, which was a larger meal than the other flight. Served with full plating and silverware, as well as bottomless champagne, this was an absolutely lovely meal for a short flight like this and elevated the experience overall. If the price is right, I’d be happy to fly intra-Europe business class on Air France.

1. How I booked this flight
2. Checkin experience at Paris CDG Terminal 2F
3. Boarding experience
4. Air France A320 business class seat
5. Departure from Paris CDG
6. Air France’s International Intra-Europe business class service
7. Air France A320 business class lavatory
8. Arrival into Zurich (ZRH)
9. Summary

How I booked this flight

This flight I booked all cash – that’s right, no points this time around. This trip from Paris to Zurich was a standalone booking that I aligned with my husband’s itinerary, who was flying from New York to Zurich via Paris.

I booked this flight directly with Air France on their website for $222.40. That is actually not so bad for an intra-Europe business class flight. It’s certainly not the cheapest, but economy on the same itinerary would have been about $120. For an extra $100, I would be able to fly in the same cabin as my husband and enjoy the same perks on the ground (including lounge access) and on the plane. Additionally, this flight would grant me 10XP towards status and 613 Flying Blue miles. I then spent about $50 on sustainable aviation fuel to get an extra 5XP towards status.

Checkin experience at Paris CDG Terminal 2F

This is the first time I checked in for an Air France flight at Paris CDG’s Terminal 2F, so I was curious what the process looked like. I do love the design of these terminals and had previously been able to roam around the airside part of this terminal.

The landside area didn’t disappoint in the design aspect! All concrete, the curved ceiling makes for an elegant though simple hall that feels both huge and intimate. As you come up from the train station below, you first pass the priority security checkpoint, and right after it are the SkyPriority checkin desks.

This area is plenty big and at least when I arrived there were plenty of available desks. I still had to wait for one person in front of me, but they were quickly helped and on their way. The checkin agent who helped me courteous, very efficient, and very friendly, making some smalltalk. As he handed me my boarding pass, he explained how to get to the priority security checkpoint and then the lounge, as soon I was on my way.

As big as the SkyPriority checkin area is, that’s how small the security checkpoint was… I was a little surprised that there was only one lane operating out of the available four, so there was quite a line. I thought this could have been more efficient, but even so the process probably took all of 10-15 minutes.

Afterwards I was off to the Air France Lounge, which I reviewed previously. As before, this was a lovely place to spend an hour or two. I already had breakfast earlier, but given that this was to be my last hour in France for the foreseeable future, I still had a few more croissant and some other foods, as well as enjoyed the view: it seemed fitting to see Air France and KLM side-by-side…

After this I met my husband, who had come running from the international terminal, Terminal 2E. Fortunately he was able to still spend 20-30 minutes before we had to head out. We left the lounge, turned right and went to the gate.

Boarding experience

Boarding experience was virtually the same as on the domestic flight to Lyon, with business class (group 1) invited to board first. Groups 1 and 2 share a lane, but the agent was very specific about checking boarding passes and disallowing anybody from group 2 to proceed, which I appreciated. Unfortunately many people try to board ahead of their group, which waters down the early boarding perks you get when flying business class, or having status.

As we walked down the jet bridge and got to the plane, we were invited onto the plane by the friendly flight attendant, and motioned to proceed into the cabin.

Air France A320 business class seat

While I had a bulkhead seat on my earlier domestic flight, this time I did not. Why didn’t I sit with my husband? Well, we both wanted a window seat. To her credit, the flight attendant did notice we were clearly traveling together and offered me to come ahead so we can sit together, but we declined because we wanted to sit at the window…

Business class on this flight consisted of four rows in a 3×3 configuration, but with the middle seats blocked, so really it’s a 2×2. In total, therefore, there was space for 16 passengers in business class and I was in seat 3A, in the third row on the left side, by the window. Though, business class was not full. I reckon we were perhaps 10 passengers in all.

Overall, as I had mentioned before, these seats are basically economy seats. I had some hope that the legroom would be better though, because the bulkhead seat did have good legroom. Unfortunately, I think legroom is exactly the same as it is in economy, which was quite a surprise for me. I suppose it shouldn’t have been, given that one of the reasons business class on intra-Europe flights is so economy-like, is because the business class cabin can be easily made bigger or smaller depending on the route. It adds to the flexibility the airline enjoys.

In terms of features, there is a coat hook off the left side of the seat in front. Unlike the bulkhead seat, where the tray table comes up from the armrest, here it comes down from the seat in front. There’s a cup holder, which is nice. Also note the Wifi symbol, which was available but I didn’t try to connect given the short duration of the flight.

As you an see, legroom is nothing special. There is a pouch that only held a paper bag for those feeling unwell, and a placard with emergency instructions.

The armrest was fairly tiny, and had a USB-A port in the front of it. That was the only port that I could identify – I didn’t see any universal power plugs or something of the sort.

And up top there are individual air nozzles and lights, as is standard on narrow body jets.

Overall, this just confirms my view from the last flight that intra-Europe business class on Air France (and with that probably also in many other European airlines, from what I understand) that it’s really just an economy cabin with priority boarding and elevated service and food.

Departure from Paris CDG

Boarding proceeded smoothly and the jetway disconnected right on time. We had a very swift taxi to the runway. Though we departed on time, the pilot was pretty much racing to the runway, and soon we were cleared for takeoff.

Takeoff was smooth and soon we were in the air. We departed in an eastern direction, and since we were seated on the left side of the plane, that meant we had no view whatsoever of Paris, unfortunately. We basically took off straight out and kept flying straight ahead, seeing as Zurich is east of Paris.

Air France’s International Intra-Europe business class service

After 10-15 minutes the fasten seatbelt sign was truned off, and the crew was able to spring into action. Business class was being worked by a male and female flight attendant, though they didn’t necessarily introduce themselves. They were efficient however, and soon they came by to offer a wet towel. This came pre-packaged, so while perhaps not the most luxurious thing, it was still nice.

Soon after the meal service was brought around. A car was tolled down the aisle and all business class passengers were provided the same meal, see below. On a single tray were a couscous salad with dried apricots, feta cheese, walnuts and various herbs, there was a small cheese plate, as well as chocolate cake. I was also given a warm bun and to drink I requested a glass of champagne.

Given the delicious sandwich on the short flight to Lyon, I had some hope for this meal as well, and It didn’t disappoint! This meal was scrumptious. I don’t eat cheese, so I did clear out the pieces of feta as best I could, and then had the couscous. I thought this was a truly lovely dish, likely Moroccan inspired. The bun was a nice accompaniment as well, though I suppose it was meant for the cheese. And the chocolate cake was delicious as well, being something like a lava cake, but cold.

I also need to give credit to the cabin crew. As I worked my way through the food and drank my champagne, a flight attendant passed by ocne or twice. At some point the male attendant noticed I was about two-thirds through my drink and immediately returned around in the aisle, went to the galley, and returned with the champagne bottle, to pour me another glass. I was quite surprised by the speed at which this all happened, but I very much appreciated how proactive he was. To me, these touches are a big part of what makes attentive service.

Let’s be clear: this flight clocks in at about 1:15 hours, so is relatively short. The extent of the meal service and quality were pretty great, beyond what I was expecting (though I’d seen in reviews that I could probably expect something like this). Definitely, what this doesn’t make up for in terms of the seat, it does make up in terms of the service and food.

Air France A320 business class lavatory

After lunch I decided to visit the lavatory. I hadn’t done so on my domestic flight to Lyon, so I took this second chance to see what this was about. Business class passengers have access to the forward lavatory, right by the cockpit door. Suffice it to say it’s nothing special. There is some handsoap, but other than that there isn’t any special about this lavatory. It’s also fairly cramped, with a rather tight door. I kind of feel like this lavatory is possible smaller than what’s available to economy passengers in the back of the plane. But, it’s of course nice that there’s a single lavatory for all of 16 people…

Arrival into Zurich (ZRH)

Very soon the flight was almost reaching it end. About 30 minutes before arrival, the captain got back on the PA to announce that we’d be starting the descent soon. By this time the cabin crew had come by to clear the trays and drinks as well, and we got ready for arrival. The landscape around Zurich is pretty, but it’s not quite the Alps ina ll their stunning glory. Think more rolling hills, farmland, and rivers:

Landing proceeded uneventfully and soon we touched down at Zurich. We landed in a southern direction, and passed the newer, modern satellite terminal on the right ( which meant I couldn’t see it, being seated on the left side of the plane). We taxied straight passed that (I do believe it’s all non-Shengen, long haul international flights that depart and arrive there) and headed over to the ‘older’ terminal. Soon we parked, and on the way out the friendly cabin crew greeted us, wishing us a pleasant stay.

Summary

All in all, this was a very pleasant flight. From the efficient check in, the gorgeous Air France Shengen Lounge, and the delicious food and friendly service on board, I do find that Air France is a lovely airline to fly with within Europe. I truly enjoyed the meal service and thought the service was very good. But, it is intra-Europe, so the seat is a disappointment. Unfortunately that just reflects the standard in Europe, as no other airline currently has a better hard product – it’s all essentially an economy seat with blocked middle. That said, for the price I paid, I thought this was a very worthwhile experience and I’d be willing to pay the 100 Euro premium again for such a flight!