‘Customer Experience’ has
become the foremost podium to increase brand engagement. A major part of the
experience is centered on the in flight services as it caters to an attentive
audience, which helps in setting a positive impression. Air France considered
to be one of the major airlines across the globe, has introduced several new
products and services to enhance the overall customer experience thus,
resulting in the enhancement of the internal operational functioning.
Air France is in collaboration with one of the top
gourmet food and delicatessen company in Paris aka ‘Fauchon’, which also
happens to be one of my favorites. While
onboard you can experience a line of products that have been specially designed
keeping in mind the need of the customer. My recent flight on board Air France Business made me aware of this
fact.
The flight attendant had asked me if I would like a cup of tea, usually I
do not prefer to indulge in tea onboard, because they normally don’t have the
selection of tea that I like, but to my surprise there was a choice of ‘masala
chai’ available alongside many other selections by Fauchon and of course the
decadent cookies to go with it.
THE SEAT
The complete look of the seat is chic, with cream
leather and cream seat finishes outlining the profound slate blue seat. I loved
the angle-poised lamp too, which is a pleasant touch. Waiting on the seat when I
arrived was a king-size pillow, enclosed in a cotton duo-tone slip, a hanger signifying
they will take your jacket, and a pair of slippers. There was also a very warm
and a good sized duvet, impeccably sealed. Inflight publications, ‘Magazine’
and ‘Madame’ were a great read. It’s truly outstanding the airline can carry
off a devoted fashion magazine with consistency and still have it bursting with
extravagance advertising.
Air France sure knows how to do an amenity kit and
came in amazing colours (I choose the red from Delhi to Paris and the blue one
on my return). As I unwrapped, the case showed itself off as a collector’s item
in its own right. Opening it up there was a spectacle of wistful Air France
black and white photographs from the JetSet Era. How chic! Beautiful baby blue
soft touch eye mask, ear plugs, shoe-horn, comb and dental kit, plus a
chap Ice lip balm and Clarins facial moisturizer.
I usually don’t like travelling on long haul flights,
as the seat gets extremely uncomfortable at some point or the other, but this
time I slumbered like a ‘baby’, my seat had the precise amount of leg space, I
could move around comfortably, and the best part about my seat was that I could
lie down properly.
The in flight entertainment was not disappointing either,
usually the movie selection is very limited when you are travelling internationally
and you get bored seeing the same movies on every flight, but on this flight
you could choose the entertainment program that would best suit your interest.
It had all the new releases; the latest shows as, well as interesting music and
games, one simply couldn’t get bored.
THE FOOD
Meal planning also plays an important role, when
dealing with passengers on board and Air France does a fantastic job in
providing a wonderful meal experience. It not only offers a glass of champagne
to its business or first class customers but also to the customers that are
travelling economy. One of the best inflight meals that I have had till date would
be the one I experienced this time on my flight from Delhi to Paris.
Now this is where Air France virtuously excelled.
Expecting nothing more than a snack on a night flight, Air France presented an epicurean
experience that still makes my mouth water. On offer was a wonderfully designed
menu together with a wine list by sommeliers Paolo Basso and Wine writers
Thierry Desseauve and Michel Bettane. For wine, we were treated to champagne
from Joseph Perrier La Cuvee Royal brut, and for white, Bourgogne Blanc
Pouilly-Fuisse 2014 Louis Latour. For reds there was a selection of Valee du
Rhone Crozes -Hermitage Les Meysonniers 2014 M. Chapoutier or the rich
Bordeaux, Saint Emilion Grand Cru Chateau Jean Faure 2011.
When the main course arrived, the aroma was
incredible. The food was piping hot and flawless for filling me up and letting me
sleep well on a full stomach. The sauce was perfect, the vegetables fragrant
and the Perch perfectly cooked. Tucking into the cheese plate before the Coffee
mousse, was great, and service attentive, the moment I broke my bread, the pleasant,
and chivalrous cabin crew were around with the bread basket offering more
rolls, with a varied assortment to choose from, all crusty and hot. From the
appetizer to the main course everything was delicious; I managed to finish off
most of the things on my plate. Air France works on creating a menu that is
world class, by appointing renowned chefs to design their menus; this in return
takes the entire dining experience to a completely new level.
At the end of my meal, I was served a trio of
desserts, which were outstanding, never had I expected such tasty desserts
on board. I woke approximately one hour before arrival, and my
breakfast tray delivered, and hot coffee dispensed practically instantly.
THE LOUNGE
As we were travelling onwards to Casablanca we decided
to head to 2E on concourse M, through an unimposing door, lay Air France’s biggest
lounge in CDG and the spacious and well-appointed space became our home for the
next few hours. There are not only showers to refresh but a Clarins treatment
zone, perfect for a bit of Pre Morocco pampering. Looking for a quiet space to
relax, we headed to the end of the lounge, which has its own snack and beverage
section and brilliant views of the airport. There are some lovely design
touches in the lounge too, from standalone lights with branch like stands.
Clean lines, calm cool creamish brown greys and whites fill the space, only broken by the occasional lovely green splash of colour. That said, CDG is a buyers dream, with high end
boutiques lining the departure halls and of course I didn’t miss out on that chance!
FAST FACTS
BEST FOR: Anyone with a degree of style,
looking for good connections around the world.
THE CROWD: This carrier oozes Parisian chic (Thank
God I dressed well!!).
BUSINESS OR PLEASURE: This carrier is all about both, outstanding and magnificent food harmonized with exceptional flight schedules, impeccable for any traveler.
BUSINESS OR PLEASURE: This carrier is all about both, outstanding and magnificent food harmonized with exceptional flight schedules, impeccable for any traveler.
ROUTES: Air France, and partner KLM have networks
to almost every country in the globe.
FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMME: Flying Blue well linked with
airlines across the globe, with Delta, KLM and Air France all presenting brilliant
reward availability.
MY FAVORITE BIT: The staff was warm and friendly, which added to the overall experience. It felt nice being looked after so well, the in flight staff catered to all my needs and I was really happy about that, not many people take an effort to do so.
MY FAVORITE BIT: The staff was warm and friendly, which added to the overall experience. It felt nice being looked after so well, the in flight staff catered to all my needs and I was really happy about that, not many people take an effort to do so.
