Air France A350-900 Business Class New Seats Review Mexico City to Paris MEX-CDG

• Introduction: My First Atlantic Crossing on the Norwegian NCL Viva Prima Class Ship
• Emptying my Delta SkyMiles Accounts to get Value Flying to Lisbon Portugal
• The Comfort Inn South Bend SBN Airport Review via Delta Stays – How Very Disappointing
• Checking Bags on Two Separate Delta Tickets (Interlining) – How to Make it Work Seamlessly
• Are Lounges Worth the Effort Anymore in Atlanta?
• Shrinkflation: Review of the Famous Delta Shake Shack Burger – So Much Less Than Old Delta Burger
• Are Centurion Lounges Worth the Effort Anymore at Mexico City T1?
• Air France A350-900 Business Class New Seats Review Mexico City to Paris MEX-CDG
• Air France A321 Euro Business Class Review With Blocked Middle Seats
• THE ONE Palácio da Anunciada American Express Fine Hotels Review Near Lisbon Portugal Cruise Port
• Review: Vibe Beach Club Plus Cabana on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva – Is the Upgrade Worth the Cost?
• Norwegian Viva Cabin 16136 Review: Mid-Ship Balcony on Deck 16 – Full Tour & Pros and Cons
• Emergency Dentist in the Dominican Republic: Leaving Norwegian Viva for Urgent Dental Care
• Norwegian Viva Complementary and Main Dining Review – Is the Food Good Anymore?
• Norwegian Viva Specialty Dining Review – Should you pay to Enjoy “Better” Meals?
• What is the Entertainment Like on the Norwegian Viva?
• How Much Does it Cost to Take an Uber from Galveston, Texas to Houston Airports?
• How You Get Paid Taking an Oversold Flight Bump From Delta Air Lines
• Delta Air Lines A220-300 Comfort Plus Review. How Much Better than Coach
• Final Thoughts on my 15 day Atlantic Crossing on the Norwegian Viva Prima Class Ship

I was so excited about this flight and getting a decent, in SkyMiles land, value for my Delta points. We boarded early and it went smoothly. Now to check out the new-ish Air France A350-900 business class cabin:

I selected row 4, middle seats, but really should have tried for row 1 that has the most spacious seats on the jet (at the time you could book these at no extra cost but were very hard to get). I really like the cabin layout and feel.

For solo travelers the pods all offer forward facing window views and I would have gone for one of these if not traveling with my wife.

The screens are stunning and large with a wide selection of on demand choices. While I did not use the provided Air France headphones I had no issues with my Bluetooth transmitter to my Bose headphones.

For me the leg room was acceptable while sitting and sleeping but if you are on the taller side you are going to feel a bit cramped (I am 5’11” btw).

One complaint, that is a constant complaint with Delta as well, is lack of storage. This is all you get so plan on using the overheads unless it will fit here or in the tiny chubby where the headphones live.

Here is where I have one tiny gripe. While the seats were fine for sleeping and sitting up straight getting into a comfortable mid location with the tray table out was tricky if not all but impossible. Also the tablet control was fine in place but I found it annoying out of it’s home.

For me another issue was my USB power ports were dead (yes I know ironic after my recent power brick post). I was notified by Air France before boarding that this was the case ( I had to go to the desk before boarding and acknowledge I was OK with this). It did not really impact me and this was the first time I had ever been told in advance at the gate of such an issue.

This is the only other storage space in your seating area.

There is an adjustable (up down) arm rest and it did add to the comfort when watching a movie. There is one big thing missing.

There are no vents anywhere. I bring my own tiny fan and on most jets you can find a USB port near the IFE to “point” the vents at you. With my USB port out of order I had to use 110 with an adapter to get some kind of air movement going.

The amenity kit is basic but you are provided both socks and slippers (always nice) and as for a re-purpose item the bag is the PERFECT size to store two Kindles and we will be reusing this for a long time to come!

Now on to a rather long set of shots of the menu. If this does not interest you just scroll down to get back to the full review:

Most of the Air France flights I have been on the food has been a highlight of the trip. This time it was a bit of a letdown.

The appetizer was much less interesting than choices I have had in the past and the flavors were a bit dull.

We had pre-selected the beef and it was killed and thus needed the sauce provided and the vegetables were beyond killed.

Dessert was petite but acceptable with a cognac and I was ready for sleep at this point anyway. As mentioned I did sleep very well and only woke up once during the night before breakfast service began shortly before landing.

Here I made the wrong choice. I should have gone with the cold plate because this hot breakfast choice was completely uneatable and disgusting. This may be one of the worst meals I have ever had on an international business class flight (other than the AeroMexico burger that is)!

Despite the poor food the service was impeccable and I enjoyed the hard product and IFE very much including the very very very cool tail and belly cams to watch the takeoff, in flight and landing. I wish all jets had this as I could stare at it almost all day long.

Overall it was an acceptable flight for 105,000 SkyPennies and I loved the long 10+ hour flight allowing for both rest and time to enjoy the flight itself. I hope next time I am onboard an Air France long haul the meals are what I have come to expect in the past. – René