March 5th, 2016
Air France 254 Singapore (SIN) - Jakarta (CGK) Departure: 1658 Arrival: 1820 Duration: 2:22 Aircraft: Boeing 777-328ER (773)
Registration: F-GSQK Seat: 3A (Business Class)
My first ever Air France experience took off with a business class to Jakarta, Indonesia. Before Air France, I frequently used KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. KLM and Air France are partner airlines (FLYINGBLUE) with same alliance (Skyteam). Both carriers recently facelifted thier business classes but I personally like the one in Air France.
With 1-2-1 cabin layout ( A,E,F and L), Air France's new business class seats are cocoon shaped keeping your seat personal and providing more privacy. This has been a huge improvement over the previous 2-3-2 layouts as each passenger has more personal space and a direct access to the aisles. There are 60 full-flat seats on the 777s (61 inches of pitch and 21.5 inches of width) which is similar to old ones.
The new business seats specially desingned by Mark Collins in collaboration with Zodiac Aerospace, a world leader of seat manufacturer. This provides all passengers on board to have their best experience on a long-haul flights. I thank all designers for the efforts they contributed to invent such a comfortable seats.
I was assigned to seat 3A which is right after the La Première cabin. Business class is divided into two sections. 16 seats (Row 3 to 6) are placed in the front section and the remaining 44 seats (Row 9 to 20) are right after the main entrance and just before the emergency exit on the wing section.
View of my seat 3A. From textures to finishing, everything was simple and neat. When you fly with the new business class, I recommend you to get the seats at row 3 as there is nothing ahead of you such as lavatories or galleys. It feels more silent and private.
It was a low season so not a lot of people were traveling. In fact, there was no one seating at the front section of the business class. I saw few people at the rear section but the cabin was pretty much empty. You can see from the picture above, all middle section seats has a divider you can set up to keep your privacy.
A peek of the renown La Première suit. It was very different environment compared from business cabin. A thick curtain will be drawn to divide the two cabins after takeoff.
What impressed me was this huge personal storage box beside me. You can fit almost everything such as books, iPads and netbooks. There is a small mirror attached to the storage door and a Air France headphone hanged inside.
Shot of my belongings in the storeage box. The rubber straps by the side was very useful as it was not loose but firm enough to hang my passport or sunglass.
The leather headrest, XXL feather down pillow and a beautiful Air France logo stitched seat. This were all I needed for my relaxing flight. Personal reading lights are by your side and on the top. There are three buttons for seat recline (Fully flat, takeoff position and custom recline) and one for the lights.
This multipurpose tray table was large and sturdy for me to lean on it without breaking. It can be folded and expanded. To insert back into the armrest area, you just have to fold it and slide it over to the left (Seats E and L is to the right side).
In-Flight Entertainment:
With the 16 inch wide touch screen monitor, I got to enjoy wide variety of movise, musics, TV series and games. I was satisfied as a movie lover, there were a lot of hollywood blockbusters that were recently released.
TV monitor must be stowed during takeoff and landing. There is a button on the top to release the monitor toward you. To stow it, you just have to push it back until there is a clicking sound.
TV monitor released towards me. I really like Air France's safety video. Well done!
In-Flight Meals:
Business class meals (More likely snacks with my flight) were perfectly my taste. Chocolate cake with edible gold flakes on top, fresh fruits and sandwiches were all yummy. It was only one hour flight so there were no other extra meals served but my stomach was pretty happy with it.
Table cloth on top of tray table before the meal.
This was the meal that was served on board. Sandwiches with smoked tuna, dried apricots with cheese and minced beef? with orange. Great cooking by the chefs! Flatwares were inside the button down napkin which was tied with signature grey knot. (The color of the knot is grey in business class and red in La Première).
The best part of the meal: chocolate cake with edible gold flakes.It was my first time trying edible gold.
Sarah Connor from Terminator Genisys threatening me to surrender my meal!
Summary:
As a first timer using Air France, I wasn't disappointed at all. I heard news from some of my friends that the crews were kind of impatient but it turns out that everyone were friendly and I had no troubling moments during my trip. Foods were delicious, wide variety of champagnes available, I had a great time. Air France is trying to install the new business class to most of the 777s long-haul flights soon. You will notice it is much better than the 2-3-2 layout ones.
In my opinion, business class are recommended to passengers traveling with infants or children who are very young for the reason that the parents can be less exhausted. And also to all businessmen/women traveling in long-haul flights. Thank you Air France!