Head to https://squarespace.com/trektrendy to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code TREKTRENDYJoin me on the new Delta One suite. I know they are partners, and their fares are the same. SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES. Each seat has several universal power outlets including a USB port, storage areas, a sleek blue and white color combination, a huge touchscreen monitor with an entertainment controller, a reading lamp, and on occasion, a personal air vent. Delta offers convenient center seats with adjustable privacy dividers for traveling with your spouse or partner. Tiffany - enjoy your style and posts. what about the food selections on either airline. Air France Business Class Dining. Highly accommodating. If youre actuallygoing to London, then Virgin is a great choice (probably the best choice when redeeming Delta miles). Being in Chicago there there are so many choices w/ 1 daily flight on AF, KLM, Altalia, & Virgin and there is relatively zero competition from connecting traffic. Whats a business class product these days? Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM. The new 777s have outstanding AVOD and all the charging plugs you could want, though they're over your shoulder. Virgin is the best if you're going to the UK (especially Heathrow and Manchester). On the return, you could fly on QF from AKL-SYD-HKG and then HKG-LAX/JFK (and then pay for a flight from JFK-LAX) on CX. Oh well. Alitalia already has the best catering of anytransatlantic SkyTeam carrier, in my opinion, so Im excited to see the new concepts. KLM doesn't operate the 787 yet at the moment, but when they do (the inaugural is in late october), they'll have the Zodiac seats on board - the same as the new AF product, in 1-2-1. For drinks, Delta has a good roster from top-quality champagne and wine to common liquor like Peach Bellini and Grey Goose Vodka. Anyway, back to KLM, I found the FAs to be extremely pleasant, knowledgeable, and eager to keep the passengers happy. Clear, funny and to the point. -Air France's service is not just stylish, but actively warm/personable I have flown AirFrance a few times and swore never again. These airlines feature redesigned business products to deliver comfortable and stylish new seats and superb amenities while ensuring a lavish journey for their passengers. Meanwhile, I could not get anyone to refill my water. Their crappy old planes, the seat layout where you cannot look out the windows so you spend your time staring at another person because you are angled facing that person, the truly awful meals for a business class product. But the Virgin Atlantic seat is fully-flat, and they offer a legitimate turn-down service with pajamas, a mattress pad, etc. If youre lucky enough to grab the new seats, please do. Hotel or AirBnB in Paris: Where Should You Stay. One on Air France that flies a 777-300ER. Even if the you have flown an airline multiple times, there can always be the "one off day." I saw a post recently from one of those mega frequent flyers who was flying Zurich to LA, he swore that the attendants on one side of business were nice and on the other side were surly. As Ive mentioned before,Alitalia isan Italian airline. The seats measure 78 inches in pitch and about 21 inches wide. Bistro fare is available on the first floor as well. Also, those in Delta Premium Select have the chance to enjoy larger meals that may include bread and salad, while the lucky few in Delta One enjoy pre-departure bottled water, more food menus by partners like Union Square Hospitality Group or Chief Linton Hopkins are served with Alessi flatware and a wide array of beverages. Nicks photo of Air France business, which makes it look much nicer than it actually is. For the return, I had a late connection from Rome. One thing you can count on when you get onboard the Delta One is that youll get beautiful and stylish seats. On other aircraft, you might find the movie selections to be a bit sparse. A points consultant is the right person to talk to if you want to experience luxury travel for cheap! Sorry, I know this is not Tiffany answering (and I'm sure her reply with be x10000 better than mine), but I want to share what I would picked in the past. So depending on the route, the exact time of the flight and connection, you could end up flying with either. I was not happy. Image Credit: Air France. Business Class is found mostly on international routes and planes that are configured for long-haul travel. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines, Delta Air Lines Delta One Business Class Overview. Look forward to the Upper Class review Nick. Air France Business Class Bed. Ive found both to be excellent carriers. On the other hand, the economy section of AF is well-upgraded but not very comfortable, whereas Lufthansa has a great economy class. I personally enjoy transferring through Amsterdam's Schiphol airport much more than Paris Charles de Gaulle. I did find that, for all hour KLM flights, my stranger-seatmates were delightful. Premium Delta Sky Club lounge access is available with access to partner lounges across the world. This has been managed by both Air France and KLM. We've flown a number of times on Delta, Air France, and KLM and I feel that plane amenities and customer service are comparable on all our flights. @Euro: Yes. SU (Aeroflot) is another option for Europe. The second option being Delta about a 767-400ER. Join Date: Sep 2009. Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Simply referred to as Delta, the latter airline is a legacy carrier and among the major ones in the United States. Open from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., premium business guests can enter for free but theres also an option to purchase entry for 60 Euros or about $70. Two Adults and one three year old child. Everyones intestinal process is their own and varied greatly. He is the chef ofLe Grand Vefour,a 3-star Parisian restaurant. While Delta also has fantastic seats, Air Frances new seats on their business cabin have the added edge of being beautifully chic! Yes. I could go on but you get the drift. Discover the Business cabin: an exclusive, convenient and peaceful space, available on our intercontinental flights. Depending on the aircraft, guests will get slightly different seats. When we booked, Air France had cut business class award rates to and from Miami (MIA) by 25% - dropping the final cost as low as 39,750 miles for a one-way flight. However, its the highest and most premium cabin offered on long-haul and international routes. These are the basics to know before flying either airline. Therefore, the airline intends to put more Airbus A220 on its domestic network. Image Credit: Delta. Have tried multiple days and times. In terms of the soft product, KLM has quality catering, andby far the best dinnerware. so I settle for the old AF Boeing 777. I want to go back to South Africa again, and would happily use KLM, but options seemed to be better for VS, ergo my seeking out this site. Hope this helps! On occasion, you might spot high-end toiletries stocked here. Book ahead because this runs out fast. Fortunately, Business Class Experts is able to find you affordable airfare as low as $2,700/ticket so you can travel in comfort without breaking the bank. Avoid it at all costs because all around its not worth paying much more than a domestic first/business class fare. It's very different from Delta domestic first class, where most will not even exchange a quick hello. If the spa is open, guests can get a 20-minute Clarins spa treatment. This center distributes vaccines for global travel. Some have 2 while others may have 3. On the other, the ground experience at Charles de Gaulle is worse than dragging Ben to Disneyworld. Meals aboard Air France are noteworthy, both in presentation and taste. Two Adults and one three year old child. In the meantime, Alitalia is probably my overall favorite option for redeeming SkyMiles to Europe. I have flown DL pretty much exclusively the past decade or so, but just returned from four long flights on KLM -- LAX-AMS-CPT-AMS-JFK -- and was extremely happy with the experience. There's also other factors like itinerary and price. FWIW, I flew Delta out of Paris recently and overheard the purser telling a passenger that the Paris station did not have the highest of reputations. Air France is working to convert all Business Class seats to the fully flat, all-aisle-access setup soon. Meanwhile, I could not get anyone to refill my water. Anyone have experience with either or both of them? Top Line Scoring of the Best Business Class IFE. Since then, more have been added. I think business class to Europe on partners is really the sweet spot for Skypesos. This class of service offers significantly more comfort and amenities than standard Economy, Premium Economy, and Domestic First Class, which usually include: Double the seat pitch (legroom) compared to Economy See more about our ethics policies here. As a single traveler, I generally prefer private pods, though I far prefer those on DL A330s (which face out on the sides) to DL 777s (which seem similar to VS). So much is the luck of the draw these days. I've been to Europe each of the last 4 summers, all on Skymiles partners. Onboard Entertainment: Air France offers 500 hours of on-demand video programming, including classic and current movies, foreign films, concerts, documentaries and TV series, plus a variety of music channels and games. Seven-across business class seating is just embarrassing nowadays, particularly in an angled-flat seat. I generally take a tablet so that doesn't bother me. Leading the pack is our neighbor to the north, Air Canada, with an absolutely superb 2.89/3. We generally recommend a flexible points currency such as American Express Membership Rewards or Starwood Preferred Guest, as both programs allow you to transfer your points to Delta without being committed to SkyMiles. The kit contains an eye mask, ear plugs, Clarins lotion, Clarins lip balm, a toothbrush with toothpaste, and socks. Watch out for the AF aircraft with 2-3-2 seating in business class. We went through some bumpy skies, especially over the equator, and it was refreshing not to be awakened with seat belt announcements, which are common on Delta. My preferred airline is Delta. Next comes Delta at 2.76/3. With aviation changing radically over the past few years, it can be tough to figure out the differences between first and business class, or even various business cabins provided by different airlines. The planes will be totally reconfigured nose-to-tail, and will feature 369 seats, including: 48 business class seats 48 premium economy seats 273 economy class seats Cute, or super cute? I could go on but you get the drift. Since DL has 2 cabins, it would be a version of first class. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. DLOne has fflatbed seats, good food /service. The airline was recently ranked second among the worlds largest airlines by the number of scheduled passengers carried, fleet size, and revenue passenger-kilometers flown. If you bought the tickets on Delta's website and the flights are Delta marketed, you'll earn as usual. Looking for a NYC - AMS flight in early August. Counted among the top-tier lounges across the United States, youll find Delta Sky Club lounges to be stylish and fresh. Their safety record isn't too hot either. There's also the overlooked Air Europa for Skyteam although there may be a good reason why they are overlooked Nice article! Here, the menu includeshors doeuvre,bread basket,entres, and cheeses, with a dessert cart includingpetit fours,pastries, and tartles. I actually have found them pretty comfy.but that's probably more due to the champagne + ambien than the actual seat. For information on refunds, visit their website. When you fly Air France business class from their hub in Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), you receive free access to the newest Air France lounge at Terminal 2E. Image Credit: Air France, Air France A350 Business Class. Great report and great style of writing. For the return, I had a late connection from Rome. But when you've no choice, you have to put up with it. A tailor-made Business cabin For travel within France, there is three types of fare: Business Leisure: non-refundable ticket, modifiable for a fee of 70; Business Flex: refundable ticket, modifiable at no extra cost; Going to Asia, Korean Air and Delta's own metal (flights to Tokyo and Hong Kong via Seattle) present good options. Air France/KLM Flying Blue miles are some of the easiest points to earn since they partner with so many bank partners. What a steal between the US and Europe! Air France A380 Business Class However, Air France is in the process of reconfiguring their entire longhaul fleet, and the new business class looks lovely. Deli spread at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LHR. Fingers crossed that no one is in the 'F' seat next to me. Delta, Air France, and KLM all have good service, but there are just differences between the three airlines. Youll find a pillow, a blanket, an amenity kit, a bottle of water, a coat hanger for your jacket or blazer, and a sanitary kit. I mean, look at these bowls: KLM business class breakfast bowls. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Wonderful posts and responses. She said she had used AAdvantage miles because she travels a lot for work. Moreover, a rowdy group of AF non-rev people were having a party, and they did not invite me. I could be on an old (is there any other kind) KLM craft. Each meal is handed on a tray with real ceramic tableware and cutlery. Fingers crossed that no one is in the 'F' seat next to me. Delta has always offered a robust in-flight entertainment program with Delta Studio. As for ticket modification and flight change, the fare conditions related to your ticket determine this. Although I tried their Prem Econ onboard the 777 it's kind of better in terms that it is cheaper, you still get champagne, entertainment, and a seat that reclines well for a day flight (or night if you are like my wife who can Just a small tip of advice: do NOT fly AF B. I'm flying Virgin Atlantic in Upper Class in two weeks and will have a trip report to share with all of you! Air France Business Class A350-900 details. Only got snacks on Delta. Delta One business class guests receive top priority when it comes to ground services. Part of the fun of flying is looking out the window, and that's a strain, particularly on the latter. Avoid it at all costs because all around its not worth paying much more than a domestic first/business class fare. You can tell if your flight will have the new business class by looking at the seat map if you see seven seats across (gag), thats the old product. more, Not allowing me to select seats in BA premium economy, Seats 15D & 15G - United Boeing 777-300ER. Lavatories designated for Delta One Business passengers can vary depending on the plane. However, for surfing and streaming, the plan starts at $6.96 to $12.95, respectively. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines. Reply. I have no idea what model planes, but I found them all to be very uncomfortable (both the seats themselves as ell as the space) and the crew (ground and air) less friendly than Delta. Also, their blankets are scratchy, which might seem petty, but is a pretty-much a deal-breaker for me. One on Air France that flies a 777-300ER. The seat is upholstered in beautiful leather with spacious storage, amenity kits, and a large IFE. Delta One seats feature a family-friendly or companion-friendly center aisle. However, an online refund is available if you have a ticket that allows refunds with or without a fee, you bought your ticket at least 2 days or up to 12 months before todays date, and that you havent gotten your boarding pass yet. Hopefully you wont be disappointed with either one. Thanks so much Tiffany! Alitalia has a great lie-flat business class, with a staggered seating configuration: Alitalia business class seat ugly, but comfy. That is why it is hard to ask people for their opinions about airlines. Thanks SO MUCH for the post! Air France has better safety videos. The airport/transfer experience. He claimed this because his wife was seated away from him. If you know youll be redeeming your miles soon, this is a great way to bolster your account balances. On their 777-300 aircraft, the La Premire cabin only contains 4 exclusive suites in a 1-2-1 layout. Air France has 90% of their fleet equipped with Wi-Fi. The interior features 30 lie flat Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy seats, and 225 standard Economy seats. Paul, Salt Lake City, New York City, and Seattle. Connecting to Wi-Fi is easy. @ RakSiam @Bgriff -- Oh, absolutely, and Delta has a very nice business class as well! If fares are the same, I would base my decision on terms and conditions. @Tiffany: Great post even if you're infringing on my SkyTeam beat here ;-) What I'd add would be: -Air France's catering is of a bit better quality than KLM, Alitalia or Virgin Atlantic (and if you're harping on KLM's dinnerware, you're forgetting AF has Christofle cutlery) -Air France's service is not just stylish, but actively warm/personable -CDG is the worst, but that's not entirely AF's fault (after all, Terminal 1 which is the -Air France's catering is of a bit better quality than KLM, Alitalia or Virgin Atlantic (and if you're harping on KLM's dinnerware, you're forgetting AF has Christofle cutlery) All of the staff are friendly and accommodating. Totally agree on the AF 7 across. Air France says that its premium economy seat provides 40 per cent more space than in economy, and the fixed-shell design means that you won't encroach on the space of the person behind when. Image Credit: Air France. The biggest issue, however, is that the old Air France business class product is dated and uncomfortable. This is another area where Air France has promised to improve its service. Food and Snacks 60 Airbus A220-300s have already replaced the smaller Airbus A318. The brand of goodies in the goody bag differs, AF being Clarins. I fly economy on both of them going back and forth and literally haven't even paid enough attention to be able to tell you what the difference(s) is/are. Stay connected with the latest travel, aviation, and credit card news. Delta vs Air France 4 years ago Save My family is considering a trip to Paris in August. I am (most unhappily) seated in such a section on an AF from ATL to CDG tonight. This is one of those times where knowing what type of plane you're flying in is important. The main difference is that Delta has staggered seats in the window rows, and the seats closest to the windows offer a little more privacy, while AF has the reverse herringbone configuration. These seats fully recline, provide ample storage, feature a great IFE, and have excellent amenity kits. Lets break down the similarities and differences between their business cabins in this Air France Business Class vs. Delta One Business Class comparison. In general I believe if you are ticketed Delta One, First Class, BC, etc you can use the lounges for all sky team members. Or the crew might even be a mix. Can you share what websites you used to make your bookings - did you use Asia Miles website, already have miles in an account, or transfer miles when you had secured your flights? As we learned last week, leveraging Deltas partners is the best way to not get screwed when redeeming SkyMiles, sowhen reader Nolan asked the following on the Ask Lucky forum recentlyI was excited to answer: The improvement in partner products is ahuge boon to the SkyMiles program. There are also amenity kits and excellent gourmet meals. I seem to remember that used to be true. Once transformed into a bed, the seat measures 76 inches in pitch which can sleep persons as tall as 6 feet and 4 inches. The mains are then served, usually a choice between meat, seafood, or poultry. We went through some bumpy skies, especially over the equator, and it was refreshing not to be awakened with seat belt announcements, which are common on Delta. Overall it my People discount Delta because the lack of "prestige" airline partners like Lufthansa, Cathay, Singapore, Emirates, the perceived lack of availability of premium award space, and a previously broke award calendar. @Anthony I more than agree and will Virgin has the cool factor that neither SQ, LH, CX and EK have. These lavatories are nothing special except for, All seats aboard business class cabins lie flat, measuring. Air France is one of the few carriers that advertises the ability to purchase lounge access (subject to availability) for Premium Economy passengers. Both have seats that lay down flat and each passenger has their own pod. Air France Business Class Seat Overview. We noticed the there are two business class options from Atlanta nonstop to Paris. But in my opinion, another possible way you can go to AKL is to fly EY from LAX-AUH and then AUH-LHR again on EY (or BA if you want to try different first class) and finally LHR-SYD-AKL on QF. Aside from fantastic seats, you get premium lounge access including priority check-in or boarding.