Category: Uncategorized

The Details

• Flight: AF7
• Aircraft: B777-200ER
• Class: Business
• Seat: 3E and 3F
• Route: New York John F. Kennedy (JFK)-Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG)
• Distance: 3,740 miles
• Duration: 6hrs 40min
• Departure: 10:13 PM
• Arrival: 10:53 AM (+1)

The Preflight

On the way to our wedding in Lake Como, Italy, my fiance and I had an eight-hour layover at JFK airport. We had intentionally booked an extended layover as we were flying on two separate tickets for the safest option. Our American Airlines flight landed at 2:59 PM at Terminal 8 and we took the AirTrain to Terminal 1 where Air France departs. There were separate check-in counters for Sky Priority/Business class and economy passengers.

Despite having TSA PreCheck and access to the Fast Track lane, getting through the security checkpoint took well over 30 minutes. There were no dedicated PreCheck lanes, rather we were given a laminated card stating our PreCheck status to give to the security personel to bypass taking off our shoes and removing laptops. Once we were through security, we made our way to the Air France lounge at the end of Terminal 1 next to gates 1 and 2.

The lounge was fairly large spanning two floors of the terminal. Upon entering the room, there was an assortment of sofas and chairs.

Further into the lounge of the first floor were small dining tables with two to four chairs.

There was a buffet area with hot and cold foods with self-serve drinks on the first floor.

On the second floor of the lounge was an identical buffet offering with another dining area with similar tables and chairs.

The alcohol selection included a variety of red and white wines, liquor, and beer.

Additional drinks included an espresso machine, Coke products, and flavored waters.

I found the food selection to be one of the better lounge offerings in the USA. As expected for France’s flag carrier, there was an excellent selection of cheeses and cold cuts.

There was an equally excellent selection of desserts including angel cake, chocolate mousse, lemon cheesecake, and chocolate cheesecake.

The hot options were also above average for a lounge. Options included two quiches, ham sandwiches, eggplant lasagna, cod, rice, and roast beef.

There was also an extensive bakery selection of cookies, brownies, and various breads.

There was also a salad bar with build-your-own options, quinoa, and a couscous salad.

Our gate was adjacent to the lounge at gate 2. Our B777-200ER tonight, registration F-GSPD, was an old 25.5-year-old aircraft originally delivered in January 1999. It was one of 18 active B777-200ERs in the Air France fleet.

Boarding was very chaotic as an Air Azores flight was boarding at the same time directly next to our gate. The two groups of gate agents shouted over one another during the boarding process as passengers would mix up the two boarding lanes.

We boarded at 8:43 PM via door 1L. Thankfully, Air France utilized two sets of jet bridges with the second bridge for economy passengers ensuring business class passengers a more calming boarding process.

The Flight

Air France has three separate configurations for their B777-200ERs. One version features 40 business class seats across two cabins while the last two configurations have 28 business class seats in one main cabin at the front of the aircraft. Our aircraft was one of the latter with a total of 28 business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration.

My fiance and I were seated in the center, 3E and 3F. There was a simple plastic divider between the seats which the flight attendants manually removed to allow us to see one another during the flight. The Safran Cirus III reverse herringbone seats were 20″ wide and very comfortable with thick cushions and a leather headrest.

While there was no door at the seat, there was a small wing near the headrest for some privacy. Each passenger was also provided a coat hook which the flight attendants quickly collected.

There was a generous amount of legroom with more than enough space to stretch my legs out.

A 16″ HD touchscreen display folded out from the seatback. Located at the top left there was also a small coat hook.

The footwell was a decent size and allowed me to sleep sidewise later on in the flight. Underneath the footwell was a small storage space perfect for shoes.

To the right of the headrest was a small reading light and IFE remote.

Above the countertop was a large storage bin in which the headphones were located. There was also a mirror.

The countertop had a built-in cup holder which I appreciated.

The seat controls were fairly basic with three main functions (going forward/backward, laying flat, and upright).

Each seat also had a fairly simple but sturdy bi-fold tray table.

Underneath the countertop was a USB port, 110V outlet, water bottle holder, and literature pocket.

On the aisle side of the seat, there was an adjustable armest that could be raised and lowered.

Air France provided both a comfortable blanket and a pillow for business class passengers.

Each passenger was also provided a small Evian water bottle. The headphones locked to the seats were average but not the most comfortable for prolonged wearing.

During boarding, flight attendants also came by to distribute amenity kits. Contents included Clarins branded creams, a dental kit, ear plugs, an eye mask, and socks.

Flight attendants also offered warm towelettes and a pre-departure beverage. Options included a sparking wine, water, or a mint-apple juice.

Menus were also distributed on the ground and our main dish selections were taken before take-off.

We pushed back at 9:40 PM and after a long taxi, we took off at 10:12 PM.

Service began quickly upon reaching cruising altitude with a beverage service and the classic Crepes Fourrees. I had a glass of the Pommery champagne.

The appetizer, dessert, and cheese course were served together on a tray with a simple salad. The appetizer consisted of a few slices of bland roast beef. I did enjoy the cheese selection which paired well with a few warm toasted bread rolls. For dessert, there was a decadent chocolate cake.

For my main, I had the poultry parcel with foie gras and potato puree. It turned out to be a chicken meatball with mashed potatoes which I found average.

On the other hand, the fillet of lamb with gnocchi and Cafe de Paris butter sauce looked delicious.

The meal service concluded an hour and a half after take-off as the cabin lights were turned off. I made my bed and got a short three-hour nap during the flight. Fully flat, the Air France seat is six feet and seven inches long. Even though there was no mattress topper, I still found the bed comfortable.

There were also two standard lavatories at the front of the cabin for business class passengers.

90 minutes before arrival, the cabin lights were turned on for the breakfast service. What sets Air France apart from other trans-Atlantic competitors is that they offer a hot breakfast on the short overnight service. There was a delicious goat cheese omelet with roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, and potatoes for the main course. There was also a side of yogurt with granola and fresh fruit.

We landed in Paris at 10:53 AM.

We had a short 10-minute taxi to the gate K1 and soon we were off to customs.

Air France remains one of my favorite business class products to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. The food is often tastier than competitors such as United or Lufthansa, the seat is a guaranteed 1-2-1 reverse herringbone, and the service is above average. I would gladly fly Air France again over its competitors.

The Details

• Flight: AA4306
• Aircraft: E175
• Class: Domestic First
• Seat: 2D and 2F
• Route: Indianapolis (IND)-New York John F. Kennedy (JFK)
• Distance: 837miles
• Duration: 1hr 52min
• Departure: 13:07
• Arrival: 14:59

The Preflight

For this journey, my fiance and I were headed to Lake Como in Italy to get married at the beginning of May 2024. We had booked separate tickets with American Airlines from IND to JFK and then Air France from JFK to Milan via Paris.

We arrived at IND airport an hour before boarding, giving us time to eat lunch at the Priority Pass restaurant The Fan Zone, which had recently been renovated and rebranded as The Tap. Thanks to our Chase Priority Pass membership, we each had $28 to spend on food.

We shared a chicken avocado wrap and a basket of delicious warm pretzel sticks with beer cheese.

The E175 flying us to JFK today, registration N117HQ, was a 16-year-old aircraft operated by Republic Airways on behalf of American Airlines under the regional brand American Eagle.

Boarding began three minutes early at 12:40 PM.

The Flight

American Airlines features 12 Domestic First class seats arranged in a 1-2 configuration across four rows on all their E175s. Each seat is 20″ wide and has 36″ of pitch.

My fiance and I were seated in 2D and 2F.

Each seat had a bi-fold tray table and in between the two seats was a small cocktail tray. Unfortunately, our cocktail tray was broken and would not pull out.

Each seat also had a USB port and 110V outlet.

No predeparture beverages were offered on this flight. The doors were closed 19 minutes after boarding at 12:59 PM. We had a brief taxi to runway 23R and took off at 1:06 PM.

Once in the air, the flight attendant offered a beverage service. I went with my usual Woodfords with a side of Coke Zero.

On flights between 500 to 899 miles, American Airlines should offer a snack basket with packaged snacks in Domestic First class. On this flight, however, the snack basket was not catered and instead flight attendants offered us the Main Cabin snacks of Biscoff and pretzels. A second round of drinks was also provided.

The rest of the flight was uneventful with a small amount of turbulence as we neared NYC given the rain in the region. We landed at 2:58 PM followed by a 10-minute taxi to gate 36.

This was a very generic regional Domestic First class flight with American Airlines. The seat was average, service was average, but they forgot to load the snack basket which is a small differentiator that sets this apart from Main Cabin.

The Details

• Flight: AF136
• Aircraft: A350-900
• Class: Business
• Seat: 1K
• Route: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)-Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
• Distance: 4,336miles
• Duration: 8hrs 51min
• Departure: 2:53PM
• Arrival: 4:44PM

The Preflight

Upon arrival at Terminal 2E M concourse from Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines, we transferred to Terminal 2E K concourse for our onward flight to Chicago with Air France. Utilizing the tram service between the two concourses, we efficiently navigated the transfer, albeit with the necessity to re-clear security. The total time between the two concourses amounted to 35 minutes. Once through security, we made our way to the Air France lounge located one level below the main terminal floor.

Despite the presence of several check-in agents and three automated boarding pass scanners, there was still a sizable line to enter the lounge, particularly given it was during the morning departure bank of flights. The layout of the lounge consisted of essentially two rectangular rooms connected by the check-in area in between. Upon entering the room on the right side, we immediately noticed the complimentary Clarins spa, where passengers could enjoy a 15-minute massage and facial.

Both my fiancé and I opted for this service, which was available on a first-come-first-served basis and required signing up on a paper sheet. After an excellent hand massage and facial, both my fiance and I were each given a small complimentary Clarins hand cream.

Further into the lounge was an assortment of sofas and chairs.

Each room had a small buffet area with both cold and warm food options that changed from breakfast to lunch.

Breakfast hot options included scrambled eggs, sausage, and bacon.

The bakery items included delicious French croissants, pain au chocolat, rolls, and French bread.

There was also a substantial cheese and cold-cut platter.

Various fruits and yogurt were also available.

Beverage options included various sparkling waters, canned juice, Coke, and Heineken beer.

There were a few espresso machines stationed around the lounge as well as a water dispenser.

Each room also had an elegant self-serve bar set up with a few bottles of wine and liquor.

In the morning, there was a liquor side with build-your-own Bloody Mary’s.

On the other end were bottles of red and white wine.

After 10:30 AM, the Pommery champagne was also made available. 10:30AM also corresponded to when the breakfast was changed to lunch.

Lunch food options included wild rice and roast beef.

There was also halibut, roasted vegetables, and tomato soup.

The same fruit and yogurt from breakfast were left out but dessert pastries were added. Dessert pastries very good and included a chocolate mouse cake, madeleines, coconut cake, small lemon muffins, crepes, brownies, and chocolate muffins

The same cheese and cold-cuts were also left out but a small salad bar added.

While the lounge did not have the best views nor the most comfortable seating, I did find the food well above average for European airline lounges. We both also enjoyed a shower in the multiple shower suites available.

Our initial boarding gate was supposed to be K15 but an hour prior to our scheduled boarding time the gate changed to K52 which was a bus gate. Boarding did begin on time at 12:15PM, 55 minutes prior to our scheduled departure time of 1:10PM. Zone 1 and 2 (Business class and elite members) were allowed on to the first bus. The 10 minute bus ride took us to a remote stand and we were allowed to board six minutes later at 12:41PM.

Our A350-900, registration F-HUVG, was one of the newer additions to the Air France fleet, featuring the latest cabins. It was delivered on January 5, 2024, making it less than a month and a half old. In total, Air France is expected to operate 38 A350-900s, with 20 being older models equipped with 34 Safran Optima business class seats, while the 18 newer A350s will feature 48 of the newer Stelia Opera business-class seats.

The Flight

The new Air France A350 boasts one of the finest business-class products available in the skies today. Each aircraft is equipped with forty-eight Stelia Opera business seats, arranged in a spacious 1-2-1 configuration, spread across two separate cabins. The larger first cabin, positioned between doors 1 and 2, accommodates a total of 32 seats.

For this flight, my fiancé and I were fortunate to secure seats 1D and 1H, positioned at the front in the bulkhead business class section.

The Stelia Opera seat was originally designed for single-aisle narrow-body aircraft but Air France successfully imported this product to their wide-body A350.

What sets the bulkhead seats on the Air France A350 apart is the notably spacious footwell at the front of each seat. Its size is truly impressive, comparable to the square footage found in some first-class seats on other airlines. Bulkhead seats on this aircraft include seats 1A, D, H, L and 10A, D, H, L.

In between the two center seats was a privacy screen that could be raised and lowered.

The pictures simply do not do justice to this seat when trying to convey its size and foot space.

At the front of the seat was a large 20-inch 4K Ultra-High definition touch screen. There was also an option to connect my own devices to the in-flight entertainment system but, as with my previous A350 flight, both Bose earphones and my iPhone would not connect.

Air France also decided to upgrade their A350s with both a tail-mounted and wheel-mounted camera.

Next to the large footwell in the bulkhead row was a personal closet with a coat hook as well as a mirror.

Underneath the cushion was a small storage drawer.

There was an additional storage bin along the middle of the seat.

The countertop next to the seat featured a wireless induction power charger for phones as well as both USB-A and USB-C ports.

Each seat also had a personal reading light, storage cabinet, and tablet which controlled the IFE and seat.

Within the storage bin, there was a small area to place personal items like glasses underneath a mirror. There was also a pair of headphones hardwired into the seat and a small Evian water bottle.

The personal tablet had options for seat recline, and seat lighting, as well as the ability to control the IFE and call the flight attendant. Unfortunately, both of our tablets were actually non-functional and kept erroring when we tried to use them to control the IFE system. We brought it up with the flight attendants and apparently this was a known issues as we had this exact same issue on our previous Air France A350 flight.

Directly beneath the counter top were a few buttons to control the seat, lighting, and call light. I did think there buttons were a bit too sensitive to touch as I would occasionally brush the buttons and accidentally recline my seat.

There was also a large sturdy tray tablet that folded out from underneath the countertop.

Beneath the tray table was a small literature pocket and universal power outlet. 

Along the door to the seat was an adjustable armrest.

Amenities included a small comfortable pillow and dense blanket. A coat hanger was also provided for jackets which there then hung up by the flight attendants.

As mentioned earlier, each passenger was also given a Evian water bottle and a pair of headphones.

Fifteen minutes after boarding, the flight attendants served a pre-departure beverage. Options included water, champagne, or orange juice.

After the pre-departure beverage, they came through to distribute amenity kits. Contents included an eye mask, a pair of socks, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a pen, ear plugs, as well as Clarins branded cream and lip balm.

The food and beverage menu was passed out next. Meal orders were taken on the ground and while I had originally pre-ordered the Beef Confit online, the flight attendants had no record of that selection. I did end up switching to the Cod anyways.

It turned out there was a specific reason why our particular aircraft was at a remote gate: mechanics had been working on the aircraft due to an issue with the lavatory flushing power. As a result, none of the lavatories had power, and crews had been addressing the problem for some time. Initially, we were informed of a 15-minute delay, but this quickly extended to 45 minutes with no specific time frame provided. Our original scheduled arrival time at O’Hare was 3:15 PM, leaving us with a tight connecting time of two hours and 40 minutes for a separately ticketed flight with United back home to Indianapolis, scheduled to depart at 5:55 PM. With each passing minute, our non-protected self-connection time grew shorter. Finally, at 2:31 PM (an hour and 21 minutes after our original departure time), the doors were closed, and we pushed back four minutes later with all lavatories operational.

We finally took off from runway 9R at 2:53PM with an estimated landing time of 4:45PM.

The service on this flight was unusually slow, although it began relatively promptly after take-off with the distribution of warm towels.

However, it took over an hour for drinks to be served, along with a small box of cheese crackers. Surprisingly, the appetizer was also served simultaneously with the drinks and crackers. Typically, passengers are served drinks and crackers first, followed by the appetizer for all passengers. However, on this occasion, the crew opted to serve passengers individually, starting from the back of the cabin and moving forward. Consequently, I was served last, approximately 80 minutes into the flight.

The artichoke and goat cheese appetizer accompanied the starter, which consisted of a crab salad and carrot purée quinoa salad. Despite the delay in food service, the flavors of each dish more than compensated for the wait. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed a delightful French roll paired with delicious Isigny St. Mere butter. A basic green salad was also offered.

For my main dish, I opted for the cod with creamy lovage and Arabica coffee sauce served over potatoes mousseline and tender leeks. This marked the third time I’ve chosen a fish dish on Air France, and once again, it exceeded my expectations. The fish was impeccably cooked, and the Arabica coffee sauce, while unconventional, turned out to be a delightful surprise. In fact, the sauce was so flavorful that I couldn’t resist dipping a second French roll into it.

After the main course, a separate cheese course was served, featuring three cheeses: a notably pungent Fourme d’Ambert, a crottin de Chavignol (goat cheese), and a Cantal. Each cheese offered distinct flavors, and I thoroughly enjoyed sampling them. For dessert, I enjoyed an excellent Yuzu cake, although other options such as ice cream or fresh fruit were available. This meal experience solidified Air France as my favorite trans-Atlantic airline when it comes to food and beverage service.

The meal service concluded approximately two hours and forty minutes after take-off, leaving us with around six hours and ten minutes until landing. While amenities like mattress toppers or turn-down service aren’t offered on Air France flights, I managed to get nearly four hours of rest thanks to the exceptionally padded and comfortable seat.

The spacious footwell, which rivaled some first-class seats in my opinion, allowed me to sleep sideways and stretch out my legs effortlessly.

With the suite doors closed on both sides, it created a remarkably private and intimate space. However, it’s worth noting that even with the doors closed, I could still fully see over them unintentionally as I passed by other seats. Both of our doors also had about an inch gap and did not close completely.

The A350s in business class have a total of three lavatories for 48 business class passengers. There was one lavatory behind the cockpit as well as two lavatories in between the two business class cabins at the second set of doors. On this flight, the crew blocked off the front lavatory the entire flight as reserved for crew therefore only two lavatories were available. There was nothing particularly special about the lavatories besides having Clarins branded perfume.

Mid-flight, we encountered a moderate amount of turbulence, which was significant enough to wake me up from sleep. However, after a short while, I was able to settle back down and fall asleep again. I remained asleep until we were less than two hours away from landing.

Ninety minutes prior to landing, the pre-arrival meal was served. While Air France typically offers a hot breakfast on east-bound flights from the USA to Paris, pre-landing meals on west-bound flights from Paris to the USA are often cold. The single option provided was an open-faced egg salad puff pastry sandwich with pickled onions, accompanied by a small fruit dish and a chocolate chip cookie. Although I found the egg salad and onions delicious, I found the puff pastry too dense and heavy for my preference, and ended up only eating half of it.

The flight service concluded with another hot towel after the pre-landing meal trays were cleared an hour prior to arrival.

Despite not being seated at a window, the tail and wheel cameras provided us with excellent views of the Chicago skyline and the coastline of Lake Michigan as we approached runway 28C.

We touched down at 4:44PM, exactly an hour and a half behind schedule. The taxi to Terminal 5 was tedious as well as we had just 45 minutes until boarding was scheduled to begin for our United flight departing Terminal 2 at 5:55PM.

We finally arrived at gate M18 just two minutes before 5:00 PM, giving us precisely 32 minutes to clear customs and border patrol, take the AirTram to Terminal 2, and then go through security again.

I thoroughly enjoyed both the hard and soft products offered by Air France onboard their A350-900s. However, it’s worth noting that there are still technical issues that need to be addressed with these new aircraft, as both of our flights were delayed over an hour due to mechanical problems. Nevertheless, the Stelia Opera seats are well-designed and provide exceptional personal space, particularly in the bulkhead areas. I was particularly impressed by the dining experience, and I believe Air France offers the finest business class dining across the Atlantic.

The Details

• Flight: VN19
• Aircraft: A350-900
• Class: Business
• Seat: 5G
• Route: Noi Bai (HAN)-Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
• Distance: 6,374miles
• Duration: 13hrs 1min
• Departure: 12:01AM
• Arrival: 7:02AM

The Preflight

After spending a relaxing week in Vietnam, visiting Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, it was time for my fiance and I to return home. Our journey would involve Vietnam Airlines from Hanoi to Paris, Air France from Paris to Chicago, and United from Chicago to Indianapolis. We arrived at Noi Nai International Airport, which serves Hanoi, about three hours before our scheduled departure time of 11:55PM.

All international flights depart from Terminal 2 and we had to pass through an initial passport check before entering the airport. There was a dedicated Sky Priority and business-class check-in area was ample agents to help us check in without a wait.

Business-class passengers were also invited to use a fast-track security lane, which got us through to border control in less than 10 minutes. After a quick stamp out of Vietnam by the border control, we were on our way to the Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge located on the second floor of the terminal.

The Lotus Lounge was one large rectangular room with a variety of sofas and tables wrapping around a buffet in the center.

Next to the buffet was a smaller room where all the drink options were located. There was an extensive canned and bottled soda/water selection, tea, and coffee, as well as a few bottles of medium-shelf liquor and wine.

There was also a staffed food station that had hot ramen, pho, or udon noodles.

Other hot options included fried vegetable rolls, stir-fried shrimp, stir-fried bok choy, tofu, hard-boiled eggs, fried noodles, fried rice, beef, tofu, and fish.

Cold options included spring rolls, roast beef toast, sliced chicken, as well as ham. There was also an assortment of vegetables, fruit, and salads.

The dessert selection was fairly limited with two cakes and some pudding. Overall, for a national airlines hub in the capital, I found the food and beverage options to be very disappointment.

Our A350-900, registered as VN-A892, was one of the 12 active A350-900s in the Vietnam Airlines fleet. This particular aircraft, leased from DAE Capital, was delivered to Vietnam Airlines in March 2017. This was the same aircraft that had flown us from Paris to Hanoi on our inbound.

Boarding for our flight began at 11:08PM with business class passengers and Sky Steam elites in Zones 1 and 2. We were held on the jet bridge for another 15 minutes before finally being let on board via the first door. Premium Economy and Economy passengers were boarded through the second door.

The Flight

Vietnam Airlines has two separate configurations for their A350s. The first four A350s delivered to VN have staggered Stelia Solstys business-class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration while the newer A350s feature the better Safran Cirrus III business-class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Our A350 luckily had the Safran Cirus III seats which were all located in a single business class cabin between the first and second set of doors.

For this flight, my fiance and I were seated in the center seats 5D and 5G.

Each seat was equipped with a 14.4″ touch screen which folded out from the seat in front. This screen was actually worse than the screen I had in seat 8A on the previous flight as the touchscreen function did not work at all.

At seat had an individual reading light, a basic IFE remote, a USB-A port, and seat controls in the console. There was also an open cubby with a headphone hook.

Underneath the countertop space was a 110V outlet and water bottle holder.

The bi-fold tray table was also stowed underneath the countertop.

Along the aisle was an adjustable armrest as well as a small storage bin.

Unlike on our flight from Paris to Hanoi, where we received a nice Samsonite amenity kit, on this leg we were provided with a Ceruti 1881 branded amenity kit. The contents were the same, including Payot creams, socks, an eye mask, a comb, a dental kit, and earplugs.

Once we were seated, flight attendants also came through the cabin to set up the mattress topper on each seat. Passengers were also given a nice thick blanket and firm pillow.

Additional amenities included a pair of generic headphones and slippers.

Pre-departure beverages were also served with a hot towel. Options included champagne, water, or orange juice.

We pushed back at 11:49PM and took off from runway 11R one-minute past midnight.

Twenty minutes after take-off the flight attendants came through the cabin to take meal orders. There were no individual menus, rather the menu was presented to each passenger individually as the flight attendant went down the aisle. I was still a bit hungry given the disappointing lounge food so I decided to have dinner. My fiance decided to go straight to bed and skip the meal service.

I decided to have the Vietnamese-style supper, which started with a delicious beef, lemongrass, and papaya salad. A warmed bread basket was also offered, and I chose a bread roll. To drink, I had the signature “Beloved Hue” cocktail, which was a blend of whiskey, apple and lemon juice, and ginger cubes. The dessert, a sweet soup, was also included on the tray.

The main course was a generous bowl of Mi Quang-style rice noodles with chicken, lettuce, and crispy chicken skin. It was a phenomenal dish, and the soup base was extremely hearty. I also enjoyed another glass of champagne, accompanied by two slices of delicious garlic bread.

The entire meal service was finished after about 90 minutes. After the meal service, flight attendants passed out bottles of water.

I made my bed and managed to sleep for over seven hours on this flight. The comfortable mattress topper, thick blanket, and firm pillow definitely contributed to how well I slept.

There were a total of two business-class lavatories located behind the cockpit. Each lavatory was basic without any special amenities.

I woke-up about nine hours after take-off with about four more hours until landing in Paris. I did order a coffee and enjoyed a few movies in the dark.

The breakfast service was actually started fairly early, in my opinion, about three hours and 30 minutes before landing. First, flight attendants came through the cabin with orange juice and hot towels. Next, they came down the aisle with the menus again asking for our choices for food and drink.

Thirty minutes later, the food came out on one tray. I decided to try the Vietnamese-style noodles with pork ribs and pork meatballs. Again, this was an excellent dish bursting with flavor, thanks to the abundance of scallions and peppers. There was a side of fruit and yogurt. Additionally, I decided to try a coffee cocktail, which was Vietnamese-style coffee with vodka.

We landed in Paris Charles de Gaulle 32 minutes behind schedule at 5:57AM in the morning.

The taxi to gate M44 took twenty minutes, and soon we were off towards the Air France lounge before our flight to Chicago.

Vietnam Airlines again offered an excellent soft product with comfortable bedding and delicious food. I managed to sleep over seven hours on this red-eye flight which allowed me to arrive in Paris refreshed. I only wish the seats were better maintained as the touchscreen IFE screen was not working properly.

The Details

• Flight: VN18
• Aircraft: A350-900
• Class: Business
• Seat: 8A
• Route: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)-Noi Bai (HAN)
• Distance: 6,404miles
• Duration: 10hrs 22min
• Departure: 1:36PM
• Arrival: 5:57AM (+1)

The Preflight

After our delayed Air France flight from Chicago landed two hours and 20 minutes late, we faced a two-and-a-half-hour layover in Paris. Our arrival was in Terminal 2F, while our connecting Vietnam Airlines flight would depart from Terminal 2E, specifically from the M concourse. Fortunately, there was a direct airside shuttle between the two terminals, sparing us the need to re-clear security. The entire transfer process took us approximately 25 minutes from gate to gate. Upon reaching the M concourse, we headed to the Air France lounge.

The M concourse Air France lounge was pleasant with ample amount of seating and large floor-to-ceiling windows to allow for natural light.

We actually only had an hour to spend in the lounge as boarding for our Vietnam Airlines flight was scheduled to begin an hour before departure at 12:10 PM. Despite the limited time, my fiancée and I both took advantage of the lounge’s showers to recharge before our next 10-hour flight. The shower was well stocked with toiletries including a dental kit, shaving kit, comb, as well as Clarins branded shower gel and shampoo.

We did not get a chance to grab any food but there was an assortment of cold cuts, cheese, and breakfast pastries spread out through the lounge. Lounge staff also came through the cabin with a champagne cart offering passengers glasses of champagne at their seats.

We made our way to gate M50 at 12:05 five minutes before boarding was scheduled to begin.

Our A350-900, registered as VN-A892, was one of the 12 active A350-900s in the Vietnam Airlines fleet. This particular aircraft, leased from DAE Capital, was delivered to Vietnam Airlines in March 2017.

Boarding commenced at 12:10, but we were held on the jet bridge for an additional 20 minutes before finally being allowed to board at 12:30. Business class passengers boarded via door 1L while economy and premium economy passengers were directed to 2L.

The Flight

Vietnam Airlines has two separate configurations for their A350s. The first four A350s delivered to VN have staggered Stelia Solstys business-class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration while the newer A350s feature the better Safran Cirrus III business-class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Our A350 luckily had the Safran Cirus III seats which were all located in a single business class cabin between the first and second set of doors.

My fiance was seated in 7A while I was directly behind her in 8A. The seat recline function was broken in 7A but luckily 7D was empty and my fiance moved into the center after take-off.

There was a generous amount of legroom thanks to relatively unrestricted leg space, facilitated by the folding in and out of the IFE screen.

Each seat was equipped with a 14.4″ touch screen, which showed signs of aging. The touch function was not very responsive, leading me to rely on the remote control for most of the time. While the entertainment selection included a few newer Hollywood movies, I eventually ran out of options. Additionally, the flight map was not customizable.

Furthermore, each seat featured an individual reading light and a basic IFE remote. Additionally, there was a single USB-A port and a few buttons to adjust the seat recline.

There was also an open cubby for headphone storage.

Underneath the countertop space was a 110V universal outlet and water bottle holder.

The bi-fold tray table was also stowed underneath the countertop.

Along the aisle was an adjustable armrest as well as a small storage bin.

Vietnam Airlines provided several amenities for each business class passenger. At the seat, there was a comfortable pillow, a thick comforter, and a decent mattress pad. Each passenger also had a pair of slippers.

Additional amenities included an average pair of headphones as well as a nice Samsonite amenity kit stocked with Payot branded creams, socks, an eye mask, a dental kit, eye plugs, and a comb.

Ten minutes after boarding, pre-departure beverages were served. Options included champagne, water, or orange juice. Hot towels were also provided

Interestingly, Vietnam Airlines did not provide a menu at the seat for passengers. Instead, flight attendants circulated through the cabin with copies of the drink and food menu for the flight, collecting lunch orders while still on the ground. The doors were closed at 1:13 PM, and we pushed back at 1:24 PM. Finally, we took off from runway 26R at 1:35 PM.

On our ascent from Paris, we enjoyed a view of Charles de Gaulle airport.

Service began quickly after take-off with another hot towel and a drink service. My Charles Mignon Premium Reserve Brut champagne was served with a ramekin of cold nuts and wasabi peas.

The appetizers were served twenty minutes later on a single tray. Each passenger had a pumpkin soup with a garden salad. For the main appetizer, I went with pineapply shrimp which was tasty. A warmed bread basket was also offered and I had two delicious slices of garlic bread.

My fiance had the duck pate with dried apricot and raisins which was tasty as well. Unfortunately, the accompanying toasted bread was cold and stale.

For my main course, I had roasted halibut with tomatoes and creamed greens which tasted great despite the presentation.

My fiance enjoyed the General Tso chicken with stir-fried vegetables and white rice.

After the main course, flight attendants came through the cabin with a large fruit tray from which we could select different cuts of fruits. They also came through the cabin with a cheese tray from which we could also select different cheeses served with crudites. For dessert, there was an assortment of cakes, ice cream, and chocolate as well.

The food onboard was excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed how vast the menu and offerings were. In addition, the flight attendants were efficient with the meal service concluding just 90 minutes after take-off. Water bottles were passed out and I finished with a cup of black coffee.

There were a total of two business-class lavatories located behind the cockpit. Each lavatory was basic without any special amenities.

Flight attendants offered turn-down service and assisted passengers in setting up the mattress topper on the seat while still on the ground at Charles de Gaulle. With the mattress topper in place, I found the seat exceptionally comfortable and managed to get over six hours of sleep. The only negative to this seat was the lack of privacy as I was completely exposed to the aisle.

I slept well on this flight and woke up with three hours remaining until we landed in Hanoi even though the cabin was kept a bit warmer than I would have liked and there were no individual air nozzles.

The breakfast service began two hours before landing with a warm towel and orange juice.

I went with the Western option of a cheese omelet with sausage served with a side of fresh fruit and yogurt with peaches. A warm bread basket of croissants and toast was also offered.

My fiance had the Asian option of pork with pickled vegetables served over noodles.

The cabin was prepped for landing 30 minutes out and we touched down at 5:58AM in Hanoi. The taxi to the gate was quick and we were off the plane at 6:05AM.

I thoroughly enjoyed the soft product, including the food, amenities, and service onboard Vietnam Airlines. However, despite the comfort of the Safran Cirrus III seats, which are among the better business class seats in the air, they showed signs of age, with a poorly responsive IFE screen and broken recline. Had the cabin been entirely full, I am sure we would not have enjoyed this flight at all if we were not able to lie flat fully.

The Details

• Flight: UA3677
• Aircraft: E175
• Class: Economy
• Seat: 19B
• Route: Indianapolis (IND)-Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
• Distance: 235miles
• Duration: 42min
• Departure: 11:48AM
• Arrival: 11:30AM

The Preflight

My fiancee and I were headed to Vietnam for a week on vacation which involved two separate reservations. Our positioning flight involved flying from Indianapolis to Chicago O’Hare followed by an Air France flight to Paris and finally a Vietnam Airlines flight to Hanoi.

We arrived just an hour before boarding and spent some time at The Tap restaurant which is a new Priority Pass restaurant. Thanks to our Chase Ritz Carlton card we each had a $28 food and beverage credit to use.

There was an extensive beer menu with a wide variety on tap as well as an extensive food menu.

We decided to split the Cali Chicken Wrap which was served toasted with tortilla chips and a basket of pretzel sticks with delicious beer cheese.

After grabbing a quick lunch, it was time for boarding.

Our flight was originally scheduled to be on an E170 but the morning of, United upgauged the flight to an E175. The flight would be operated by hometown airline Republic Airways which is one of United Express partners. Our E175, registration N767YX, was delivered brand new to Republic Airways in October 2023, making the aircraft just four months old.

Boarding began at 11:16AM and we boarded with Group 2.

The Flight

United Airlines has a total of 12 Domestic First and 64 economy class seats on board their E175s operated by Republic Airways. The economy cabin was arranged in the standard 2-2 configuration in the main cabin. The first four rows of economy were EconomyPlus seats with 34 inches of pitch while the remainder of the cabin was regular economy seats. We were seated in 19A and B, just behind the wing. Each economy seat had 31 inches of pitch and 18 inches of width. There were no power outlets or USB ports on this flight.

The boarding doors were closed at 11:35 and we pushed back six minutes later ahead of schedule. We took off from runway 23R at 11:48AM.

During the short 42-minute flight to Chicago, the lone flight attendant working the economy cabin did come through the cabin once with a water service. Otherwise, we had a relatively smooth and unremarkable flight that ended with beautiful morning views of downtown Chicago.

We landed at 11:30AM on runway 27C and had a brief five-minute taxi to Gate B18.

The Details

• Flight: LA2697
• Aircraft: B787-9
• Class: Premium Business
• Seat: 4A and 4C
• Route: Lima (LIM)-Santiago (SCL)
• Distance: 1,548miles
• Duration: 2hrs 45min
• Departure: 9:48AM
• Arrival: 2:33PM

The Preflight

We were bused to the terminal after landing in Lima at 06:00 in the morning. Once in the terminal, we went to the connections security line to re-clear security. There were no other passengers ahead of us and we were through in under five minutes.

While LATAM Airlines calls Jorge Chavez International Airport a hub, it does not operate its own lounge. Instead, LATAM sends their premium passengers to the Sumaq Lounge.

This contract lounge was above average and surprised me in terms of the food’s quality and interior design. There were two main dining areas with communal tables and individual dining tables.

There was also an elegant bar with a wide variety of liquors. Unfortunately, alcohol cost extra and was not included in our visit.

Other beverage options included a selection of juices.

There was also a self-serve soda machine and espresso machine.

For breakfast, the hot food options included scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs with ham, hard-boiled eggs, toast, roast potatoes, and stir-fry chicken.

There was also a selection of chips, nuts, and dessert which included a variety of cakes.

Additional snacks included olives, hams, and cookies.

There was also a salad bar along with slices of ham and cheese.

Yogurt, fruit, and chia cups were also available along with a variety of bread.

We showered in the lounge and grabbed a small bite to eat in the two hours we had in the lounge. We headed to our departure gate 17 ten minutes before boarding. Boarding was scheduled to begin a full hour before departure at 8:35 AM.

Our B787-9, registration CC-BGB, was an eight-and-a-half-year-old aircraft delivered to LAN Airlines in March 2015 before the formation of LATAM Airlines. It is one of 25 B787-9 Dreamlines in the LATAM fleet.

Boarding began on time via door 2L.

The Flight

LATAM Airlines currently has two types of seating on board their B787-9s. Of the 25 B787-9s in the fleet, 13 of them feature the older Zodiac Aura Lite business class seats arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration across five rows for a total of 30 seats in the business cabin. The newer B787-9s feature a much nicer Thompson Vantage XL seat in a 1-2-1 configuration.

Our aircraft today featured the older Zodiac Aura Lite seats. The 2-2-2 configuration was perfect for couples while less than ideal for solo travelers.

We were in the fourth row in 4A and 4C. I enjoy these seats when traveling with my fiance as they have unlimited legroom. The lack of a footwell makes sleeping in these seats very comfortable.

There was a small touchscreen inflight entertainment system in the seat back along with a personal coat hook. In between the two screens were individual storage compartments. Underneath the foot rest, there was a large storage bin and a separate small bin.

The center console had a table top space with a hard wood finish.

The tray table was stowed in the center console. While basic, it was large and sturdy.

The seat controls were also in the center armrest. Special features included a massager and lumbar support.

Underneath the center armrest, there was an IFE remote, water bottle holder, headphone jack, 110V outlet, and USB port.

Amenities included a nice pair of headphones and a water bottle.

There was a small amenity kit which included a dental kit, eye mask, socks, and ear plugs. LATAM had fantastic bedding with a very comfortable pillow and comforter.

Menus were also provided. Our breakfast selections were taken on the ground before departure.

We pushed back at 9:26 AM and took off twenty minutes later from runway 16L.

There was a thick cloud cover over Lima on our climb out.

Breakfast was served immediately after take-off with a single tray. I went with the ham and cheese sandwich which was disappointing. It was served with a side of less-than-fresh fruit, yogurt, and cold bread.

My fiance had the omelet which was not much better.

I managed to nap for about 90 minutes and woke up as we approached Santiago.

I used one of the two forward lavatories reserved for business class passengers. They were average without anything special.

On our final approach to Santiago, we passed over the stunning Andes Mountains.

We landed at 2:32 PM and arrived at gate C3 14 minutes later.

I enjoyed this short-haul Latin American flight with LATAM. This route is normally operated by narrow-body A320s without a business-class cabin. We were lucky enough to get a wide-body aircraft with lie-flat seats which made this flight a much nicer experience.

The Details

• Flight: LA2699
• Aircraft: B767-300ER
• Class: Premium Business
• Seat: 5E
• Route: Miami (MIA)-Lima (LIM)
• Distance: 2,658miles
• Duration: 5hrs 15min
• Departure: 12:45AM
• Arrival: 6:00AM

The Preflight

Our journey with LATAM Airlines to Easter Island was an adventure from the start. As the sole carrier offering flights to this remote Polynesian paradise, we knew we were in for a unique experience. Our itinerary involved an overnight flight from Miami to Lima, a brief layover, and then onward to Santiago. From there, we’d spend the night before catching the once-daily flight to Easter Island.

To kick off our journey, we flew from Indianapolis to Miami with American Airlines, touching down at 7:15 PM. With a five-hour layover ahead of us, we had ample time to navigate Miami International Airport. After disembarking at gate D60K, we trekked through the North Terminal, leaving the secure area, and eventually finding our way to the South Terminal. It was about a 20-minute walk to reach the LATAM check-in counters in the South Terminal J concourse. Although the check-in counters were closed at the time (they typically open three hours before departure), we checked in via a self-serve kiosk since we didn’t have any checked luggage.

Miami is home to one of five LATAM VIP Lounges worldwide (the others being in Santiago, Bogota, Buenos Aires, and Sao Paulo). The lounge, adjacent to gate J6, was open from 5:30 to midnight daily. Access was granted to a range of travelers, including LATAM Black and Platinum elites, Premium Business passengers, and Delta Air Lines Gold, Platinum, and Diamond members flying on LATAM.

Upon entering the lounge, we were greeted by a rather sterile atmosphere. To the left, a small TV area offered a spot to relax on a few sofas.

Moving deeper into the lounge, there were a variety of sofas arranged in groups of two and four. The harsh white lights did not give a relaxing or cozy feel to the lounge.

In the heart of the lounge, a buffet spread awaited, boasting an array of cold and hot dishes, packaged snacks, beverages, and alcoholic options.

Drink options included bottled water, sparkling water, Coke products, as well as canned beer. There were self-serve espresso machines as well as a fresh orange juicer.

There was also a decent selection of both wines as well as self-serve liquors.

Cold food options included a variety of cheese, sliced meat, a salad bar, wraps, and cold-cut sandwiches.

Hot options included roasted potatoes, lasagna, and roasted vegetables. There was also a variety of bread available.

For dessert, the options included cheesecake, fresh fruit, cookies, as well as ice cream.

Additional snacks included Boulder potato chips and cookies. 

My lounge experience took an unexpected turn as I started feeling nauseous and developed cold sweats, likely due to food poisoning from the boxed dinner on my previous American Eagle flight as I had not eaten anything in this lounge. Just as we were preparing to depart the lounge, severe stomach cramps hit, leading to two episodes of vomiting.

Boarding for our flight was slated to commence an hour before departure at 11:35 PM. As Business class passengers, we were assigned to Group 1 for boarding. However, upon reaching the gate area, we encountered a bit of chaos, with a mass of passengers crowding around. Unfortunately, by the time we navigated through the crowd, Group 2 had already been called. Boarding proceeded through door 1L which meant all passengers would pass through the business class cabin.

The B767-300ER we were flying, registered as CC-CXH, was a fifteen-year-old aircraft. Originally delivered to LAN Airlines in December 2008, it became part of LATAM’s fleet following the merger of LAN and TAM in 2010, and was formally transferred to LATAM in 2016.

The Flight

LATAM Airlines currently operates a fleet of nine B767-300ERs, all based at the LATAM hub in Lima, Peru. On our flight, we were greeted with a total of 20 Premium Business class seats arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration across five rows. In this arrangement, the odd rows of middle seats were closer together in the middle, while even rows were closer to the aisle.

Settling into seats 5E and 5F in the last row of the business-class cabin, we found ourselves in Thompson Aero Vantage XL seats, each roughly 20 inches wide with a generous pitch of 45 inches.

The seatback boasted mood lighting, a coat hook, a built-in literature pocket, and a small storage cubby.

Entertainment options were abundant, with each seat featuring an impressive 18-inch HD touchscreen.

For convenience, a small open storage area held the headphones, water bottle, and amenity kit, with an additional storage bin nearby.

Underneath the tabletop, the small IFE remote was neatly stowed, accompanied by a few seat controls.

Plus, each seat came equipped with a 110V outlet and a USB-A port.

We appreciated the refined feel of the granite countertop finish and the inclusion of a personal reading light.

A large and sturdy bi-fold tray table was stowed beneath the granite countertop, unfolding easily for dining or work purposes.

Prior to takeoff, we were provided with a small amenity kit containing essentials like an eye mask, socks, dental kit, and earplugs, along with a bottle of water and headphones.

Comfort was further enhanced with a mattress topper, pillow, and blanket at each seat.

The menus were also waiting at the seat.

Once boarding was completed at 12:22 AM, we pushed back five minutes later, taking off from Miami at 12:45 AM for our five-hour and 15-minute flight to Lima. Despite originally planning to enjoy the LATAM catering, my GI symptoms left me with no appetite. Instead, I made use of one of the lavatories at the front of the cabin, which, while lacking in amenities, served its purpose.

Returning to my seat, I reclined and made my bed, quickly drifting off to sleep thanks to the incredibly comfortable bedding.

I awoke just as flight attendants were serving orange juice 35 minutes prior to landing.

We touched down in Lima 15 minutes earlier than scheduled at 06:00 AM.

Deplaning via stairs into buses, we were met with a slight inconvenience as there were no dedicated business-class buses, leading to a packed bus ride to the terminal, where we arrived 18 minutes later.

LATAM Airlines provided an exceptional business class service on this relatively short five-hour flight from Miami to Lima. Thanks to the comfortable bedding and fantastic seat, I was able to sleep comfortably for a few hours, despite having experienced food poisoning from American Airlines’ catering. By the time we were deplaning, I was already feeling better and regaining my appetite.

The Details

• Flight: AA4130
• Aircraft: E175
• Class: Domestic First
• Seat: 4D and 4F
• Route: Indianapolis (IND)-Miami (MIA)
• Distance: 1,092miles
• Duration: 2hrs 6min
• Departure: 5:10PM
• Arrival: 7:15PM

The Preflight

For this journey, my fiancé and I had planned a round-trip adventure from Miami to Easter Island with LATAM. It marked our first joint travel experience to South America, adding an extra layer of excitement to the trip. Our journey began with a positioning flight to Miami, courtesy of American Airlines.

We arrived at IND airport approximately an hour and a half before our scheduled departure at 5:05 PM. Check-in was a breeze since we only had carry-on bags, and thankfully, the TSA Precheck line on Sunday evening was virtually non-existent.

Our aircraft for this leg of the journey was a seven-year-old E175 with the registration N242NN. Delivered brand new to Envoy Air in October 2016, this aircraft was one of American Airlines’ regional jets, operated by Envoy Air under the American Eagle brand.

Boarding commenced 20 minutes ahead of our scheduled departure time, starting at 4:41 PM.

The Flight

American Airlines maintains a consistent cabin configuration for all E175s operated by its regional partners, including Envoy Air, Republic Airways, and SkyWest Airlines. In the Domestic First class cabin, there are a total of 12 seats arranged in a 1-2 configuration across the first four rows at the front of the aircraft.

We were seated in 4D and 4F toward the rear of the cabin.

Each seat measured 20 inches wide and provided 36 inches of pitch, although the seats themselves showed signs of wear with worn-down padding.

Between the seats, there was a small cocktail tray that slid out from the center armrest, while individual USB-A and 110V universal outlets were located under the center armrests.

The bi-fold tray table was stored within the right armrest.

Boarding was completed and the door was closed promptly at 5:00 PM, followed by pushback two minutes later. Taking off from runway 5R at 5:09 PM, we were treated to a beautiful sunset.

In-flight service commenced 30 minutes after take-off with a beverage service and packaged nuts. Opting for a Woodford and Coke Zero, I was pleased to find it served pre-poured in a proper glass.

Given the flight’s distance of over 900 miles, a dinner service was offered. However, American Eagle E175s lack a hot oven, so all food was served cold. Dinner options were presented in a large box, with my choice being the “Protein Box” containing sliced prosciutto, three types of cheese, crackers, artichokes and olives, fresh grapes and berries, and an oatmeal raisin cookie. Unfortunately, the food fell short, as I later developed food poisoning, with the boxes being the likely source of my symptoms.

 My fiance had the “Pasta Box” option which included a pasta wrap, orzo salad, mixed nuts, and oatmeal cookie.

On a positive note, the flight attendant provided excellent service, ensuring a continuous supply of Woodfords on the rocks once the boxes were cleared.

The single lavatory at the front of the cabin was rather basic and shared between Domestic First and economy passengers.

The remainder of the flight was uneventful, and we landed in Miami at 7:15 PM.

Deplaning via stairs onto the regional jet concourse, we had a fairly long walk ahead of us from D60 in North Terminal to the South Terminal J Concourse.

Despite the pleasant service onboard this American Eagle flight from Indianapolis to Miami, my overall experience was marred by the unfortunate development of gastroenteritis following the onboard food and beverage service. I think I will have to avoid any of the packaged boxed meals on American Airlines for some time.