BRUTALLY HONEST: Flying Air France Business Class Chicago to Paris

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I'm flying Air France Business Class on their dated Boeing 777-300ER for 8 hours from Chicago O'Hare to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Come with me as I give a brutally honest review of my experience, from the ground service & lounge provision to the onboard soft & hard product. It's especially interesting to me, as my previous long haul flights with Air France were exclusively onboard La Premiere. So this should offer an interesting point of comparison.
As with all my trip reports, I'll provide an honest account of the flight, allowing you to understand if this is the right Business Class ticket for your next trip, whether that be for vacation or work.
I also pass the question off to you, what do you think to Air France Business Class, have you flown it and if do you draw the same conclusions?
You can keep up with my trips live over on IG: / will.luxurytravel

[@Trektrendy]

Holiday Season Deal! Go to nordvpn.com/trektrendy to get 73% off a two year plan plus one additional month free, only £2.34 per month

[@AV8_YT]

You should try airfrance premium economy on the 787

[@cuppajoe2]

THIS is what a brutally honest review is. It's not "Everything is bad" like some other KZbinrs do it (For example, I saw one complain that their $3,000 wine wasn't expensive enough) its brutally honest. The food was good the seat was sub-par and the service was OK. Thanks for this!

[@DrSmoggie]

That earplug wasn't there at 6:20 when you were taking your shoes off, but it is there after you've took them off? Hmmmm

[@zoomcctv]

Love the video, I really love Air France business out of all the main European carriers. Defo complain to AF about the lounge. They gave me €250 credit the last time the lounge was closed.

[@towaritch]

The French live out of borrowed 💰 so not surprising they offer monetary compensation it costs them nothing.

[@hothotheat3000]

Whenever someone says “brutally honest”, you know they’re about to emphasize the BRUTALITY. For that amount of money, your experience was pitiful. At the risk of going full Karen, you need to contact the airline about this. They won’t improve if they don’t know.

[@towaritch]

Having both lived in France and travelled around the world in the last half century ( until Covid stroke) my main pet peeve with France is the general lack of hygiene of public places and means of transportation ( metro, train, stations, airports rest rooms etc)

[@WaiferThyme]

agreed. i very much doubt his seat was even cleaned let alone sanitized. SO gross

[@xaviergonzalez5277]

Well, as a French, who avoids Air France whenever I can, no they won't improve. Charles de Gaulle airport is probably the worst big hub airport I know. Even as a French native speaker, the employees are a disgrace (no later than 2 months ago I was denied to go in the business security check because I did not look business enough without even asking to see my boarding pass, I had to insist... And that is one of many examples...) The food is good but on-board, the stewards are just tired of you, the seats are not well maintained (they are a few years old and yet it seems they are from the 20th century), etc And finally, this is a fact, you will NOT arrive on time with Air France most of the time. I avoid it like the plague now, both the company and airport are put together a disgusting representation of what French culture can be like. And I apologize for it.

[@tannhauser5399]

@@xaviergonzalez5277 - Agree in some way. At the end they won't improve. They are French. They would rather go on strike than do any serious change - unless it will benefits the employees - which I will give it to them, they have every right to do - as the empoyment laws are very good in France (but it doesn't mean that the customer satisfaction is good in anyway).

[@dodgers4121]

@@xaviergonzalez5277 Xavier Gonzalez.... Very French Name! LOL Just kidding!!!! Don't get mad.

[@rahulfaizer2444]

I flew that exact route in biz last week. I felt pretty much exactly the same as you did, with good food, but poor ground experience and cleanliness. It's odd that the check-in agent didn't tell you about Air France passengers being able to use the Swiss Lounge.

[@bagaholicmom2573]

Aren't Swiss Air and AF of different alliances?

[@2rbo220]

I flew Air France when I came from Norway to Paris. Paris back to Dubai was in this exact business class. IT WAS AMAZING! The crew were so friendly and would offer to take our coats to keep them in an onboard closet. The lounge was amazing, I’m surprised it was closed there in Chicago.

[@kagyuke4510]

'lets see if its la chic or la shite' got me ded laughing.

[@markray814]

Agree. Lounge is an important part - lounges in the US tend to be disappointing though

[@jackkaufman]

If the business class seats cost too much (which they are), then buy premium economy seats and upgrade them to business for 500$. Unfortunately this you can only upgrade at the airport, but most of the time they have 2 or 3 seats left.

[@ASAviation]

On behalf of all Chicagoans, I apologize for our lackluster international terminal experience. Hopefully the new renovation improves the experience a little.

[@aviationanalyticswansh2037]

thank you for the apology, was needded....

[@johnt6022]

Calm down. Its no like you own the airport.

[@ladytokyo2003]

Another Chicagoan saying sorry.

[@johnt6022]

@@ladytokyo2003 Just attention seeking behaviour

[@laurenmonaghan8481]

So long as you keep the popcorn, it's the one thing I look forward to at Chicago airport as you don't get cheese flavoured popcorn in Ireland! (Also it's only a stopover for me so I can't get it anywhere else) 😁

[@reniesaenz9183]

I live in Chicago and I am an Amex platinum holder. Flew the same business class fare from ORD to Paris in October. I used the lounge that was at capacity. Tbh you didn’t miss anything there were only small snacks and some drinks. They didn’t even have ice. I also was lucky enough to be in the last flight offering 2-3-2 business class config 🙄.

[@jasonjohnson2536]

Thanks for the video review - I’m always interested in Air France. Perhaps I read it wrong but near the beginning I saw a caption that indicated things would not get better but that was not the impression you left at the end - with a fairly positive overall summary. All the best in 2022.

[@brianb2837]

Trek, always awesome to see the notice that one of your video’s has popped up in my feed! Thanks so much and Stay Safe!

[@JaJa-xx2yd]

I always enjoy your reviews / adventures. It's especially nice to watch because of all the covid restrictions around the globe , it tells me things are slowly going back to normal all while putting a smile on my face.

[@BRTripReport]

Wow, for that price it’s shocking that there isn’t lounge access…

[@pacificH2O]

Good review! We're hoping to travel AF soon. I hope the lounges open soon.

[@ekuche8335]

I have literally not flown airlines if the lounges at the airports are closed. Lounges are a huge part of business class/ first class tickets. When I’m spending thousands of dollars and 30% of my experience is now gone why am I still paying full price. Unfortunately lounge schedules now dictate a lot of flight schedules… first world problems :)

[@JorisTimmerman]

This was almost my exact experience flying business between Paris and Denver. Seat on arrival was also dirty & full of crumbs (both flights). The food was really great, mixed feelings about the crew though (wonderful experience flying to Denver, bad experience flying back to Paris).

[@sarveshram]

Awesome, honest review! Thanks Will!

[@shahinsamad7529]

Great video and thanks for sharing. Love the honest review rather then Chui-ing it. Brilliant content as always!

[@JeremiahBelocura]

The most brutal part of this review was the [admittedly not uncommon] conflation of "macaron" and "macaroon."

[@dtsaoo99]

Awesome review as usual. Thank you for flying during covid to keep us all updated! Wonder what brand your pants are. Very nice!

[@paullewis2413]

I have to say my recent flight on .A.F. Business was the best I’ve ever experienced. Layover at CDG was a breeze, on board service, comfort and food all top notch. None of this Covid nonsense, it seems that the airline is back to former times. Just booked them again in the hope that it will again be a great experience.

[@presspound7358]

Liked your video…. because… it was very well presented… nimbly summarized at every turn… and best of all …. You are a story teller. 👍🇨🇦

[@robertchapman1767]

Good review , difficult time to travel especially with the extra testing to do and airport services slowly getting back to normal .You should be entitled to a discount with no lounge services available.

[@elijahh7807]

love watching these while eating food, thanks for the entertainment mate!

[@txquartz]

Lounge construction aside, my friends work at ORD and said that T5 has been absolutely dead and is only now starting to recover, because most local traffic uses US airlines to go overseas thanks to pricing and they depart from the domestic terminals, so maybe the lounges would have been better there.

[@kpplayzz2046]

Ahhh when’s the next video coming out. I’m waitingggggggg lol 😂 ur content is so good. Keep up the good work!

[@Trektrendy]

Thanks soo much :) next video is live on Thursday. Have had to have a little time editing off as I’m flying nonstop. Can’t wait to share my next video with you

[@edward88881]

and a silent nod to that La Première seat on the way out the door. You definitely need to treat yourself better next time 😂. Thanks for the review! Love your channel.

[@ogjk]

Great review,, was the Delta Skyclub open in ORD by chance?

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

Dude, loving all the Terminal 5 shots at ORD. Been there so many times I could see all my spots for eating, spotting, and strolling. I'll look for you and your NASA shirts form now on. Should I introduce myself or not?

[@kevanhubbard9673]

They might say that the lounge is a perk and not factored into the ticket 🎫🎟️ price?I don't know if it's the case or not but lounges cost money with staffing,rent,etc so there must be some breakdown formula pretty expensive things to run as just a perk.

[@MattCook206]

Interesting experience. Food looked good at least haha. Thanks for the video.

[@devaughnedwards1647]

SOOOO thankful for this heads-up. Planning a trip overseas and was tempted to consider Air France. Virgin Atlantic it is!

[@poland0017]

Thank you so much for uploading this video I hope you have a great new year

[@glennkennedy441]

Nice and slick review !

[@thatguy7414]

When flying business, in my opinion it’s all about perspective, if you fly business and first all the time then obviously an experience that isn’t stellar is going to seem bad to that person. However I was fortunate enough to fly airfrance business when I was 11 from Paris to Houston after my dad got an upgrade through his work. It was incredible having never flown in business the whole experience was jaw dropping. I love your videos btw as there are not many content creators out there like you. Just thought I would chip in my 2 cents.

[@heatherdavies1894]

Le chic or la shite 😂. That made me laugh out loud , great content as always. 👍🏻 Happy New year 🎉

[@internationAL21]

Thanks TT, great review. Would love to see your experience of AirFrannce Premium Economy sometime too please (if you’re willing to “rough” it for our benefit!)

[@pierrecusmybladdersempty1938]

You should find flights that take you to MSP (my neck of the woods). It's like a luxury mall and lots of stuff is open! I don't care which flight you review, you should see if they depart from MSP.

[@beefcurtain-travel]

Wait until the dude finds out that the TSA pre line can sometimes be as long as other lines

[@orighomisandediare4990]

Concorde Lounge in JFK was never open for my FIRST experiences pre covid. It didnt help my flight was 9AM departure. Nevertheless... Didnt realise it was like that in other parts of NY

[@juanitamatime5793]

I have done this experience several times and it's very pleasant. It's also so expensive.

[@jeffayoe7468]

happy new year!

[@sergiolaurencio7534]

I figured aut the Air France is the last one of the best world aircraft ( it is because of this). Awesome video. By the way, did you know this? The 747 production would be extended s couple of months more since UPS orders 6 more of them. I was so happy when I heard that.😄

[@xnyrage]

Yeah… if you were actually at the lounge AFTER 10 October, most of the tarmac facing lounges are not closed because of the pandemic but rather, because of Terminal 5 construction at ORD. And that’s why the AF lounge was closed. It’s actual space has been ripped apart for the T5 expansion. It closed on the day I traveled T5 ORD-DOH-MLE on Qatar Business. So… yeah… it sucked as they shuffled all the lounge access for all non-carrier based lounge access. And so it goes.

[@mrchico1240]

Great Video Like Always Keep up the good work!

[@jawn_1086]

can you do a review on Singapore air a380 first class and another review on qsuites :)

[@aviationanalyticswansh2037]

Hey Will! Good Job on the Content! Love it as usual!

[@le7062]

I just flew Air France from NY to Lisbon, Portugal. The overall experience was underwhelming. Some of the crew was good and others not so much. I could not get into the lounge as well because it was closed. The bathrooms in business class were not different either. Just mere basic necessities

[@akk5390]

Awesome review mate! 👍🏽 keep up the great work

[@evlijanhaxhimustafa2349]

How do you know its awesome he just uploaded

[@akk5390]

@@evlijanhaxhimustafa2349 skills

[@Bostonite1985]

Do the TVs have remote control or do you have to get up to change channels using touch screen?

[@thesilk1954]

I flew delta and paid 800. basically got the same cabin...

[@TheVaughan5]

Well here is my brutally honest review. AIR FRANCE Business class.. LHR to GRU via CDG. First leg of the journey was average, check in at Heathrow easy, seat ok but nothing special. The Aspire Lounge used by AF (T3) is not the product it “aspires” to be but that’s not the airline’s fault. Layover was a breeze at CDG not enough time to use the lounge but security was the easiest I’ve experienced for years, no long queues. (It was at night admittedly) The long haul flight was nothing short of excellent throughout. Very comfortable, clean cabin, only one seat by the window side of the corridor (2 windows actually) efficient friendly service and great food. No complaints whatsoever and I’ll certainly be using them again. (also a highly competitive price booking via KLM their affiliated airline)

[@airbuslover9041]

How do you always fly Business or First class?? Would be nice if you could make a video about it.

[@TheMridulrathi]

Was the Polaris lounge not open? I flew out of O'Hare on the 23rd and it was open

[@TheRareVideosXL]

I expected a little bit more from Air France too. Its too pricey. Great video,by the way.

[@roopeankka3707]

I must say i enjoy ur videos a lot. Many times a day❤️

[@Trektrendy]

Thanks so much 🙏🏼

[@richardg8651]

I have no idea how old buses get up your hill . Did you pick this property for the amusement of watching them try ? I'm going to assume fresh gravel helps but am not sure why .

[@AdamAuxier64]

I’ve made a dozen or more trips on AF, their food is above and beyond everyone else. The only airline that equals them is SQ. Better than QR, LH and EK in my opinion.

[@djbabygggudani7911]

OMG !you were in Chicago??how awesome…Shytown!I wish I would have met you..Of course I’m from shytown…born and raised..Did u do any sightseeing here?

[@NW-gi1cp]

Yes

[@veddaga1504]

The croissant is often associated with France however it is actually Vienese

[@thecreativecontessa]

Great review! While I agree that the U.S. TSA security lines are not super joyful, they are better than German airport security! Not only did they recently confiscate my emergency Kerry Gold butter as being a "dangerous liquid", I basically have to strip down to my skivvies every single time AND receive an airport security massage! (I begin to wonder if aliens did not abduct me and implant a random metal bit in my thigh...)

[@andrewstorm8240]

Landing safely - useful. Do you plan to score these trips in 2022?

[@louiseleonard1992]

This looks gorgeous

[@Mitsuki_iiiii]

All this travelling sounds so fun 🤩 But sadly 😔 quality is not always good

[@ChrisHockman]

I appreciate that you weren’t going off on a service worker about the milkshake and just moved on.

[@kaylanbuyukcetin5274]

Great review, AF seems to be very consistent for the most part in premium cabins. O'Hare needs to get it together though lol

[@healsohard2090]

It’s easy to have premium airports when you have few if any the US has 19,622 airports in one country

[@ajc6208]

@@healsohard2090 but the large airports… should be better. No one’s expecting it for some random airport in Nebraska but a main hub of your state!?

[@healsohard2090]

@@ajc6208 a main hub that’s closed 90% due to resurgence of a severe virus. Get your shit together

[@anlewi1]

I always like watching your videos it's my way of getting to go out when I have to stay in. That amount of money no lounge the uncleanliness would have had me unhinged as in I would have had the creepy crawlies not at Karen and hinged. I'm a bit of a germaphobe so that is unacceptable to not have that cleaned up. One person posted that you do need to let the airline know so that they can give you a credit which yes you do need and two they can't fix what they don't know is broken. On the other hand just because they know it's broken doesn't mean they're going to fix it either but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have it brought to their attention. May you have a happy and blessed New Year and many more travels. 🥳

[@robertgonzales3936]

can you put the flight date on your videos and can you tell me when was this?

[@jeffmitchellberry70]

As a frequent business class flyer, I just don't understand the obsession that KZbin flight reviewers have with amenity kits and pajamas. I never use either. I have my own equipment that I much prefer, and I think most frequent travelers do as well. I like the airlines that just have amenities in the bathroom to use as needed much better.

[@heatseeker456]

I give them to my daughter or my staff.

[@Trektrendy]

Simple really, it's a benchmark. When an airline provides certain soft enhancements in a premium cabin, but others don't, it can certainly make a difference. To a frequent traveller sure, you may bring your own. But the last minute business trip or once a year pleasure trip, these small additions can make a big difference.

[@thomasmaresh5264]

The staff would beg us to take the pajamas. I would take the pajamas to stay on the staff's good side. The flight staff loved me. Actually the pajamas make some businessmen look very athletic and virile, and the pajamas did make for comfortable resting (I can never sleep more then ten minutes at a time on an aircraft, even trans-Pacific.)

[@johnpurnell6898]

ORD T5 has always sucked in terms of ambience and especially lounges. Only decent ones in ORD are Polaris and Admiral but like so many lounges - reduced offerings. Regardless, I am sure you are well aware of ORDs T5 expansion and modernization. Props to how ORD has been able to keep T5 running while it is updated. Come back in the fall of 2022 and check out the new lounges then.

[@MusicAvi8Tr]

Whilst expensive @Trek Trendy you didn't say HOW you paid for this? Thanks

[@jerryofsanfrancisco]

Just so you know. The cookie that you had was a macaron, not a macaroon. Two different cookies.

[@tracymckenzie8513]

All the lounges in the US are utter crap in my experience and that's flying either First or Business, the worst is Las Vegas Terminal 3, flying First back to the UK, it was a total joke. Loved the shoe horn in the amenities kit by the way, I always carry a wee shoe horn in my bag to help me get my shoes back on after a long haul flight, it's a life saver! lol

[@usayeed727]

Yeah definitely not the kind of business class experience I’d want- ESPECIALLY for a $5k price tag. I’d use other carriers than Air France. Their First Class La Premiere is absolutely stellar though and would definitely be something I’d consider trying out.

[@Shipwright1918]

Shoulda took Cunard, mate. Might be slower, but you would've got a bit more for the $5k.

[@BJOlson]

Arduous? Was it really arduous to take plastic lids off of plates?

[@aerorobnz]

You should have complained directly to AF staff at checkin if you knew there may be trouble finding a lounge, but I would still complain directly to Air France social media regarding the lounge. Nice and public. Covid is no excuse to not issuing refreshment vouchers at the very least. for lack of lounge

[@danilocabuhatjr4846]

Anyone know what Timberlands he is wearing? I can’t find it on their website.

[@pumpkinalyxsa7476]

Some people really like Air France however my experience was really bad. there was mold and dirt around my chair ( i was at business class) and the rug was I tattered and the cabin crew weren’t attentive. However I can only speak for myself not others, but I will definitely not take Air France again.

[@mathieuferlandkozicz1335]

Hi mate, the M lounge at ORD is the worst international terminal in all of the USA, especially during the pandemic with the closures; that being said if you have the (mis)fortune of having to travel there again during the lounge closures, turn left when you enter and head down to the far left end where Lufthansa parks their aircraft, these gates aren’t used and there are armrest-less chairs, a salad vending machine, and good tarmac views. Very empty. Bon voyage

[@Sanznachito]

Not a bad experience putting Chicago Airport pre departure experience to one side… 👍

[@Trektrendy]

Yes onboard for sure made up for the experience :)

[@jannebrija9879]

I really just want to voice this out to all the platforms available. . . We booked a flight from Munich to Paris with Air france. . . They had technical problems with their plane so our flight was delayed for 2hrs and they where cannot load our baggage on our plane. . . The only option they gave us was either to fly without our luggage and it will be sent to our hotel the next day or we rebook our flight the next day in hopes that our luggage will come with it. . . We waited for the entire day and our luggage didn’t arrive. . . We wen’t to the airport to claim it personally but they said they can’t release our luggages. . . We are only on vacation in Paris for 4 days, 1 day is already lost while waiting for the luggage. . . And all they can answer is “I’m sorry” and “I understand but we can’t do anything about it”. . . Our whole vacation that we planned for months was ruined and that’s the best they got. . . It really enrages me that they ruined someones vacation and the best answer they got is we can’t do anything about it? Just a side note, it was my first time to experience an airplane do a wrong parking. . .

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

great work

[@chinaberg]

You should have Polaris lounge access. Don't understand why you didn't go there.

[@justinkirk1256]

HI - Really love your stuff. Would really like your opinion with Vicarious voyager and Noel Phillips on the onboard lounges / bars. You all score Emirates (valid) but in my opinion the rest are rubbish. I travel a lot but why do you think Qantas gets a rating compared to the great offering elsewhere? Hope i get a response - you and. Vicarious Voyager are the best!

[@naitcst]

Please do westjet 787 from Calgary to Amsterdam on economy or business class

[@tomattime]

Brutally honest,, is the gentle way of putting it. Excellent episode as always. Roll on 2922 and perhaps some semblance of normality. In less than 2 months from now I will, I Hope, be upstairs in a 747-800 travelling to buenos aires 🤞

[@apertureemployee215]

Yikes. I'm flying buisness ORD to CDG next year for a family trip. I booked with Delta but got shunted over to Air France both ways. It'll be on a 787 instead of a 777 so hopefully it'll be less gross.

[@dianeschroeder3980]

At first when I saw BRUTALLY HONEST I thought I was watching David from Simply Aviation, but then I saw it was Mr. Trendy! I thought this review was going to be worse, but I have to admit the dirty ear plug was gross! That’s a pretty high price for no lounge but at least the food was good inflight. I’ll be glad when Covid is over so the airlines can stop using it as a cost cutting tool! Happy new year!🎆🎈🎊 ✈️

[@McOzman479]

Good to see the covid cleaning is effective

[@dianeschroeder3980]

@@McOzman479 haha yeah

[@annecy49]

Hopefully they will upgrade their seats and TV screens to what they offer on their A350. But still this is a nice offer.

[@Oreo_politics2015]

Great video

[@importedmusic]

Reading all the comments from people disappointed at the price of the champagne or caviar not being served at the right time of their flight. Try business class in some African airports and the business lounge has a few plastic chairs and a microwave in the corner! :) and that's even for a few of the business lounges in international airport's here

[@uknewslink]

Treck trendy your hair darling look really nice and the food looked great.

[@jgiesel]

That pretty much sums up Chicago as a whole.

[@paullewis2413]

Thanks for the upload. Well since when was flying in the U.S. anything but shite. Catering at their airports is deplorable, ok some of their lounges are good but not many from my experience.

[@rusticgoat9290]

Bro just shat on my city’s airport😂 you gotta come back after the renovations to t5 are done and when the lounges are open. Still best city in North America💯

[@Trektrendy]

I will never knock Chicago, I agree, it's one of my favourites in the US. Looking forward to the airport renovations to be complete later next year. Thanks for watching my friend :)

[@ChrisGugliuzza]

O'Hare is shit lol. So is any other airport in America