Flight Review: Air France 777-300 Business Class JFK-CDG.

Today we’re flying to Copenhagen via Pairs. The first part of the trip is on an Air France 777-300 in business class between JFK and CDG. The Air France 777 is a common sight on the New York to Paris route. I enjoy flying with Air France and I’m excited to review the 777-300 in business class. Earlier this year I reviewed the Air France A350 in business class and I’ve been looking forward to seeing how the Business class A350 experience is different to the 777-300, full comparison if you’re interested.

This departure is the first Air France flight of the afternoon between NYC and Paris. We’re departing at 4:50 pm so very early for a red eye flight. This has the advantage of getting into Paris very early but has the disadvantage of an awkward timing for getting some sleep. Air France has a few different variations of 777-300, the one we’re on is the most common type. It has 4 First Class Seats, 58 Business Class Seats, 28 Premium Economy, and 208 Economy Seats.

Bottom Line: I really enjoyed this flight on the Air France 777-300 in business class. The service was excellent, the seats were comfortable, and the entertainment selection was very good. I’m not sure I like it more than the Air France A350, but I’d gladly book the Air France 777-300 in business class again.

Air France 777-300 JFK Terminal 1

We arrived at JFK just about 2 hours before our flight. Air France uses Terminal 1 here at JFK. Terminal 1 has a hodgepodge of international airlines including Air France. We already had our boarding passes so we headed to the security line.

The security line was very long, we had TSA Precheck so we got to bypass much of it, but at the end there’s no dedicated Precheck area, just lumped in with everyone else. It’s not a great experience and I would recommend budgeting a full hour for security here at JFK Terminal 1 if you don’t have Precheck. With Precheck we were through in about 15 minutes.

Air France 777-300 Business Class Boarding JFK

After spending about an hour in the Air France lounge, we walked over to our gate. The boarding gate here at JFK didn’t give any view of our Air France 777. The good news is that the boarding process started right on time.

The version of the Air France 777-300 that we’re riding on tonight has a ton of business class seats so there’s a pretty big line up in the jet bridge.

Air France 777-300 Business Class Seat Review

The Air France 777-300 has two business class cabins that are separated by the second boarding door. We’re sitting in the smaller forward cabin tonight. Beyond the divider you can see the Air France First Class La Premier cabin.

We found our seats on the left hand side of the plane. The Air France 777-300 uses reverse hearing bone seats in business class. Each seat has direct aisle access and decent privacy as they face the window. In our seat was a pillow, blanket, menu, and amenity kit.

After looking at it, I’ve been selecting lots of right hand seats so figured I’d go for a left hand for a change. I also wanted to be in the smaller forward cabin, no real reason, just wanted to see what’s up.

The Air France 777-300 business class cabin seat is very large. The ottoman has plenty of foot space unlike some seats that have just a little cubby.

Air France 777-300 Business Class Seat Features

The Air France 777-300 business class seat has a great in seat entertainment system. It swings and faces the seat. On the entertainment screen I added a few movies to my favorites list, I like this feature so I can have a selection of movies ready to go for ones we’re airborne. The flight to CDG is pretty short from JFK and I want to sleep.

To the right of the screen is a coat hook. As we settled in to our seats and the Air France flight attendant came around to collect our jackets. I didn’t even get a chance to use the coat hook.

The seat controls are simple and easy to use.

At shoulder height is a little cubby with provided headphones. Inside is also a mirror and light. I used the space to keep my case of cords and headphone case. I didn’t use the Air France provided headphones, just my Sonys.

In the Air France Business Class seat there is a remote that can control the entertainment system, the overhead light, and the flight attendant call button.

One downside of the Air France 777 in business class is the lack of overhead vents. I’m not sure why airlines keep removing the individual air nozzle.

Near my knee is a power outlet. There are two, on USB and another universal. There’s also a bottle of water waiting in the seat.

Waiting in the seat was a menu, amenity kit, and a covid kit. The covid kit had a mask, wipes, and hand sanitizer. I’ll get into the Air France amenity kit later.

Air France 777-300 Business Class Departure

The pilot came on and told us we’re ready to go, but because of wind, we need to wait a few minutes here at the gate. We’d arrive too early and break the noise ordinances at CDG. It’s 6 hours flat to Paris tonight.

Next another flight attendant came around with hot towels. Those were then soon collected.

The flight attendant came around this time with champagne or orange juice. Like I’ve said in the past I’m not a huge champagne person, but I’ll enjoy a glass or two on an Air France flight.

Very soon we pushed back, I was a little surprised, I thought we’d have a few minutes more to sit here at the gate, but I guess not. There’s a LH A340-600 at the gate next to us, not many of those flying anymore. I took a trip on a Virgin Atlantic A340 a few years ago, before kinda boring.

The safety video was shown as the cabin crew collected our glasses and did their safety walkthrough. Lots of good looking planes here at JFK, always fun to see airlines I don’t regularly spot at my usual stomping grounds.

As we taxied out, I put on a movie and the lights were dimmed. Looks like a beautiful night for a flight.

Once airborne we quickly made our turn towards the Atlantic and nearly as fast as the flight attendants could make their announcement, the seatbelt sign was turned off. The cabin lights came back on and I plugged in my phone to charge. Air France does not allow charging of devices during takeoff.

The very friend flight attendant came around and confirmed that I had pre-ordered the beef. He first spoke to me in French, and I do understand a little, but I asked if we could switch to English. He of course smiled and laughed at my poor French and said we could practice french if I wanted, but I figured that would be so slow. Anyway, I love being able to pre-reserve meals on flights.

I deployed my in flight entertainment screen and raised my armrest.

Air France 777-300 Business Class Dinner Service

The flight attendant came around with more champagne and some little cheese snacks. They were pretty good and I enjoyed the second glass of champagne as well.

Air France Business Class Menu

Air France Business Class Menu

The Air France 777-300 Business Class tray table slides out of the side table.

I like this style of tray table. It allows you to slightly push the tray table away and sneak out of the seat if you need to get to the bathroom.

First the appetizer was served. I don’t really like pate foie gras but I’ll eat a little of it. I liked the quinoa and greens salad. I opted for a gin and tonic along side the Merlot.

The beef main course was really good. This was easily the best beef I’ve ever had on a plane. I don’t know why I keep ordering it, as it’s usually pretty bad. Air France did this correctly, I really enjoyed it.

Val had the risotto and reported that it was also incredible. After my main course I enjoyed the cheese very much. The deserts were also really great I especially enjoyed the macaroon it has marzipan inside, and I love marzipan.

After dinner coffee and tea were offered along side aperitif. I had a whiskey and a water. Towards the end of dinner we got a little turbulence and the seatbelt sign went back on, but I had a whiskey and a water so I just relaxed. The Air France flight attendants are just absolutely fantastic, some of the best service on a plane I’ve ever had.

Air France Business Class Amenity Kit

The Air France Business Class amenity kit had all the expected goods. Eye mask, socks, tooth brush with tooth paste, ear plugs, pen, lotion, and hand sanitizer.

I stuffed everything into the storage cubby and settled into my seat.

Air France 777-300 Bathroom

We’re sitting in the forward business class cabin so the bathroom we can use is behind us. The ones forward are for La Premier First Class passengers.

The bathrooms on the Air France 777 are nothing special but they are large enough to be comfortable and were kept clean for the whole flight.

Air France 777-300 Business Class Sleeping

The cabin lights were dimmed and I headed to my seat to get some sleep. The JFK-CDG flight isn’t that long so I’m hopefully I can get comfortable quickly.

I reclined my seat and got the blanket and pillow out. I really liked the pillow but the blanket was nothing amazing. I was able to fall asleep pretty quickly and got a good 3 hours of sleep, it’s not a lot, but better than nothing.

I was awoken by a horrible announcement, “ladies and gentlemen, there is a passenger who is ill, if there is a doctor onboard, could you please make yourself known.”
I’ve heard that announcement a few times, I really hope the passenger is ok. We’re about 2 hours from Paris, there’s not really anything between us and the French Coast. It’s scary to have a medical emergency in the middle of the Atlantic. They could divert to the Irish coast, but I’m not sure about the distances, I just hope whomever is ok.

Air France 777-300 Business Class Breakfast

since I was up I decided to have the breakfast. There were two options a hot selection with an omelet or a continental with yogurt, fruit, and a bread section. I had the continental, it wasn’t amazing, but was good enough.

Air France CDG Arrival

The cabin lights were brought up as we approached Paris. Out jackets were returned and I made one more trip to the bathroom.

We touched down into Paris very early in the morning. In fact, I think we were the first plane to land for the day.

We made the long taxi over to our gate. I always worry about making a connection at CDG but we’re a few minutes early so I’m optomistic.

Once into the terminal we got a good look at our Air France 777 that took us here.

Air France 777-300 Business Class Final Thoughts

The Air France 777 business class is a great product. This flight was so short, I feel like we didn’t get to fully experience it, mostly I’m just tired and wanted more time to sleep.

I really enjoyed the meal on this flight, the beef was really good. Val also liked her risotto. We both enjoyed the cheese and deserts.

The business class seats were very comfortable, not flashy but a solid product. I really liked the entertainment selection along with the bedding. Again, nothing amazing, just quality.

JFK-CDG is just not a very long flight, only 6 hours in the air. I always question if business class is worth the effort on a flight like this. I really just dislike the departure time of this flight. I would much prefer to depart closer to 10pm so that I can just get some sleep instead of landing at 5am.

At the end of the day, I really love flying with Air France. The Business Class on the 777 is a great way to get across the Atlantic.

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