The Air France A350-900 in business class might be my favorite way to cross the Atlantic. From start to finish the experience is just extremely pleasant. Air France just does everything right. I rode on the Air France A350 in Business Class back in 2022, I’m interested in seeing if there are any differences this summer.
Tonight’s Air France A350 flight is from DTW to CDG. I really like DTW as a place for a connection(guide here). DTW Airport is easy to deal with and has some nice Delta Skyclub lounges to relax in before the flight too. We hung out in the DTW A42 Skyclub (review here). Anyway, let’s get into this flight review.
Air France has 20 A350s in their long haul fleet. This is the second most common wide body for Air France(After the 777 that I’ve also ridden on and reviewed in Business Class). The Air France A350 also features a Business Class seat that’s not found on any of their other planes. It’s a staggered lie flat seat arranged into a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access from every seat. I’ll get into my favorite seats later.
Bottom Line: I really don’t think there is a bad seat in the Air France A350 Business Class cabin, but some are better than others. The service provided by the flight attendants is top notch. The business class dinner is great and the wine offered is better than most. I love Air France’s Business Class and the A350 is great.
Air France A350 Business Class Boarding
After spending just about 2 hours in the Delta Skyclub at DTW, it was time to board our Air France A350 to Paris.
We boarded about a half hour late, punctuality is not an Air France strong suit. I’m not worried, we have a 4 hour connection in CDG, plenty of time even if we’re delayed.
Here at DTW, Delta and by extension Air France uses bio-metric boarding. All you have to do is look at the camera and it will find your information and allow you to board. In most cases there is no need to show a boarding pass or passport.
We boarded and we were greeted by the extremely nice and extremely French cabin crew. They pointed us to the left towards our seats in the business class cabin on the Air France A350.
Air France A350 Business Class Cabin
We were not the first to board so the Air France A350 cabin was pretty busy with other passengers stowing there items and getting settled into their seats. We stuffed our bags overhead. Something to note, the Air France A350 Business Class Cabin has overhead bins in the center section so there’s plenty of space for everyone’s bags.
We found our seats on the right hand side of the Air France A350 Business Class cabin. When sitting in Business Class Val and I just sit one in front of the other. We both like a window seat so we both get one.
In the seat was a pillow, blanket, amenity kit, and dinner menu. There’s also a set of headphones but I always just use my Sonys. I’m in the seat closer to the window, Val(just behind) is in the seat a little closer to the aisle.
Air France A350 Business Class Seat Features
The Seats on the Air France A350 are not overly huge, but they are not leather(or vinyl), and I really like that. Trying to sleep or get comfortable on leather is annoying. Air France doesn’t provide a mattress pad so little features like a cloth seat are really appreciated.
Leg room is obviously very good on the Air France A350. I don’t find the foot well small or uncomfortable. It’s much better than some other staggered business class cabins.
Getting into and out of the Air France A350 seat is a little small, but the privacy makes up for it.
The in seat entertainment is fantastic on the Air France A350. Huge responsive screens with an excellent selection of shows and movies.
The seat controls for the Air France A350 Business Class seat are very simple. There are two sets of controls, one set is here just below the side table.
The second set of controls here near your shoulder has recline controls along with a flight attendant call button, seat lights, and then a reading light above.
There also a small storage cubby that’s perfect for stashing a few small items like my pouch of charging cables. There’s also a vanity mirror and the remote for the in seat entertainment.
One downside of the Air France A350 is the lack of individual overhead vents here in Business Class. I don’t like this new tread of excluding air vents on these planes.
The window shades on the Air France A350 are electric. You use the buttons to control them.
These Air France Business Class Seats include a little privacy shield. It’s not much, but it’s nice so that you don’t look across the aisle at the other passengers.
The tray table extend from straight ahead. I actually prefer this configuration in comparison with those that swing out from the side.
Air France A350 Business Class In Seat Power
The Air France A350 Business Class seat has several options for charging devices. Here just below the storage cubby is a universal AC port along with a USB port.
Under the in seat entertainment screen there is also another USB charging port. I prefer the one near my shoulder.
The pilot came on and added his welcome. He did warn us that the end of the flight might be a little turbulent.
Air France A350 Business Class Menu
The dinner menus were waiting for us in our seats when we boarded the Air France A350. There’s also an option to order ahead for the Dinner meal a few days before the flight on the Air France website. Both Val and I chose to do so.
Air France A350 business class wine selection.
Air France Business Class Drinks Selection.
Air France Business Class Drinks Selection.
Air France A350 Departure
As we settled into our seats, the flight attendant came around and introduced himself. He offered a selection of champagne, water, or juice. I chose the champagne.
As we pushed back the safety video was shown.
As we taxied to the runway, the Air France flight attendants came around and collected the glasses and did their final safety checks.
The cabin lights were dimmed and we settled into our seats.
After a short taxi here at DTW, we took-off and headed towards Paris.
Very soon after takeoff the lights came back on, and the flight attendant came around and confirmed our meal selection. I had started a movie.
Air France A350 Dinner Service
The Air France A350 Business Class Dinner service started with hot towels and getting our tray tables out of their storage positions.
Next came an offering of drinks and little cheese snacks. I went with a champagne. I’d not a huge champagne drinker, but when I fly with Air France I like to try just a little bit.
The next part of the Air France Dinner service was table cloths along with appetizers, salad, cheese, and the deserts. I don’t really like Pâté but the quinoa salad was very good. I also like the simple greens salad.
Once I was done with the appetizers and salad the flight attendant brought out my entree selection. I opted for the beef. It was quite good. I also had a gin and tonic to accompany my meal.
I then had the rest of the cheese along with the little deserts. The business class dinner service on Air France took just about 90 minutes from start to finish. This flight from DTW-CDG isn’t very long so I don’t want to waste too much time eating when I’d rather be sleeping.
Air France A350 In Flight
After dinner the Air France flight attendant offered tea, coffee, or aperitifs. I opted for a brandy as I settled into my seat to enjoy the rest of the flight.
Here’s the reason I like this style of tray table. It allows you to get into and out of the seat without fully clearing the tray. This lets you get to the bathroom just after dinner before the flight attendants come around.
The cabin lights were dimmed and I reclined to finish the rest of my movie.
Air France A350 Business Class Bedding
After my movie I reclined my seat all the way and made my bed. I like the blanket that Air France provides here in Business Class but the pillow leaves a little to be desired. I would say the Air France bedding is adequate, but nothing amazing. I was able to get a good 3-4 hours of sleep on this flight from Detroit. Not bad in my opinion.
Air France A350 Business Class Lavatory
There are lavatories that separate the business class cabin from the premium economy cabin on the Air France A350. So the farther forward you sit on the plane, the farther you are from the toilet. Even towards the end of the flight the lavatory was clean and well sorted. These are a pretty good size too, not huge, but adequate.
I do wonder who uses these products on planes. I’m sure someone does, but I just don’t know why. Oh well, mysteries of the world.
Air France A350 Breakfast
After getting a good 3-4 hours of sleep I awoke to the colors of the French Flag. I like that Air France does this with the mood lights here in the Business Class cabin.
We’re passing just over the UK when the flight attendant asked me if I’d like to have breakfast today. I did and said like like to have the continental option. The hot option of an omelet never is very appetizing to me.
I enjoyed my yogurt, fruit, and croissant for breakfast. I just had a glass of water to drink, usually I’d just have tea, but I’m wanting to try and get a little more sleep later.
Air France A350 Arrival Into Paris
Outside we got an amazing view of the coastline. The A350 wing is always so pretty when in flight. We had started to descend and the pilot gave his farewell and final update with the weather in France. We’d be landing in just about 35 minutes.
Inside the Business Class cabin the flight attendants came around and collected all of the breakfast trays. I made one more trip to the bathroom before the seat-belt sign was turned back on for the rest of the flight.
And just a few minutes later we were on the ground here in CDG. We did have a bit of a long taxi to the gate but not a big deal for us, we have nearly a 4 hour layover.
Air France A350 Business Class Final Thoughts
The Air France A350 is a great ride in Business Class. I wouldn’t hesitate to book a trip again on the AF A350. It’s not the best in the world, but it’s just really solid in all categories. The hard product is very good. The seats are comfortable and well fitted. The Air France A350 Business Class seat’s features are top of the line. The controls are simple and easy to us, the in seat entertainment is fantastic. The selection is very good and the screens are large and responsive.
The meal selection was decent, my dinner was very good for plane food. I like to be able to pre-select my meal ahead of time too. The Air France flight attendants where fantastic. Very friendly and took very good care of us on our trip. I do wish they would improve the breakfast selection, but it’s a short flight and I understand why the options are fast instead of in-depth.
I enjoyed this Air France Business Class trip. The A350 is a solid ride and I would recommend it to anyone.
Follow Our Trip Around The World
Flight Review: Air France A350-900 Business Class DTW-CDG
Flight Review: Air France Hop ERJ190 Economy CDG-PMO Diverted Flight
Flight Review: EasyJet A319 Economy Exit Row PMO-LGW
Hotel Review: The Wesley Camden London
Flight Review: Vietnam Airlines 787-9 Business Class LHR-SGN
Hotel Review: Hotel Review: Le Méridien Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
Flight Review: Vietnam Airlines A321 Business Class SGN-DAD
Hotel Review: Sheraton Grand Da Nang
Flight Review: Singapore Airlines 737 Max 8 Economy. DAD-SIN
Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay
Flight Review: Singapore Airlines A350-900 Business Class SIN-JFK.