Air France Business class vs Delta One business class

I flew Air France business class from CDG to LAX. The service from the flight attendants was lackluster as if they couldn't be bothered. They never came by asking if I needed anything. I had trouble with the arm rest and had to track down a flight attendant. They didn't circulate through the cabin as on Delta business class flights I have taken to Europe.
The Delta flight attendants were available, helpful and the meals served were better.

We have had better food wine, and service on Air France business than Delta One. Going back this year with the same choices, we opted for Air France.

My experience in business class on Air France was the same as grogman’s. The cabin itself was very nice but the service was just not there.

I've actually experienced both and I have to say that I think it depends on the crew. I've had lackluster and fabulous on both. Most recently it was Air France and the crew was exceptional. So I think it's a toss of a coin. Depends on the day.

I haven't flown Delta in years. We flew AF premium economy from LA to Paris a couple of years ago and were very happy with the comfort and service. I have only flown business class once before, on LAN Chile (now Lantam) and it was terrific, but that was a few years ago.

Business class is a happy choice, as we usually fly regular class.

It's been a few years, but I found my experience flying in Delta's and Air France's business class was essentially the same. Seats were OK. OK for business class - of course, better than in the back - reasonably comfortable, good enough for sleeping but not awesome by any stretch. Service in both was equally lackluster, disinterested, slightly grumpy flight attendants who disappeared for most of the flight. It was OK, not awesome. Same for the food. The food on Air France was probably a smidge better, but nothing to get excited over (I recall the food on Delta was pretty bad). Again, it's business class, so both were clearly better than what everyone esle was experiencing in the back. For me flying business class (which I do often) is mostly about the seat, and having space/comfort enough to catch some sleep, which I did. But neither business class wowed me. Don't get me wrong - business class is always good when you can get it, but I would not expect anything beyond the basics in either Air France or Delta (IME, Delta, Air France, United and American all provide about the same quality of business class, though a lot of it comes down to luck of the draw for the crew and their mood at the time you're flying).

The Air France lounge situation at CDG is definitely a plus, though - as an arriving passenger, you probably won't benefit form that though (it was a big plus for us on a flight from Seattle to CDG to Istanbul when I was not feeling well, a few hours resting and sleeping in the Air France lounge worked wonders).

Thank you all so much for your input, much appreciate it!

I fly AF business overnight because it gives me a direct flight between the US back to France. But I flew Delta One once when we lived in the US, leaving France on the last flight before confinement in March 2020. Service was similar, food similar, but the aircraft was different from what I usually fly on AF. Delta One had a newer plane, the space surrounding the seat closed completely. The older planes used by AF to our US destination leaves a little bit of opening toward the aisle. Both planes are very quiet, both companies offer restful experiences. I believe AF is replacing some older planes. The most important variable, in my opinion, is the plane being used (I prefer Airbus) and looking carefully at the seating chart to avoid being close to restrooms and galleys. These are two branches of the same company. The food comes out of the same kitchen. Crews on both are attentive in business.

Since premier economy has been mentioned, I'll give my opinion. I have flown both companies west to the US in PE and I'll characterize that section as forgotten by crews from both companies. It's a tiny section so neither the business crew, nor the economy crew think to pop in between services.

I always check out trip advisor reviews before choosing an airline not flown on before. Also, their safety record (spouse is a retired pilot ). A nicer business class is irrelevant to me when one of the airlines mentioned, two of the pilots had a punch up in the cockpit.

As someone who has flown business class on Air France, Delta, AA, and a couple others you are going to have bad service on all of them. Some crews are just not as good as others don’t ask me why. The exception would be if you can find an Asian airline where they seem to have really good crews

I’m flying Air France for upcoming flight simply because they are using the newer airbus that is supposed to help cut down on jet lag. I haven’t flown this plane so I’m not sure that works, but I’m gonna give it a try

Honestly, I do not check airline reviews. Because people generally only complain about airlines when they’re unhappy so 99% of the people could be happy and then one percent are the only ones doing reviews. . And even when I look at them about 90% of them are “ well I wanted to do something that wasn’t allowed and the airline didn’t understand how special I was and wouldn’t change my flight for free or give me a refund because I had some circumstance. I thought it was wonderful and deserved an exception to their rules.”

Exactly. I wouldn't waste my time to read TripAdvisor reviews about two international legacy airlines. They are both going to get the job done. And on both of them, on any given day, you could have a more pleasant or less pleasant experience. There are just so many variables you can't control for that it doesn't make much sense to worry about it. It does make sense to pack your resilience, patience, and adaptability.

Agree with Kim and Carol.

And press the call button if you need the missing flight attendants, especially if you are in business class. You've paid for this service.

Thank you!

I'll try to remember to come back and update my impressions after our upcoming trip. We are on Delta One from ATL to CDG, then on Air France Business Class from CDG to NAP. The second flight will only be 2-3 hours but we'll get a chance to experience the Air France version - possibly get one meal on the flight even.

Going home we're flying from Rome on the Delta One Suites which I've never done before, so I can't wait to see what that will be like.

I look forward to hearing back from you Stella, and than you. Many of the flights from phoenix that I'm seeing is split one way delta and the other AF. Have a great trip!

then on Air France Business Class from CDG to NAP. The second flight will only be 2-3 hours but we'll get a chance to experience the Air France version - possibly get one meal on the flight even.

Intra European business class is incomparable to long haul business. The seats will be exactly the same as the ones in economy but the middle one is left unoccupied, sometimes there is a tray fitted above the middle seat but there's no extra legroom. A meal will be provided but it will be basic and alcoholic drinks will be complimentary (or rather included in the price). The only benefit of flying business within Europe is the use of the airline lounge but if you have high enough status with the airline frequent flier program that provides access as a benefit then the average meal and a couple of glasses of wine don't justify the cost.

Intra European business class is incomparable to long haul business.
The seats will be exactly the same as the ones in economy but the
middle one is left unoccupied,

Okay, thank you for explaining that. I looked on Seat Guru, but couldn't quite suss out what "Business Class" was on that flight. Of course this is all booked as one ticket, so I didn't choose Business Class on that flight, it is just included in the price of booking Delta One from Atlanta to Naples.

Since we have a 3-1/2 hour layover at CDG, I'm already looking forward to visiting the Air France Lounge between flights. In fact that was the main reason I chose this particular layover because IF there ends up being any delays, at least I know we're comfy in the lounge. I've been in that lounge before and it is stellar. And even if we get only a small meal or none on the CDG-NAP flight, we'll be fine.

Note: "SeatGuru stopped publishing or updating blog posts as of March 2020, with the last seat map update published on March 16, 2020."

While the website still exists, it is not being updated.

Below is the commonly recommended replacement to the completely out of day Seatguru

I have no idea why TripAdvisor, who owns seat guru, doesn’t take it down, but apparently upsetting people who use their services is their idea of a good customer service activity

https://www.aerolopa.com/

Below is the commonly recommended replacement to the completely out of
day Seatguru

I have no idea why TripAdvisor, who owns seat guru, doesn’t take it
down, but apparently upsetting people who use their services is their
idea of a good customer service activity

https://www.aerolopa.com/

Thank you! I didn't even realize Seat Guru was no longer actively updated, but I guess I should have noticed that it didn't have any recent seat reviews. Thanks for posting the alternative link.

Just to complicate matters, the same flight can be a DL/AF codeshare operated by either carrier, with either carrier's crew (or even a mixture).

I was underwhelmed by the Air France lounge at CDG. The best lounges are the new Delta One lounge at LAX (with its own TSA) and the Virgin lounge at Heathrow.

@ Michelle

Well known aviation raconteur, Sam Chui, posted this January 2023 comprehensive report on Air France business class Paris to New York. https://samchui.com/2023/01/29/trip-report-air-france-b777-300-er-new-business-class-and-premium-economy/. Sam is well known in Australian aviation circles and to major international airlines. Knows what he is talking about. Evidenced by how he was welcomed on to his flight.

Regards Ron

With few exceptions, assuming the plane has lie-flat beds and direct aisle access for everyone, I've found most carriers do a very good job in TATL business class. The lone exceptions have been Westjet (mediocre) and SAS (awful). We'll be taking Finnair back to the states this year; first time on that carrier and looking forward to the experience.

American, British, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Aer Lingus and United have all been fine. KLM was excellent except that seats didn't have direct aisle access, which was inconvenient. Virgin Atlantic was the only one, though, that really stood out. British this year had disappointing food service; hoping that was a one-off.

the same flight can be a DL/AF codeshare operated by either carrier, with either carrier's crew (or even a mixture).

Just so I'm clear...are you stating that there are times when both Delta and Air France flight crew work the same flight together ("a mixture")? So there would be Delta crew working on an Air France plane, or vice versa?

I was underwhelmed by the Air France lounge at CDG

I can't imagine what a world class traveler you must be to walk into the AF lounge and be "underwhelmed." I thought the food there was amazing, it far exceeded any other airport lounge I've been in. But I guess I'm not as well traveled as you so I'm easier to impress.

Actually there are several Air France lounges at Charles de Gaulle

Some of them are definitely nicer than others. The one I was in last time I was there was wonderful. The one I was in the time before was just OK.

Actually there are several Air France lounges at Charles de Gaulle
Some of them are definitely nicer than others. The one I was in last
time I was there was wonderful. The one I was in the time before was
just OK.

Carol, thank you for clarifying that. I must have been in the better one, and the person who was "underwhelmed" must have been in one of the others. Because I can't imagine anyone not being impressed by the one I experienced - the food was top notch and I enjoyed French wines and cheeses before my flight which was a real treat.

I'm expecting to visit the AF lounge again on my upcoming trip, and I hope I get the "good" one!

PS....Delta Sky Clubs also vary greatly even within the same airport, too.

Not AF or Delta, but I recently flew United business class from SFO to Australia and back and on both flights the flight attendants were very attentive and the food was much better than what you get in the back of the plane. The Polaris lounge at SFO and the Air New Zealand lounge in Sydney were quite nice.

I can't imagine what a world class traveler you must be to walk into the AF lounge and be "underwhelmed." I thought the food there was amazing, it far exceeded any other airport lounge I've been in. But I guess I'm not as well traveled as you so I'm easier to impress.

I agree with you. But to be clear, we had access to the massive AF first class lounge at CDG as Delta One customers, and it was spectacular to us.

However, other than that AF lounge, we prefer flying AA Flagship Business, the replacement for the traditional first class service of the past. Every aspect of AA Flagship Business is "better" than Delta One, IMO. And if you have a connection at DFW, the Flagship Business lounge is incredible, with a seated restaurant service that is pretty amazing...

we had access to the massive AF first class lounge at CDG as Delta One
customers, and it was spectacular to us.

I wish I could put a laughing emoji in here because when I first read this sentence I thought "massive AF" meant something else, if you get my drift. LOL!