Departure City: New Delhi, India

Layover: Paris, France

Destination: Detroit, Michigan, USA

Flight #1 Duration: 9 Hours

Seating: Business Class

Check-In: Smooth. Indira Gandhi International Airport is in the process of a long remodeling project which has greatly enhanced the check-in area. It did take a bit of time finding the Air France desk given it was tucked away in a corner at the very end of the building. A Customs form was handed to me right as I walked up to the line. Within 5 minutes I was checked in and directed to the lounge.

Lounge: Vastly improved from just a few years ago. An espresso machine and a well stocked food buffet are provided. Toilet facilities are easily accessible once inside the lounge. TV’s are scattered throughout, WiFi is available for laptop devices. Representatives from individual airlines come through and announce flight boarding status to direct passengers through security at the right time.

Gate: The gate # was changed from the original gate printed on my ticket. PA systems are not the norm at IGI so pay attention to the door for boarding instructions.

Toiletry bag / water holder in side of seat

Flight: This was my first time flying AF. The seats were comfortable, about average with competitors. The toiletry bag was not as well stocked as competitors but it did offer the basics. The food was very disappointing. Most of my meals were pushed aside. The in-flight entertainment was standard, movies, TV shows, games and music. The service was disappointing only because I had heard so many great things about this airline. Flight attendants were polite and efficient, but not above and beyond as I had expected.

Overall: Not better or worse than it’s competitors but slightly disappointing based on my expectations. The small attention to detail touches not found on other airlines were nice but not enough to lift the whole experience.

Layover: Charles de Gualle, 8 hours. My expectations were pleasantly exceeded when I arrived at CDG. There were a large amount of stores to browse but I opted to go to the business lounge where you can find free WiFi for laptop devices. A very balanced breakfast buffet with espresso was provided as well as a nice selection of morning newspapers. Cozy and quiet seating nooks were around every corner in this very well kept area. A light lunch was available before my second flight, just as tasty as breakfast. TIP: Stock up on extra bottled water and juices here for your next flight

Flight #2 Duration: 8 Hours

Gate: Strangely, there was no overhead boarding message called. Boarding was a first come, first through line experience.

Flight: Seating was the same set up as the previous flight, clean and stocked for my arrival. The flight attendants were more outgoing, very helpful. Although the flight was turbulent for the first 2 hours, the attendants were very gracious in calmly my nerves. Again the food was not good for which I was grateful to have filled up in Paris.

Overall: Had it not been for the flight attendants, this flight would have ranked right in the middle of the pack.

Normally I fly Northwest / KLM Airlines into New Delhi, however, seats were hard to come by when trying to arrange my flight. Searching online for options,  Air France consistently had great round trip rates from the US to Bombay/Mumbai and New Delhi, India. In the end, I dumb lucked into a great ticket that included the above return flights via AF.  Given the experience I had and their pricing, I would consider them for future travel.