[Anonymous]

[FormerlyDoS]

AB7494 TXL AUH 5 hours 30 mins

The Lounge

AB use the Air France lounge these days, don’t know why they changed from the BA Terraces below.

Like the Terraces lounge, the AF Salon is tight for space and has no loos, once has to go downstairs and mix with the hoi polloi.

The food selection is snacky and not great, but the drinks were fine with Loire Cremant for fizz and the seats are comfortable, with a reasonable amount of power points to charge the laptop.

Boarding

We were escorted to the gate by AB staff and the Y pax had already boarded, so the process was painless. The gates at TXL incoporate security and duty free and are very cramped, so arriving late is great.

As the aircraft was on a remote stand, we were bussed to it, on a dedicated bus.

Arriving at the door, I was greeted warmly and shown to my seat

Seat

This aircraft was fitted with the same seats as used on EY. Absolutely top class J seating, all with direct aisle access and on a par with BA’s Club World for comfort, but better for access.

Goodies

I was given a Tumi washbag (excellent size/shape/quality and I will reuse this for short trips around Europe. The contents were sparse, a mask, socks, lip balm, facial lotion (which the hostess said is remarkably good and my wife would like it) and foam ear plugs. Also received a pair of back coloured hotel like slippers, very nice.

F&B

The FA offered me a glass of champagne on boarding and gave me a menu, returning to take my order.

After departure (30 mins late), I stuck with the champagne, which was Drappier Carte D’Or, not my favourite, but when someone is regularly topping it up for me it seems churlish to say anything other that it is a decent wine.

There was a choice of (and unlike the excellent Pat Jordan, I can never remember the florid puffery on the menus)

Duck or salmon to start, with a salad
——–
Duck with red cabbage
Beef pot
Salmon
Pasta
——–
I don’t eat desserts, so didn’t notice these

I chose the duck to start and the salmon for mains and I shall just say both were excellent.

The meal service was quick and I appreciated this on a short overnight flight.

IFE

Can’t comment on it, I got 3.5 hours of deep sleep after dinner.

Arrival and Baggage

We deplaned at a remote stand, onto a dedicated J class bus and were taken to the main terminal.

The only aspect of the flight that I didn’t appreciate was my priority tagged bag was about #110 out, on the same carousel where my bag is out rapdibly with EY.

That small annoyance aside, it was a great flight, with a super friendly and helpful crew.

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