Review of Air France flight from Los Angeles to Paris in Premium Eco

Here I go for a short business trip in France.
Short because family (my wife and my 3 years old kid) did not want to come with me and stay in France for holidays. But a lonely trip brings a lot of benefits ;)
As this is a business trip, I don’t pay myself the ticket, and as the stay is short, I would like to travel in more comfortable conditions than coach class. I asked for a flexible ticket in Economy or Premium Economy, so a paid upgrade would not be too expensive for me.

1ST PART : From Tahiti to France Papeete [PPT] - Los Angeles [LAX], Air France AF77, B772, Premium Eco, May 16, 2014 CLICK HERE Los Angeles [LAX] - Paris [CDG], Air France AF77, B772, Premium Eco, May 16, 2014
YOU ARE HERE 2ND PART : Back from France to Tahiti : Flying with style Paris [CDG] - Los Angeles [LAX], Air France AF66, A380, Premiere, May 25, 2014 CLICK HERE Los Angeles [LAX] - Papeete [PPT] Air Tahiti Nui TN1, A343, Business, May 25, 2014 CLICK HERE

For this trip to France, this is a Premium Economy ticket. Today is the first day of school holidays in Tahiti, so the plane is full in all classes, and I had no opportunity at any time to find a Z or I fare (cheapest Business fares).
This is how I find myself in Premium Economy cabin for this trip, in a cabin that I had often taken in the past on this route and that I’m not a fan, considering the unfavorable price value. I find the the seat too uncomfortable on a flight as long, especially at night.
I arrive from PPT and I rather enjoyed the first flight of the day, and the transit procedure has been quick.
I find myself in the corridor leading to the departure area

Lounge guide, helpful to find my way

Here I go

Upon arrival in the new TBIT, I feel it will be nicer than the horrible Terminal 2

I go immediately to my right to a food court

The dining options are not lacking with also a Starbucks in the south concourse

And a more classic restaurant on the mezzanine in the central part

The TBIT is well stocked, decoration and lighting are very nice

The huge departures board on a giant screen

Direction North Concourse

Or South Concourse

My future gate is south side

Newspapers available, thank you AF

My bird (F-GSPD) is waiting while the sun sets

The neighbor is a China Southern’s huge plane

After this short visit, it’s time to go to the Skyteam lounge, held by Korean Air

Here is the entrance with AF staff and its small desk on the left (shame not to be with Korean colleagues behind the main desk)

I arrive first in a space while length

The food area is on the right, well separated from the rest of the lounge

Here is the food offer that is identical to that proposed in the old Korean lounge, namely a fairly basic offer, no hot food despite dinner time. But we are light years of pitiful AF KLM lounge in Terminal 2, so that's a big progress!

The lounge is L-shaped around this food area, here is the second part

A mezzanine overlooking the duty free zone

A bar in a corner will remain closed during my visit

But some drinks are self service

Finally, the wifi allows me to achieve the corporate picture

Boarding has already started when I go down to the gate. Panels invite Premium passengers to board in the first jetbridge

I go in through the L1 door

That gives me the opportunity to cross the Business cabin

After joining the flow of eco pax at L2 door, I found my Premium Eco seat

Small bottles of water

Safety belt with air bag

Screen size is correct for eco

The headphones that are difficult to extract from their storage

Pilot light

The footrest, so difficult to reach for small people

Seat control with two buttons: one to recline the seat (as in eco) and the second to raise the leg rest

Amenity kits are already placed on our seats at time of boarding

We push back at the scheduled departure time
Planspotting attempt by night
China Southern A388

Fiji Airways A332

Qantas A388

We take off to the Pacific 15 minutes later

A small loop and we are back in the right direction

That leaves me a lot of time

View from my seat on the Premium cabin

Menu distribution

The aperitif (Champagne) is served quickly, 30 minutes after takeoff

I wait almost 45 minutes to have the meal tray

Hey, the metal cutlery disappeared!

I do not let down, reminder of the menu

Let’s go

Starter : the fish terrine with seaweed, marinated shrimp is very good

I choose a great value for the main course : salmon parmentier is good as usual

The box contains an American cheese and apple compote

The dessert is not a Grand Marnier almond cake as advertised on the menu but a lemon dessert that is not too bad

This time I'm entitled to my greedy cone

Some sweeties much appreciated

Finally, the catering is good again for the first meal
I start to watch a movie, Jobs

The cabin is in darkness 2 hours after takeoff
2 pictures (taken at landing) to show a big flaw of the seat : the lack of inclination
My seat fully reclined

Little difference between my reclined seat (on the right) and the seat in the upright position (on the left)

I sleep somehow, frequently awakened to change position and relieve pressure points on my backside
A little over 5 hours later (and a little more than 1h30 before arrival) the lights come back suddenly. I really hope there will be a mood lighting in the retrofitted cabin!

We are approaching the Irish coast

And GE90 still purrs quietly above a sea of clouds

Breakfast is served

It is a little better and a little more generous than the previous flight, but it's only average quality

The sandwich is hot

We reach the English coast in Cornwall above Land's End

Then France, we approach the Cotentin

Cherbourg

A little later, Le Havre

The « Oceane » Stadium, home of the soccer team of Le Havre

Normandy Bridge, linking Le Havre and Honfleur

Tancarville bridge slightly upstream on the Seine

Meanders of the Seine

Rouen

The flight is coming to the end, AF gives some practical information

Final approach

CDG

The flying saucer (Terminal 1)

Touchdown with 20 minutes ahead

Many barcode here (nickname of Air France’s logo on the tail)

At our parking stand 5 minutes later near a B744 at the K gates (Pier of the Terminal 2E)

See you soon

Disembarking across the Business cabin

Then through a glass jetbridge

Last look to my bird

Immigration by Access No 1 will not be fast, 15 minutes in a queue that does not move an inch : Welcome to France !

End of this trip to Paris for 1 week in France