Hi, dear flight-report members and readers!
This FR opens a series of 4 FRs "down the memory lane" covering my trip from Spain to Ecuador on AF-KL-UX wings in February-March 2020 on the very edge of pandemic, which then drastically changed the landscape of civil aviation. Thus, during this trip I was able to capture some now-long-gone sights of CDG and AMS hubs. Also on the way to Ecuador I flew very short-lived AF flight CDG-UIO, which existed less than a year and went into history when pandemic came.
This FR, covering the first leg MAD-CDG serves 2 purposes: it's a tribute to AF A319s (which are almost gone into history (currently only the las one is active), being replaced by the new A223s) and also covers the best part of CDG - 2E/L and 2E/M satellites - and some iconic pre-pandemic planespotting sights from them.
Madrid Barajas International Airport (MAD), T2
This FR starts in the barn-like (extremely dated and ugly) south terminal complex of MAD, namely in T2, from where AF operates (I already visited this terminal on ISL-MAD and MAD-ISL flights in the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018). As my flight was departing early in the morning, I spent the night in this barn. MAD T1/2/3 are almost as dull as the infamous MEX T1, especially concerning the landside.
The check-in hall of AFKL group. Only the colourful panels over the desks give some aestetics to this barn.
Probably the nicest part of T2 - this beautiful panel in the airside, visible from the entrance to the security.
One of the rare nice parts of the airside, like this cafe.
Some Planespotting From T2 MAD
The edge the south terminal complex of MAD has over the equally dull T1 MEX is planespotting possibilites due to uncovered windows with almost unrestricted access.
2002-built UX A332 (EC-LQO). It was phased out in July 2020 and since then joined flyCAA - the Congolese airline, but recently in January 2026 was phased out.
2003-built UX A332 (EC-LQP) in the Skyteam livery. It was phased out in March 2020 and scrapped in 2021. During the pandemic UX shed off all its remaining A332s and since then the UX widebody fleet consists of B789s and B788s only.
One of E195s of UX Express. In 2023 UX Express completely shed off its Embraers and ATRs and since then the UX narrowbody fleet and the UX Express fleet are Boeing-only (B7M8s and B738s).
The Aircraft
My MAD-CDG flight was operated by 2001-built A319 F-GRHU. A year after, in March 2021, it was phased out and then scrapped in 2023.
Boarding
My single BP for the both legs MAD-CDG-UIO.
At the entrance to the aircraft there were wet wipes available.
The Cabin
This A319 had CY143 layout with B/E Aerospace Spectrum seats (B/E seats are the relatives of the Collins models). The first 3 rows were used as "eurobusiness". The seat was comfortable with good padding. Though, the width was just 17.3" (the A320 family cabin can accomodate up to 18.1" seatwidth with full-sized armrests). They had adjustable headrest, "leather" upholstery, coat hook, single-piece tray table with a cup holder and lower seat pocket. The legroom was decent. For the short 2-hour flight this cabin was more than decent.
The seatpocket content: safety card…
… and the inflight magazine, showing how the AF fleet looked like on the eve of the pandemic. 10 A380s, 4 A343s, just 4 A359s, loads of A319s and A318s plus some CRXs. How much things have changed since then! In this FR you'll further see a bit of this pre-pandemic variety…
The Flight
Some planespotting during the taxi to the runway.
Now-gone E195s of UX Express and B738s (in the old liveries) of UX near T2.
IB widebodies - mostly A332, but one A346 was also present (it was the last ever time I saw an IB A346) - near the beautiful T4S. Early morning is definitely not the rush hour in T4S. Check my MAD-BLQ FR where T4S and T4 are shown in details (as of 2019).
We took off in the pitch dark. Shorty after reaching the cruising FL, the inflight service started. Pastry and tea were served. AFKL is still the only airline group in EU that still has some meal service on intra-EU flights. Speaking of geographical Europe, thought, nothing can beat TK.
Biscay coast in the dawn.
Some counter traffic in the dawn.
The sunrise was beautiful.
A beautiful veil of clouds, lit by the sunrise.
Clouds and contrails in the morning sun.
Fluffy clouds during the descent to CDG.
Paris Charles De Gaulle International Airport (CDG)
As we're about to land in CDG, needless to say some words about this outstanding airport.
CDG, located north-east of Paris city and connected to the city centre by RER trains (it's planned that a subway line to CDG will also soon be built), is ranked 3 in the list of Europe's busiest airports (after LHR and IST).
CDG consists of 4 parallel runways and (formally) 3 terminals (in the current designation that will change from March 2027): T1, T2 and T3.
T1, being a rotundal bulding with 7 satellites with boarding gates, looks like an octopus and was designed by French architect Paul Andreu. T1 houses mostly Star Alliance carriers plus some Oneworld (CX, QR, WY, UL), Skyteam (SV) and non-aligned (EY, EI, EW, FI, KU) carriers.
T2, in the current designation, consists of the next subterminals: T2A/B/C/D plus T2F (domestic pier with "futuristic" architecture) plus T2E/K (tubular international pier) are physically connected, T2E/L and T2E/M are international satellite piers (2E/L is connected with 2F by a walkway, 2E/M is reachable only by shuttle train or bus), T2G is a small satellite (exclusively for AF Hop regional flights), accessible only by shuttle bus.
T2A and T2C are used by some Star Alliance (AC, AI, ET), Oneworld (BA, QF, RJ) and non-alliance (HC, EK, GF and LA) carriers.
T2B and T2D are used by some Star Alliance (AZ, A3, OU, LO), Oneworld (AA, AY, AT), Skyteam (SK) and non-alliance (UU, TN, U2 and B6) carriers.
T2F and T2E(K/L/M) are dedicated to AF and most Skyteam carriers (except SV), plus some Oneworld (JL, MH) and non-aligned (CZ, MK, WS) carriers.
T3 is dedicated to ULCCs (except U2).
Here's what one sees on the right while landing in CDG from the east.
T2G (far away, small and dull) from where AF Hop - the regional subsidiary of AFKL - operates.
2E/M pier with 4 A380 tails in a row!!! A truly historic photo, even though it's a bit blurry due to the high speed…
2E/L pier with the tails of Air Mauritius A359 and China Southern A359. To the right is the other side of 2E/M with AF and DL tails.
The tube of 2E/K pier with AF and DL tails and the ATC tower of the T2 complex.
The fellow A319 (F-GRXK, which is now in Amelia fleet), A339 Air Senegal (HC had 2 of them, but phased them out in 2025) - it was the first time I saw an A339, CX B77W and EK A380 near T2C
EY A380 near T2C. Now EY operates from the "octopus-like" T1.
Air Austral B77W (UU has 3 of them) from RUN.
AC B77W in the old "mint toothpaste" livery from YYZ or YUL.
The famous Concorde (F-BVFF), mounted as a monument in CDG. BTW, I was before in Le Bourget and Toulouse aviation museums, which also have Concordes and was inside these legendary supersonic jets.
AA B77E and 4 B77Ws of AC, UU, ET and CX at the remote stand near T2C.
Air Tahiti Nui B789 from PPT near the rotundal satellite of T2A. The entire TN fleet consists of just 4 B789s.
Crossing the road, which connects the T2's complex with the Paris city.
One of 4 A343s AF still had back then. All of them was in the livery of the discontinued subsidiary JOON. AF phased them out in February-March 2020.
The connection between T2B and T2D and an EasyJet A320SL near T2D.
The western pier of T2F (to where we arrive) and some aircrafts near it. AF A321 (F-GTAS) in the livery of discontinued JOON (this aircraft was phased out in January 2026), AF A319 (F-GRXL) with "Paris" sticker (phased out in 2022, scrapped in 2023), AF A320 (F-GKXG) and 2 KL B738s (PH-BXK and -BXM).
We arrived to F32 gate of T2F 9 minutes earlier than the scheduled time.
CDG T2F
View of the both piers of T2F from the jetbridge.
Architecture of T2F. As one can see, this pier is not planespotting-friendly due to the absence of access to the windows and intertwining of the jetbridges.
The arrival gallery of the western pier of T2F with an interesting photo exhibition.
FIDs for departures with a huge number of flights give an idea how busy is CDG. Here I got to know that my flight to UIO departs from 2E/M pier.
This is my way.
Interiors of T2F in the brutalist style with only small portholes for planespotting.
Planespotting From CDG T2F
Some planespotting from the transit area of T2F.
The aircraft (F-GRHU) that flew me here from MAD near the west pier of T2F.
2 UX B738s and AF A319 (F-GRXA) near the east pier of T2F. F-GRXA was phased out in 2022 and scrapped in 2024.
AF A318 (F-GUGE) near the eastern pier of T2F. This aircraft was phased out in 2021 and partially scrapped since then. AF is the world's last A318 operator with just 4 units (F-GUGM/N/O/P) left, which probably will be phased out during 2026 as more new A223s arrive. Thankfully, I already flew an AF A318 (F-GUGM) back in 2017 on CDG-LIN flight.
The eastern pier of T2F with AF narrowbodies (one in the livery of discontinued JOON).
T2F is physically connected with T2E/L by a walkway. Immigration is located in the beginning of this walkway, as 2E/L and 2E/M are non-Schengen piers.
This is how this bridge looks from T2E/L. One can also see the east end of the tubular T2E/K pier (I didn't visit it this time, but I was there later - in 2023).
CDG T2E/L
I visited only half of 2E/L pier. Though, later, in 2023, I visited 2E/L several times and explored it well.
The way to L21-36 half of the pier.
Some stereotypical luxury boutiques.
Interiors of the L21-36 area, which is spacious and lofty, with lots of seating (with power sockets) and looks really nice, but the 2E/M is even nicer, as you'll see further. These satellites (2E/L and 2E/M) are the best part of CDG.
The proposed way from 2E/L pier to 2E/M pier from where my flight was departing.
There's no walkway between 2E/L and 2E/M, and one has to take the shuttle train between the piers.
Planespotting From CDG T2E/L (And Around)
Firstly, some planespotting from the walkway, connecting T2F with T2E/L.
An Luxair DH4 taxiing.
1999-built AF B77E (F-GSPF). AF is going to gradually phase out its old B77Es and replace them with A359s.
An AF A332. AF is also replacing its smallest widebodies with A359s.
AF B789 (F-HRBI), similar to the one that flew me to UIO. At that moment it was the last, 9th, Dreamliner AF received before the pandemic (in July 2020 AF received the 10th B789 - the last one).
Let's continue with planespotting from inside of T2E/L.
The east end of T2E/K with a DL B763.
The tubular T2E/K and an AF B77W plus the already seen AF A319 (F-GRXK).
An AF A320 in the livery of discontinued JOON near T2E/K and the road, connecting the T2 complex with Paris.
CZ A359 (B-30CE) from CAN.
1997-built DL B763 (N193DN).
2004-built AF B77W (F-GSQC) in 4-class layout - F4_C60_W44_Y204 from 2025 - with the new La Premiere first class. Now, as JL has phased out its 2 B77W prototypes, it's the world third-oldest B77W in commercial service (the oldest one is its sibling F-GSQA). AF is planning to replace some of its oldest B77Ws with A35Ks, but F-GSQC will probably stay for longer due to the new layout.
2015-built AF B77W (F-GZNQ) with the same 4-class F4_C60_W44_Y204 layout with the new La Premiere from 2025.
CDG T2E/M
The entrance to the T2E/M pier from the shuttle train station.
The central part of 2E/M pier with boutiques and eateries.
The international piers of T2 are especially rich with gaming station. One of the examples in the central part of T2E/M.
FIDs for departures from 2E/M. There was definitely quite a midday departure bank to Latin America back then.
The northern half of the M pier (M21-31). This lofty, nicely decorated pier, inaugurated 5 years later than 2E/L (in 2012), having a lot of options of comfortable seating, charging devices and some lounges and duty-free shops, is definitely the best part of CDG and, probably, is one of the best satellite piers in Europe.
In the northern end of the pier there are lavatories having a garden-like entrance.
More than enough facilities to kill the time, like playstations for all the ages…
… and playgrounds for children.
"Paris will never forget you"…
The southern part of the M pier (M41-50).
In the southern end there's also a garden-like lavatory.
In this part of the M pier you can kill time not only by gaming on playstations…
… but also playing music, which is much better, IMO.
Planespotting From CDG T2E/M
Before the pandemic 2E/M pier was the best part of CDG in terms of planespotting. Now you'll see, why.
AF A343 (F-GLZP) in the livery of discontinued Joon (as well as 3 others AF A343s, which were remaining back then). It was phased out a month later in March 2020 and scrapped in 2021.
AF B77E (F-GSPX).
The already seen CZ A359 (B-30CE) near T2E/L pier.
Two AF B77Ws - F-GZNS and F-GSQK - near T2E/L pier. The first, 2016-built, is the AF's third-youngest B77W and has 3-class C48_W48_Y273 layout; the latter, 2005-built, has 4-class F4_C60_W44_Y204 layout from 2025 with the new La Premiere first class.
AF A332 (F-GZCF) in the old livery near T2E/L pier. All the older A332 with MSN under 555 (including this one) has increased tail height, which is clearly visible. As of April 2026, F-GZCF is grounded and probably will be phased out soon.
2015-built AF B77W (F-GZNQ) with 4-class F4_C60_W44_Y204 layout with the new La Premiere (from 2025).
AF A359 (F-HTYC) - the 3rd (of then-4) A359s in the AF fleet. The units with F-HTY* regs were planned for Joon, but, as Joon was discontinued in June 2019, joined the AF fleet with the cabins, ordered for Joon. In 2023 I flew these A359s several times.
AF A332 (F-GZCK) named "Brest". This name reminds me of Paris-Brest-Paris brevet (cycling marathon), as I have several friends who participated in this brevet and completed it.
IAE-powered A320 (EC-MVD) of Vueling and another AF A332 landing.
The iconic sight that CDG lost completely during the pandemic. AF A380 (F-HPJE) arriving to 2E/M pier. In the eve of the pandemic AF had 10 whalejets, and all of them were phased out in March 2020. F-HPJE ended being scrapped (as most of the ex-AF whalejets) in 2023. Thus, AFKL became the only airline group of the EU3, who ditched the whalejets. IAG managed to retain all the 12 BA whalejets, and LHG managed to retain 8 of 14 LH whalejets. AF A380s had 4-class F9_C80_W38_Y389 layout with first class and most of the economy class on the main deck and business class, premium economy and a small economy section on the upper deck. The thing was that in all the classes the product was inferior compared to AF 4-class B77Ws (for example, in economy AF A380 had obsolete Sicma Airgonomic 3513 seats - the same as in infamous SU A333s). The cost of refurbishment was so high that AF decided that the pandemic was a convenient excuse to get rid of the whalejets. I regret that in my trip to South Africa in 2018 I didn't choose the option "Joon A343 to CPT, AF A380 from CDG" over the "LX A343 to JNB, WK A343 from CPT". Not only the experience with WK was abysmal, but I lost the possibility to try an AF whalejet…
AF B77W (F-GZNI) in 3-class C48_W48_Y273 layout. AF uses these 3-class B77Ws, for example, on some Latin American destinations with high volumes but with moderate premium demand, like GIG, LIM and PTY.
Kenya Airways B788 (5Y-KZE). Currently the KQ widebody fleet consists of just 9 B788s, but soon KQ is going to take back 3 B77Ws in C28_Y372 layout (with super comfortable 3-3-3 economy with Weber 5751 seats) that it was leasing to TK for a long time.
Another AF A380 (F-HPJG) taxiing to 2E/M pier. After being phased out in March 2020, it was scrapped in 2024.
One more AF A380 (F-HPJD), departing for JFK from 2E/M pier. After being phased out in March 2020, it was scrapped in 2023.
AF A332 (F-GZCO). As of April 2026, it's parked and probably will be phased out soon.
AF B77W (F-GSQS) in 3-class high-density "Caribbean" C14_W28_Y430 layout. AF uses these B77Ws mostly to Caribbean destinations. This one, as far as I remember, was departing for HAV.
2016-built MEA A332 (OD-MEE) - the youngest A332 of ME. ME has the largest business class (C44_Y200) of any A332 operator. Though, only OD-MEE has lie-flat business. From March 2026, OD-MEE is stored in ISL.
An unidentified private jet.
SV B77W (HZ-AK24) in 2-class C30_Y351 layout with spacious 3-3-3 economy (aerolopa is most probably wrong with the seatwidth, which should be at least 18.0"). SV is the only Skyteam member in CDG who operates from "octopus-like" T1.
2015-built Air Algerie A332 (7T-VJC) in 3-class C18_W14_Y219 layout. From late 2025 AH also have A339 fleet.
Thank you for your attention, and welcome to the next FR: CDG-UIO on AF B789.
