BRUTALLY HONEST: Flying Air France Business Class Chicago to Paris 

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THIS is what a brutally honest review is. It's not "Everything is bad" like some other RU-vidrs do it (For example, I saw one complain that their $3,000 wine wasn't expensive enough) its brutally honest. The food was good the seat was sub-par and the service was OK. Thanks for this!

That earplug wasn't there at 6:20 when you were taking your shoes off, but it is there after you've took them off? Hmmmm

Love the video, I really love Air France business out of all the main European carriers. Defo complain to AF about the lounge. They gave me €250 credit the last time the lounge was closed.

I flew Air France when I came from Norway to Paris. Paris back to Dubai was in this exact business class. IT WAS AMAZING! The crew were so friendly and would offer to take our coats to keep them in an onboard closet. The lounge was amazing, I’m surprised it was closed there in Chicago.

Whenever someone says “brutally honest”, you know they’re about to emphasize the BRUTALITY. For that amount of money, your experience was pitiful. At the risk of going full Karen, you need to contact the airline about this. They won’t improve if they don’t know.

I flew that exact route in biz last week. I felt pretty much exactly the same as you did, with good food, but poor ground experience and cleanliness. It's odd that the check-in agent didn't tell you about Air France passengers being able to use the Swiss Lounge.

On behalf of all Chicagoans, I apologize for our lackluster international terminal experience. Hopefully the new renovation improves the experience a little.

Agree. Lounge is an important part - lounges in the US tend to be disappointing though

'lets see if its la chic or la shite' got me ded laughing.

Thanks for the video review - I’m always interested in Air France. Perhaps I read it wrong but near the beginning I saw a caption that indicated things would not get better but that was not the impression you left at the end - with a fairly positive overall summary. All the best in 2022.

I always enjoy your reviews / adventures. It's especially nice to watch because of all the covid restrictions around the globe , it tells me things are slowly going back to normal all while putting a smile on my face.

I live in Chicago and I am an Amex platinum holder. Flew the same business class fare from ORD to Paris in October. I used the lounge that was at capacity. Tbh you didn’t miss anything there were only small snacks and some drinks. They didn’t even have ice. I also was lucky enough to be in the last flight offering 2-3-2 business class config 🙄.

If the business class seats cost too much (which they are), then buy premium economy seats and upgrade them to business for 500$. Unfortunately this you can only upgrade at the airport, but most of the time they have 2 or 3 seats left.

Wow, for that price it’s shocking that there isn’t lounge access…

Trek, always awesome to see the notice that one of your video’s has popped up in my feed! Thanks so much and Stay Safe!

I have literally not flown airlines if the lounges at the airports are closed. Lounges are a huge part of business class/ first class tickets. When I’m spending thousands of dollars and 30% of my experience is now gone why am I still paying full price. Unfortunately lounge schedules now dictate a lot of flight schedules… first world problems :)

The most brutal part of this review was the [admittedly not uncommon] conflation of "macaron" and "macaroon."

Awesome, honest review! Thanks Will!

love watching these while eating food, thanks for the entertainment mate!

Awesome review as usual. Thank you for flying during covid to keep us all updated! Wonder what brand your pants are. Very nice!

I have to say my recent flight on .A.F. Business was the best I’ve ever experienced. Layover at CDG was a breeze, on board service, comfort and food all top notch. None of this Covid nonsense, it seems that the airline is back to former times. Just booked them again in the hope that it will again be a great experience.

Great video and thanks for sharing. Love the honest review rather then Chui-ing it. Brilliant content as always!

Good review , difficult time to travel especially with the extra testing to do and airport services slowly getting back to normal .You should be entitled to a discount with no lounge services available.

Great review,, was the Delta Skyclub open in ORD by chance?

Good review! We're hoping to travel AF soon. I hope the lounges open soon.

This was almost my exact experience flying business between Paris and Denver. Seat on arrival was also dirty & full of crumbs (both flights). The food was really great, mixed feelings about the crew though (wonderful experience flying to Denver, bad experience flying back to Paris).

Thank you so much for uploading this video I hope you have a great new year

Liked your video…. because… it was very well presented… nimbly summarized at every turn… and best of all …. You are a story teller. 👍🇨🇦

Lounge construction aside, my friends work at ORD and said that T5 has been absolutely dead and is only now starting to recover, because most local traffic uses US airlines to go overseas thanks to pricing and they depart from the domestic terminals, so maybe the lounges would have been better there.

Wait until the dude finds out that the TSA pre line can sometimes be as long as other lines

and a silent nod to that La Première seat on the way out the door. You definitely need to treat yourself better next time 😂. Thanks for the review! Love your channel.

Nice and slick review !

Great Video Like Always Keep up the good work!

Hey Will! Good Job on the Content! Love it as usual!

When flying business, in my opinion it’s all about perspective, if you fly business and first all the time then obviously an experience that isn’t stellar is going to seem bad to that person. However I was fortunate enough to fly airfrance business when I was 11 from Paris to Houston after my dad got an upgrade through his work. It was incredible having never flown in business the whole experience was jaw dropping. I love your videos btw as there are not many content creators out there like you. Just thought I would chip in my 2 cents.

Ahhh when’s the next video coming out. I’m waitingggggggg lol 😂 ur content is so good. Keep up the good work!

Well here is my brutally honest review. AIR FRANCE Business class.. LHR to GRU via CDG. First leg of the journey was average, check in at Heathrow easy, seat ok but nothing special. The Aspire Lounge used by AF (T3) is not the product it “aspires” to be but that’s not the airline’s fault. Layover was a breeze at CDG not enough time to use the lounge but security was the easiest I’ve experienced for years, no long queues. (It was at night admittedly) The long haul flight was nothing short of excellent throughout. Very comfortable, clean cabin, only one seat by the window side of the corridor (2 windows actually) efficient friendly service and great food. No complaints whatsoever and I’ll certainly be using them again. (also a highly competitive price booking via KLM their affiliated airline)

happy new year!

Do the TVs have remote control or do you have to get up to change channels using touch screen?

Dude, loving all the Terminal 5 shots at ORD. Been there so many times I could see all my spots for eating, spotting, and strolling. I'll look for you and your NASA shirts form now on. Should I introduce myself or not?

Interesting experience. Food looked good at least haha. Thanks for the video.

They might say that the lounge is a perk and not factored into the ticket 🎫🎟️ price?I don't know if it's the case or not but lounges cost money with staffing,rent,etc so there must be some breakdown formula pretty expensive things to run as just a perk.

Le chic or la shite 😂. That made me laugh out loud , great content as always. 👍🏻 Happy New year 🎉

You should find flights that take you to MSP (my neck of the woods). It's like a luxury mall and lots of stuff is open! I don't care which flight you review, you should see if they depart from MSP.

SOOOO thankful for this heads-up. Planning a trip overseas and was tempted to consider Air France. Virgin Atlantic it is!

I figured aut the Air France is the last one of the best world aircraft ( it is because of this). Awesome video. By the way, did you know this? The 747 production would be extended s couple of months more since UPS orders 6 more of them. I was so happy when I heard that.😄

Was the Polaris lounge not open? I flew out of O'Hare on the 23rd and it was open

How do you always fly Business or First class?? Would be nice if you could make a video about it.

I flew delta and paid 800. basically got the same cabin...

I have done this experience several times and it's very pleasant. It's also so expensive.

I appreciate that you weren’t going off on a service worker about the milkshake and just moved on.

Thanks TT, great review. Would love to see your experience of AirFrannce Premium Economy sometime too please (if you’re willing to “rough” it for our benefit!)

I have no idea how old buses get up your hill . Did you pick this property for the amusement of watching them try ? I'm going to assume fresh gravel helps but am not sure why .

Landing safely - useful. Do you plan to score these trips in 2022?

Awesome review mate! 👍🏽 keep up the great work

can you put the flight date on your videos and can you tell me when was this?

The croissant is often associated with France however it is actually Vienese

Yeah… if you were actually at the lounge AFTER 10 October, most of the tarmac facing lounges are not closed because of the pandemic but rather, because of Terminal 5 construction at ORD. And that’s why the AF lounge was closed. It’s actual space has been ripped apart for the T5 expansion. It closed on the day I traveled T5 ORD-DOH-MLE on Qatar Business. So… yeah… it sucked as they shuffled all the lounge access for all non-carrier based lounge access. And so it goes.

I must say i enjoy ur videos a lot. Many times a day❤️

I expected a little bit more from Air France too. Its too pricey. Great video,by the way.

Yes

This looks gorgeous

Whilst expensive @Trek Trendy you didn't say HOW you paid for this? Thanks

Great review! While I agree that the U.S. TSA security lines are not super joyful, they are better than German airport security! Not only did they recently confiscate my emergency Kerry Gold butter as being a "dangerous liquid", I basically have to strip down to my skivvies every single time AND receive an airport security massage! (I begin to wonder if aliens did not abduct me and implant a random metal bit in my thigh...)

I just flew Air France from NY to Lisbon, Portugal. The overall experience was underwhelming. Some of the crew was good and others not so much. I could not get into the lounge as well because it was closed. The bathrooms in business class were not different either. Just mere basic necessities

Concorde Lounge in JFK was never open for my FIRST experiences pre covid. It didnt help my flight was 9AM departure. Nevertheless... Didnt realise it was like that in other parts of NY

OMG !you were in Chicago??how awesome…Shytown!I wish I would have met you..Of course I’m from shytown…born and raised..Did u do any sightseeing here?

can you do a review on Singapore air a380 first class and another review on qsuites :)

Just so you know. The cookie that you had was a macaron, not a macaroon. Two different cookies.

Arduous? Was it really arduous to take plastic lids off of plates?

I always like watching your videos it's my way of getting to go out when I have to stay in. That amount of money no lounge the uncleanliness would have had me unhinged as in I would have had the creepy crawlies not at Karen and hinged. I'm a bit of a germaphobe so that is unacceptable to not have that cleaned up. One person posted that you do need to let the airline know so that they can give you a credit which yes you do need and two they can't fix what they don't know is broken. On the other hand just because they know it's broken doesn't mean they're going to fix it either but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have it brought to their attention. May you have a happy and blessed New Year and many more travels. 🥳

Reading all the comments from people disappointed at the price of the champagne or caviar not being served at the right time of their flight. Try business class in some African airports and the business lounge has a few plastic chairs and a microwave in the corner! :) and that's even for a few of the business lounges in international airport's here

Anyone know what Timberlands he is wearing? I can’t find it on their website.

All this travelling sounds so fun 🤩 But sadly 😔 quality is not always good

As a frequent business class flyer, I just don't understand the obsession that RU-vid flight reviewers have with amenity kits and pajamas. I never use either. I have my own equipment that I much prefer, and I think most frequent travelers do as well. I like the airlines that just have amenities in the bathroom to use as needed much better.

I’ve made a dozen or more trips on AF, their food is above and beyond everyone else. The only airline that equals them is SQ. Better than QR, LH and EK in my opinion.

Great review, AF seems to be very consistent for the most part in premium cabins. O'Hare needs to get it together though lol

You should have Polaris lounge access. Don't understand why you didn't go there.

Not a bad experience putting Chicago Airport pre departure experience to one side… 👍

HI - Really love your stuff. Would really like your opinion with Vicarious voyager and Noel Phillips on the onboard lounges / bars. You all score Emirates (valid) but in my opinion the rest are rubbish. I travel a lot but why do you think Qantas gets a rating compared to the great offering elsewhere? Hope i get a response - you and. Vicarious Voyager are the best!

great work

For my opinion it’s the best business class ever for lonely travelers 😉👍🏻

Yikes. I'm flying buisness ORD to CDG next year for a family trip. I booked with Delta but got shunted over to Air France both ways. It'll be on a 787 instead of a 777 so hopefully it'll be less gross.

ORD T5 has always sucked in terms of ambience and especially lounges. Only decent ones in ORD are Polaris and Admiral but like so many lounges - reduced offerings. Regardless, I am sure you are well aware of ORDs T5 expansion and modernization. Props to how ORD has been able to keep T5 running while it is updated. Come back in the fall of 2022 and check out the new lounges then.

Brutally honest,, is the gentle way of putting it. Excellent episode as always. Roll on 2922 and perhaps some semblance of normality. In less than 2 months from now I will, I Hope, be upstairs in a 747-800 travelling to buenos aires 🤞

Treck trendy your hair darling look really nice and the food looked great.

How do you qualify for TSA pre check? It seems to be open only to US citizens and lawful permanent residents, and iirc you're a UK citizen right?

Great video

Shoulda took Cunard, mate. Might be slower, but you would've got a bit more for the $5k.

The lighting makes it look like an interrogation room, lol

Yeah definitely not the kind of business class experience I’d want- ESPECIALLY for a $5k price tag. I’d use other carriers than Air France. Their First Class La Premiere is absolutely stellar though and would definitely be something I’d consider trying out.

I really just want to voice this out to all the platforms available. . . We booked a flight from Munich to Paris with Air france. . . They had technical problems with their plane so our flight was delayed for 2hrs and they where cannot load our baggage on our plane. . . The only option they gave us was either to fly without our luggage and it will be sent to our hotel the next day or we rebook our flight the next day in hopes that our luggage will come with it. . . We waited for the entire day and our luggage didn’t arrive. . . We wen’t to the airport to claim it personally but they said they can’t release our luggages. . . We are only on vacation in Paris for 4 days, 1 day is already lost while waiting for the luggage. . . And all they can answer is “I’m sorry” and “I understand but we can’t do anything about it”. . . Our whole vacation that we planned for months was ruined and that’s the best they got. . . It really enrages me that they ruined someones vacation and the best answer they got is we can’t do anything about it? Just a side note, it was my first time to experience an airplane do a wrong parking. . .

Some people really like Air France however my experience was really bad. there was mold and dirt around my chair ( i was at business class) and the rug was I tattered and the cabin crew weren’t attentive. However I can only speak for myself not others, but I will definitely not take Air France again.

Please do westjet 787 from Calgary to Amsterdam on economy or business class

Hi mate, the M lounge at ORD is the worst international terminal in all of the USA, especially during the pandemic with the closures; that being said if you have the (mis)fortune of having to travel there again during the lounge closures, turn left when you enter and head down to the far left end where Lufthansa parks their aircraft, these gates aren’t used and there are armrest-less chairs, a salad vending machine, and good tarmac views. Very empty. Bon voyage

Bro just shat on my city’s airport😂 you gotta come back after the renovations to t5 are done and when the lounges are open. Still best city in North America💯

At first when I saw BRUTALLY HONEST I thought I was watching David from Simply Aviation, but then I saw it was Mr. Trendy! I thought this review was going to be worse, but I have to admit the dirty ear plug was gross! That’s a pretty high price for no lounge but at least the food was good inflight. I’ll be glad when Covid is over so the airlines can stop using it as a cost cutting tool! Happy new year!🎆🎈🎊 ✈️

I lost it at "la 💩" xD

You should have complained directly to AF staff at checkin if you knew there may be trouble finding a lounge, but I would still complain directly to Air France social media regarding the lounge. Nice and public. Covid is no excuse to not issuing refreshment vouchers at the very least. for lack of lounge