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Above the clouds with KLM & Air France
Above the clouds with KLM & Air France

by | 02. Oct 2024

ONE TRIP TO NEW YORK AND BACK, PLEASE

and on top of that with KLM and Air France Premium and Business Class! This wish came true for our travel agents Alex, Julian, Denise and Marvin in August 2023. As top salespeople for flights to the USA, the four travel professionals had the unique opportunity to once again get to know the world of flying in depth and explore the airports in Frankfurt, Paris and New York.
Flugzeug AirFrance Cityhopper

An important tip, especially for international flights:

Plan in plenty of time and arrive at the airport a little earlier! Many airlines close their gates 30 minutes before departure time and security checks and the long distances to the gate are often underestimated.

If you want to reserve a slot at the security checkpoint in Frankfurt in advance, you can do so here.

Gate am Flughafen bei Sonnenaufgang

The early bird takes off for the USA

If you want to experience something, you sometimes have to rise early. So the flight to New York was due to take off from Frankfurt at 9:40 am. 

While three of our four travel agents had already checked in online in advance, Alex checked in on site. There were occasional problems with reading the passports, but the staff were always on hand immediately and very helpful with technical problems. Despite online check-in, it is still necessary to queue at the counter to check in your luggage, so you should allow enough time for this. Pro tip from the travel agents: To save some time, check in online and book seats in advance. If you are flying in business class, you can use the priority lane, which is even quicker, especially if you are traveling during high season. A little reminder: the ESTA document must be presented at check-in.

If you are not sure what is allowed in your hand luggage, you can also check here.

One change please

Charles de Gaulle – Paris

Changing planes at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris is notoriously challenging. It has a reputation for long waiting times and the risk of accidentally ending up at the Eiffel Tower instead of on a connecting flight. However, we have found a way out.

There are two ways of leaving the plane: one for the final exit in Paris and one for transit. If you pay close attention to this and don’t leave the transit zone and therefore have to check in again, you save yourself long waiting times and complicated detours.

If you change terminals, as we did, the transfer is by bus, which took considerably longer. We therefore recommend planning at least two hours for a transfer in Paris to be on the safe side.

Make sure to follow the yellow transfer sign when getting off the bus

This also avoids waiting times, as otherwise you will have to check in again

Plan a minimum of 2 hours when changing terminals

Paris Charles de Gaulle Transit
Mahlzeiten im Flugzeug

Gastronomic delights

Both Business and Premium Class offer varied menus with a variety of dishes from all over the world. Whether tender chicken, pasta or many vegetarian options – there is something for every palate.

Business Class vs. Premium Class

During our trip, we had the opportunity to get to know and try out both Business Class and Premium Class. The staff on both flights were exceptionally friendly and courteous, but there are a few differences that we would like to highlight for you.

In Business Class, passengers can expect spacious seats that can be completely transformed into flat beds. There are also noise-canceling headphones, charging options for electronic devices and a basic care set. The personal service and delicious meals, which are even served on real crockery, make the journey to your vacation an experience in itself.

There are also comfortable seats with fold-out leg rests in Premium Class, which provide plenty of comfort. Our experience here was also very pleasant, even if the leg rests could be a little far away for smaller people. The meals are also delicious, although a little simpler in presentation.

The choice between classes ultimately depends on your individual preferences, priorities and budget.

KLM Flieger beim Abheben

Our aircraft

During our long-haul flights across the Atlantic, we had the pleasure of experiencing both the Boeing 777-300 and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Both aircraft offered remarkable advantages. The Boeing 777-300 ER impressed us with its size and capacity, while the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner scored with its modern interior and improved air quality. Both aircraft types offered a pleasant flying experience.

KLM-Maschine steht am Flughafen

A great experience

Our trip with KLM and Air France was definitely an unforgettable adventure that brought us a little closer to the exciting world of flying. We hope that our experiences and tips will be helpful when planning your own trip. Whether you choose Business Class, Premium Class or Economy Class, you can be sure that KLM and Air France will provide you with a first-class experience.

We wish you unforgettable adventures and enjoyable travels, wherever your next destination may be. See you on your next adventure!

ABC Travel Agenten auf der Brooklyn Bridge