The route: Newark to Paris (Orly-Sud)
What it costs: Round-trip tickets on L'Avion start at $2,166.
What you get: All men (and women) are created equal on L’Avion, France's first all-business-class airline. Flight attendants sporting lavender pillbox hats greet passengers as they step aboard the 90-seat, wide-aisled Boeing 757-200 and into softly lit, light gray seats. All the amenities avid travelers have come to expect in premium service, along with international periodicals and electrical power outlets at each seat, are standard on this pet-friendly airline. Passengers are even sent an e-mail before departure with updates on weather and major events at their destination.
What you don’t get: L’Avion could be considered the entry level of airline luxury. Prices are competitive, but along with that passengers are taking a pass on some of the über-posh amenities other airlines offer. Premium lounges are one thing you’ll miss out on, although there are plans for one at Newark. For now, customers must make do with the setup at Newark’s Gate 51, which is more business-conference break room (with hot and cold drinks, cheese and crackers and nuts) than luxury lounge. At Orly-Sud, the airline shares the well-equipped Salon Icare with several other carriers.
Make yourself comfortable: Leather seats recline to 140 degrees and allow four feet in front and behind to stretch out. That’s easily done thanks to an extendable footrest that keeps your toes from dangling, and adjustable lumbar support to help prevent back strain. It’s not a lay-flat bed — but it’s still a long (very long) way from coach.
On the menu: Grilled lamb chops, smoked salmon, duck confit and risotto all show up on the menu — though at 35,000 feet, they’re not exactly Le Bernardin quality. It all tastes better beside a good French wine or champagne, but to get a refill, you’ll have to ask (so don’t be shy). Not even a glass of bubbly before is offered takeoff. Quelle horreur!
What wowed us: A personal in-flight cinema is available in the form of an individual digEplayers XT. Portable eight-inch screens show a wide array of movies on demand in English and French, and since they’re not affixed to the seatback, you won’t end up with the screen on your lap if the person in front of you decides to nap.
LOG-IN TO POST A COMMENT
POST A COMMENT