Air France Review: What It’s Really Like Flying to Paris

Going abroad can be daunting if you don’t do it often. But when you get it right? There’s a real sense of relief — because so much can go wrong with international travel.

Case in point: something went wrong before I even boarded the plane.

My passport was expiring too soon — not within the required time frame — and that left me SOL, as my late mom would say… shit out of luck. LOL. I can laugh now, but at the time? Absolutely not funny.

I was supposed to be in Paris in June 2025 to see Beyoncé and celebrate my friend’s 40th birthday with him and his sister. Shoutout to Joshua and Holly — they ended up having an amazing time. Me? I was home, stressed, and humbled.

Since I had already paid for the ticket, I had to figure out what other travel plans I could make — which meant spending more money. Love that for me.

Important PSA: If you’re planning a trip to Europe, do it the right way and make sure your passport is not expiring within six months of your travel date. They will not let you enter the Schengen Zone, which includes most of the European Union. Ask me how I know.

Paris… Round 3

Fast forward — business handled — and I was finally set to go to Paris in December, over Christmas. And I thought… how magical would that be? One of the most romantic cities in the world during the holidays.

Plot twist: I travel alone.

So how the hell was this going to be romantic? Easy. I tailored the trip to my needs: good food, good drinks, and seeing all the must-see sights. Self-love tourism.

Then in September 2025, I casually mentioned the trip to my cousin Clarissa and she said, “Oh shit… can I come?”

Now y’all know I’m a solo-travel type of guy — and I love it — but I was in the mood to try something new. She’s chill, low-maintenance, and actually fun to travel with, so I said yes. And honestly? It worked out beautifully.

I’ll get into everything we did — and share the full itinerary so you can steal it — in another blog post that you can read here.

Flying Air France

I hadn’t flown to Europe in over five years. The last time was right after COVID with a friend’s family, and I honestly don’t even remember which airline I took. This time, I flew Air France, and I don’t think I’d ever flown them before — so I had zero expectations.

I was pleasantly surprised.

My route was Puerto Vallarta → Detroit → Paris (Charles de Gaulle). But let’s talk about the real issue: I had NO coat in Puerto Vallarta. No gloves. No winter gear. No brain cells.

Why didn’t I buy things in advance? I don’t know. I’ve been in this chill, don’t-stress era — which is cute until you realize you’re flying to a cold ass place in winter with nothing but vibes.

Thankfully, Clarissa came through with a coat, and I immediately bought a winter hat. Crisis averted.

Detroit Layover & Lounge Life

Delta Sky Lounge at DTW Airport

Getting to Detroit was painless. I checked into the Delta lounge immediately — though I’m still confused why I was allowed in since I was flying Air France and booked through KLM. Airline alliances confuse me, but whatever — I wasn’t about to question it.

The lounge food? Subpar. I’m not gonna lie. And to make matters worse, I was dealing with food poisoning or something. Probably from tacos the night before — but listen, I live in Mexico. It happens.

Despite my stomach being on 100, I still managed to enjoy some French red wine and a few bites. Priorities.

In-Flight Experience (PV → Paris)

Once onboard, I mostly slept. My biggest regret? Not downloading content beforehand. Again — not prepared.

The seatback entertainment had a ton of options, but I’m weird. I like YouTube. I like quirky stuff. So finding out the WiFi wasn’t working properly really burst my bubble.

I ended up plugging my ears, forcing rest, and reminding myself: I’m landing in Paris in the morning.

The food was actually decent, and the wine? Excellent. A Syrah from France — and honestly, you can’t really go wrong with French wine. After two bottles (yes, bottles), a glass of champagne, and dinner, I finally got some solid sleep.

Breakfast was light — yogurt and the usual — and before I knew it, we were landing. The flight there felt quick.

Also… notice how I had no baggage issues on the way in. Remember that.

Arrival in Paris

Once I landed, the mission was finding Clarissa. Charles de Gaulle is modern and pretty nice, in my opinion, but I had never flown in or out of it before. In the past, I’d always arrived by train from London.

She ended up in a different terminal, grabbed a cab, and $100 USD later, we were on our way.

Pro tip: Take the train from CDG. There is zero reason to spend that kind of money on a car unless you’re exhausted and absolutely not trying to figure out public transit.

Download the official Paris Metro app beforehand. You can buy tickets directly in the app, and it was insanely helpful all trip. The airport pass was about 13 euros one way as of December 2025.

Departure & The Baggage Fiasco

Leaving Paris, we did it right and took the train back to the airport. I had already checked in and was traveling carry-on only — or so I thought.

In Mexico, my bag wasn’t weighed. In Paris? They do not play that. My bag was overweight, and European carry-on restrictions are strict.

Annoyed but unbothered, I paid 70 euros to check the bag — full of clothes I won’t even wear back in Mexico. Love that journey for me.

Security and passport control were a lot, but efficient. Then came duty-free — obviously. Grabbed some French wine and a bottle of Moët for New Year’s because… why not?

The Flight Home

The food going back to Mexico was way better than the food coming to Paris. I played it safe and ordered pasta. The other options were meat or fish — and respectfully, no.

The meal came with quinoa and chickpea salad, cheese, bread, butter, and a brownie. I was starving and demolished everything.

Listen — I’m not flying business, premium economy, or first class yet. One day. But for an economy meal? I was impressed. Manifesting first class in the near future.

WiFi (The Letdown)

The WiFi was trash both ways. On the way there, I had none. On the way back, I paid extra — and it still barely worked. Couldn’t scroll, couldn’t post, couldn’t vibe.

Lesson learned: download your content and have your shit together if you’re flying long-haul.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the trip was painless. The flight attendants were kind and attentive, especially during meal service. And once again, I’m reminded how behind American airlines really are. It’s rough out there.

I’d absolutely fly Air France again.

And while we’re at it — they should bring back the Concorde. That was iconic.

Read more about my Paris trip below…

Frequently Asked Questions About Flying to Paris & Air France:

Do you need a passport valid for 6 months to fly to Paris?

Yes. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates to enter France and the Schengen Zone. If it’s expiring sooner, airlines will not let you board — even if your ticket is paid for.

What airline is best for flying to Paris from the U.S.?

Air France is a solid option for flights to Paris, especially if you’re flying from major U.S. hubs. The service, food, and overall experience felt noticeably better than many American airlines, even in economy.

Is Air France good for long-haul international flights?

Yes. For an economy international flight, Air France was comfortable, efficient, and pleasant. The food and wine stood out, and the flight attendants were attentive without being overbearing.

The wine that was served.

Does Air France serve alcohol for free in economy?

Yes. Air France serves complimentary wine, champagne, and other alcoholic beverages on long-haul international flights, even in economy class.

How is the food on Air France flights?

The food was surprisingly good for economy. The meal flying back from Paris was better than the meal going there, but overall it was flavorful, filling, and well-presented — especially compared to most U.S. airlines.

The food was actually not bad… considering.

Is WiFi reliable on Air France flights?

Not really. WiFi availability and quality were inconsistent. Even after paying for internet, browsing and social media didn’t work well. Download any shows, movies, or content before boarding.

What airport do you fly into when going to Paris?

Most international flights arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), which is modern, large, and spread across multiple terminals. Give yourself time to navigate.

Is Charles de Gaulle Airport easy to get to the city?

Map available here.

Yes — and the train is the best option. The RER train from CDG into Paris is affordable, efficient, and much cheaper than taking a taxi, which can easily cost over $100 USD.

How much does it cost to take the train from CDG to Paris?

As of December 2025, a one-way airport train pass costs around 13 euros. Download the official Paris metro app to buy tickets and navigate easily.

How strict is Air France with carry-on baggage?

Very strict — especially on return flights from Europe. Bags are often weighed, and if your carry-on exceeds the weight limit, you’ll be required to check it and pay a fee.

Is Air France better than American airlines?

In my experience, yes. The service, food, and overall experience felt more thoughtful and polished than most U.S.-based airlines, even in economy class.

Would you fly Air France again?

Absolutely. Despite the WiFi issues, the overall experience was smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable — and I’d gladly book with them again for future trips to Europe.

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