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In this review, we’ll take you on a journey to China. Our trip will take us to various exciting places in the country, starting in the metropolis of Shanghai. We’ll fly from Amsterdam to Paris and then board Air France’s new Premium Economy class on the Boeing 777-300 from Paris CDG to Shanghai Pudong. Ready for a 12-hour flight? Check out this Air France Premium Economy review. Bon Voyage!
Trip to China
China never ceases to amaze us, blending ultra-modern cities with deeply traditional culture. After our previous trip in October to southern China, we’re now traveling to central and northern regions. We’ll begin our journey in Shanghai, then move on to Xi’an. From there, we’ll visit the edge of the Tibetan Plateau from the city of Xining. We’ll finish our trip in Beijing, where no visit is complete without seeing the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. But will we manage to do this during the busy Golden Week?
We’ll be sharing multiple reviews of flights, hotels, and destination tips from this trip.
Flying Air France Premium Economy from Paris to Shanghai
While we’ve flown KLM’s new Premium Comfort several times recently, this time we’ve opted for Air France. Since our last trip to Bangkok, Air France has upgraded its Premium Economy product, and we’re curious to see if it’s worth it.
The trip cost €1,305 per person and earned 55 XP and 10,268 Miles with Flying Blue. With the purchase of CO2 compensation and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), I also received an additional 128 XP and 9,992 Flying Blue Miles.
Here’s the breakdown of the travel classes on this ticket:
- Amsterdam – Paris CDG: Economy with Air France
- Paris CDG – Shanghai PVG: Premium Economy with Air France
- Shanghai Hongqiao – Xi’an: Economy with China Eastern
- Beijing (PEK) – Amsterdam: Premium Comfort with KLM
The price includes the flight, 2x 23kg checked baggage, 2x hand luggage, and 1x personal item.
In addition to the above, we booked several other trips:
- Shanghai – Nanjing: Second Class train (China Railways)
- Xi’an – Xining: First Class train (China Railways)
- Xining – Beijing (PKX): Business Class with China Eastern
Starting the Journey
We traveled by train to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. It’s the start of the May holidays in the south of the Netherlands, but Schiphol didn’t seem too crowded. With our Privium Plus membership, we quickly passed through passport control, followed by access to Aspire Lounge 41 via Priority Pass, which comes with an American Express Platinum Card. For more on this lounge, check out our detailed Aspire Lounge 41 review.
We checked in our luggage in Amsterdam and picked up our boarding passes, then passed through security. After relaxing in Aspire Lounge 41, it was time to begin our journey. Our flight to Paris was delayed, leaving us with less time to visit the Air France Lounge at Terminal 2E Hall K, but no worries!
The flight to Paris was smooth, arriving about 30 minutes later than scheduled at Paris CDG.
Flight to Shanghai
Our flight to Shanghai departed from Gate K37 in Terminal 2E. It took about 10-15 minutes to walk from Terminal 2F, where our flight from Amsterdam had landed, including time at passport control.
We still had some time before boarding, which we spent in the Air France Lounge at Terminal 2E K.
Boarding Flight AF116 in Paris
At around 9:15 PM, we headed to Gate K37, where many passengers were already lining up to board the Boeing 777-300 to Shanghai.
Boarding passes and passports were checked, and passengers were directed into the appropriate boarding zones. We boarded with Zone 1/2.
After a short wait, we finally boarded at 9:40 PM. There was a separate boarding bridge for Business Class and another for Premium Economy and Economy. Today, we flew in Air France’s newly upgraded Premium Economy on the Boeing 777-300 from Paris CDG to Shanghai PVG.
Upon boarding, we were warmly welcomed and directed to the Premium Economy cabin.
Air France Premium Economy Cabin
It had been some time since we last flew Air France Premium Economy, and our previous experience wasn’t great, especially with the seat. But since then, Air France has revamped its product.
Air France has been working hard in recent years to upgrade its core product. On the Air France Boeing 777 that we are flying today between Paris CDG and Shanghai, the latest Premium Economy class is in place. This Premium Economy consists of six rows in a 2-4-2 configuration.
The window seats in row 23 have only one window, while the other seats have two windows. For the upholstery, Air France opted for dark blue fabric with a subtle reference to Air France’s branding: a small red logo.
Right behind the Premium Economy cabin, you’ll find the toilets, one on each aisle. Additional toilets are located at the back of the aircraft, along with the galley, which is also accessible in the middle of the Economy cabin. Here, you can grab snacks and drinks throughout the flight. The toilets have not been upgraded and show signs of wear.
At various moments during the flight, the French flag colors are visible in the cabin via mood lighting. Overhead, there are storage bins, though I found them a bit small in terms of storage space. Some passengers struggled to fit their (well-packed) suitcases into them.
Air France Premium Economy Seat in Boeing 777-300
As mentioned, this time we are flying in the revamped Premium Economy of Air France. On InsideFlyer, you can read various reviews of this cabin, including from airlines like KLM, Air France, Singapore Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. It’s great to see that Air France has improved its product, starting with more comfortable seats.
There are 48 seats in this cabin. The seats have a decent recline and a pitch of 38”. When the passenger in front reclines their seat, it moves towards you, but there’s still enough room. The seat width is 19”, providing ample space for movement.
The middle console is somewhat narrow and holds the foldable table, which is smaller compared to the old cabin, but still large enough to place a tablet or laptop.
In the middle console or armrest, you’ll find charging options (USB-A and USB-C) and a remote control for the screen. However, there’s no power socket available.
Of course, the buttons to adjust the seat recline and footrest are located in the middle console as well. In front of you, there’s a seat pocket (containing a safety card and sick bag) and a small compartment where you can store your passport or phone.
Above this is a clear 13.3” screen for the inflight entertainment system. It’s adjustable to maintain a good view from different angles. Air France provides headphones, which they claim are noise-canceling, but you can also connect your own headphones or earbuds via Bluetooth.
Lastly, there’s a reading light near the seat, and between the seats in front, there’s a holder for a water bottle.
Comfort in Premium Economy
Air France has made a significant upgrade when it comes to comfort in their Premium Economy product. Where I found the older cabin far from comfortable, that’s no longer the case.
There’s plenty of space between your seat and the one in front, even when the seat in front is reclined. This is, of course, a personal opinion, but I found it easy to get in and out of my seat. The seat and backrest are well-cushioned, making it comfortable for longer flights—like this one, which was over 12 hours. I even managed to sleep for 7 hours.
The headrest is nice, and you can adjust it up and down, as well as move the sides to form a sort of cradle for your head.
Air France provides Premium Economy passengers with a comfortable blanket and a decent pillow for extra comfort.
The recline is good, and the leg rest is easy to use. Where the footrest in the previous cabin was a nuisance, I found it no longer an issue in this new cabin.
The middle console is a bit narrow, and you quickly end up bumping arms with your seatmate. All in all, this cabin is a 100% improvement over the previous one. I would definitely fly Air France again, given the comfort.
WiFi & IFE
In this Air France review of the Boeing 777-300 from Paris CDG to Shanghai Pudong in the Premium Economy cabin, we will briefly discuss the WiFi options and IFE (in-flight entertainment). WiFi is available on board with four different packages. One of the packages allows you to send messages via WhatsApp, Apple iMessage, and WeChat for the entire flight for free. The other three packages can be purchased with Miles or a credit card. The first package costs €8 for one hour of internet, the second is €18 for browsing during the entire flight, and for €30 you can stream throughout the flight. I used the free messaging package occasionally, and overall, it worked just fine.
The screen for the IFE was great. A clear 13.3” screen with sharp visuals that was easy to use. There was plenty of content available in various languages.
The noise-canceling headphones provided by Air France were okay, but they didn’t block out all the noise completely.
I appreciated being able to connect my own earbuds via Bluetooth, which worked easily and well.
Service, Menu, and Meals During the Flight
Lastly, in this Premium Economy review of Air France, we will discuss the meals served on the flight from Paris CDG to Shanghai Pudong.
French hospitality was certainly present on this flight. Upon boarding, we were greeted warmly and directed to our seats. We were also helped with storing our luggage in the appropriate overhead bins.
Throughout the flight, we were well taken care of, with friendly service. About half an hour after takeoff, refreshing towels were distributed, along with a small amenity kit.
The kit contained some basic necessities: socks, a toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs, and an eye mask. The design of the kit had a refreshed look.
Menu & Meals
Next came the drink service, with a choice of soft drinks, coffee, tea, and champagne. We chose a glass of champagne to toast a good flight.
Shortly after, the hot meal service followed. Where I had found the meals on previous flights disappointing, this time they were much improved. The meals were designed by Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Simonin. There were two main course options: pasta with scallops and asparagus, or a dish with peas, spinach, and onions. We chose the first option, and it was very flavorful!
The meal included a generous amount of scallops and asparagus, a clear distinction from the meals served in Economy versus Premium Economy. However, the serving trays still appeared cheap and could be improved.
During the flight, things quieted down, and the crew became less visible. You could find them in the galley, where snacks and drinks were available.
Just over an hour before landing, breakfast was served. Beforehand, we were given another refreshing towel. The breakfast was the same as what’s served in the Economy cabin. While it tasted fine, it lacked the premium feel. The main meal is what truly sets this cabin apart from Economy.
Arrival in China
The Air France flight in Premium Economy has come to an end, and so does this review. Nǐ hǎo and welcome to China! For now, Dutch travelers do not need a visa if they stay in the country for less than 15 days. This rule is in place until November 30, 2024, but whether the visa exemption will continue afterward is still uncertain.
Upon arrival at the airport, travelers must first pass through self-service kiosks to register their fingerprints and passport. This step is mandatory for all travelers.
Afterward, you join the line for Chinese immigration, where the process is repeated at a manned desk. Once everything is in order, you’ll receive a stamp in your passport and be allowed to enter the country.
The baggage claim screens clearly indicate where you can collect your luggage. SkyPriority baggage is the first to arrive on the belt, which is always appreciated since this isn’t the case everywhere.
One final tip: if you need a SIM card for China, purchase it after collecting your luggage. It’s cheaper at providers such as China Telecom or China Mobile. It’s also convenient, as you can immediately use WeChat for many services, including payments!
Afterward, we were ready to head into the city. This time, we took the Maglev! Traveling at 300 km/h, we zoomed through the landscape into the city. Eight minutes later, we arrived at the metro station to continue our journey to our hotel, the Pullman Shanghai Jing’An.
Photo credits: Review Air France Premium Economy Paris CDG Shanghai – InsideFlyer NL – Marco
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