Mexico City to Chicago... via Paris

Since this was my first time at MEX, I had no idea where I was going and just followed the flow.

International departures sounds like a good direction to follow....

Definitely a conveniently location Hilton.

I turned left, followed a few more signs and lo and behold....

With nearly four hours before departure, I had plenty of time to check it out.   Pleasant but meh atmosphere.   Lack of any windows and view to the outside gave the place a bit of a dark, dungeon like feel.

On the other hand, staff was simply superb and attentive.  Drinks are complimentary.

But food was not.  There was a limited menu albeit with very reasonable prices.  My wagyu burger was only 220 MXN or about 10.75 USD.  

Since I had requested to board first, yet another La Première Personal Assistant stopped by at T-50 for the long golf cart ride to opposite end of the terminal and Gate 34.

After checking on board to make sure that the crew was ready, my PA preboarded me. 

 I was greeted at the door by three of the cabin crew including my wonderful La Première flight attendant Anne, who escorted me to my suite. 

And so began 11 hours of amazing and flawless service.

Today's menu...

Lovely amenity kit with some nice Cariita products.

The new Air France safety video is really cool, featuring iconic Paris and France landmarks. 

And the finale, zooming back from the Eiiffel Tour...

... to the breathtaking top of the hour light show. Bravo.

Gorgeous sunset as we depart Mexico City.

After take-off, Anne began setting up my three seat suite...

With even the curtain on the opposite aisle closed for more privacy.

Showtime, La Première style...

Tonight's lovely amuse bouche medley.  Creole-style marinated grouper, apricot, foie gras and amaranth skewer, sautéed chicken with Tequilla and pineapple chutney. 

Followed by the wonderful Cream of Tomato soup with tortilla chips.

Outstanding. 

Next up, a lovely Sauternes...

... to go with my Duck foie gras, papaya and mint condiment...

Poached lobster, mango and apricot chutney.  

And after sampling all of the starters, the main plat...

... Fillet of beef with chipotle pepper sauce, potato Napoleon, green aspargus, pumpkin, roasted cherry tomatoes...

Delicious!

A little cheese sampler.

OMG, then the most amazing dessert platter...

The Chocolate and hazelnut Rocher cake was out of this world.

After dinner, I watched a movie, then checked and returned emails.  Wifi is free for La Première passengers.

While a went to loo, Anne made my bed across the aisle.  I slept for a solid 4 hours.

About 90 minutes from Paris, I moved back to 1A for a liittle breakfast.

Sad line-up of Covid-idled Air France planes parked in perfect formation. 

After a pleasantly short taxi by CDG standards, we pulled into our gate at 1:35pm.

This was a flight for the ages, with personable, professional and flawless service by one of Air France's finest.  Merci to my amazing flight attendant, Anne, for a memorable flight.

From the lounge, it was a short walk and elevator ride down to ground level and our awaiting BMW.

For the long, drive to... a bus gate?  And where no one had yet boarded.  Yeah, so glad we rushed lunch.  Really?  The good news is that I good some up close pics of our 77W.

A tale of two classes.  La Première arrives by limo, everyone else by bus.  

After introductions to the cabin crew, I was escorted to my 1L as 1A was apparently defective.

A peek into Business Class since no one had yet boarded.  So glad I rushed lunch for this.  I guess, I've already whined about that.  

Back in 1L, my first of two La Première flight attendant, Georges, served a glass of champagne.  Unlike the wonderful Anne on MEX-CDG, this was the B team.  Little details like not opening and plating the box of cashews and cranberries.  And forgetting to close the galley curtain later on in flight.  Lots of yapping in the galley. 

 And no tray or chocolates like Anne had prepared even prior to my arriving at my seat on MEX-CDG...

My rushed lunch was even more annoying as the rest of the passengers didn't even board until our 3:30pm departure.  Some 35 minutes laterm at 4:05pm, we pushed.

The combination of my decadent eating and drinking from the night before and my rushed lunch... and my tummy was not happy.  I decided to sleep for the first two hours and then have lunch about three hours into our flight.  By that point, Georges had disappeared and another flight attendant took my lunch order and served.

Showtime.

The cream of artichoke soup was delicious. 

The lobster and green aspargus salad was a little bland.

On the other hand, the duet of shrimp and squid was excellent.

... especially with camargue red rice and tasty taragon lobster sauce.

For dessert, Michael Roth's Empress Rice pudding with candied fruit in a chocolate dome.

Wow, this was sensational.

Georges had made my bed next door and I moved over to sleep for a solid three hours, awaking about 90 minutes out.  As I was still full, I decided not to test my tummy despite lusting after the Tender beef and pan fried foie gras pastry puff on the Light Menu.  In a another service failure, I was never even asked if I wanted some more to eat.  Yeah, that was the B team.

Nice views of Lake Michigan and northern shoreline.

Since this was the first Air France arrival in ORD this year, I'll cut them some slack that the only door used was 2L.  To her credit, another flight attendant escorted me to the door ahead of other passengers.  When the door open, PA Michelle was waiting to escort me thru CBP immigration/customs which was pretty empty.

... and then to the exit to the third world experience that is ORD Terminal 5.

Despite the B team cabin crew, it was still another enjoyable Air France flight and a great 24 hour experience.