First Class, or rather, La Premiere all the Way!

Flying always excites me, but on a recent trip to Paris, I was just blown away when an upgrade on Air France’s La Premiere class was waiting for me.

In 2014, Air France began the redesign of its cabins. Its old business class which had a somewhat crowded layout of 2-3-2 was replaced with a 1-2-1 configuration where every seat has aisle access and the window passengers luck out by having their own private compartment. Having flown this seat in the new cabin several times, I can vouch it was a huge improvement (see my blog post from July 2014).

Air France is one of the few international airlines which still possess a true first class product. While the old La Premiere was what some would expect for first class, it was not up to the bar that had been set by many of the leading airlines such as Singapore, Etihad, Emirates, Cathay, and others. So when I saw this cabin was also being reconfigured from what had been an eight seat cabin to a four, private suite I had been eager to try it out. So when I checked in I had found out that a La Premiere seat was waiting for me. After a very genuine “Happy Birthday” from the agent, I was escorted through security and to the Air France Lounge at JFK’s Terminal 1.

The seat and the cabin onboard this 777-300er was everything I anticipated. It was open, soft and inviting. As I told Ann, the chief purser, I preferred the open layout of the Air France cabin versus those walled pods or suites; to me they were too claustrophobic. It must have been my birthday gift, but I was the only La Premiere passenger that evening! After a delicious meal of Provencal lamb chops prepared by Daniel Boulud, I was coaxed into trying out the bed. Since the flight was a short 6 hours thanks to some good tailwinds (which also made the entire flight choppy), I decided not to change into the pajamas provided. Once I returned from the restroom, my bed was made and it was cozzzzzy. The curtain was drawn and the lights dimmed. I manually turned off my little lamp (another nice feature made to feel like you’re in your bedroom).

The new seats each have a curtain which provides the right amount of privacy, yet from the seat looking out; I could still make out the illuminated signs. Somehow the thought of old railroad cars came to mind, you know the type that had the upper and lower berths and the curtain separating these compartments from the aisle. However Air France has done such a tasteful job and what impressed me most was that even during some heavy turbulence, the curtains kept their rigidness versus flapping about which is what I had anticipated. After the flight, I had noted this to the cabin attendant who showed me how each panel had weights at the bottom.

After a light breakfast, we landed in the City of Lights. Overall I was impressed with the comfort, the warm color palette, and overall inviting atmosphere of the new La Premiere cabin. Another nice touch is the individual escort from an Air France agent waiting for you as soon as the boarding door opens making customs and luggage retrieval a breeze.

Rebranding in the Air…Air France

I had planned on writing this post a few days ago. Unfortunately I write this a day after another terrible aviation and human tragedy; MH17, another 777. For those who know me and follow my blog you know that the 777 is my favorite commercial aircraft hands down. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families affected.

On July 5th, I flew to Paris on Air France (my favorite airline) on a 777-200. I flew their last flight out of New York’s JFK – AF009 which departed at 11:20PM. While late flights are not my first choice, I picked this flight specifically because this is one of the only flights on Air France with their completely remodeled cabins. On the return from Paris to JFK it’s AF 010.

Air France has spent a great deal of effort and hype on their rebranding through their Air France Expos in Shanghai, New York, and Paris. Having been to Air France’s Expo in New York a few weeks earlier, I received a sneak peek at the unveiling of the airline’s new seats in all four cabins: La Premiere, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. I was eagerly looking forward to the flight and experiencing the new seats in Business and I wasn’t disappointed.

For years Air France faced criticism for their business cabin and the 2-3-2 configuration. While many international carriers reconfigured their cabins, Air France, and KLM another Sky Team member who has also recently rolled out new seats in Business, continued with that middle seat in the premium cabin. The new layout on Air France is top notch and the seat becomes truly flat, (another complaint that Air France flyers voiced that the old business seat slanted and was not flat).

Billed as a “Cocoon in the sky,” the traveler feels a sense of comfort and privacy. The new cabin layout is 1-2-1. I flew in seat 5A a window seat. What I love is the seat faces towards the window. The cabin remains uniquely Air France with their choice of dark blue cushioned seats, the famous red swoosh, and the cream-colored seat shell. There is more room for storage with a great, shoulder level compartment which houses your noise-canceling headphones. The TV screen is bigger and the menu updated and fresh looking. In addition, Air France has also changed their amenity kit harkening the bygone days of the Concorde. The full pillow and warm duvet was also a nice touch and so comfy that I slept for about 4 hours.

What hasn’t changed is that distinctive French touch; from the helpful crew, the menu, and wines.

My only complaint…I wish the flight was just a bit longer.

MH370 and the 777

As an aviation buff and lover of planes, when an incident occurs it can be all consuming. It becomes even more personal when it’s a plane I love, in this case the 777. I travel often and I have been known to select my flights based on the type of aircraft and airline. To me the 777 is my go to plane; it is the one I prefer even more so than the 747 (my runner up).

Two weeks have passed with much conjecture and talk of far out scenarios. Everyone has an opinion. For me it is important they find the plane, not only to provide closure to the families of those onboard, but also to provide a reason of what occurred to this technologically advanced plane. What’s amazing to me is that we have the technology to track a cell phone but in many ways the technology to track an airplanes in a disaster is simply medieval. Why can’t information of a flight be real-timed recorded in the ‘cloud?’ There needs to be greater tracking of aircraft especially on intercontinental flights which fly over huge expanses of water. With Air France 447 the plane sent signals through its ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting Systems) to the ground of what it was encountering in its final minutes. We know this was shut down on MH370 but why?

American Airlines 191 was a DC-10 which crashed in May 1979 after taking off from Chicago O’Hare. For me that accident turned me off from ever getting on a DC-10. I don’t want MH370 to dissuade me from boarding another 777 and it probably will not. I have great admiration for this aircraft, its reliability, and its capabilities (especially during turbulence). But if an answer is never found there will always remain a nagging question. Why?

The Week in Review…Snowstorms and Techie Stuff

In between all the snowstorms this past week, I was lucky to have my tech day on Monday which included a field trip to Facebook’s New York office with my son’s class. In the afternoon that same day, it was a meeting with the editors at The Huff Post. The highlight, meeting Arianna herself and receiving a galley copy of her new book entitled Thrive due to be released shortly. Thrive focuses on the Third Metric, which has its own vertical at The Huff Post, which is based on the premise of redefining success beyond money and power. I’m about a third of the way through the book and it is both inspiring and insightful. I am looking forward to putting some of the principles into practice and sharing thoughts on my blog. Oh, and I became an official Huff Post blogger and had my first post Timeless Leadership. Stay tuned for more on the Third Metric…

 

Chinese New Year – Year of the Horse

January 31st, 2014 marks the Chinese Lunar New Year and ushers in the Year of the Horse. I was in Beijing the last week of December and had the opportunity to speak with the locals as to the significance of the Horse which they hold in high regard.  For those born under the sign, of which I am one, the horse signifies power and strength. It is energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able.

I thought I would revisit one of my posts from February 2010 as I was preparing for a visit to China and the art of gift-giving for the Chinese New Year…enjoy.

“As I prep for my upcoming trip to China in time for the mass return of workers from the Chinese New Year, I was inquiring with a colleague as to appropriate recognition for the people who have helped me throughout the year. I was advised that it is customary to give money in a red envelope. Red signifies good luck. Generally a gift of 100RMB the equivalent of $14USD is acceptable. The higher you are in level, the more money.

Another interesting note is that married managers are expected to give a gift while unmarried managers generally do not have to. Why I asked? The answer: married managers are viewed as successful in family and career.”

Happy Year of the Horse!

Is bigger really better?…

I’m talking planes here folks. Now having flown my 4th long haul flight on the A380 most recently two on Korean Air (my first two on Lufthansa) my opinion is changing.

My first ride on this double-decker jumbo was a thrill for me but somewhat disappointing. Why so? The takeoff roll, for me the best part of flying, lacked the force and ‘pushed in your seat’ experience. It was almost as if we weren’t gathering enough speed to actually lift off and when we did the rate of ascent was so gradual that at one point I was Fred Flintstone with my feet and arms hoping this baby would get up.  Because of the size of the rear stabilizer or fin (which towers 131 feet above the ground), there seemed to be a constant jerking motion as we gained altitude.  The landing was also stunning in that you expect this giant to need a ful runway to stop, but it felt as if we rolled 50 feet before coming to a smooth stop.

Once in flight, this plane handles gracefully and smoothly. When we hit turbulence, the shear size of the 261 foot wingspan in my opinion creates more area for rough winds to toss this jumbo around. In rough weather, I can easily discern the way an Airbus handles versus a Boeing, at heart I’m still a huge Boeing fan and feel their planes are so much more steady and solid in bad weather whereas an Airbus alsways seems to me to be tossed around and alot more pliable in these conditions.

So the past week I had the opportunity to once again fly 14 and 12 hours respectively on my way to China and back from Singapore through Korean Air’s hub in Seoul. The long-haul portions on its new A380. I was impressed.

The entire top deck is business class, which Korean calls Prestige Class, with close to five feet of  legroom. It also has two bars, the larger Celestial Bar being at the rear of the upper deck. It was like stepping back in time to the bygone era when air travel was luxurious. The bar was attended by a hostess who mixed drinks. There were an assortment of snacks and plenty of comfortable seating including a full couch on one side of the fuselage complete with views from the three windows lining the length.

I am softening on this giant and have to say was impressed with my latest flights.

Kudos to Korean Air for phenomenal service and attention from the flight crew…they live up to their slogan “Excellence in Flight.”

 

 

 

 

Take a quick poll, Boeing or Airbus?

Ni hao from Zhōngguó…

Hello from China.

I’m currently on my 4th visit to China, and I’m happy to say it’s very familiar to me now. My first visit two years ago this time was quite different. I was worried about the food, the conditions…basically fear of the unknown. While China is now familiar, it doesn’t mean that in any way I take it for granted. 

The country has changed from my first visit two years ago. The physical changes of the landscape and skyline is constantly evolving; new infrastructure, a new railway that will connect Shenzhen with Longhua is right outside our factory here and many others. This is progress. What can’t be seen very easily is the change in the people.

Each visit unravels another layer. I have come to really enjoy the company of our team here in China. They are bright and eager to learn. They don’t take opportunities for granted. This visit for me comes at a time of great change as well within my organization. With new leadership and my hiring of my new HR manager who will be my partner here in China. I’m excited. 

Yesterday we had a training course for 46 of our managers on Interviewing and Recruitment, it was a great turnout for a Saturday, our teacher (laoshi) Ms. Cheng was great. For me it was personally rewarding to have had the opportunity to arrange this training and see the openness of our team. As Ms. Cheng stated to me “your people are eager to share their opinions.” It was also my first time to practice my Chinese (after 22 lessons) to introduce Ms. Cheng. I got a rousing round of applause, many were pleasantly surprised. My Chinese also came in handy on checking in. In February I had five people show up to my room when I requested an iron, this go around I asked for an iron and ironing board in Chinese upon check in and was immediately delivered to my room…ahh progress.

Little by little it’s about building relationships and our people now feel that same sense of familiarity and comfort with me and that’s a great feeling. I feel fortunate to have the chance to once again visit this land and spend time with our people. I learn something new everyday about them…and about me.

Zai Jian.

Up in smoke…

that’s what has become of air travel across the Atlantic and Europe. Since Thursday, April 15 when Iceland’s volcano (which I can’t pronounce) started to spew grit and ash into well into the atmosphere, blocking the ‘road’ that many US flights bound for Europe (and vice cersa) take each day. The forces of nature wreaked havoc with the travel system.

To say travel has been disrupted it a gross understatement. Travelers have been stranded throughout the world and nobody knows when the ash cloud may dissipate.  16,000 of Europe’s usual 28,000 daily flights were canceled Friday — twice as many as were canceled a day earlier. Only about 120 trans-Atlantic flights reached European airports compared to 300 on a normal day, and about 60 flights between Asia and Europe were canceled. Airlines are losing about $200M of revenue per day and already there are talks of airlines looking into layoffs.

Personally I was planning on attending a Global HR summit in Prague but things changed with this latest development. Watching the images of stranded passengers in crowded terminals makes me happy to be be home in the comfort of my own home, but then I think there are worse places to be stranded than Prague, or Paris for that matter.

Y’all come back now…

and you will too because the food is that good.

I had the opportunity during a free evening in Savannah recently to visit the Lady & Sons restaurant. If it sounds familiar that’s because it’s owned by Paula Deen, the Southern Belle of down home cooking and TV food star. I was only two short blocks away from the restaurant which occupies a nice corner on Congress Street. I was expecting hoards of tourists waiting for a table but to my delight I was immediately seated. I took the elevator up to the 3rd floor and was shown my table. This floor reminded me of an old mill or warehouse, very high ceilings with exposed pipes and ductwork, but very clean.

One of the dining options is the buffet. I wasn’t that impressed. Outside of fried chicken, ribs, most of the buffet consisted of side dishes; collared greens, biscuits, etc. so I opted for the a la carte menu and selected the Chicken pot pie.

The service is warm. I was offered the famous ho cake, which is a buttery, greasy pancake which was accompanied by a garlicky biscuit. The two were delicious but I wanted to save room for the main course and I’m glad I did.

With its intricate lacework of puff pastry, this pot pie was unlike anything I had seen. Underneath the crisscrossed crispy top, a creamy assortment of chicken and vegetables awaited. All unbelievably delicious. Still having room for dessert I tried the chocolate mousse pie…wow! 

All I can say is the Lady & Sons Restaurant is worth the stop, but take that Lipitor since your arteries will need a few days to recover from the buttery, gooey goodness of this down home restaurant.

All I asked for was an iron…

and half the hotel staff showed up to my room…how embarrassing.

Visited Dongguan and attended the job market. Dongguan is a modern city with a certain energy and hey they even have a Starbucks!