Air France opens CDG Schengen lounge

27^th Aug 2021

Air France has opened its new 3,000square meter lounge at Paris CDG’s Terminal 2F. The terminal is dedicated to customers travelling on the French carrier’s Schengen network, of short and medium-haul flights around Europe. The twin level lounge, designed in the spirit of a French bistro, offers pancakes, cheeses and champagne all day. Unusually, economy class passengers can also access the lounge for a small fee.

Air France has unveiled a brand new lounge at the heart of it's short haul network, at it's Paris Charles de' Gaulle hub.

Food and wine are spotlighted in the lounge, with a pancake counter in the morning, refectory areas on both levels with a menu that rotates daily, and a wine list chosen by award-winning Italian sommelier Paolo Bass.

Catering to business class and elite frequent flyers with 570 seats spread across two levels in terminal 2F at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, it is a very large lounge, replacing the previous old and rather tiny lounge in the basement.

As soon as you enter, at the centre of the lounge, a "runway view" is revealed, with vast curved window with a view of the sky and the airport runways, it dominates the entire space and lets in a northern light that illuminates the lounge.

However, it is the catering which is the most significant part of the lounge.

There are dining areas located on both levels. As the airline says "tinted with a coppery champagne colour, they promote the refinement and conviviality of French cuisine".

The catering offer changes throughout the day. For a quick bite to eat, mini sandwiches, salads and hot quiches are available at all times. There is also a dedicated counter with pancakes in the morning, dishes of the day made by a chef at lunchtime, as well as an aperitif service. Cheeses and desserts complete this offer designed in the spirit of a French bistro.

The wine list, chosen by Paolo Basso, world's best sommelier in 2013, offers a wide selection of wines and champagnes. Finally, a vast "detox" area has a relaxing atmosphere and offers a wide range of herbal teas.

Most of the the new Air France CDG Schengen lounge in Terminal 2 was designed by the Jouin Manku agency, founded by Canadian architect Sanjit Manku and French designer Patrick Jouin.

Through the lounge, free wifi is available, and there are sockets for recharging mobile devices.

Downstairs, there is also a small 'lounge within a lounge, with a dedicated area for Flying Blue Ultimate customers. It is accessed directly from the reception area, offers a fully personalized service and has its own private seats and catering.

For everyone else, on entering passengers can quickly enter using electronic gates, and then via a huge sculpture linking the reception area and the lounge which is inspired by the wings of an aircraft. There is a left luggage area and a display cabinet offering Air France Shopping travel accessories are also available.

There are some wonderful design elements, including the materials used, including terrazzo, lava stone, wood, leather and other fabrics, which have all been rigorously chosen to last over time. The furniture is solid and functional, using Air France signature colours; shades of blue, a strong presence of white and a hint of red.

The Air France brand symbol, the winged seahorse, is the company's historical symbol, and it is prominently on display.

A Clarins treatment area offers the new Traveller Spa concept. Express beauty or radiance treatments, 20-minute tailor-made facials are available to prepare for the flight. Finally, a wellness area with ten showers and a changing room is also available.

The new Air France Lounge is located between the two boarding areas at terminal 2F at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and open from 5.30 am to 10 pm.

It is accessible free of charge for Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus customers, and for a fee of 35 euros for customers travelling in the Economy cabin.

Air France opens CDG Schengen lounge

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