Summary

• The Air France Restaurant offered a unique dining experience in Business Class for 85 euros.
• The meal included champagne, dishes masterfully prepared by Michelin chefs, and a below-average dessert.
• Visitors to the exhibition were also able to learn about sustainable aviation fuel and Air France’s future fleet.

The 2024 Olympic Games are over, as the locals in Paris would say. During the two weeks from July 27 to August 11, athletes from all over the world competed in Paris, and fans came from all corners to cheer them on all day long – but did you know that there is a unique place where athletes and tourists can eat? Let’s discover the Air France Restaurant in the Air France Chalet I visited.

Business Class, but at ground level

There were 60 places available for customers to book each day, but they were all quickly booked up because the experience was truly unique.

The meal was held in a hidden area within the exhibition and was by reservation only. My family and I had made a reservation for 1:00 p.m. local time and decided to have a late lunch.

Upon arrival, the staff member will check your name on a corresponding list and escort you to your table, where the same tableware that is normally provided at 10,670 meters is neatly arranged.

Let us raise our glasses

Customers were presented with branded glasses of champagne that were identical to those provided in the Paris airline’s business class on long-haul flights. The glasses feature a stylized acute accent, commonly used in French.

Here, Air France has a partnership with Xavier Thuizat, the Meilleur Sommelier de France 2024, An award given to some of the best wine waiters in the country for their selection of drinks for the menu.

For champagne, Xavier chose a Brut Réserve champagne from Palmer and Co, which was light, refreshing and full of character.

A three-course menu shows what France has to offer

After the champagne as aperitif (or in French culture, an appetizer drink) the three-course meal began. It was presented on a tray, just like on board.

The starter was intriguing and consisted of an amuse-bouche of seasonal vegetables and mint, served alongside prawns with an orange and honey vinaigrette and a creamed salad of butternut squash, kumquat and carrots.

After the starters, guests can choose from four main courses: veal, vegan, poultry or fish. I chose the poultry dish. Air France has called on the expertise of Arnaud Lallement, a chef with three Michelin stars, to put together the dishes.

Interesting fact: The Michelin Guide was originally created to provide recommendations and suggest fine dining options to motorists exploring France

The overall flavor profile was quite strong. The rich, buttery sauce complemented the dressing, which was reminiscent of a dry grain salad, perfectly and paired perfectly with the oven-roasted chicken breast. This dish embodies the essence of French cuisine: uncomplicated, delicate and full of flavor.

After the main course, dessert and cheese platter were served and unfortunately the experience was a bit disappointing.

The goat cheese lacked the strong flavor that I knew from France.

Although the blue cheese was satisfactory, the Cantal, a firm yellow cheese from the South of France, stood out as the most notable, offering a bold flavor profile that suited my preferences.

For dessert, we had an orange-flavored cheesecake with a candle, a nice gesture from the restaurant staff who had informed my family that it was indeed my birthday.

The dessert resembled an orange-flavored cheesecake with a candle, a nice gesture from the restaurant staff who were informed by my family that it was indeed my birthday.

I appreciate that Air France tried to arrange something special for me. They would have done the same if I had been on board, which reflects the commendable spirit of the restaurant staff.

A cost-effective way to get to know Business Class

Business class can be very expensive and is out of reach for many people. However, this dining experience only cost 85 euros per person (about $94). Admittedly, it is one of the more expensive restaurants in Paris, so a three-star Michelin experience like you would get on board is a perfect compromise.

Unfortunately, the restaurant closed permanently on the afternoon of August 11, shortly before the closing ceremony.

An exhibition on the topic of sustainability

Visitors interested in the SAF production process can find out more for free in the dedicated area next to the restaurant. There are three stands, the first of which is dedicated to the innovative approaches Air France uses to power its aircraft.

I learned a lot about SAF here. For example, I didn’t know that sustainable aviation fuel is made from a mixture of wood chips, used cooking oil and leftover feed from farmers.

But also about the future of the fleet.

There was also a second stand dedicated to the future of the fleet, with fuel efficiency as the main theme. Here, the French airline presented the new flagship of its short-haul fleet, the A220-300, and its long-haul fleet, the A350-900.

I found that the A350’s performance was comparable to that of a small car, consuming 2.5 liters of fuel per 100 km per passenger, which is remarkable for a modern jet aircraft.

It gave tourists an insight into the world of luxury.

The last stand featured the presentation of Air France’s offer for the majority of its long-haul fleet – a new business class product based on the Stelia Aerospace Opera seat.

The business class seats on this modern long-haul flight offer passengers a completely flat bed for a comfortable sleeping experience.

In addition, it has a sliding door that offers passengers more privacy while driving.

A standout feature of the AF model is its consistent brand identity. The “hyppocampe” or seahorse emblem used in the stowage compartment is a notable element reminiscent of the DC3 era.

The Olympics may be over, but don’t worry – the exhibition returns to Paris for the Paralympics at the end of the month.