The seat
Seats are squeezy.
I’m in 19G,an aisle seat;19F is empty. It makes all the difference. The aircraft has a 3-4-3,two-aisle configuration,with 411 seats in total. Blue leather seats look fancy,but the 32-inch (81-centimetre) pitch and 16-inch (40.6-centimetre) width is on the squishy side. When the man in front reclines,his scalp is just a couple of centimetres from my face.
Seat features are a bit light-on,limited to a very small pocket for magazines,a 10-inch (25.4-centimetre) seatback screen,USB port and headphone jack.
Baggage
Cabin allowance for Basic Economy passengers is one item of hand baggage,up to 12 kilograms,and one accessory. I pay €50 ($81) online to check a suitcase,up to 23 kilograms. The price at the airport would have doubled.
Entertainment
Wi-Fi is available for purchase at various speeds and megabyte limits. Low-speed access with 25MB data is priced at $US4 ($A5.90);faster connections up to 250MB costs $US29.
In-flight entertainment on the seatback screens is limited. The woman across the aisle is watching a racy French-language film with sex scenes that would be right at home on SBS. Earphones are priced at 3 Euro. Duty-free items – perfume,cosmetics,watches,souvenirs – are available for purchase.
Service
Dressed in chic navy uniforms,the stylish French attendants appear to be having a good time. The ladies are wearing high heels,some of the gents are wearing makeup. It’s all very cosmopolitan.
Food
With a late-night departure time,I opt not to pre-order a hot meal. Drinks and snacks are priced reasonably;€1.50 for M&Ms,€2 for Lays potato chips,€4 for beer. The menu also includes croissants,wine and muffins.
Carbon emissions
0.95 tonnes for one economy passenger. French Bee claims to be the only airline with a fleet comprised 100 per cent of Airbus A350s,the aircraft designed to deliver 25 per cent less fuel burn and CO2 emissions per seat.
One more thing
French Bee’s sale fares are remarkably low,from US$172 (A$254) for a one-way ticket from New York to Paris.
The price
From $316,economy one way.*
The verdict
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The poor pre-flight customer service is maddening and the pet policy needs a review,but the flight itself is worth more than I paid.
Our rating out of five
★★★½
The writer travelled at her own expense. Seefrenchbee.com
*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.