Has AIR FRANCE ditched its RUDE reputation?

In my travel vlog I set out to answer a simple question: is Air France still known for rudeness, or has the carrier turned a corner? I recently flew Air France business class from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Budapest. With plenty of negative reviews floating around online, I wanted to test the reality for myself — from check-in and lounges to the cabin crew, food, and overall experience. Below is a detailed, honest account of that trip, what stood out (both good and bad), and whether I’d choose Air France again for short-haul European flights.

What I was testing: expectations vs reality

There’s a reputation that precedes many national carriers: that crew can be brusque, that service is inconsistent, and that an airline’s image lingers longer than actual changes in service. My aim on this short-hop flight was straightforward: evaluate Air France on a single, representative journey and see whether the online chatter matches what passengers experience in 2025.

Key metrics I focused on:

• Ease and speed of check-in and security fast lanes
• Quality, space, and comfort in the Air France business class cabin
• Meal and beverage offering compared with other European and US carriers
• Crew attitude and responsiveness
• Lounge facilities at CDG (Terminal 2E/2F)
• Ground handling and arrival logistics at Budapest

Check-in and lounge: first impressions at CDG

Check-in was quick and handled in a dedicated section for premium passengers. Despite the old stereotype of snarly service, the staff — with just one exception — were exceptional: efficient and friendly. Fast-track through security was available, but I noticed it wasn’t dramatically quicker than the regular line on this particular day. That said, it’s still a convenience worth having if you’re short on time.

The Air France lounge in Terminal 2F (and 2E, which is also Air France territory) is large and spread over two levels. It’s located opposite the La oste store and offers a classic European lounge aesthetic. The standout detail for me is a dramatic staircase that overlooks the apron — great for plane-spotting while you relax.

Some observations on the lounge:

• Temperature: the lounge tends to run hot. Bringing down the thermostat a couple of degrees would improve comfort.
• Food and drink: a solid selection of salads, tarts, and pastries, along with an impressive wine list. There are champagnes available and a champagne trolley often circulates, though I didn’t always see it come around during my visit.
• Extras: Clarins runs a small salon space for treatments, there are nap rooms for short rests, and attractive shower pods if you want to freshen up before departure.

Onboard: the Airbus A220 business class experience

My aircraft was an Airbus A220 with seven rows of business class. The cabin felt modern and the seats were attractive with a quality finish, but legroom was more limited than I expected for a business-class seat on a short European hop. The business cabin layout blocked the middle seat in each triple configuration and the other side of the aisle alternated two seats — so seating density felt balanced.

A few small details made a positive difference:

• USB-C charging: this seat included a USB-C port, which is still not universal across airlines. A small convenience that matters on short flights when you want to top up devices quickly.
• Phone holder: a clip that lets you prop up your phone for inflight viewing — nice for watching a show on your own device.
• Movable armrests: most middle armrests (except in row 1) lift up and down, giving you more flexibility.
• Coat hanger: a small built-in coat hook is handy for keeping your jacket tidy.

Price-wise, this was not a budget trip: I paid 810 euros (about 900 US dollars) for the business class seat on the roughly two-hour and ten-minute flight from CDG to Budapest. For the price, my expectation was high and, on balance, largely met for this short-haul European service.

Meals and champagne: a strong point for Air France

Air France feels compelled to deliver a high-quality culinary offering — and this flight demonstrated that well. About an hour into the flight we were served a cold starter: shrimp with quinoa and snow peas dressed in a raspberry vinaigrette. Cheese followed, with one variety standing out as particularly tasty. The highlight, however, was a crunchy vanilla cream puff that matched the quality of pastries I’d been enjoying in Paris.

Compared to similar duration business-class meals in the US, the difference was stark. Air France’s combination of fresh pastries and a well-curated wine and champagne selection (today it was Pommery) felt distinctly French and elevated the short flight.

Crew and service: is rudeness gone?

The main question — are Air France crews dismissive, disinterested, or rude? — deserves a clear answer. On this flight the cabin crew were polished, warm, and friendly. They handled every request with efficiency and a smile. At one point they approached me kindly about ensuring no other passengers were filmed without consent — they managed that conversation diplomatically and professionally.

“Every request I had for the crew was handled efficiently and with a smile.”

From boarding through to landing, the crew’s demeanor contributed significantly to a relaxed, pleasant journey. In short: on this flight, the reputation for rudeness did not hold up. That said, one flight is not a statistical sample — but it is a positive sign that the airline’s service culture can be very good.

Arrivals and ground transport in Budapest

Upon landing in Budapest, baggage collection took longer than I’d hoped — be prepared for some waiting time at arrivals. The arrivals hall felt compact, which can cause delays processing luggage during peak times.

A practical tip for taxi users: at the airport you should queue and take a ticket from the taxi desk. If you jump straight into a cab and the driver claims the meter is not working, you can be overcharged. I encountered people who warned of unscrupulous behavior — so lining up behind the taxi desk and getting the ticket is the safer option.

A night in Budapest: where the city shines

Landing into a warm evening — about 22 degrees — it’s easy to see why Budapest is so appealing. I stayed at the Kempinski, one of my favorite hotels to return to each year. It sits near the action during race weekend, and the city center was buzzing with fans and locals enjoying late nights in parks and along the river.

Highlights of the local scene:

• Large Ferris wheel and a lively entertainment complex nearby with bars and live music.
• Cheap and cheerful drinks: an Aperol Spritz cost the equivalent of 6 pounds — a fraction of what I often pay at home.
• Relaxed nightlife: young crowds sat in parks drinking wine from bottles late into the night, and local police were generally tolerant rather than heavy-handed.

Dinner back at the Kempinski’s ES restaurant felt fitting for the evening. The restaurant’s indoor-outdoor format is ideal for mild weather, and the area around Fashion Street is lively, with a non-stop flow of people during race weekend nights. I ordered my annual schnitzel — a tradition for me — and it was priced at about 34 US dollars. Good food, good atmosphere, and a genuine sense of place.

Final verdict: would I fly Air France again?

Short answer: yes. For European business-class travel, I’d pick Air France again. The combination of decent seats, thoughtful cabin details (USB-C, cup holder, movable armrests), high-quality food, and professional cabin crew made a strong case that the airline is delivering what customers expect — at least on this route and on this day.

Would I recommend it to others? For short-haul European trips where food and cabin experience matter, Air France is a solid choice. If you’re paying a premium fare, expect good culinary offerings and attentive service. If your primary concern is legroom or a fully private suite experience, then long-haul business products or first-class might be better suited — Air France’s La Première is said to rival top Middle Eastern first-class offerings if you want the pinnacle of service on international routes.

Summary: pros and cons

• Pros: polished and friendly crew; excellent food and champagne choices; useful seat features like USB-C and phone holder; spacious, well-equipped lounge with nap rooms and showers.
• Cons: business seat legroom on the A220 felt limited; lounge temperature tends to be too warm; baggage collection at Budapest can be slow; taxi queues at Budapest airport require attention to avoid being overcharged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Air France rude to passengers?

Not necessarily. On this flight the cabin crew were polite, warm, and professional. Rudeness may appear in isolated incidents, but it’s not a guaranteed experience across all flights. My test flight suggested the airline’s crew can be attentive and friendly.

How much did the business class ticket cost?

I paid 810 euros, which equated to about 900 US dollars for the return business-class seat from Charles de Gaulle to Budapest on the A220.

How is the food in Air France business class?

The food was notably good for a short-haul service: a fresh shrimp and quinoa starter, tasty cheese, and an outstanding cream puff. Air France places emphasis on quality, and the inflight champagne (Pommery on this flight) and pastries set it apart from many competitors on similar routes.

Are the CDG lounges worth using?

Yes. The Air France lounge in Terminal 2F is large and well-appointed with showers, nap rooms, a salon, and a varied food and drink selection. It can run hot, so be prepared for that, but overall it’s one of the better lounges in Europe for business-class passengers.

Any tips for arriving at Budapest airport?

Be patient with baggage claim and use the official taxi queue to get a ticket — avoid hopping into a cab without a ticket to reduce the risk of surcharges. The city center is relatively close (about a 35-minute ride) and the atmosphere on arrival was pleasant.

Closing thoughts

One flight doesn’t erase decades of reputation, but it can provide a valuable snapshot. On this trip Air France delivered a strong business-class product for a short-haul European route: solid lounge facilities, high-quality food and champagne, practical seat features, and a crew that was both professional and friendly. If you’re weighing Air France for intra-Europe travel, this experience makes a convincing case to give them your business.

Safe travels and enjoy your next trip — wherever you choose to fly.