Flying with French Bee: All the things You Must Know in 2024

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In case you’re in search of low cost flights to France, French Bee affords a number of the greatest offers round. Right here’s all you’ll want to know to fly sensible and save huge with this worldwide funds airline!

I’ve flown long-haul on a funds extra instances than I can rely, and French Bee has constantly impressed me with its low-cost providers. On this information, I’ll present you the way this airline retains fares low whereas crossing oceans.

French Bee is a critical contender when you’re aiming to save cash on flights to France. I’ve skilled their providers firsthand, and I’ll clarify how they evaluate to different airways when it comes to value and luxury.

By this text, I goal to supply a transparent view of what it’s prefer to fly with French Bee, overlaying all the things from reserving to touchdown. Let’s discover why French Bee is a critical contender as one of the best airline to fly to France from the US.

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Overview of French Bee

French Bee, launched in 2016, affords low-cost, long-haul flights from their hub at Paris Orly Airport (ORY).

Primarily, the airline caters to French vacationers in search of budget-friendly holidays. Nevertheless, due to their routes to main U.S. cities like San Francisco and New York (EWR), they’ve grow to be a lovely possibility for People in search of low cost flights to France.

French Bee is likely one of the most secure airways on the earth. They boast zero accidents or incidents.

Flying with French Bee for all types of travelers

The place does French Bee fly to?

As of April 2024, French Bee operates continuous flights to seven locations. This contains 4 cities within the US, Reunion Island, and French Polynesia. Right here’s an in depth have a look at their routes:

Paris-Orly (ORY) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Paris-Orly (ORY) to Miami (MIA)
Paris-Orly (ORY) to San Francisco (SFO)
Paris-Orly (ORY) to Newark (EWR)
Paris-Orly (ORY) to Saint-Denis (RUN)
San Francisco (SFO) to Faa’a Worldwide Airport, Papeete (PPT)

These connections be certain that whether or not you’re flying from France to the U.S. or heading to tropical locations like Papeete, French Bee supplies a direct and budget-friendly route.

French Bee’s fleet

French Bee operates a contemporary fleet centered on effectivity. They’ve six plane: 4 Airbus A350-900s and two Airbus A350-1000s. Moreover, yet another A350-1000 is on order. Most of those planes are only some years previous, and so they’re a really comfy strategy to fly long-haul.

Cabin courses when flying French Bee

French Bee affords two cabin courses: economic system and premium economic system. Let’s check out these merchandise in additional element.

Economic system class

French Bee’s economic system class affords two fare sorts: Fundamental and Sensible. The Fundamental fare supplies only a seat and a carry-on bag. The Sensible fare, costing about $70 extra, features a checked bag, an amenity equipment, and an inflight meal. Even on a Fundamental fare, you’ll be able to add extras like meals or extra baggage for a payment.

Premium economic system

Positioned on the entrance of the aircraft, premium economic system affords a extra spacious and comfy expertise than economic system class. It’s considerably extra reasonably priced than conventional enterprise class, typically costing lower than $1,000 for roundtrip transatlantic flights. The fare contains two 23 kg (50 lb) checked luggage, meals, a journey equipment, complimentary beverage service, precedence boarding, and fast-track safety.

Structure

The A350-900 options 376 economic system seats in a 3-4-3 format and 35 premium economic system seats in a extra spacious 2-3-2 format. The A350-1000 contains 440 economic system seats in a 3-4-3 format and 40 premium economic system seats in a 2-3-2 format.

This airline runs a contemporary, efficient fleet. — This airline runs a up to date, environment friendly fleet. | Picture Credit score: French Bee

Baggage allowance with French Bee

When flying with French Bee, the bags allowance varies relying in your ticket kind:

Fundamental: No checked baggage is included. Passengers can deliver one private merchandise however no extra hand baggage.

Sensible: This fare contains one piece of checked baggage weighing as much as 23kg (50 lbs) and permits for one private merchandise plus one piece of hand baggage as much as 12kg (26 lbs).

Premium: Passengers can test two items of luggage, every weighing as much as 23kg (50 lbs), and are additionally allowed one private merchandise plus one piece of hand baggage as much as 12kg (26 lbs).

The overall dimensions for any piece of checked baggage should not exceed 158 cm. Whatever the fare kind, you’ll be able to deliver a most of three items of checked baggage per particular person, every as much as 23 kg. Hand baggage is proscribed to at least one piece per particular person, not exceeding 12kg.

French Bee airport expertise

On the bottom, French Bee affords a fundamental expertise. It definitely isn’t luxurious, however when you’re in search of low cost flights from the US to France, it’s a sensible alternative. Simply keep in mind to consider some additional time for check-in and safety, as their excessive passenger volumes can result in longer traces.

You possibly can test in on-line or use self-service kiosks on the airport. On condition that their A350-1000s can carry as much as 480 passengers, I like to recommend arriving early in case you have checked baggage. Verify-in traces can grow to be fairly prolonged.

French Bee doesn’t present its personal lounge services, nor does it provide entry to third-party lounges at any of its locations.

Premium economic system passengers and people who have bought “Precedence” entry for $18 are boarded first, adopted by households. The remainder of the passengers board by row,

Be ready for normal safety checks, as French Bee doesn’t take part in TSA PreCheck.

This airline provides a basic experience on the ground. — This airline supplies a fundamental expertise on the bottom. | Picture Credit score: French Bee

In-flight consolation & facilities when flying French Bee

French Bee stands out as one of many greatest airways in France, providing a cushty and budget-friendly strategy to journey. Right here’s what you’ll be able to count on on-board.

Seats

French Bee affords 32 inches of legroom in economic system class, akin to what you’d discover on worldwide flights with main airways like American, Delta, and United. For these wanting additional house, exit row and bulkhead seats can be found for a further payment.

In premium economic system, passengers take pleasure in leather-based recliner seats with a beneficiant 36-inch seat pitch.

In-flight leisure

Every seat comes with a big private display full of leisure choices together with films (from latest French releases to classics), TV reveals, video video games, music, and podcasts. Each seat has a USB charger and headphone jack.

Premium economic system passengers additionally obtain an iPad mini loaded with quite a lot of French and English magazines, books, and newspapers.

Amenity kits

Economic system passengers should buy an amenity equipment for $12. This contains headphones important for the in-flight system, an eye fixed masks, a disinfectant wipe, and a meal voucher. In premium economic system, passengers obtain a equipment with a pillow, blanket, headphones, socks, earplugs, and a toothbrush.

Wi-Fi

French Bee affords web connectivity on-board. Packages vary from $4 for 25MB to $29 for 250MB. The service is sluggish and isn’t probably the most dependable.

This airline provides a convenient and reasonably priced mode of travel. — This airline supplies a handy and fairly priced mode of journey. | Picture Credit score: French Bee

French Bee’s meals & drink choices

French Bee’s strategy to food and drinks may not be the strongest side of their service, however it fits their low-cost mannequin

Meals are included with the Sensible & Premium fares. In case you’re flying on a Fundamental ticket, a meal will value you $25. The dearth of meal decisions is usually a draw back until you pre-order a particular weight loss program possibility corresponding to pescatarian, vegan, or vegetarian no less than 48 hours forward. Customary meals often function hen or beef, served with water in a refillable brown paper cup, avoiding single-use plastics.

For a deal with, you’ll be able to go for the “Bistro Stylish” meals at $55, providing dishes like saffron-boiled codfish or beef cheek confit. For my part, it’s a bit expensive. In case you want a less complicated snack, there’s a package deal with a sizzling drink, orange juice, and a candy snack for $9.

Concerning drinks, nothing comes free right here; count on to pay $3 for delicate drinks, $4 for beer, and $4 for small spirits. Particular weight loss program meals like vegan or gluten-free are additionally out there for $35 however require advance reserving.

Perhaps the weakest part of French Bee's service is how they handle food and drink during flights. — Maybe the weakest a part of French Bee’s service is how they deal with food and drinks throughout flights.

Suggestions for reserving French Bee flights

On the lookout for low cost airways to fly to France? Listed here are some pointers that can assist you e-book French Bee flights.

Search for offers: Maintain an eye fixed out for standout affords. San Francisco to Paris roundtrips may be as little as $393. I’ve additionally seen one-way flights from San Francisco to Papeete beginning at $361.

Choose your seat properly: While you e-book your flight, you’ll select your seat, however keep in mind, as soon as chosen, your seat is mounted. If you wish to swap—even to a different seat that prices the identical—you’ll face a payment of no less than $25 every time.

Journey gentle: Since French Bee is a funds airline, you’ll save extra when you can handle with much less baggage. Take into account flying with simply carry-on baggage to keep away from checked bag charges when you’re on a fundamental fare.

The following tips may also help you discover low cost flights to the US from France.

French Bee vs. Rival merchandise

Evaluating airways may be tough, however it’s essential for locating one of the best worth on your journey wants. Right here’s how French Bee stacks up towards a few of its opponents primarily based on my experiences:

Air France vs. French Bee

Service degree: Air France affords a better degree of service, with extra cabin choices and usually extra luxurious facilities. French Bee, as a funds service, retains issues less complicated and extra streamlined.

Value: French Bee usually affords a lot decrease costs in comparison with Air France.

Locations: Air France has a wider international attain, which may be preferable for vacationers not simply restricted to French Bee’s choose locations.

Total expertise: In case you’re in search of consolation and quite a lot of providers, Air France is superior. Nevertheless, for these prioritizing funds, French Bee does the job effectively.

French Bee vs. Norse Atlantic Airways

Market place: Each are funds airways. Norse focuses extra on transatlantic flights between Europe and the U.S., much like French Bee. Norse affords extra departure choices, together with from London Gatwick, Rome, and Paris (CDG).

Fleet and luxury: Each make the most of trendy fleets. Norse’s deal with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner would possibly provide a barely extra comfy long-haul expertise as a result of cabin stress and humidity options.

Value and worth: Pricing is aggressive between each. French Bee’s aggressive pricing methods typically result in decrease fares.

Delta vs. French Bee

Service and facilities: Delta affords extra complete service, with a number of courses, enhanced in-flight leisure, and higher connectivity.

Community: Delta’s intensive community far surpasses French Bee’s, offering extra flexibility for connecting flights.

Value comparability: Delta is often costlier than French Bee. The added value comes with considerably extra facilities and better service requirements.

Selection for vacationers: Funds vacationers would possibly lean in the direction of French Bee for its decrease prices. For a extra rounded journey expertise with sturdy customer support, Delta is the higher alternative.

French Bee is a strong alternative for vacationers strictly trying to reduce prices on direct routes. Nevertheless, in case your priorities embrace broader vacation spot decisions, enhanced consolation, or complete providers, opponents like Air France and Delta may be price the additional expense.

As a low-cost airline, French Bee maintains a simpler and more organized approach. — As a low-cost airline, French Bee maintains a less complicated and extra organized strategy. | Picture Credit score: One Mile at a Time

Professionals and cons of flying with French Bee

Touring with a low-cost airline corresponding to French Bee comes with its positives and negatives. Right here’s what I really like (and don’t like a lot) concerning the French airline.

Professionals

Reasonably priced costs: French Bee affords aggressive pricing, typically considerably decrease than conventional carriers. It’s one of many least expensive methods to fly to the US from France, and vice versa.

Trendy fleet: Operates a fleet of recent Airbus A350s. It’s a cushty, secure, and environment friendly plane.

Beneficiant legroom: Economic system seats boast 32 inches of legroom. It’s fairly spacious for a low-cost airline.

Direct routes: Provides continuous flights from Paris Orly Airport to a number of main locations within the U.S. and past. This contains much less frequented routes like San Francisco to Papeete.

Leisure choices: Every seat comes outfitted with a private display that includes a variety of films, TV reveals, and different leisure.

Cons

Restricted community: Whereas it serves key worldwide routes, its community will not be as intensive as bigger international airways.
Fundamental onboard providers: The no-frills strategy means meals and drinks have to be bought individually on fundamental fares, and there’s an absence of free drinks or snacks.

No lounge entry: No lounge entry at Paris Orly or another airports.

Strict baggage coverage: Has strict guidelines on baggage allowances and carry-on sizes, with charges for any extras or chubby objects.

No TSA PreCheck: Doesn’t take part in TSA PreCheck, which might result in longer wait instances throughout safety screening at airports.

For a budget airline, French Bee's economy seats are quite roomy. — For a funds airline, French Bee’s economic system seats are fairly roomy. | Picture Credit score: One Mile at a Time

Often requested questions (FAQs) about flying with French Bee

Are you continue to interested by which airline is one of the best to fly to France? Listed here are some fashionable questions (and solutions) I get that may assist resolve whether or not French Bee is the best possibility for you.

Is French Bee part of Air France?

No, French Bee will not be part of Air France. It’s an unbiased low-cost airline primarily based in France, working long-haul flights primarily between France and varied worldwide locations.

Do they serve meals on French Bee flights?

Sure, meals is served on French Bee flights. Meals are included with the Sensible fare, and passengers on the Fundamental fare should buy meals for $25. There’s additionally an possibility to purchase upgraded meals, generally known as “Bistro Stylish” meals, for a better worth.

This airline has continuously amazed me with its affordable offerings. — This airline has constantly amazed me with its reasonably priced choices. | Picture Credit score: One Mile at a Time

How strict is French Bee with carry-on?

French Bee is pretty strict with carry-on baggage. Passengers on a Fundamental fare can deliver just one private merchandise, and people on Sensible or Premium fares can deliver one private merchandise plus one piece of hand baggage as much as 12 kg.

Does French Bee have TV screens?

Sure, French Bee has particular person TV screens at every seat. These screens provide a variety of leisure choices, together with films, TV reveals, video games, music, and podcasts.