Thread: Air France Question

Generally the travel benefits for AF employees (and other non-US carriers) are not as good as on US-domestic companies. Some basics:

- There's no such thing as a free trip. Even on AF you will pay a charge for each segment, usually mileage based, plus intl taxes. For example: USA east coast to Paris is $34 plus taxes each way. French domestic flights are 9 euros. These are called R2 tickets.
- All travel is in economy, unless you purchase your R2 in business class (approx $175 o/w plus taxes USA east coast to Paris).
- Boarding priority is determined by seniority
- Employees are granted a priority coupon for 1 trip per year (called R3) that allows you to jump to the head of the non-rev list. Good for popular non-rev destinations.
- ZED agreements with over 100 other airlines
- Special "Skyteam ZED" fares with Skyteam partners (e.g., 1 thru 450 mile trip = $12)
- Local station agreements exist at many USA stations for free/reduced cost tickets
- Option to buy confirmed space on any flight (R1 ticket) at set prices (e.g., USA east coast to Paris ranges from $68 up to $113 o/w, plus taxes, based on booking class ). This is a NICE benefit most others don't have!
- AF staff (everyone, not just crew) are eligible for jumpseat travel with crew agreement
- Buddy pass travelers must travel with you and are charged the same rate as the employee. Buddy passes are limited (3 or 4 a year, I think).
- Spouse/domestic partner, dependent children, and parents may travel independently at the same rates. Parents are only eligible if at least one has passed their 60th birthday.
- Obtaining tickets is a cumbersome process that must be done thru your local station/office and makes spontaneity inconvenient (but not impossible) when away from home. A new centralized database is being rolled out this year to make life easier: present you ID to any sales desk and they'll be able to help you.

Hopefully this helps. Send me a private message if you'd like some more info; if you understand French I can forward some documents with more details to you.

Additionally, I'll just add that AF is a good company to work for. Although some of the processes are rather arcane and bureaucratic, they treat employees pretty well (the socialist heritage I guess) and tend to reward based on merit instead of seniority. Good luck with your job pursuit!