Review: Air France A350-900 Business Class from Paris to Mumbai

Air France A350-900 Business Class

This flight marked my first time aboard the Air France A350-900 aircraft, flying from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Mumbai (BOM). It was the second leg of my journey, following a transatlantic flight from Ottawa (YOW) to Paris on Air France’s older Boeing 777-200. I had secured this itinerary using 115,000 Flying Blue miles and paid $513 CAD in taxes and fees. The A350-900 is one of the newer aircraft in Air France’s modernized fleet, and I was particularly looking forward to experiencing the redesigned business class seat, which features enhanced privacy.

A350-900 Business Class Seat

Air France A350-900 Business Class – Seat 2A

The business class cabin on the A350-900 features 48 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring direct aisle access for every passenger. I was seated in 2A, angled slightly toward the window, which provided a lovely blend of privacy and accessibility.

A350-900 Business Class Cabin

The design of the cabin struck me immediately with its chic white and crisp blue tones throughout, complemented by the subtly lit-up Air France logo placed on each seat shell. Boarding was smooth, and at each seat, a pair of slippers, a pillow, a blanket, and a jacket hanger were neatly arranged.

Seat 2A

In-seat connectivity

Technologically, the seat was well-equipped, featuring a 20-inch entertainment screen, both USB-A and USB-C ports, a power outlet, and even a wireless phone charger. An additional tablet mounted beside the seat doubled as both the in-flight entertainment and seat control panel. I especially appreciated the digital control strip under the armrest, which was accessible in the lie-flat position. It controlled lighting and seat adjustments with minimal fuss.

Wireless Charging and Tablet controls

Additional storage and footwell

Storage was thoughtfully designed too. A cubby beside the tablet held the noise-cancelling headset and had enough space for a phone or amenity kit. Another small compartment near the footwell offered just enough room for shoes or small personal items. The footwell itself was spacious, tall enough to allow for side-sleeping when fully reclined, which I always value in business class.

Seat storage

Shortly after I settled in, the purser came by to collect jackets for stowage in the forward closet. Amenity kits, welcome drinks, and printed menus were distributed before departure. The amenity kit was a classy fabric pouch that included standard Clarins skincare products.

Air France Business Class Amenity Kit

Welcome drink and Amenity kit

Air France A350-900 Business Class – Meals and Service

Once airborne, the meal service began with a round of drinks, followed by lunch. The menu included both standard and on-demand options, with snacks like poached eggs with grain salad and a selection of sweet and savoury treats available throughout the flight. Unfortunately, I had not pre-selected a meal, which limited my choices during service. The Indian vegetarian option of Palak Paneer was ruled out due to the inclusion of raisins in the rice (a personal no-go). That left me with options like Chicken in buttermilk sauce, Sauteed shrimps, and a Leek and Green Cabbage Flan.

Air France Business Class Menu

Reluctantly, I chose the Chicken. While the sweet potato and rainbow trout salad alongside a pumpkin cream with goat cheese was pleasant enough, the main course was truly disappointing. The Chicken was overcooked to the point of being dry and crumbly, and was served in what can only be described as a risotto-turned-goulash swimming in parsley oil. The presentation was unappealing, and the flavours uninspired. This was possibly the worst main course I’ve encountered in a business class cabin in the recent past.

Business Class Appetizer and Starter

Chicken Goulash

What made it worse was the crew’s lack of attentiveness. I didn’t request a replacement, but it was evident I had barely touched the dish. Despite this, the crew swiftly cleared the tray without so much as an inquiry or acknowledgment. The dessert and coffee service eventually followed over two and a half hours into the flight. But by that point, I was more interested in sleep than anything else.

In terms of soft service, the crew felt distant and impersonal. There was no warmth in the interaction, and certainly no proactive hospitality, which was disappointing given the premium product.

Privacy and Wi-Fi Connectivity (or lack thereof)

The seat’s privacy door was more of a design accent than a functional feature. It didn’t close all the way, and didn’t offer much privacy from someone walking the aisle, given the short height of the seat shell. The staggered seat configuration was as good as it got, since I couldn’t see the passenger (or their screen) across from me. The sliding door was a mental consolation for privacy, in my humble opinion.

A350-900 Business Class Privacy Door

Another downside to this flight was the absence of onboard Wi-Fi. I had received an alert nearly eight hours before departure about a technical issue, so I knew in advance. Still, not having connectivity on a long-haul business class flight in 2025 felt like a notable gap, especially on an aircraft like the A350-900, which is marketed as cutting-edge.

AF Notification, No Wi-Fi

Takeaway

Aesthetically, the Air France A350-900 business class cabin is elegant and modern, with a seat design that stands out for its comfort and thoughtful details. I managed to get a solid 5–6 hours of restful sleep, thanks to the plush pillow, spacious footwell, and side-sleeper-friendly layout.

That said, the experience was marred by indifferent service, a shockingly poor meal, and a lack of internet access. Would I go out of my way to fly Air France business class again? Unlikely. However, if I can secure a Promo reward at a great redemption rate on a convenient route, I might consider it again for the seat and hard product, rather than the hospitality.