AIR CARAIBES
-The First French A350-
Air Caraïbes is a French airline belonging to the Dubreuil Group. Established in 2000, it is primarily based in the French Caribbean, specifically in Guadeloupe and Martinique, but also has a base in the French capital, Paris-Orly. The airline operates daily flights from Paris to the Caribbean, as well as inter-island services operated by 4 ATR-72 aircraft. Since 2003, the Caribbean company has been serving the main French islands of the archipelago, such as French Guiana, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Lucia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, and Saint Martin. For its long-haul fleet, Air Caraïbes relies entirely on Airbus aircraft and operates six Airbus A330s and two Airbus A350s.
Today, Airliners Explorers invites you to embark on the inaugural flight of Air Caraibes' Airbus A350, in Caraïbes Class, on flight TX540 from Paris to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe
PARIS ORLY AIRPORT
At Orly, Air Caraïbes welcomes its guests at the South Terminal, taking advantage of the new hall inaugurated in 2016. The South Terminal of the second-largest French airport was starting to show its age and had suffered from a deteriorating reputation. The new lounge meets passengers' expectations, offering numerous services before boarding. In addition to the traditional dining options and duty-free shops, the South Terminal also boasts a good number of multimedia entertainment facilities.
Traveling in Caraïbes Class, today we have the pleasure of accessing the Icare lounge at Paris Orly, just like business class passengers. The lounge, shared with other airlines in the South Terminal, meets industry standards but feels a bit old and doesn't match the one in Pointe-à-Pitre or other premium airlines standards.
After enjoying a pleasant morning, travelers are invited to proceed to Gate A27, where the brand new Air Caraïbes Airbus A350 awaits. This first aircraft is registered as F-HHAV (in reference to Havana, a new destination inaugurated by the company). From the terminal, this new plane leaves a strong impression. Its black mask, characteristic futuristic wings, and famous winglets give it a unique charm.
CABIN REVIEW
And then, the long-awaited moment arrives: boarding finally begins! Stepping onto the aircraft, passengers are greeted with a warm welcome and are impressed by the sight of the first French A350. This new Airbus offers a remarkable sense of space, contrasting with older generations of aircraft such as the A330. After a brief passage through the high-quality business class section, we discover a beautiful living space for the next 8 hours: the Premium Economy class. Air Caraïbes has chosen a 3-3-3 seating configuration for this cabin, a surprising choice but in line with the airline's aim to maximize efficiency.
The Airbus A350 was designed to enhance passenger comfort. The ambient lighting system and large windows are also appreciated as it recreates different lighting moods in the cabin. This system is designed to minimize the effects of jet lag and is also present on newer aircraft like the Boeing 787. Cabin pressure, temperature control, and air quality (with increased humidity) have also been improved to achieve the same goal. The pressurization system provides lower cabin altitude than the latest generation of aircraft like the Airbus A380.
Air Caraïbes can accommodate up to 389 passengers on its Airbus A350-900, organized as follows:
- 18 passengers in Madras Class (Business) with Full Flat seats (180° recline, which is not the case on the A330), arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration.
- 45 passengers in Caraïbes Class (Premium Economy), organized in a 3-3-3 configuration.
- 326 passengers in Soleil Class (Economy), organized in a 3-4-3 configuration.
Regarding the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, Air Caraïbes relies on the French company Thales and its 4th generation of embedded screens, offering over 150 hours of movies and series in Full HD. Air Caraïbes also provides WiFi service since September 2017 on its entire A350 fleet. Additionally, the A350 has significantly wider windows compared to its American counterpart, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, providing passengers with a greater sense of space and increased cabin brightness.
CATERING
On its flights, Air Caraïbes offers oshibori towels shortly after takeoff and an "à la carte" service for business class passengers. However, economy class and premium economy guests have a menu presenting various meal options. Air Caraïbes proposes a selection of wine on Business and Premium economy class. Today, we will enjoy champagne as an aperitif and the "rougaille saucisse" with yellow rice for lunch. This dish, being a typical Reunionese cuisine and with French Bee, Air Caraïbes' low-cost subsidiary, announcing the opening of this destination shortly before, it's not unlikely that this dish is a nod to the Groupe Dubreuil's upcoming destination.
The carribean airline also offers a snack before landing, for us it will be a pest and mozzarella ciabatta with a white yogurt, a cake and a coffee.
The Airbus A350 also offers significant economical advantages for the company. On the Paris-Pointe-à-Pitre route, it is 20 minutes faster than its sibling, the Airbus A330. It is also more fuel-efficient, with an average fuel savings of 10% per passenger and increased payload capacity. By the time the company receives its final A350, 160 new jobs will have been created, and the operational capacity will have increased by 7%.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Air Caraïbes' Caraïbes Class on the Airbus A350 offers a top-notch travel experience. From the spacious and comfortable seating arrangements to the cutting-edge in-flight entertainment system, passengers are treated to a premium service that combines style, comfort, and exceptional service. The airline's commitment to enhancing passenger comfort and providing a memorable journey is evident in the attention to detail and the luxurious amenities offered in this product. Whether traveling for business or leisure, the Caraïbes Class on the A350 ensures a delightful and indulgent flight experience.
The positioning price of the Caraïbes offer is comparable to an Economy Comfort product with some advantages of a true Premium class (dedicated check-in, priority passport control, security, and boarding). From this perspective, Air Caraïbes undoubtedly offers the strongest product currently available in the French market. Moreover, the crew is pleasant, welcoming, and available throughout the flight to ensure passenger satisfaction.
The arrival of the Airbus A350 significantly contributes to improving comfort and the passenger experience, undoubtedly offering one of the best products an airline can provide today in terms of comfort and silence.
We would like to thanks Air Caraïbes for their invitation on this inaugural flight to discover the first french A350.
- Thank you dear readers for your attention -
April 3rd, 2017