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My only experience with France, Air France, or the Boeing 747 was in the summer of 1970 when I was flying back from Germany to report for active duty. The flight stopped in Paris (Le Bourget?) & there was some layover time.

I saw a brand new Air France 747 from the concourse window & stood there gazing at it when an Air France stewardess came up and asked me if I would like a tour of the aircraft.

Followed her into the 747, saw the huge main cabin, then walked up the circular stairs to the upper lounge. I thanked her for the tour. Once in a lifetime.

Try doing that today. Or try doing what I did in 1972 on my way back from Vietnam when I walked down the concourse of S.F. International slinging a golf bag with two rifles sticking out with the bayonets fixed. Different time.

I was stationed in Spain from 68-72. December 1970, at the last minute, I manage a few extra days leave, and decide to try and get home for the holidays....and as cheaply as possible. Somehow, though the exact details are lost forever in my mind, I get a ticket..for about $75.. on an Aer Lingus flight from Shannon to NYC. So I get my ass up to Shannon, and find out it's a charter..and it's a 747..and ..wait for it...it's configured ALL in economy...I'd swear there were 600 passengers..I think they even put seat belts on the toilets and sold tix for the lavatories.. It was full of Irish-Americans returning home after several weeks visiting the "auld sod."

It's amazing the plane didn't blow up mid air...everyone was totally lit before they boarded, and since back then, you could smoke on planers..I figured there was enough alcohol in the cabin air to explode. And everyone had brought with them several bottles, all of which were consumed over the Atlantic..

Best flight..the most fun I ever had on an airplane..even to this day..45 years later....especially the several hundred times everyone sang "Danny Boy"