From Paris to Newark in Style: A 5-Star Experience (Despite the French Police)

Empty seat for E while she was detained by French police for an hour.

With our trip to Paris, Naples, Positano and Palermo complete, it was time for us to return stateside and to reality and the twins!

We had a Friday morning flight from Paris Orly to EWR and arrived at the airport about two hours prior to departure. 

As we shared, we booked this flight on La Compagnie with Chase Sapphire Reserve points, getting 1.5 cents for every points, making a $2400 flight ~$1750 in point redemptions. Not bad for a lie flat round trip. 

With our flight on La Compagnie from EWR to Paris Orly a comfortable one, albeit one where we rested most of the time, we were excited to experience the full service that La Compagnie offers on this 8 hour flight during the day. 

Checkin

We checked in online via the La Compagnie app and while the airline was able to provide me with one boarding pass, E was asked to see an agent at the airport. This was a sign of things to come for E and security. 

After a quick passport check, we were on our way to security. La Compagnie ticketholders are granted access to Priority #1 lines for security and passport control at Orly. However, only a few of the lines we traveled in were open for Priority #1 passengers that morning so we did not see the full benefit. 

Lounge

Following passport control, we made our way to the Primeclass Lounge, which is complementary for La Compagnie passengers. It is also available to other airlines. La Compagnie also offers an elevated lounge experience for an additional 30 Euros at The Extime Lounge but we did not try that lounge so can’t report on the quality. 

The Primeclass Lounge was exponentially better than the La Compagnie lounge provided at EWR on our outbound flight 10 days prior. The Primeclass Lounge had breakfast options available, Heineken and liquor available. While it was early, we were disappointed that no champagne or wine was available. 

The Primeclass Lounge has bright windows and a balcony and area to eat outside to view the planes arriving and departing. 

Boarding

About 30 minutes prior to boarding we left the lounge to go to the gate. Upon arrival at the gate, we were told that the flight was delayed in arriving and the crew was still preparing the cabin for us. After about a 20 minute delay, boarding began. E was asked to go through extra security for a flight to the U.S. along with about a dozen other passengers. 

I got on the plane while E went through additional security at the gate. After about 20 minutes, the flight attendants noted that the plane was ready to leave but waiting on one additional passenger that was being held up by security -- aka, E. 

We were seated in Row 1 on this flight, so I was able to occasionally look up the jetbridge to see if E was coming. 

After about 40 minutes, a French police officer and an airline representative came onto the plane to talk to the pilot -- in French. The airline representative kindly informed me that E had been flagged by security as her hand swabs were setting off the machine. The airline representative brought me to E at the end of the jetbridge to chat. The representative shared that she could no longer hold the plane much longer and that the police were unsure what was setting off the hand swab machine. 

The airline representative shared that they only had one seat available on the next day’s flight so E and I decided to go our separate ways. We decided I needed to get back to the twins and relieve E’s mom, while she stayed another day in Paris. It was tough to separate. 

I went back on the plane to get cash and credit card for E to have so she could stay at a hotel while she waited for her flight the next day. I came back up the jet bridge to give to E and she was gone. The representative shared that E had been sent to additional security but that police assured her that she was fine and that it would just take a bit more time to understand what was setting off the swab machine.

I got back on the plane and the door shut. Little did I know, French police had asked E to sprint to the main security at the beginning of the airport. There they did more tests and tested items in her bag. They finally discovered what was setting off the sensors -- her face cream. 

The police sprinted E back to the gate and the airline opened the front door, allowing her on the plane. I have never been on a flight where the boarding door reopened after closing to accommodate another passenger. So that was a a relief. 

It was quite a stressful way to end our trip but La Compagnie staff were so kind as they navigated the process. The airline representative had even given me her cell phone number so I could check-in on how things were going while I was flying to EWR. Fortunately, E was able to make the flight and we were on our way to Newark -- albeit about an hour late because of the security stop. Soon we were in the air and heading back to the twins!

Service

After the excitement of additional security and E almost missing the flight, we were on our way. 

We once again were offered a pre-departure beverage of orange juice or champagne. We both opted for champagne. The amenity kids were placed in the cubby behind the seat with a bottle of water and noise canceling headphones were provided for each passenger. 

At each seat, La Compagnie had left printed menus for us, which was different than our inbound flight from Newark 10 days later.

When we opened the menus, we understood why. La Compagnie occasionally holds special events during flights. This time, we were joined by Stephanie Le Quellec, a two star Michelin chef and Pierre Chirac a pastry chef. Stephanie is the chef who also designs the menu for La Compagnie as well. 

The meal was delicious, we had an appetizer of lobster salad, and for a main course tender lamb followed by a cheese plate and pecan dessert. I don’t think I have ever had lobster on a plane before and this didn’t disappoint. 

The main course and the desert plate were served by each chef, which was a nice touch. The chefs went down the aisle to each seat with the food cart and presented the meal and answered any questions the passengers had. 

I also appreciated the little touches in cutlery from La Compagnie. Each napkin and cutlery included their logo. A nice touch for a very small airline. 

About 90 minutes before arrival we were offered a snack -- waffles and a coconut desert. It was good, but a bit strange to have a breakfast meal prior to landing in Newark at around 2pm. If anything, they could have flipped the service to have the heavier meal prior to arrival to match our new timezone. 

Regardless, the food was excellent.

The drink service was regular as the flight attendants moved down the aisle. But once again, the glassware was very small, particularly for wine service. I had red wine during the flight, but only with about 2 ounce pours. La Compagnie should consider updating the size of their glassware to match other carriers. Or place snacks and drinks in the galley for self service between meals. 

Seat

Each seat was provided with a full sized pillow -- inclusive of some cute phrases. As well as a duvet down comforter. 

E didn’t nap and I tried to nap for about an hour. The seat was easy to use, from lie flat, to reclining to regular seat by the push of a button. 

We were in row 1 which meant we didn’t have a seat in front of us to use for the shoe cubby. So I placed my shoes in the middle of the two seats and put on the socks from the amenity kit. 

In Flight Entertainment

We had the same movie selections as our outbound flight. Around 90 films -- a mix of American and French films. 

Wifi was a bit slower on the return flight. I am not sure why, but it wasn’t as fast. It was free though, so I can’t complain. 

I was also again impressed by the quality of the noise canceling headphones. Usually the ones provided -- even in business class -- leave much to be desired. I didn’t consider pulling out my Bose noise canceling headphones once given how good they were. 

Was it worth it? 

After the stress of boarding and E getting stuck with security, the La Compagnie staff could not have been better. Helping me evaluate the options and going above and beyond to make each of us feel comfortable during a very uncomfortable situation. For that we are grateful. 

The service on the flight was solid, though not as personable as other business class products. 

The food was exceptional on this flight -- it helps when you have two Michelin star chefs on board serving exceptional meals. 

Beverage glassware could be improved. 

5 out of 5.