Flying with French Bee: Everything You Need to Know in 2024

May 26, 2024

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If you’re looking for cheap flights to France, French Bee offers some of the best deals around. Here’s all you need to know to fly smart and save big with this international budget airline!

I’ve flown long-haul on a budget more times than I can count, and French Bee has consistently impressed me with its low-cost services. In this guide, I’ll show you how this airline keeps fares low while crossing oceans.

French Bee is a serious contender if you’re aiming to save money on flights to France. I’ve experienced their services firsthand, and I’ll explain how they compare to other airlines in terms of cost and comfort.

Through this article, I aim to provide a clear view of what it’s like to fly with French Bee, covering everything from booking to landing. Let’s explore why French Bee is a serious contender as the best airline to fly to France from the US.

My #1 tip to find cheap French Bee tickets

Looking for the cheapest French Bee tickets? This is a game-changer: Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights).

Here’s the deal: Sign up for free email alerts, set your departure and destination, and boom – you’ll get alerts for insanely cheap flights. Mistake fares? Deep discounts? They’ve got it all.

I’ve saved thousands using Going. Recently, I even found a $239 roundtrip fare from Boston to San Diego in June. Not bad!

Want even more deals? Their $49/year premium version is well worth it- just one discounted flight pays for the whole thing. And if you’re into business/first class, you’ll want to sign up for their Elite version, which saved me over $5,000 in 2023 alone. Trust me, it’s a small price for massive savings.

Overview of French Bee

French Bee, launched in 2016, offers low-cost, long-haul flights from their hub at Paris Orly Airport (ORY).

Primarily, the airline caters to French travelers looking for budget-friendly vacations. However, thanks to their routes to major U.S. cities like San Francisco and New York (EWR), they have become an attractive option for Americans looking for cheap flights to France.

French Bee is one of the safest airlines in the world. They boast zero accidents or incidents.

Flying with French Bee for all types of travelers

Where does French Bee fly to?

As of April 2024, French Bee operates non-stop flights to seven destinations. This includes four cities in the US, Reunion Island, and French Polynesia. Here’s a detailed look at their routes:

Paris-Orly (ORY) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Paris-Orly (ORY) to Miami (MIA)
Paris-Orly (ORY) to San Francisco (SFO)
Paris-Orly (ORY) to Newark (EWR)
Paris-Orly (ORY) to Saint-Denis (RUN)
San Francisco (SFO) to Faa’a International Airport, Papeete (PPT)

These connections ensure that whether you’re flying from France to the U.S. or heading to tropical destinations like Papeete, French Bee provides a direct and budget-friendly route.

French Bee’s fleet

French Bee operates a modern fleet focused on efficiency. They have six aircraft: four Airbus A350-900s and two Airbus A350-1000s. Additionally, one more A350-1000 is on order. Most of these planes are only a few years old, and they’re a very comfortable way to fly long-haul.

Cabin classes when flying French Bee

French Bee offers two cabin classes: economy and premium economy. Let’s take a look at these products in more detail.

Economy class

French Bee’s economy class offers two fare types: Basic and Smart. The Basic fare provides just a seat and a carry-on bag. The Smart fare, costing about $70 more, includes a checked bag, an amenity kit, and an inflight meal. Even on a Basic fare, you can add extras like meals or additional luggage for a fee.

Premium economy

Located at the front of the plane, premium economy offers a more spacious and comfortable experience than economy class. It is significantly more affordable than traditional business class, often costing less than $1,000 for roundtrip transatlantic flights. The fare includes two 23 kg (50 lb) checked bags, meals, a travel kit, complimentary beverage service, priority boarding, and fast-track security.

Layout

The A350-900 features 376 economy seats in a 3-4-3 layout and 35 premium economy seats in a more spacious 2-3-2 layout. The A350-1000 includes 440 economy seats in a 3-4-3 layout and 40 premium economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout.

This airline runs a contemporary, efficient fleet. | Image Credit: French Bee

Baggage allowance with French Bee

When flying with French Bee, the baggage allowance varies depending on your ticket type:

Basic: No checked luggage is included. Passengers can bring one personal item but no additional hand baggage.

Smart: This fare includes one piece of checked baggage weighing up to 23kg (50 lbs) and allows for one personal item plus one piece of hand baggage up to 12kg (26 lbs).

Premium: Passengers can check two pieces of baggage, each weighing up to 23kg (50 lbs), and are also allowed one personal item plus one piece of hand baggage up to 12kg (26 lbs).

The total dimensions for any piece of checked baggage must not exceed 158 cm. Regardless of the fare type, you can bring a maximum of three pieces of checked baggage per person, each up to 23 kg. Hand baggage is limited to one piece per person, not exceeding 12kg.

French Bee airport experience

On the ground, French Bee offers a basic experience. It certainly isn’t luxurious, but if you’re looking for cheap flights from the US to France, it’s a practical choice. Just remember to factor in some extra time for check-in and security, as their high passenger volumes can lead to longer lines.

You can check in online or use self-service kiosks at the airport. Given that their A350-1000s can carry up to 480 passengers, I recommend arriving early if you have checked baggage. Check-in lines can become quite lengthy.

French Bee does not provide its own lounge facilities, nor does it offer access to third-party lounges at any of its destinations.

Premium economy passengers and those who have purchased “Priority” access for $18 are boarded first, followed by families. The rest of the passengers board by row,

Be prepared for standard security checks, as French Bee does not participate in TSA PreCheck.

This airline provides a basic experience on the ground. | Image Credit: French Bee

In-flight comfort & amenities when flying French Bee

French Bee stands out as one of the best airlines in France, offering a comfortable and budget-friendly way to travel. Here’s what you can expect on-board.

Seats

French Bee offers 32 inches of legroom in economy class, comparable to what you’d find on international flights with major airlines like American, Delta, and United. For those wanting extra space, exit row and bulkhead seats are available for an additional fee.

In premium economy, passengers enjoy leather recliner seats with a generous 36-inch seat pitch.

In-flight entertainment

Each seat comes with a large personal screen packed with entertainment options including movies (from recent French releases to classics), TV shows, video games, music, and podcasts. Every seat has a USB charger and headphone jack.

Premium economy passengers also receive an iPad mini loaded with a variety of French and English magazines, books, and newspapers.

Amenity kits

Economy passengers can purchase an amenity kit for $12. This includes headphones essential for the in-flight system, an eye mask, a disinfectant wipe, and a meal voucher. In premium economy, passengers receive a kit with a pillow, blanket, headphones, socks, earplugs, and a toothbrush.

Wi-Fi

French Bee offers internet connectivity on-board. Packages range from $4 for 25MB to $29 for 250MB. The service is slow and isn’t the most reliable.

This airline provides a convenient and reasonably priced mode of travel. | Image Credit: French Bee

French Bee’s food & drink offerings

French Bee’s approach to food and drink might not be the strongest aspect of their service, but it suits their low-cost model

Meals are included with the Smart & Premium fares. If you’re flying on a Basic ticket, a meal will cost you $25. The lack of meal choices can be a downside unless you pre-order a special diet option such as pescatarian, vegan, or vegetarian at least 48 hours ahead. Standard meals usually feature chicken or beef, served with water in a refillable brown paper cup, avoiding single-use plastics.

For a treat, you can opt for the “Bistro Chic” meals at $55, offering dishes like saffron-boiled codfish or beef cheek confit. In my opinion, it’s a bit pricey. If you need a simpler snack, there’s a package with a hot drink, orange juice, and a sweet snack for $9.

Regarding drinks, nothing comes free here; expect to pay $3 for soft drinks, $4 for beer, and $4 for small spirits. Special diet meals like vegan or gluten-free are also available for $35 but require advance booking.

Perhaps the weakest part of French Bee's service is how they handle food and drink during flights. — Perhaps the weakest part of French Bee’s service is how they handle food and drink during flights.

Tips for booking French Bee flights

Looking for cheap airlines to fly to France? Here are some pointers to help you book French Bee flights.

Look for deals: Keep an eye out for standout offers. San Francisco to Paris roundtrips can be as low as $393. I’ve also seen one-way flights from San Francisco to Papeete starting at $361.

Select your seat wisely: When you book your flight, you’ll choose your seat, but remember, once selected, your seat is fixed. If you want to switch—even to another seat that costs the same—you’ll face a fee of at least $25 each time.

Travel light: Since French Bee is a budget airline, you’ll save more if you can manage with less luggage. Consider flying with just carry-on luggage to avoid checked bag fees if you’re on a basic fare.

These tips can help you find cheap flights to the US from France.

French Bee vs. Rival products

Comparing airlines can be tricky, but it’s crucial for finding the best value for your travel needs. Here’s how French Bee stacks up against some of its competitors based on my experiences:

Air France vs. French Bee

Service level: Air France offers a higher level of service, with more cabin options and generally more luxurious amenities. French Bee, as a budget carrier, keeps things simpler and more streamlined.

Price: French Bee typically offers much lower prices compared to Air France.

Destinations: Air France has a wider global reach, which might be preferable for travelers not just limited to French Bee’s select destinations.

Overall experience: If you’re looking for comfort and a variety of services, Air France is superior. However, for those prioritizing budget, French Bee does the job well.

French Bee vs. Norse Atlantic Airways

Market position: Both are budget airlines. Norse focuses more on transatlantic flights between Europe and the U.S., similar to French Bee. Norse offers more departure options, including from London Gatwick, Rome, and Paris (CDG).

Fleet and comfort: Both utilize modern fleets. Norse’s focus on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner might offer a slightly more comfortable long-haul experience due to cabin pressure and humidity features.

Price and value: Pricing is competitive between both. French Bee’s aggressive pricing strategies often lead to lower fares.

Delta vs. French Bee

Service and amenities: Delta offers more comprehensive service, with multiple classes, enhanced in-flight entertainment, and better connectivity.

Network: Delta’s extensive network far surpasses French Bee’s, providing more flexibility for connecting flights.

Price comparison: Delta is typically more expensive than French Bee. The added cost comes with significantly more amenities and higher service standards.

Choice for travelers: Budget travelers might lean towards French Bee for its lower costs. For a more rounded travel experience with robust customer service, Delta is the better choice.

French Bee is a solid choice for travelers strictly looking to minimize costs on direct routes. However, if your priorities include broader destination choices, enhanced comfort, or comprehensive services, competitors like Air France and Delta might be worth the extra expense.

As a low-cost airline, French Bee maintains a simpler and more organized approach. | Image Credit: One Mile at a Time

Pros and cons of flying with French Bee

Traveling with a low-cost airline such as French Bee comes with its positives and negatives. Here’s what I love (and don’t like so much) about the French airline.

Pros

Affordable prices: French Bee offers competitive pricing, often significantly lower than traditional carriers. It’s one of the cheapest ways to fly to the US from France, and vice versa.

Modern fleet: Operates a fleet of new Airbus A350s. It’s a comfortable, safe, and efficient aircraft.

Generous legroom: Economy seats boast 32 inches of legroom. It’s quite spacious for a low-cost airline.

Direct routes: Offers non-stop flights from Paris Orly Airport to several major destinations in the U.S. and beyond. This includes less frequented routes like San Francisco to Papeete.

Entertainment options: Each seat comes equipped with a personal screen featuring a wide range of movies, TV shows, and other entertainment.

Cons

Limited network: While it serves key international routes, its network is not as extensive as larger global airlines.
Basic onboard services: The no-frills approach means food and beverages must be purchased separately on basic fares, and there’s a lack of free drinks or snacks.