When I started planning this trip, one of the first decisions I had to make was how I wanted to get there. Not just the flights and train schedules, but how I wanted to feel after more than 24 hours of travel: two flights, two long layovers, and a two-hour train ride before I finally reach my hotel in Figeac.
I’ll arrive in Figeac and spend the night there before transferring to Camp Château the next afternoon. While Camp is designed to be flexible and I can ease in at my own pace, I don’t want to begin the experience already feeling depleted. That’s why I chose Air France Business Class for the outbound leg of my journey.
Boeing 777-300ER Business Class
Lie-Flat Seats
A lie-flat bed on an overnight flight is a game changer. Business Class will give me the chance to actually sleep during the longest leg of my travel day. Each seat comes with a blanket and full-size pillow, and Air France recently announced its rollout of a new mattress topper on long-haul flights for even more comfort.
A More Comfortable Layover
My layover at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is over three hours—not short, but not exactly relaxing either if you’re just sitting at the gate. Flying Business Class changes that. I’ll have access to the Air France lounge, which means a quiet place to rest, charge my devices, enjoy real food, and even shower before the next leg of the journey. And if I’m lucky, maybe even a Clarins facial—some lounges offer complimentary spa services.
My connecting flight to Toulouse is short-haul European Business Class—basically economy seating with the middle seat left empty—but the extra space and light meal gives me an opportunity to reset before landing. Once I arrive in Toulouse, I’ll have a few more hours before catching the train to Figeac.
Fewer Travel Headaches
Business Class comes with SkyPriority, which includes priority check-in, fast-track security, and early boarding. When you’re moving through multiple airports in one day, anything that cuts down on lines and stress is a win.
More Flexibility with Baggage
Another underrated perk: the generous baggage allowance. I’ll be traveling with a carry-on suitcase and personal item (up to 40lb) and I don’t have to worry about overhead bin space or being forced to gate-check anything. Each seat has its own assigned overhead bin, which takes the stress out of boarding with carry-on luggage. I just don’t want to deal with checking a bag, waiting at baggage claim, or risking my brand-new suitcase getting damaged before I even arrive.
Boeing 777-300ER Premium
My Trade-Off
I’ll be flying Premium on the way home. It’s a direct flight from CDG to DFW, and after a full week away, I’ll be more comfortable scaling back. But for the way there—when rest, energy, and a solid start matter most—Business Class felt like the right choice.
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