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Review : French bee A350 | Economy Class | Paris – Montreal

  • Student
8 min read
Editorial integrity
Review : French bee A350 | Economy Class | Paris – Montreal
Departing Airport
Paris-Orly Airport
Arrival Airport
Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport Montreal
Aircraft
Airbus A350
Cabin Class
Economy
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Since April 30, 2025, travel between Paris and Montreal has never been so affordable, thanks to French bee. This low-cost airline offers an economical and attractive option for students, families and young professionals. Here’s a detailed feedback on my round-trip flight between Orly (ORY) and Montreal-Trudeau (YUL).

French bee – Booking

Booking a ticket with French bee is a breeze. Their website is user-friendly, making it easy to compare fares and available options. I chose the BEE LIGHT fare, the most affordable option, which includes the ticket and a carry-on bag, but does not cover in-flight meals.

French bee – Check-In

Check-in with French bee can be done online or in person, depending on your preference. However, online check-in is highly recommended to avoid long lines at the airport.

For those who prefer the traditional method, you can check in directly at the airport counter. Keep in mind that in-person check-in closes 1 hour and 30 minutes before your flight departs, so it’s recommended to arrive early to avoid any unnecessary stress.

For travellers in a hurry or those who want to avoid waiting in line, French bee offers the “Line-Jump” service. This paid package allows you to get through security checks more quickly and access priority boarding, providing a smoother and more enjoyable experience. It can be especially beneficial for those who are pressed for time or want to maximize their comfort before the flight.

In addition, French bee offers Express and Serenity packs which include extra services such as priority boarding, access to the airport lounge and even premium upgrades. These flexible and practical options allow you to personalize your travel experience according to the fare you choose.

French bee – Baggage

Because each airline has its own rules, it’s essential to read baggage policies carefully to avoid any surprises at the airport.

Preferring to travel light, I chose the BEE LIGHT fare, which includes one main carry-on bag (maximum dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20 cm) as well as a personal item such as a purse, laptop bag, or camera bag (maximum dimensions: 40 x 30 x 15 cm). Keep in mind that the combined weight of these two items must not exceed 12 kg. Be sure to double-check the size and weight limits before your trip to avoid any surprises at the airport.

For checked baggage, each piece must not exceed 23 kg, and you can check multiple bags for an additional fee. Note that the weight allowance does not combine between bags; each bag must meet the individual weight limit. French bee also offers extra services for baggage, such as the option to add more checked bags or increase your checked baggage weight allowance for an extra charge, which can be convenient if you need to bring more items.

French bee – Getting to Paris-Orly Airport

There are several convenient and fast ways to get to Paris-Orly Airport.

Metro Line 14, extended for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, now connects the city centre directly to the airport, offering a smooth and fast journey in under 30 minutes. This option is especially convenient for avoiding Paris traffic.

After exiting the metro, allow at least 20 minutes to walk to the first security checkpoint, in addition to the recommended 60 to 90 minutes for passing through the various security procedures and getting to your boarding gate.

Alternatively, if you prefer to drive, access to Orly is clearly marked and there are several parking lots available near the terminal for convenient parking.

These options allow you to choose the one that best fits your schedule and personal comfort.

French bee – Economy Class

French bee stands out with a fleet made up exclusively of Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, making it a first among airlines. These planes are designed to maximize passenger comfort while being environmentally friendly.

French bee’s Economy cabin is modern and clean, providing a comfortable environment for travellers. The seats in the Economy Blue section are suitable for long-haul flights, but legroom may feel limited, which is common with low-cost airlines.

Review : French bee A350 | Economy Class | Paris - Montreal - French-bee-06
Review : French bee A350 | Economy Class | Paris - Montreal - French-bee-11

At 1.65 m tall, I was relatively comfortable, although my feet didn’t quite touch the floor, which can be uncomfortable over long periods. My neighbor sitting in the middle section, measuring 1.85 m, was visibly more cramped, with his knees pressed against the back of the seat in front of him. Note that for those looking for more comfort, French bee offers seats with more space at an additional cost.

Review : French bee A350 | Economy Class | Paris - Montreal - French-bee-13

French bee – Meals and Drinks

At French bee, meals are included for all passengers, with the exception of those who have chosen the BEE LIGHT package, as was my case. Passengers in this category can board with their meal, or purchase snacks on board, according to their preferences. The snacks on offer are varied, covering a variety of diets, although the portions are relatively modest. Water is offered free of charge to all passengers, but all other beverages and meals are excluded.

Review : French bee A350 | Economy Class | Paris - Montreal - French-bee-22

For other travellers in Economy Class, the cabin crew provides a travel kit containing basic essentials such as a mask, earbud headphones, and a sanitizing wipe. This kit also includes a meal voucher, which must be redeemed for your meal that should be pre-ordered before departure, usually during check-in.

Review : French bee A350 | Economy Class | Paris - Montreal - French-bee-30

To satisfy any in-flight cravings, all passengers, regardless of their fare, can purchase à la carte snacks, a typical feature of budget airlines.

French bee – Service

French bee’s staff provide a warm welcome and professional service, ensuring a pleasant flight for all passengers. Communications and services are offered in both French and English, making it easy for most travellers to understand instructions and enjoy the onboard amenities.

However, it’s important to note that passengers who choose the BEE LIGHT fare may notice a difference in service compared to other fare options.

As is often the case with budget airlines, French bee tends to offer a range of add-ons and upgrades for various services, which some travellers may find frequent or even a bit pushy. However, overall service remains efficient, even if it has some limitations compared to traditional airlines.

French bee – In-Flight Entertainment

French bee’s in-flight entertainment is satisfactory, featuring a selection of movies and TV series that are recent enough to appeal to a wide range of tastes. Navigating the entertainment system is intuitive and user-friendly, providing a pleasant experience for travellers.

While headphones are provided onboard (except for BEE LIGHT fare passengers, who must purchase them), I recommend bringing your own higher-quality headphones. As is often the case with airline-provided equipment, sound quality and comfort may be lacking. It’s also a good idea to bring a headphone jack adapter for the outlet located under the entertainment screen.

A USB port is available under the screen for recharging your electronic devices, which is very practical during the flight. However, for laptop users, it is advisable to carry an external battery, as electrical outlets are not always available or accessible.

Review : French bee A350 | Economy Class | Paris - Montreal - French-bee-09
Review : French bee A350 | Economy Class | Paris - Montreal - French-bee-08

Overall, the in-flight entertainment experience on French bee is positive and well designed to meet passengers’ needs, while also offering flexibility for those who prefer to use their own electronic devices.

The in-flight entertainment selection is decent, with a range of movies, TV shows, and music available. However, I recommend bringing your own headphones and possibly a personal device with downloaded content for more options.

French bee – Expert Advice

To enhance your flight experience with French bee, consider bringing a reusable water bottle so you don’t have to rely on cabin crew for hydration or get up frequently. For added comfort, don’t forget a sleep mask and a neck pillow. If you’re sensitive to cold, it’s a good idea to pack a blanket or a warm sweater, as the air conditioning can be uncomfortable for some passengers.

To minimize noise pollution, earplugs can be very useful, especially when some passengers listen to their films or music at high volume with the headphones supplied by French bee, whose sound quality sometimes leaves something to be desired. Last but not least, take along your own snacks, as in-flight purchases can be costly, and having snacks on hand will enable you to satisfy your hunger without spending too much money.

Check out our article on Milesopedia Team’s Favourite Travel Accessories to see what we bring on our trips.

French bee – Saving with points

You’ve probably chosen French Bee for its low cost, but why not take advantage of travel rewards to pay off your plane ticket in full? It’s possible thanks to credit card points, including these :

We teach you how it works in our guide to saving on plane tickets with points.

Bottom Line

Flying with French bee between Paris and Montreal is an attractive budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on basic comfort. However, as is often the case with budget airlines, you’ll encounter frequent upsell offers throughout the process. From booking your ticket to check-in and even onboard, you’ll receive multiple communications encouraging you to choose upgrades, which can become annoying over time.

It’s crucial to carefully examine the various packages on offer to identify the one that best suits your travel needs and aspirations. For example, on my business trip, given that the flight fell between two meals, I opted not to pay for a meal on board and instead planned for snacks. This allowed me to manage my budget, especially knowing that a dinner with friends was waiting for me on arrival.

Despite the fact that French bee is increasing air traffic between Paris-Orly and Montreal, I appreciate their commitment to investing in a fleet of Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, which reduce fuel consumption and lower the carbon footprint per passenger, making this a more sustainable choice for air travel.

In conclusion, flying with French bee between Paris and Montreal is an economical option that doesn’t sacrifice basic comfort and, for the expat in me, makes it easier to visit my family in Montreal. For budget-conscious travellers, it’s a great alternative. With early booking and rewards programs, you can optimize your trip even further. Enjoy your flight!

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Our valuation
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Welcome offer
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The 2X rate covers gas stations such as Esso, Shell and Petro-Canada, along with public transit and ride sharing.

With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:

Category Points per dollar
Grocery (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.) 5
Home food delivery 5
Restaurants and bars 5
Convenience stores 5
Streaming services 3
Service station 2
Transport 2
Travel 1
Other 1

That works out to a 1 to 5% return on those purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month across groceries, restaurants and food delivery, you earn $50 back per month, or $600 per year from that category alone. Transfer the points to a program such as Aeroplan instead and the return can be higher.

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The card comes with a broad insurance package. The amounts below are the coverage limits; conditions, age limits and exclusions are set out in the certificate of insurance linked in the Insurance section above.

Travel insurance

  • Emergency medical: up to $5,000,000 for the first 15 days of a trip.
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Rental car insurance

Theft and damage coverage is included for a rental car with an MSRP, for its model year, of up to $85,000 excluding all taxes, for rentals of up to 48 days. To use it, decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or any similar option from the rental company and charge the full rental to your card. There is no cost for this coverage, and it replaces the daily insurance the rental company charges, usually $16 to $23 per day.

Mobile device insurance

Your device is covered for up to $1,000 per occurrence when it is charged to the card, for up to two years from the date of purchase. The payout is based on the depreciated value of the device, which falls by 2% of the purchase price for every completed month, less a 10% deductible. Theft and accidental damage coverage starts on the 91st day after purchase, because the first 90 days are covered by purchase protection.

Purchase protection and extended warranty

Eligible items charged to your card are insured against accidental physical damage or theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined. The card also extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items, with indemnification limited to $10,000 per insured item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year for all items combined.

American Express Cobalt® Card fees

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Because the fee is billed monthly rather than in one annual charge, you can stop and restart the cost in step with how much you are actually using the card.

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American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Annual fee

Primary card$191.88
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xRestaurants
  • 5xGroceries
  • 5xConvenience
  • 3xStreaming
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,828
2nd Year Value$799

Transfer partners

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Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $250,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionUp to $1,000 / 90 days
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Our featured card

Featured

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Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
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Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
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on American Express's website

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The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

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Legal

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

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