Flying long-haul on a budget has always felt like chasing a unicorn. Over the past decade, I’ve reviewed dozens of budget airlines, some promising, many disappointing. But French Bee caught my attention for two reasons: aggressive pricing and modern aircraft.
I’ve flown with French Bee multiple times, on routes from Paris to San Francisco, New York, and even Papeete. In this review, I’ll give you my full take based on actual experience, ticket receipts, hours spent in the seat, and lots of comparisons with legacy and low-cost rivals.
What Is French Bee Airlines?
French Bee is a low-cost, long-haul airline based in France, operating under Groupe Dubreuil, the same group that owns Air Caraïbes. It was launched in 2016 and specializes in transatlantic and Indian Ocean routes, including:
- Paris Orly (ORY) to Newark (EWR)
- Paris Orly to San Francisco (SFO)
- Paris Orly to Los Angeles (LAX)
- Paris Orly to Papeete, Tahiti (PPT)
- Paris Orly to Réunion Island (RUN)
The airline operates an all-Airbus A350 fleet, specifically A350-900 and A350-1000 variants. This gives them a fuel-efficient advantage and a quieter cabin compared to older long-haul jets.
French Bee is often compared to Norse Atlantic, LEVEL, and even Norwegian’s now-defunct long-haul arm. But its French origin, network focus, and A350-exclusive fleet give it a distinct identity.
How Cheap Are French Bee Flights Compared to Competitors?
French Bee positions itself at the lower end of the pricing spectrum. I’ve tracked and booked tickets as low as $189 one-way between Paris and New York, and $249 between Paris and San Francisco.
Here’s a price comparison based on 2024 Q4 averages:
| Route | French Bee (One-Way) | Air France | Norse Atlantic |
| Paris – New York | $189 – $250 | $420 | $260 |
| Paris – San Francisco | $249 – $330 | $490 | $355 |
| Paris – Tahiti | $620 – $850 | $1,100 | N/A |
| Paris – Réunion Island | $380 – $500 | $700 | N/A |
Price fluctuation is significant depending on:
- Travel month (summer rates jump 30–50%)
- Booking window (best prices 3–5 months in advance)
- Fare class (Basic, Smart, or Premium)
My verdict: French Bee is consistently cheaper than legacy carriers and remains competitive even with other low-cost airlines, particularly on the Paris–Tahiti and Paris–Réunion routes.
What Services Are Included in the Base Fare?
French Bee’s Basic fare is truly no-frills. You get a seat and a 12kg cabin baggage allowance (combined personal item + carry-on). That’s it.
Here’s a breakdown by fare type:
| Fare Type | Seat | Carry-on | Checked Bag | Meal | Seat Selection |
| Basic | Yes | 12 kg total | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Smart | Yes | 12 kg total | One bag up to 23 kg | Included | Not included |
| Premium | Yes | 12 kg total | Two bags up to 23 kg each | Included | Included |
Add-ons can inflate the final price quickly if you’re not careful. A checked bag costs $50–$100 depending on route and season. Meals cost $25–$35 if not included. Even seat selection can cost $20–$50.
If you travel light and plan ahead, Basic works. If not, the Smart fare is usually the best value.
Is the In-Flight Experience Comfortable?
French Bee’s cabins are configured in a 3-4-3 layout on the A350, with 376 to 480 seats depending on the variant.
Key specs:
- Seat pitch: 30″ in Economy, 36″ in Premium
- Seat width: ~16.5 inches (Economy)
- Recline: Minimal in Basic, standard in Premium
- Cabin: Quiet thanks to A350 composite structure
The Economy seats are tight. I’m 6’1″, and after 10 hours, I really felt it in my knees. If you fly overnight or on ultra-long segments like Paris–Papeete (22+ hours including stop), I strongly recommend splurging on extra legroom or Premium.
Premium Economy has wider seats, more recline, and a 2-3-2 layout. It’s comparable to Delta Premium Select but not quite at the level of Lufthansa Premium Economy.
French Bee uses LED mood lighting and has decent cabin air quality. The A350’s pressurization helps reduce jetlag compared to older aircraft like 777s or A330s.
Are Add-Ons and Upgrades Worth the Cost?
Yes, selectively.
Here’s what I typically recommend paying for:
- Extra legroom seats: $60–$120. Worth it if you’re over 5’10” or on flights over 8 hours.
- Checked luggage: $50–$100. Only if you’re staying more than a week.
- Meal: $25–$35. The food quality is better than I expected. Hot dishes, dessert, bread. Comparable to legacy carriers.
Avoid the Premium fare unless:
- You need two checked bags
- You want seat selection and a flexible ticket
- You’re traveling on very long routes like Paris–Tahiti
Smart fare gives the best balance of comfort and cost for most passengers.
How Is Customer Service?
French Bee is not a full-service airline, and customer service reflects that.
User feedback (as of May 2025):
- Trustpilot rating: 3.4/5 (based on 5,000+ reviews)
- Google Reviews (airline-specific): 3.8/5
- Skytrax rating: Unrated
Common complaints:
- Difficulty with refunds or flight changes
- Delayed customer support replies
- Baggage issues, especially at connecting airports
Common praise:
- Polite cabin crew
- Clean aircraft
- Efficient boarding process
In my personal experience, the ground staff in Paris is more organized than in U.S. airports. That said, don’t expect lounge access or concierge-style service.
How Punctual Is French Bee?
French Bee operates a young fleet, which tends to mean fewer technical delays. Based on 2024 Q4 data from OAG and Cirium:
- On-time arrival rate: 79.2%
- Cancellation rate: 1.6%
- Most common delay window: 30–45 minutes
By comparison, Air France scored 82.5% on-time, while Norse Atlantic sat at 74.6%.
Most delays are linked to weather or congestion at U.S. airports, particularly Newark and LAX. Paris Orly is more efficient and rarely causes issues.
Who Should Fly with French Bee?
French Bee isn’t for everyone. But it hits a sweet spot for certain types of travelers:
Best fit:
- Budget travelers with flexible schedules
- Solo travelers or couples who pack light
- Students, digital nomads, and value-seekers
- Tourists flying to Réunion or French Polynesia
Not ideal for:
- Business travelers needing Wi-Fi or lounge access
- Families needing rebooking flexibility
- Elderly passengers who need space and assistance
If you can travel minimalist and book early, French Bee can save you hundreds of euros or dollars per trip.
What Are Alternatives to French Bee?
There are a few other low-cost long-haul airlines worth comparing:
| Airline | Fleet | Long-Haul Routes | Avg. Fare (One-Way) |
| Norse Atlantic | Boeing 787 | Europe–U.S. | $250–$400 |
| LEVEL | Airbus A330 | Barcelona–U.S./Caribbean | $280–$420 |
| AirAsia X | Airbus A330neo | Asia–Australia | $180–$350 |
French Bee stands out for:
- Unique destinations (Tahiti, Réunion)
- A350-only fleet
- Higher in-flight comfort vs. LEVEL and AirAsia X
However, Norse Atlantic offers better Wi-Fi and more legroom on some flights.
Final Verdict: Is French Bee Worth It?
Yes, if you know what you’re buying.
French Bee delivers serious value on specific routes. You won’t get perks, and you will need to plan ahead. But in exchange, you get:
- Low base fares (30–50% cheaper than full-service airlines)
- Clean, modern A350 aircraft
- Competitive add-on pricing
- Decent food and polite service
Here’s how I rate them based on 10+ flights:
| Category | Score (Out of 10) |
| Price | $10 |
| Comfort | 6.5 (Basic), 8 (Premium) |
| Service | $7 |
| Reliability | 7.8 |
| Overall Value | 8.3 |
If you’re flying to French territories or between France and the U.S. and value price over perks, French Bee deserves a serious look.