Have to disagree, I'm afraid. Flew LHR-CDG-JNB and back last year. Cabin crew friendly, efficient and accommodating. Seat pitch better than Emirates (although that is only my personal feeling, ave no idea of actual pitch values) and better seats on the 744 of AF than those on the Emirates 'bus.
Sure the planes were dirty - on the outside. since I don't habitually hang out of the window looking at the paintwork (It tends to mess up my hair, and annoy the cabin crew) it didn'y worry me too much. Inside the aircraft was spotless. I would fly them again on this route in preference to Ba or Virgin.
Just my 2p worth.