Air France's New La Première First Class: Elegance Redefined in the Skies

Air France has just unveiled its highly anticipated new La Première first class cabin, and it's nothing short of breathtaking. After three years in development, the French flag carrier is ready to elevate the premium travel experience with a suite that perfectly embodies the airline's commitment to elegance, refinement and the French art de vivre.

The new cabin will debut this spring on the Paris to New York route, with Los Angeles, Singapore, and Tokyo-Haneda to follow in the summer 2025 season. Let's dive into what makes this new first class offering so special and how it compares to other luxury options in the skies.

A Suite Spanning Five Windows: The Ultimate in Spaciousness

What immediately stands out about Air France's new La Première cabin is its sheer size. Each suite occupies nearly 3.5 square meters, providing 25% more space than the current first class offering. Most impressively, the window suites span five windows – an industry exclusive that creates an unparalleled sense of openness and airiness.

The cabin maintains its exclusive four-suite configuration on selected Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, arranged in a 1-2-1 layout. This limited capacity ensures the utmost privacy and attentive service that La Première is known for.

Modular Design: Adapting to Your Journey

Rather than following the trend of enclosed suites with sliding doors, Air France has maintained its signature curtain concept while reimagining the suite's layout. The design features two distinct areas:

1. The Seat: Perfect for dining, working, or enjoying entertainment during takeoff and landing

2. The Chaise Longue: Ideal for relaxation, reading, or watching movies

The chaise longue transforms into a fully flat bed measuring an impressive two meters long and 75 centimeters wide. This versatile arrangement allows the suite to adapt to different phases of the flight and passenger preferences.

Privacy Without Isolation

While many airlines are moving toward fully enclosed suites, Air France has stayed true to its design philosophy by using floor-to-ceiling curtains to provide privacy. The center suites feature an electric sliding partition that can be lowered for couples traveling together – a thoughtful touch that many competitors have overlooked in their pursuit of complete isolation.

Technology and Comfort

Each suite is equipped with two 32-inch 4K screens positioned for viewing from either the seat or the chaise longue/bed. Passengers can control all suite functions via a wireless tablet, and connectivity options include:

• AC, USB-A, and USB-C outlets

• Wireless charging

• Bluetooth audio

• Free Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Air France has also eliminated overhead bins in first class, replacing them with floor-level storage that can accommodate two carry-on suitcases, plus dedicated shoe storage and a personal wardrobe.

How Does It Compare?

Air France's approach to first class stands in contrast to some recent industry trends. While Emirates and Singapore Airlines have opted for enclosed suite concepts with doors, and Lufthansa has introduced a double bed option in its new Allegris first class, Air France has created a product focused on adaptability and understated luxury.

The new La Première feels evolutionary rather than revolutionary – and that's precisely its strength. Air France has identified what works well in its current product (which still ranks among the world's best despite being introduced in 2014) and elevated those elements to create something even more special.

Beyond the Seat: The Complete La Première Experience

What truly sets Air France's La Première apart isn't just the physical seat, but the end-to-end experience. The ground service at Paris Charles de Gaulle is legendary, offering:

• Chauffeur service to and from the airport

• A dedicated check-in area

• Being driven to the luxurious La Première lounge

• Personal escort to the aircraft

• On arrival, being driven through passport control without leaving the car

This seamless journey more closely resembles private aviation than commercial travel, creating a truly frictionless experience for the most discerning travelers.

Is It Worth It?

Air France commands some of the highest first class fares in the industry, often charging significantly more than competitors for similar routes. For those who can afford it, the new La Première offers an experience that few airlines can match in terms of exclusivity, personalization, and sheer elegance.

For points enthusiasts, La Première remains one of the most elusive aspirational redemptions. Air France typically restricts award availability to its own Flying Blue elite members, making these seats extremely difficult to book with partner airline miles.

For those lucky enough to experience it, the new La Première promises to be the pinnacle of commercial aviation luxury, embodying everything that makes Air France special. The first aircraft with this new cabin will take to the skies this spring, and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing more passenger reviews once it enters service.

Would you go out of your way to try Air France's new La Première? Have you experienced the current version? Let me know in the comments below or on our Instagram.