La Première: Go Behind the Scenes of Air France’s First Class

Updated Jun 20, 2024
Fact checked by
Vicky Moreau
Vicky Moreau

Vicky Moreau

Vicky Moreau
Canadian by birth and European at heart, Vicky now moves between France and Germany, where she settled five years ago. A lover of words and adventure, she explores new places by van or on foot, immersing herself in diverse cultures. An expert in Flying Blue and Membership Rewards programs in France, Vicky is also well-versed in French banking options, including BoursoBank.
All posts by Vicky Moreau
La Premiere Air France
To the point Inaugurated in 2014, Air France's La Première suites are now offered on selected Boeing 777-300s flying to iconic destinations in North America, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

First class offers passengers an exceptional flying experience. Whether you’re a fan of luxury or simply curious, let yourself be seduced by one of the world’s most exclusive first classes:Air France‘s La Première. On board, at the airport, and even at home, exclusivity and luxury are the order of the day. Discover how this prestigious class transforms every trip into a memorable experience, whatever your criteria for choosing a flight.

Air France's La Première - Onboard Experience

La Première is the name Air France has given to its first class. Inaugurated in 2014, Air France‘s La Première suites are now offered on selected Boeing 777-300s flying to iconic destinations in North America, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

Cabin and seat

In the refined intimacy of the La Première cabin, passengers are welcomed by an elegant marriage of noble materials and refined volumes. Leather, suede, tweed and metallic finishes combine in a subtle ballet, while woody nuances add a warm touch to the ensemble. Every detail has been carefully thought out to offer a private space where travel becomes an enveloping experience, blending well-being and escape.

La Premiere Air France
La Premiere Air France

Aboard the La Première suite, it’s the passenger himself who takes the reins of his celestial journey. They can personalize their environment according to their preferences, while taking advantage of the many services available. An individual checkroom, clever storage and an elegant bedside lamp complete this luxurious setting, offering travelers the ultimate comfort.

In this cabin of seemingly endless lust, sleep is king. The generous armchair is transformed into a spacious bed, measuring over 2 meters long and 77 centimeters wide. Equipped with a memory foam mattress, a soft pillow and a generously-sized comforter, it invites you to rest in a tranquility worthy of the finest hotels.

Air France will reveal an all-new La Première cabin in winter 2025. The future cabin aims to be the most spacious on the market, offering up to three fully-privatized living spaces for exceptional voyages: a seat, a chaise longue and a totally flat bed. It will also be deployed on a greater number of aircrafts, enhancing accessibility to this prestigious experience.

Catering and menu

Awarded the title of “Best in-flight catering in first class” at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2023, Air France offers a menu that changes with the seasons. Every four months, new Michelin-starred chefs are selected to rethink the gastronomic offering.

For the summer, Air France is collaborating with Glenn Viel, a three-starred chef from Paris, renowned for his work at L’Oustau de Baumanière, a gastronomic establishment awarded a third Michelin star in January 2020.

On the menu? Twelve exquisite dishes to savour, including:

  • Mediterranean bread with preserved peppers and rosemary, cream cheese, rocket and pickled lemon
  • Sea bream fillet, fondant potatoes, mussels and lemon sauce
  • Guinea fowl topped with a crunchy zucchini mosaic, and caramelized onion compote
Menu-Air-France-La-Premiere

When it comes to sweets, Philippe Rigollot adds his touch to La Première’s menus. Several desserts are served, including strawberry and Black Forest gateau, and an apricot tartlet and rosemary whipped cream.

Air France kit

With refinement and practicality in mind, the Air France kit is an elegant case containing the essentials to enhance your beauty in any circumstance. Inside, a full range of face and body care products from the prestigious Parisian house of Sisley awaits you, accompanied by little touches designed for your absolute comfort: a comb, a night mask, earplugs, headphone protectors, and a pen adorned with the winged seahorse, the emblematic symbol ofAir France.

La-Premiere-Air-France-02
Trousse La Première

It also includes a high-quality cotton outfit, soft slippers and cozy socks.

Air France's La Première - At the Airport

Sisley La Première lounge and area

Passengers departing from or stopping over at Paris-Charles de Gaulle have the privilege of accessing the La Première lounge, one of the most exclusive areas in the world.

La-Premiere-Air-France-03
Salon Sisley La Première

Inside this haven of serenity, you’ll find an exceptional gourmet restaurant, where the menu has been created by celebrated Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, and the Sisley La Première area. It promises travelers a tailor-made wellness experience, with a full range of treatments specially designed forAir France‘s La Première customers.

The Sisley La Première area is open every day, from 7.15 a.m. to 7.15 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday, and from 7.15 a.m. to 7.45 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday.

Passengers travelling with Train + Air are also entitled to access Eurostar lounges before their train departs.

Hertz DriveU personal driver

Passengers traveling from Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nice or Toulouse can benefit from a Hertz DriveU personal chauffeur service between the departure point and the nearest airport.

Personalized welcome and easy boarding

From the moment they arrive at the airport, travelers are welcomed with special attention. The meeting point is in front of terminal 2E, opposite gate 14, an exclusive area dedicated to La Première guests. Here, a porter takes charge of their luggage, offering first-class service as soon as the journey begins.

Shortly before the flight, passengers are directed to a private check-in lounge, where every administrative detail is taken care of for their utmost comfort. Safety checks are simplified, offering a smooth and efficient passage.

Once these steps have been completed, travelers can board one of the 29 Porsche Cayenne Hybrids at their disposal, to reach their plane with complete peace of mind. On board, the crew offers a personalized welcome.

What destinations will La Première serve in 2023?

From Paris-Charles de Gaulle,Air France‘s La Première is currently flying to the following destinations:

  • South Africa : Johannesburg
  • Brazil: Sao Paulo
  • Côte d’Ivoire: Abidjan
  • United Arab Emirates: Dubai
  • United States : Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, San Francisco, Washington-DC
  • Mexico: Mexico City
  • Singapore: Singapore

How much does a first-class ticket cost?

Pay in euros

Of course, the rates are particularly high. A six-hour flight from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Dubai costs 5,175 euros. By way of comparison, the same flight in the Business cabin costs €2,225, i.e. half the price.

For a ten-hour flight between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Miami, for example, you’ll have to pay almost 9,000 euros for a seat in Air France’s most exclusive cabin. Prices can go up to over 15,000 euros.

Pay with Miles

Depending on the Air France destination, the number of Flying Blue Miles required for a flight in the La Première cabin varies between 200000 and up to 500000. For a spring flight between Paris and Dubai, Air France charges 220000 Miles and 215.36 in airport tax, while for a flight between Paris and New York, the airline charges 266000 Miles and over 350 euros in airport taxes. For a flight between Paris and Hong Kong on the same date, the number of Flying Blue Miles required is almost double. The airline is asking for 428,000 Miles and 313 euros in tax.

Air France La Première Paris Tokyo

Only holders of Platinum and Ultimate status in the Air France Flying Blue frequent flyer program can purchase a seat in the La Première cabin with Miles.

To obtain Platinum status, it is necessary to accumulate 580 Experience Points (XP) in one year. These can be earned by flying with Air France or a SkyTeam member airline, or by credit card.

In France, Air France KLM American Express cardholders earn Experience Points at the time of purchase:

Bottom Line

First-class travel is the pinnacle of air travel luxury, an experience that transcends the boundaries of travel to become a moment of elegance and refinement. AboardAir France‘s Boeing 777-300s, privileged passengers boarding La Première suites are plunged into a world where opulence and comfort combine to offer an unforgettable experience. Shall we leave?

Air France La Première - Frequently asked questions

What's the most expensive class of air travel?

In air travel, the most expensive and exclusive class is first class, which even surpasses business class.

Why choose to fly first class?

Passengers travelling in First Class enjoy a host of benefits, from a personalized welcome at the airport, with chauffeur service, to exceptional comfort on board, where every detail has been carefully thought out to offer a first-class travel experience. Opting for first class is therefore a wise choice for travelers seeking a luxurious and exceptional travel experience.

What's a first-class flight like?

A first-class flight is distinguished by special treatment from the moment you arrive at the airport, with a personal driver, a personalized welcome, simplified boarding and other benefits, such as access to airport lounges reserved for first-class passengers. On board, passengers enjoy elegant cabins, seats that can be converted into beds, gourmet meals concocted by Michelin-starred chefs and luxury treatments.

What does La Première look like on board the Boeing 777-300?

On board Boeing 777-300s, each La Première suite features a wide armchair that converts into a horizontal bed over two meters long. A real invitation to relax and unwind.

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Vicky Moreau

Vicky Moreau

Vicky Moreau
Canadian by birth and European at heart, Vicky now moves between France and Germany, where she settled five years ago. A lover of words and adventure, she explores new places by van or on foot, immersing herself in diverse cultures. An expert in Flying Blue and Membership Rewards programs in France, Vicky is also well-versed in French banking options, including BoursoBank.
All posts by Vicky Moreau
Region
Africa and Indian Ocean, South Africa, Johannesburg, North America, United States, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington, Mexico, Mexico City, South America, Brazil, São Paulo, Europe, France, Paris, Middle East, United Arab Emirates, Dubai

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