Review: Air France New Boeing 777-300ER Business Class (CDG-NCE)
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Air France's new Business Class is worth seeking out: a fully flat bed, direct aisle access, a sliding door and a 17.3-inch 4K screen. I tested it in June 2023 on a Boeing 777-300ER between Paris and Nice. You'll find it on 12 refurbished Boeing 777-300ERs and on the new-configuration A350s.
To plan your next trip from Canada, read our Air France and KLM guide: itineraries, baggage, cabins, and connections.
Want to fly it on Miles rather than cash? From Canada, the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard earns you Flying Blue Miles on all your purchases. Here is my flight, from the seat to the service.
Air France 777 Business Class – Booking
Following my visit to the Paris Le Bourget International Air Show, I decided to travel on Air France between Paris Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) and Nice (NCE).
This route is usually served by Airbus A320 single-aisle aircraft. However, I had noted that special flights would take place on the occasion of the International Festival of Creativity – Cannes Lions between June 19 and 23, 2023. Air France had decided to position a Boeing 777-300 ER equipped with the airline’s new long-haul cabins in Nice to run special rotations between Nice (NCE) and New York (JFK).
And of course, to get to Nice, these aircraft had to take one of the morning flights between Paris (CDG) and Nice (NCE) that I chose to take:
| Date | Flight | Origin | Departure | Arrival | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 23, 2023 | AF4148 | CDG | 08:20 | 09:50 | NCE |
My ticket was booked in Economy class. With my Flying Blue Platinum status, I could choose a seat in Premium Economy. And when I checked in, I was able to pay for a Business class upgrade for 79 euros.
Normally, I wouldn’t advise you to choose such an upgrade between Paris and Nice: on single-aisle aircraft, the seats are identical to Economy class (the difference being that the middle seat is blocked). But in this case, it was more than worth it to test Air France‘s new Business Class!
Just for fun, at the time you could use Flying Blue Miles to book the special Nice-New York flight (AF42) at a particularly attractive fare:
- 15,000 Flying Blue Miles in Economy class
- 66,500 Flying Blue Miles in Business class
Air France 777 Business Class – Cabin
When boarding Air France‘s new Business cabin, you will notice that it is divided into two cabins:
- 28 seats in 7 rows between the first and second pair of aircraft doors
- 20 seats in 5 rows after the second pair of aircraft doors
Behind this second Business cabin are the Premium Economy and Economy cabins (also with new seats).
I chose to sit in this second cabin.
I like the French design touches of bluish tones, white (veering towards ivory in places) and the red Air France logo. Not forgetting the company’s symbol, the winged seahorse, which can be seen in many places.
Air France 777 Business Class – Seat
Air France‘s ambition is to offer a higher level of comfort with this new seat, which is based on the 3 “F” concept:
- Full Flat: the seat becomes a flat bed of almost 2 metres
- Full Access: every passenger has direct access to the aisle
- Full Privacy: added a sliding door for added privacy
And on board these 777-300 ERs, there are Business seats that are a cut above the rest. These are the seats in rows 1 and 9. In fact, by choosing these Business seats, you’ll enjoy extra comfortable space. Another passenger could, for example, sit on the wide ottoman and enjoy a drink while facing you!
So I chose seat 9A for this flight between Paris and Nice.
When you compare it with the next seat, the 10A, you can clearly see the difference in space:
Passengers traveling in pairs should opt for the center row seats. The partition between the two seats can be lowered for a chat.
But let’s get back to what we’re interested in: seat 9A in this new Air France Business Class.
With Air France, it’s all in the details. We appreciate the leather headrest (as well as the seatbelt protection) and the fine red touch of the tricolor company logo. And a well-positioned reading light.
Similar to other Air France aircraft such as the A350, a small storage box houses the noise-reducing headset, headphone socket, USB-A port, touch-sensitive remote control and a mirror integrated into the door. Here, too, the winged (and backlit) seahorse is a real eye-catcher.
However, there was a small problem: the door kept opening during the flight, as the closing mechanism didn’t work properly.
Note the induction surface for recharging your phone. It becomes active once cruising altitude has been reached.
Along the armrest are various controls for positioning the seat or activating the lighting.
And here’s a passenger’s view of the space available in this 9A seat. You’ll notice a hook for your jacket on the right. Parents traveling with a baby will appreciate the presence of hooks for a cot.
Usually, the cot is in full view, attached to the high wall. Here, with this wide ottoman, the bed is positioned at seat height; and thanks to the door fitted to every seat in this new Air France Business Class, you’ll have plenty of privacy with your baby.
The tray table is not particularly large. However, it is cleverly designed to fold halfway, allowing you to move from your seat without removing your glass, for example.
On the side, there’s a USB-C port (60 W) as well as a power socket and a small storage space (enough to hold a computer or tablet).
The small touch-sensitive remote control allows you to control the screen, volume and light, request assistance and get information on the remaining flight time.
The new Business Class features a 17.3-inch 4K anti-glare screen. Which is rather a standard size in business class. It’s true that it may seem a little small given the space available to the passenger in seat 9A!
On the plus side, image quality is excellent, as is the choice of on-demand films and series. And you can use your own Bluetooth headphones (which I like to do with my Bose QuietComfort 45 headset).
On board this Air France flight, it was possible to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Air France then offered free messaging (iMessage, WhatsApp, Messenger) and paid passes for browsing. Good news for you: the airline has since been gradually rolling out free Starlink Wi-Fi for Flying Blue members across its fleet.
On an aircraft not yet equipped with Starlink, messaging stays free and a paid pass gives you web access. Sign up for Flying Blue before you board: membership is free. For reference, here are the Air France Wi-Fi packages during my flight, in June 2023:
- Message: Free
- Surf (1 hour): 8 euros or 2,700 Flying Blue Miles
- Surf (whole flight): 18 euros or 6,000 Flying Blue Miles
- Stream (whole flight): 30 euros or 10,000 Flying Blue Miles
Finally, here’s a view of this 9A seat when positioned in bed mode.
And the famous door once closed. This brings a certain intimacy (not as much as the door on Qatar Airways’ Qsuite or All Nippon Airways’ The Room business class).
For example, it’s very easy for the crew to give you a drink or a dish above the door. In fact, it mainly prevents other passengers on the other side of the aisle from seeing you.
Air France 777 Business Class – Service
On this short 1.5-hour flight between Paris and Nice, I naturally didn’t get the full experience of service on board Air France‘s new Business Class.
In fact, only mini tomato and basil shortbread, salted butter caramel sables and a drink were served.
This gave me the opportunity to wander around the cabin and chat with the crew who were about to fly the special Nice – New York (JFK) route, and who occupied a large part of the Business class.
And, of course, the magnificent French scenery, such as the Lac de Sainte-Croix and our arrival in Nice with our plane in shadow over the Mediterranean Sea.
Finally, a rare photo of an Air France Boeing 777-300 ER in Nice (NCE)!
Bottom Line
Air France’s new Business class is particularly successful. During this 1h30 flight, I was able to appreciate the Hard Product, which is of a high standard (far superior to competitors such as Lufthansa, British Airways or Emirates).
Since this flight, Air France has extended this cabin to its 12 refurbished Boeing 777-300ERs and to its new-configuration Airbus A350-900s, in service since July 2023, which get a 20-inch 4K screen. Before you book, check the aircraft type and configuration on the flight page: that is what guarantees you the seat with the sliding door.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Air France aircraft have the new Business Class?
Air France fitted this cabin to 12 refurbished Boeing 777-300ERs, each with 48 Business seats. The airline then rolled it out on its new-configuration Airbus A350-900s, in service since July 2023, which also have 48 Business seats with a sliding door.
How big is the screen in Business Class on the 777?
On the refurbished Boeing 777-300ER, you get a 17.3-inch 4K screen. On the new-configuration Airbus A350, Air France lists a 20-inch 4K screen. In both cases, you can pair your own Bluetooth headphones.
What are the best Business Class seats on Air France's 777-300ER?
We recommend rows 1 and 9: they have a much wider ottoman and noticeably more legroom. Travelling solo, pick a window seat (A or K). Travelling as a pair, the centre seats have a divider that lowers so you can talk.
Is Wi-Fi free on Air France?
Air France is gradually rolling out free Starlink Wi-Fi for Flying Blue members across its fleet. On an aircraft that isn't equipped yet, messaging stays free and a paid pass gives you web access. Sign up for Flying Blue before you fly: membership is free.
Do the new Business Class seats have a door?
Yes, every seat has a sliding door that closes you off from the aisle. It isn't full height: the crew can serve you over it, and it mostly shields you from passengers across the aisle.
Can you pay for a Business Class upgrade on a Paris-Nice flight?
Yes, Air France often offers a paid upgrade at check-in. On this flight, in June 2023, it cost 79 euros. On a single-aisle aircraft you only gain a blocked middle seat, so the upgrade is only worth it on a widebody like this 777.
How do you earn Flying Blue Miles in Canada?
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard from Brim earns Flying Blue Miles on all your purchases and gives you XP towards status. You can also credit your Air France, KLM and Delta flights to your Flying Blue account. Our program guide covers the other ways to earn.
Go further with Flying Blue
To maximize your Flying Blue Miles earning, check our complete Flying Blue program guide and our best credit cards to earn Flying Blue Miles in Canada ranking. And if a Miles purchase promotion is running, take advantage via our Flying Blue Miles purchase guide with Air France.
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