Howdy from Paris, as I’ve simply kicked off my fast journey to Versailles. I simply flew Air France’s Boeing 777-300ER La Premiere firstclass, on the eight hour flight from Miami (MIA) to Paris (CDG).
Traditionally, I’ve ranked La Premiere as one of many world’s greatest firstclass merchandise. I hadn’t flown it since earlier than the pandemic, so was trying ahead to revisiting it, and seeing the way it’s holding up (particularly with the airline quickly introducing a brand new firstclass).
Effectively, I used to be pleased to see that the product is pretty much as good as ever. What’s so fascinating to me is that the airline excels with firstclass in areas the place different airways don’t even strive, particularly on the bottom. On high of that, I believe that Air France provides probably the most snug firstclass beds on the market, easy because the seat could also be.
On this publish, I need to share my impressions of the flight (roughly within the order of what impresses me in regards to the product), after which quickly I’ll have a full journey report.
Air France makes firstclass journey seamless
The only factor that units Air France La Premiere aside from different firstclass experiences is the bottom service. This doesn’t simply apply on the service’s Paris hub, but in addition at outstations. Like, no different airline even tries one-tenth as onerous as Air France on the subject of this.
For instance, once we arrived at Miami Airport, there was somebody simply standing in entrance of the La Premiere check-in counter with the rope closed, ready for us to reach.
As we approached he opened it, checked us in, escorted us to the lounge (the place he stayed all through our go to), drove us to the gate in a golf cart, after which pre-boarded us. There was one other couple in firstclass, they usually additionally had that actual service, with one other agent.
In some methods, the primary class service is nearly embarrassing. Now Air France makes use of the Delta Sky Membership® in Miami (an improve over the LATAM Lounge Miami), and there’s an space with pink velvet ropes that’s roped off for La Premiere passengers. You can too order any drinks from the bar for free of charge, together with the premium ones that ordinarily should be paid for. That is such a distinction to the outstation floor expertise supplied by every other airline on this planet.
On arrival in Paris, we had been greeted by a pleasant La Premiere agent who took us in an elevator all the way down to the apron degree, after which drove us in a Porsche, all the best way to the arrivals lounge. The automotive briefly stopped in order that we might clear immigration with out even exiting the automotive.
This was additionally my first time testing Air France’s new La Premiere arrivals space, which is actually a part of the La Premiere check-in complicated. It’s extraordinarily effectively executed.
At a minimal, passengers can wait right here and have a espresso, whereas La Premiere brokers choose up their checked baggage and deal with floor transportation. However you possibly can also have a full meal right here, with an Alain Ducasse menu, much like what you’d discover within the La Premiere Lounge.
That is the one space the place Air France places each different airline to disgrace in firstclass, and provides an expertise extra in keeping with non-public aviation than industrial aviation. Like, Emirates firstclass is superb within the sky, however the airline doesn’t even board firstclass forward of enterprise class, not to mention provide any degree of personalization on the bottom.
Air France’s firstclass seat & mattress are chic
Air France’s La Premiere firstclass cabin on the 777 is remarkably easy but good. It’s a single row of seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration, and it feels elegant and intimate in its simplicity (in comparison with a few of the boxy suites you’ll discover on different airways). I additionally love the heavy use of the winged seahorse image.
What’s so good about these seats is that they’ve curtains, so that you’ve full privateness when you’re airborne. It type of amazes me that different airways haven’t thought of curtains, because it’s most likely essentially the most sensible idea for providing privateness in firstclass — they’re light-weight, simple to make use of, and provide far more privateness than conventional airplane seat doorways, all whereas not lowering the width of the seat.
Other than the bottom expertise, the one different factor that’s most outstanding about La Premiere is the mattress consolation. I don’t know why, however I discover it to be probably the most snug beds within the sky. The seat width is nice, the bedding is heavenly, and the curtain nearly makes you overlook that you simply’re on a airplane.
Air France’s firstclass meals is scrumptious
Air France’s La Premiere firstclass catering is superb, particularly when you think about I used to be departing an outstation (it’s usually even higher when departing from Paris, the service’s hub). This needed to be a few of the greatest catering I’ve had out of Miami. The meal service started with caviar and blinis with crème fraîche.
Subsequent up was a cream of leek soup with croutons.
That was adopted by the appetizer, watermelon aspic with grilled shrimp and herbs.
For the principle course, I chosen the lobster with pico de gallo and tea sauce.
Then there was a salad course, which may very well be personalized properly, and I went all-out.
Final however not least was dessert, the place I chosen the truffon cake.
It was a wonderful meal, with each dish being very effectively executed.
On condition that Air France is the nationwide service of France, you’d after all count on the airline to have an excellent wine record. It’s positively strong, with the present champagne being Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle. That being mentioned, it’s onerous for any airline to compete with Emirates on the alcohol entrance.
My solely actual disappointment with the Air France firstclass gentle product is the cappuccino state of affairs, because the airline doesn’t serve correct ones, however as an alternative has a powdered model. So yeah, don’t order cappuccinos on Air France (I solely ordered one as a result of I used to be curious if that had modified since I final flew the product).
Air France’s firstclass facilities are luxurious
I’ve gotta say, Air France’s La Premiere firstclass provides some beautiful facilities. I like the amenity package, with Sisley merchandise, which is unquestionably a keeper.
I’m additionally an enormous fan of the pajamas, that are each snug and trendy (and once more, have the winged seahorse brand).
Then there are effectively padded slippers, together with socks, a shoehorn, and a bag for footwear.
Air France’s firstclass service is effectively intentioned
I discover that Air France has among the many greatest flight attendants of any western airline, and particularly, the La Premiere flight attendants are persistently nice. We had a pleasant flight attendant working in firstclass, although I’ve gotta say, the service tempo wasn’t nice.
I’m undecided if that is customary, however there was a single flight attendant working firstclass, serving 4 passengers. Which may not sound like a nasty ratio, however the problem was that he was working each the galley and the cabin.
On most airways you might have at the least two flight attendants in firstclass, with one working the galley, and one working the aisle (admittedly most airways have an even bigger firstclass cabin). Our flight attendant did a terrific job and tried onerous, however there’s solely a lot one individual could be anticipated to do, particularly with a full cabin, when meals must be heated, plated, cleared, and so on.
Prior to now, I really feel like I’ve seen a second flight attendant (or the purser) serving to in firstclass throughout the meal service, however that wasn’t the case right here. So the service tempo was on the sluggish facet, and empty plates would typically sit on the tray for longer than you’d count on in firstclass. It wasn’t a problem in any respect, and it wasn’t the man’s fault, however you positively discover the staffing degree.
Then once more, maybe absolutely staffing two flight attendants for 4 passengers can be an overkill? And maybe usually the cabin isn’t full, and/or most individuals go straight to sleep?
Backside line
Air France’s La Premiere firstclass continues to impress, even a decade after it was launched (and with a brand new product on the best way quickly). If you happen to ask me, the 2 issues that basically set La Premiere aside are the bottom expertise and the mattress.
There’s not an airline that gives as seamless of a floor expertise as Air France, no matter the place you’re originating or terminating. That removes one of many greatest frustrations that many individuals have with flying. On high of that, the primary class cabin is elegant and intimate, and the curtains present a stunning degree of privateness (and it’s superb that extra airways haven’t adopted that easy idea).
Past that, Air France provides tasty meals and good facilities, and continues to be an unimaginable method to fly.
What’s your tackle Air France’s La Premiere firstclass?
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