Air France is well-known for its La Premiere top notch, which is among the many greatest top notch merchandise on this planet. Particularly, the provider’s expertise at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the very best top notch floor expertise on this planet.
The airline has now taken this to the subsequent degree. This features a new check-in expertise for all top notch passengers, plus a brand new paid floor expertise for these in top notch. The airline first introduced this a while again, however all of those facilities have develop into out there as of at present.
New Air France La Premiere check-in foyer
Let’s begin with the service that’s open to all top notch passengers. A brand new check-in foyer has simply opened at Paris Charles de Gaulle for La Premiere prospects. That is meant to be step one within the customized journey by the airport.
Right here an Air France worker will handle all departure-related procedures, together with check-in and baggage help. This space options 15 seats and two personal lounges (these are paid, extra on that beneath).
This additionally acts as an arrivals lounge for La Premiere prospects, with the choice to chill out post-flight, use showers, and retrieve checked luggage. That’s superior, on condition that Air France closed its arrivals lounge a couple of years again.
As soon as check-in formalities are concluded, every visitor is dropped at the La Premiere Lounge. This consists of going by a non-public safety checkpoint, after which being pushed to the lounge.
For what it’s value, Air France beforehand had a devoted La Premiere check-in space, however this new facility appears way more elegant, has showers (for arriving passengers), and likewise has a devoted safety checkpoint. On high of that, you get pushed to the lounge, slightly than having to stroll. This marks a big enchancment over the earlier setup.
New Air France La Premiere airport suites
Now that is the place it will get actually fascinating. Air France already has its wonderful La Premiere Lounge, and never a lot is altering there. Nevertheless, the airline has now launched three new personal suites adjoining to the lounge, which La Premiere passengers should purchase entry to.
Let’s get the fee out of the best way upfront — they’re provided as an choice to La Premiere prospects, beginning at 800 euros. Extra particularly, passengers are being quoted 800 euros per particular person to make use of these suites, and that’s for a keep of as much as three hours. That’s actually steep pricing, and it’s fascinating how the fee is per particular person slightly than per suite, since there’s not a lot incremental price to accommodating a number of folks.
So, what can passengers count on from these personal suites? They every span round 500 sq. ft (45 sq. meters). Every suite incorporates a spacious dwelling space, a bed room with a double mattress, a non-public rest room, and an out of doors patio.
Every passenger booked in a set additionally has a devoted butler, who takes care of the visitor all through all the expertise. Company even have the chance to get pleasure from an Alain Ducasse meal, or benefit from a Sisley spa therapy.
Every of the three suites has its personal distinct character, with “iconic examples of French design,” together with Charlotte Perriand’s writing desk, Pierre Paulin’s Ribbon chair, and Philippe Starck’s Privé couch.
Those that e book this personal expertise additionally obtain one of many personal suites at check-in.
This takes industrial aviation to the subsequent degree
Whereas I’d argue Air France already provides the world’s greatest top notch floor expertise, these newest updates actually form of mix personal aviation and industrial aviation.
Now, some lounges have already got lots of the particular person components you’ll discover in Air France’s new airport suites, like a terrace, or bedrooms, or showers. Nevertheless, to have the ability to reserve all of this prematurely for only for your self, to have the ability to skip the airport expertise altogether, is one thing no different airline provides to this degree.
I imply, how many individuals basically get what quantities to a full resort suite with a non-public terrace in an airport?
Now, understandably some folks will say “effectively, it appears type of low-cost to cost top notch passengers for this.” I hear you, although realistically, it’s the one approach one thing like this may be carried out, and on high of that, this can be a reliable value-add.
If these have been provided on a primary come, first served foundation, they’d in all probability at all times be full, and there can be no approach to make sure that you might get certainly one of these throughout your go to. For some excessive profile visitors, this sort of a non-public facility is likely to be a motive to decide on Air France over different airways.
It looks as if that is meant for the kind of one that may ordinarily fly personal on quick or medium haul flights, and solely fly industrial on lengthy haul flights.
Air France is basically introducing a non-public aviation-like facility, which is one thing we’ve by no means seen an airline do earlier than to this extent. And as you possibly can see, it’s priced accordingly. This isn’t meant for these with a 12-hour layover who need to sleep in a room all day, however slightly it’s meant for these passengers the place price is not any difficulty, and privateness is paramount. I can’t blame Air France for attempting, and I’m curious how typically these suites are occupied.
Backside line
Air France has improved its La Premiere floor expertise at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The airline has launched a brand new check-in facility (which can be utilized as an arrivals lounge), a non-public safety channel, and three personal suites, every that includes a front room, bed room, rest room, and terrace.
Between these updates and plans for a brand new La Premiere cabin throughout the subsequent 12 months, it’s an thrilling time for Air France’s most premium product.
What do you make of Air France’s new top notch check-in and paid airport suites?
