Flying aboard La Premiere becomes increasingly exclusive: the cheapest option disappears

Premiere is the most exclusive first-class cabin in the world, and I was lucky enough to travel in it once, On one of the longest routes and as the only passenger, a dream.

The second best first class cabin in the world

In recent weeks, La Premiere has been honored as the Second best first class cabin in the world, within a whisker of first place overall. 

What makes this cabin unique is not the chair, which soon to be completely renovated, but the ground service and catering on board recognized as the best of all firsts.

Increasingly difficult to book this cabin with points

Over the past 12 months, Air France has drastically reduced the already slim chance of booking, on latch, this cabin. The first change was to raise the bar. First it was necessary to be at least Gold Flying Blue to be able to use lots of points to fly in this cabin. Today, however, it is necessary to go up to the highest level, Platinum, to see bookable La Premiere seats.

Then came the cut to reservable seats, from two to only one seat on board. Thus eliminating the possibility of Travel in pairs (lurching) in this chair.

Goodbye upgrade from premium ticket

The cheapest way to date, to book this ticket was to redeem an award ticket in business on a route where AF flies 777/300s outfitted with the first-class cabin, and at the check-in opening make the upgrade (cash or with points) .

When I flew in this cabin I had really taken advantage of this possibility: award ticket to Mexico City in business and upgrade cash at just over 1,000 euros.

As of July 1*, as One Mile at a Time reports., this option has been cancelled and now the upgrade will only be possible for passengers who have paid cash for their business class ticket.

In conclusion

I have flown in first with many companies and I must say. No one treated me the way I was pampered by Air France, I was lucky because I took advantage at 100% of the opportunities to fly in this cabin by spending very little, compared to the cash price. Of course now it will become even more expensive though is an experience I hope to replicate, perhaps as soon as the new cabins go into service in early 2024.