Here is La Premiere's new cabin: the first destination will be New York City
Air France's current first-class cabin was introduced in 2014. A little more than 10 [...]
Air France
SkyTeam
Air France's current first-class cabin was introduced in 2014. A little more than 10 years later, the French company has decided to renew its most important chair, a sign that, contrary to other carriers' assumptions, demand is still very high. So high that, in the coming years, Air France will Will increase the number of aircraft configured with La Première and will expand the destinations served.
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The investment in fleet renewal, which has of course touched all aircraft from the A220s to the new premium economy cabins and business class with new suites. E With La Premiere we complete this work that will cost over 1 billion euros per year for the next few years.
"We decided to invest again in La Premiere," explained Ben Smith, CEO of the Air France KLM Group, "because it is a product that fits perfectly into our offering
Innovation, not revolution
Air France's choice was to innovate its product in the name of tradition, without distorting it. This means that it did not follow the path of other carriers by introducing suites with physical walls, but kept the iconic curtain, which gives the passenger total privacy and, at the same time, allows the company to reduce weight and maintenance costs. Because, I remind you, every pound aboard an airplane has drawbacks (right, Lufthansa!?).
The exclusivity is also seen in the choice, unique in the world market, to offer only 4 first-class seats on board a Boeing 777-300. All other carriers normally carry 8, with the exception of the Game Changer of Emirates, which accommodates only six passengers.
If the old La Première, which will continue to fly indicatively until the end of 2027, was already spacious, now it becomes the queen of the sector. And you don't need a tape measure to figure it out: just count the windows.
As many as 5 are available to passengers, which in centimeters means 2.4 m2 per passenger, an increase of 25% over the previous Of course, we are not at the 5 m² offered by Singapore Airlines Suite, but you don't fly an A380 here.
The features of Air France's new La Première.
There will always be only 4 seats aboard the 777/300. Total privacy and much more space. Also coming is a seat management tablet to which will be added two 32″ screens for each passenger.
Armchairs made in France by Stelia Aerospasce, a company specializing in aircraft furniture controlled by Airbus.
No overhead hat rack over passengers' heads solution that allows for even more space and a lighter environment for all passengers.
Meticulous attention to detail from the colors, to the pajamas, from the fabrics to the
When will it come into service
In recent years, many airlines have struggled to meet the timelines for introducing new cabins. Lufthansa, and consequently all companies in the German group, is still struggling with the Allegris. Other carriers, such as British Airways and Singapore Airlines, have announced new products, but these will not see the light of day until the end of 2026.
Air France's strategy has been different: no premature announcements, other than a few leak, until today, when the new cabin was officially unveiled at an event in the heart of Paris. The new trim will be installed on the 14 Boeing 777-300s currently in the fleet starting in April. If the plan is adhered to, three aircraft (including the interiors of other classes) will be reconfigured every two months, with the goal of completing the entire fleet by the end of 2026.
Where the new La Première will fly
As was easy to imagine the first destinations to receive this cabin will be those most popular with La Première customers. New York will be the first to see the new interiors land, followed by Los Angeles, Singapore, and Tokyo.
Much more than just a ticket
I was lucky enough to fly twice in La Première, always as a paying customer, and I must say. No other carrier in the world treats its most important passengers the way Air France does. In the past year, the experience has further improved.
Not only thanks to the new lounge at the airport-a separate space where departing and arriving passengers are greeted and assisted by staff with the distinctive red scarf, who take care of everything: immigration, luggage, boarding passes, and baggage reclaim once they arrive in Paris.
This space provides absolute privacy for passengers and also serves as an arrival lounge for those stopping in the French capital.
Now, guests can also Choose not to wait for your flight in the exclusive La Première lounge, but to book one of the three specially created apartments inside.
Here, for a fee, you can stay in a three-room apartment with a terrace, taking advantage of a dedicated butler and cuisine curated by Alain Ducasse.
Flying in La Premiere with Flying Blue points
To book this ticket, it is not enough to have the points, there is a small loophole that allows only true Air France loyal passengers to book, with points, this seat: you have to be at least Platinum In the Air France KLM loyalty program.
Fortunately what I had written in the past weeks was just a little error do, or rather fares have increased, but not as I had noticed. From this point of view I must say that AF is certainly generous in terms of available award seats on all routes served.
Unfortunately, however, over the years it has become more and more exclusive as it now you can no longer even upgrade to LP if you have taken an award ticket in business class.
In conclusion
If you're thinking, "If I could, just once in my life take a whim off," this is the booth where you should put all your chips, never mind those who glamorize you with a shower or a champagne label, Only Etihad's The Residence rivals this experience.
