Air France’s business class has changed a lot in the last couple of years. There are new suites with doors on more routes, proper mattress pads from Sofitel, fast Wi-Fi that’s actually usable, and a much nicer lounge experience in Paris. It still feels stylish and very “French,” but now it also feels more consistent and thought-through.
I’ve flown Air France business several times across different aircraft and routes, and this guide is my honest take on what it’s like in 2026. I’ll share what’s new, how to spot the better cabins, and when it’s worth splurging, whether you’re paying cash, using miles, or jumping on a deal. If you’re debating whether to book Air France for your next Europe trip, this is everything I’d want to know before hitting “confirm.”
- Read also: The Absolute Best Airlines for Business Class
- You may also like: The Cheapest Airports to Fly Into France in 2025
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Overview of Air France Business Class
Air France Business Class is a really nice mix of comfort, calm, and low-key French style. It’s not the flashiest product in the sky, but it’s genuinely pleasant and, on the right aircraft, very impressive. Here’s the short version of what to expect:
- Seats and space
- Lie-flat beds with direct aisle access on most long-haul routes
- Newer suites with closing doors on the A350s and refurbished 777-300ERs
- Big 4K screens with Bluetooth so you can use your own headphones
- Plenty of storage and charging (USB, power outlet, often wireless charging too)
- Sleep and bedding
- Sofitel MY BED mattress pads on long-haul flights for a softer, “hotel bed” feel
- Decent pillows and duvets that are actually comfortable for an overnight flight
- Cabins that are generally quiet and dim enough to get proper rest
- Food, drinks and service
- Menus with a clear French feel, often designed with well-known chefs
- Good wine and champagne selection that feels thought-through, not like an afterthought
- Cabin crews who are usually warm, relaxed and professional without being over the top
- Lounges and ground experience
- Strong lounges at Paris Charles de Gaulle, especially in Terminal 2E
- Proper hot and cold food, good champagne, showers and Clarins spa treatments
- Spaces that feel more like a modern apartment or co-working lounge than a crowded gate area
- Wi-Fi and tech
- Fast, free Wi-Fi rolling out across the fleet for anyone with a Flying Blue account
- Enough speed to work, join calls or stream without too much frustration
My opinion: If you care about sleep, privacy, good food and a smooth experience through Paris, Air France business class is a very easy “yes” in 2026, especially when you can snag it on the A350 or the refurbished 777-300ER.
What’s new with Air France Business Class in 2026?
Air France has had a pretty serious glow up in business class. If you last flew them a couple of years ago, the overall experience in 2026 feels more premium: better seats, better sleep, better Wi Fi, better lounges, and more interesting routes. Here’s what’s changing in ways that matter if you fly long haul regularly.
More of the new suites with doors
The big headline is the spread of Air France’s newest business class suites with sliding doors and a proper private feel. These are being rolled out across more of the Boeing 777 300ER fleet, on top of the A350s and refitted 777s that already have them.
Compared to the older cabins, this is a clear step up. You still get a fully flat bed and direct aisle access, but now there is a large 4K screen, Bluetooth audio, USB A and USB C ports, standard power and even a wireless charging pad built into the side console. For frequent flyers, the key improvement is consistency. More of the core routes between Paris and cities like New York, Los Angeles, Singapore and other premium destinations are now scheduled with these newer cabins, so your chances of landing the “good” version of Air France Business Class are improving all the time.
My top tip: If you’re the sort of traveller who checks seat maps before you book, it’s worth aiming for flights operated by the A350-900 or refurbished 777 300ER. That’s where you’re most likely to find the newest business cabin and, on some aircraft, the latest La Première suites at the very front of the plane.
Sofitel mattress pads and much better sleep
Air France has also leaned into the “hotel in the sky” idea with a partnership with Sofitel’s MY BED brand. The result is a dedicated mattress pad that is now placed at every long haul business class seat.
From the passenger side, this is very simple and very welcome. When you board, you will find the mattress topper folded at your seat along with the pillow, blanket and slippers. When you’re ready to sleep, you just unfold it over the seat to add an extra layer of cushioning.
If you care more about arriving rested than working through the bar menu, this is one of the upgrades you notice most. It moves the experience from “standard business class bed” to something that genuinely feels closer to a good hotel mattress in the air.
Free high speed Wi Fi you can actually work on
From 2025, Air France is rolling out very fast Wi-Fi powered by Starlink, with free access in every cabin when you log in with a Flying Blue account. If you don’t have one, you can sign up on board and still use it. The aim is to make the connection feel as close as possible to what you have on the ground. That means speeds that are good enough for video calls, cloud documents, streaming and proper remote work, rather than just sending a few messages.
A growing share of the fleet already has this system installed, with more aircraft being added through 2025 and full coverage targeted by the end of 2026. For business travellers, freelancers and digital nomads, that puts Air France firmly in the camp of airlines where you can plan to be online from gate to gate, instead of hoping the Wi Fi might work.
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A bigger, calmer flagship lounge in Paris
If you connect through Paris Charles de Gaulle often, the revamped business lounge in Terminal 2E, Hall K is a big quality of life change. Air France has expanded and redesigned the space, adding more floor area, more natural light and significantly more seating.
The whole lounge feels more like a blend of a modern French apartment and a co working space. There are quiet corners where you can sit away from the main flow, dedicated rest areas with loungers for short naps, and far more power outlets at or near the seats. The Clarins spa area offers complimentary short facial treatments, and the buffet has moved closer to an upmarket bistro style, with hot dishes and fresher, more French leaning options.
Top tier Flying Blue members also have access to a more private zone within the lounge. For regulars who remember how busy and cramped the old layout could feel at peak times, the new design alone makes CDG connections feel much less stressful.
New long haul routes worth caring about
Paris CDG now has direct seasonal flights to Phuket in Thailand and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, both operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which means a proper long haul business class bed straight to the beach. Air France is also keeping relatively new routes like Paris to Orlando on the A350-900 through the winter season, and increasing capacity on popular long haul leisure routes, including parts of Asia and Africa.
Looking ahead, from April 2026 Air France is also due to launch a direct Paris to Las Vegas service on the A350-900. That one clearly targets conference and expo traffic as well as leisure travellers and adds another high demand city to the network with a modern business class product.
Better food out of the US
Air France has introduced new menus on flights departing the United States, created by Michelin starred chef Daniel Boulud. He’s best known for his restaurants in New York, and the partnership is focused on La Première and Business cabins on US departures. The dishes are designed to feel like something you would actually order in a good French restaurant, not just a generic “international” business class meal.
Expect seasonal mains with rich, slow cooked options as well as lighter plates, and thoughtful desserts created with altitude in mind. Menus rotate during the year, so if you’re flying frequently between the US and Paris, you’re less likely to see the exact same dishes every time.
How to book Air France Business Class for less
Air France Business Class doesn’t have to be a once-in-a-lifetime splurge. If you’re a bit flexible, there are a few reliable ways to bring the price down, whether you’re using miles or cash.
1. Use Flying Blue miles (and watch for Promo Rewards)
Air France and KLM share the Flying Blue program, and it’s one of the most useful ways to book business class to and from Europe. Prices are dynamic, but it’s very possible to find one-way business class between North America and Europe for far less than the “sticker” rates if you’re flexible on dates and routes.
Every month, Flying Blue publishes Promo Rewards with discounted award tickets on select routes. These can knock a chunk off the usual mileage price and sometimes include business class. If you’re planning a trip a few months out, it’s worth checking the latest Promo Rewards before you book.
On top of that, Flying Blue is a transfer partner of the major bank points programs. If you collect points with cards from Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One or Bilt, you can often move those points into Flying Blue and top up what you need for a redemption.
2. Transfer credit card points instead of starting from zero
If you’re sitting on a big balance of “flexible” bank points, Air France is one of the easier ways to turn them into a business class seat. In practice, the flow is simple:
- Find saver-level award space in business on the Air France or KLM site.
- Check how many Flying Blue miles you need for the dates that work.
- Transfer in just enough points from your card program to Flying Blue, then book.
Transfers are usually instant from the major programs, so you don’t have to move points speculatively and hope something appears later.
3. Look out for upgrade offers
If you’ve already booked economy or premium economy, Air France regularly offers paid or miles upgrades in the run-up to departure and at online check-in. You’ll sometimes see email offers to upgrade for a fixed cash price, upgrade options when you manage your booking online, and/or discounted upgrades at the airport or during online check-in if business hasn’t sold out.
Free upgrades are rare, so I wouldn’t count on one. But if your dates are fixed and business fares are painful, this can still be a cheaper way to experience the cabin.
4. Use flight deals (this is where Going comes in)
For straight cash tickets, I almost never sit and search every route and date manually. Instead, I let Going (my favourite flight-deal service) do the hunting in the background and email me when genuine deals or “mistake” fares to Europe pop up.
You choose your departure airports, and they send you the best-value deals they find, including occasional business class and premium cabin sales on airlines like Air France. If you’re flexible on dates and open to different European gateways, this is one of the easiest ways to grab a business class fare that feels like it should’ve cost a lot more.
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Best and worst Air France planes for business class
Not all Air France business cabins are created equal. The good news is that most long haul flights are at least fully flat. The great news is that some aircraft now have genuinely excellent suites with doors. Here’s how I’d think about it when you’re choosing flights.
Best bets: A350 and refurbished 777-300ER (suites with doors)
If you can, aim for the Airbus A350-900 with the new suites or the refurbished Boeing 777 300ER with the new business cabin. These are the aircraft with private suites, closing doors, 1 2 1 layout, big 4K screens, Bluetooth for your own headphones, plenty of storage and proper charging at every seat.
On some routes, the bulkhead seats in row 1 (and the first row of the second mini cabin) feel almost like a “business plus” product, with extra space and a huge footwell. You’ll most often find these cabins on key routes like Paris to New York, Los Angeles, Johannesburg, Singapore and other flagship long haul flights.
How to spot them: on the seat map, look for a 1 2 1 layout in business and mention of “new business cabin” on the Air France site. If you see doors in the mockup, you’re in the right place.
Very good: Boeing 787-9 (no doors, but a solid seat)
If your flight is on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, you’re still in very good shape. Business is set up in a 1 2 1 reverse herringbone layout, so every seat has direct aisle access and turns into a fully flat bed. There are no doors, but the seats angle slightly away from the aisle, which gives you a nice sense of your own space. I’d happily book the 787 for an overnight flight and expect to sleep well. It just feels a bit less “wow” than the very newest cabins on the A350 and 777.
Totally fine but less private: A330-200
The Airbus A330-200 is where expectations need a tiny adjustment. The seats are still fully flat and comfortable enough for a long night, but the layout in business is 2-2-2. This means you don’t have direct aisle access from the window seats and you’re closer to your neighbour, with less built in privacy.
If you’re travelling with a partner or friend and get the right price or a good redemption, it’s still a perfectly decent way to cross the Atlantic. If you’re solo and really value privacy, I’d try to avoid the A330 in favour of the A350, 777 or 787 where possible.
Quick cheat sheet
If you’re skimming routes and aircraft types, here’s the simple hierarchy I keep in mind for Air France business.
- Top choice: A350-900 (new suites) or refurbished 777-300ER with suites and doors
- Very good: 787-9 Dreamliner
- Good but less private: A330-200 in 2-2-2
Read also: My Guide to Flying Air France First Class
Ground experience: check in, lounges and spa
One of the reasons I like flying Air France in business is that the “nice” part of the trip starts well before you sit down on the plane, especially if you’re flying through Paris.
Check in and SkyPriority
With a business class ticket you’re checked in under SkyPriority, which means your day is a bit smoother from the start. You have your own check in area, priority bag drop, fast track security and early boarding. At Paris Charles de Gaulle the SkyPriority zone in Terminal 2E feels brighter and more organised than it used to, and in my experience you’re through the formalities much faster than the main queues. On a long travel day, that alone makes a difference.
Air France lounges at Paris CDG
If you’re connecting in Paris, this is where Air France really shines. The business lounges in Terminal 2E are genuinely somewhere you’ll want to spend time, not just a slightly nicer waiting room. The Hall K lounge is the flagship. It’s spread over several levels, feels airy and calm, and there’s enough seating at busy times. The design leans into that modern “Paris apartment” style with warm lighting, wood, soft fabrics and big windows.
Food is closer to a small French restaurant than a buffet. You can usually put together a proper hot meal, there are salads and snacks that feel fresh, and the desserts are very on brand. The champagne and wine are exactly what you’d hope for from a French airline. If you’ve got a long layover, it’s easy to eat properly in the lounge, have a shower, and then board ready to sleep.
Clarins spa and places to reset
A nice extra touch in the Paris lounges is the Clarins spa corner. Business class passengers can book a short complimentary facial treatment, which sounds like a gimmick but is honestly a great reset between flights. Add a quick shower and you feel much more human before the next leg. The lounges also have quiet areas if you want to nap, and more focused work spaces if you need to open the laptop. There are family friendly zones too, so the calmer corners stay fairly peaceful.
Lounges outside Paris
Outside CDG, the experience depends a bit on the airport, but Air France’s own lounges are generally solid. At places like New York JFK you still get decent food, drinks, showers and often a smaller Clarins space. Where Air France doesn’t have its own lounge you’ll usually use a SkyTeam partner or contract lounge. These can be more hit and miss, but you’ll still have somewhere quieter than the main terminal to sit, snack and charge your devices before boarding.
Onboard comfort: seats, sleep, Wi-Fi and amenities
Once you’re on board, Air France business feels calm and pretty polished, especially on the newer aircraft.
Seats and layout
On most long haul routes, you’re in a 1–2–1 layout with fully flat beds and direct aisle access. On the A350 and refurbished 777, the new suites with doors give you a small private space with a big screen, plenty of storage and power, and room to spread out without feeling boxed in. Even on the older cabins you can still lie fully flat and stretch out properly, so it’s a big step up from premium economy if you’re crossing an ocean.
Sleep and bedding
Sleep is one of the real strengths. The Sofitel mattress pad is waiting at your seat when you board and it genuinely softens the bed once you lay it out. Pillows and duvets are a decent size and the crew are usually happy to help set up your “bed” if you look tired and ready to crash. On overnight flights, the cabin lights go down quickly, service moves at a sensible pace and it’s very possible to get a solid block of sleep.
Wi-Fi and entertainment
On the newer aircraft, screens are large and sharp, with a good mix of movies, series and music. There’s Bluetooth so you can use your own headphones rather than the airline pair, which is a small but very welcome detail. Wi-Fi is being upgraded across the fleet to a much faster system and, once your plane has it, you just log in with your Flying Blue account and you’re online. It’s good enough for email, work and even a bit of streaming, so you can treat the flight as proper “on the move” time if you want to.
Amenity kits and little touches
Amenity kits in Air France business change from time to time, but they’re usually compact and well put together, with basics like a sleep mask, socks, earplugs, a toothbrush and some French skincare. In the bathrooms you’ll often find extra Clarins products to freshen up mid flight. None of it is flashy for the sake of it, but together with the bedding, lighting and crew, it adds up to a cabin that feels more like a quiet hotel room in the sky than just a row of seats.
Other small touches worth knowing about
If you’re travelling with kids, Air France is quietly very good. Young travellers often get little activity kits with toys and puzzles, and on long haul flights you can request a bassinet for babies, which makes a huge difference on overnight sectors. You’ll also find Clarins products in the bathrooms, along with hot towels before meals. It’s easy to freshen up mid flight and arrive feeling a bit more put together than you might expect after hours in the air.
Dining and drinks in Air France Business Class
Food and wine are a big part of why I enjoy flying Air France in business. It still feels like they care about the “French” part of the experience.
Meals in business class
On long haul flights, you’ll usually get a full multi course meal after takeoff, then a lighter second service before landing. The exact menu changes depending on your route and season, but there’s almost always a mix of French style dishes and more familiar options if you’re not in the mood to experiment.
I’d recommend glancing at the menu as soon as you settle in and deciding whether you want the whole experience or something lighter. If you’re on an overnight flight and really want to sleep, you can usually ask the crew for a quicker service or to skip a course so you can get to bed sooner. They’re generally pretty good at reading the cabin and won’t push food on you if you clearly just want to rest.
From the US and other key gateways, Air France has brought in big name chefs to design parts of the business class menu, and you can tell. The dishes are still “airline food” in the sense that they’re designed for altitude and reheating, but the sauces, sides and desserts feel more like something you’d happily eat in a decent bistro rather than a microwave meal.
Dessert, cheese and snacks
This is where the French side really shows. There’s almost always a proper cheese course and a dessert that feels like it has been thought about, not just pulled from a freezer. If you like sweets, it’s worth saving a bit of room.
Between meals, the galley usually has a small selection of snacks you can help yourself to: things like chocolate, small cakes, fruit and packaged nibbles. On longer flights, it’s easy to grab something mid way through a movie without having to ring the call button.
Drinks, wine and champagne
If you care about what’s in your glass, Air France is a nice place to be. There’s usually a named champagne, a couple of solid French reds and whites, and a short list of spirits and aperitifs. Crews are generally happy to talk you through the options and suggest something if you’re undecided.
Coffee and tea are better than average, and if you’re not drinking alcohol there are still plenty of soft drinks and juices so you don’t feel like an afterthought. I often treat the first part of the flight a bit like a relaxed dinner with wine, then switch to water and tea once I’m ready to sleep.
Air France Business Class vs La Première
Because this is a business class guide, I’ll keep this short and honest: La Première is a completely different world, and if you ask me, most people don’t need it.
What is La Première?
La Première is Air France’s tiny first class cabin at the very front of a few select 777s. You’ll find individual suites with a huge seat, a separate bed made up with hotel-level bedding, extremely personalised service, high-end dining and very private ground handling with its own check in and car transfer at CDG.
How it feels different from business
Business class is already comfortable. You get a flat bed, good food, lounges and priority everything. La Première takes each of those and pushes them further. The seat is more spacious, the bed is made for you like in a hotel, the food and wine list are at another level again, and the service is very one to one. On the ground, the dedicated La Première lounge and transfers in Paris really do make you feel like a VIP.
Which one should you book?
For most travellers who just want to arrive well rested and a bit spoiled, business class is the sweet spot. You still get a flat bed, good food and wine, access to lounges and a much calmer way to cross the ocean, without paying the huge premium La Première usually commands.
I tend to think of it this way: if you’re already debating whether business class is “worth it,” you’re exactly the audience Air France Business Class is made for. If money genuinely isn’t a concern, or you’re celebrating something big and want the most indulgent version of Air France, that’s when La Première starts to make sense.
Air France Business Class vs other airlines
Everyone wants to know, “Okay, but how does Air France actually stack up?” Here’s a quick, honest comparison with three big names you’re likely choosing between.
Air France vs British Airways
If I’m choosing between Air France and BA across the Atlantic, I’m basically deciding what I care about more: seat vs overall vibe. BA’s newer Club Suite is excellent when you actually get it: private, modern, door, lots of space. If I know my flight has Club Suite, BA is slightly ahead on the pure “pod” feel.
But BA is still a bit of a mixed bag, and some routes still use the older, crowded layout. Air France feels more consistent on key routes, and the overall experience is usually nicer: better food and wine, calmer lounges in Paris, and a softer, more “treat yourself” feel.
My take:
- If you’re a seat geek and can guarantee Club Suite, BA is great.
- If you want a reliably good experience with better food, wine and a nicer connection in Europe, I’d lean Air France.
Air France vs Lufthansa
Lufthansa is the classic “efficient, gets the job done” option. Service is generally polished and straightforward, and if you’re connecting through Germany it can be very convenient. Right now though, Lufthansa is deep in a transition.
Some planes have the brand new business product, others still have the older 2–2–2 layout that feels dated and not very private. Air France is also mid-refresh, but on the A350 and reworked 777s the cabin already feels properly modern and more stylish. Soft product wise, Lufthansa is a bit more formal and businesslike. Air France feels warmer and a bit more indulgent, particularly with the food and wine and the look of the lounges in Paris.
My take:
- If you just want something solid and simple via Germany, Lufthansa is fine.
- If you want the trip to actually feel enjoyable and a bit special, Air France usually wins.
Air France vs Delta (Delta One)
For US based travellers, this is the real comparison most of the time. Delta One (especially the suites) is a very strong product: good privacy, friendly crews, excellent entertainment, and a very “smooth” feel to the whole operation. If you want to stay inside the Delta ecosystem and keep things simple with status and miles, it’s a safe, comfortable choice.
Where Air France edges it, for me, is character. The food and wine feel more memorable, the lounges in Paris are a genuinely nice place to spend time, and the whole experience has a clearer sense of place. With both airlines pushing fast, reliable Wi Fi, that part is basically a draw.
My take:
- If you’re starting in the US and value simplicity and loyalty with one airline, Delta One is great.
- If you’re happy to mix and match and want a more “European” feeling trip with better food and a nicer stop in Paris, Air France is the one I’m more excited to book.
Is Air France Business Class worth it?
For me, yes – as long as you’re on the right aircraft and not paying completely silly money. On the A350 and refurbished 777, Air France business feels special. On the older aircraft, it’s still a proper flat bed with decent food and a calm cabin, but it doesn’t have the same “wow” factor. In those cases I’d be happier if I booked it with miles, on a Promo Reward, or as an upgrade rather than paying full cash fares.
If you care about sleeping properly, eating and drinking well, and having a smoother, more grown up experience through Europe, Air France Business Class is absolutely worth considering in 2025–2026. Book it smart, aim for the A350 or the refreshed 777 when you can, and it’s a product that feels like a treat without being over the top.
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