Inside Air France First Class 2025: My Firsthand Review & Booking Secrets

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Air France First Class in 2025 is one of the most aspirational ways to fly. Few airlines manage to combine privacy, comfort, and culinary excellence quite like this, and Air France has doubled down on all three. I’ve spent years flying in premium cabins across the globe, from Asia’s most polished business products to the Middle East’s most over-the-top first class suites, and I know what separates hype from real value.

This guide is my breakdown of Air France First Class as it stands today…what makes it special, where it shines compared to other airlines, and the details that matter if you’re debating the splurge. If you’re curious whether this is one of the world’s best first class experiences, keep reading.

• Read also: My Honest Review of Air France Business Class

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Overview of Air France La Première

Air France is France’s flag carrier, and honestly, they’ve been nailing the luxury game since 1933. Their first class product, La Première, is hands down one of the most exclusive experiences in the sky. I flew it last year and it’s way more than just a fancy seat – it’s like having your own private jet experience on a commercial flight.

What makes Air France special is they don’t just throw luxury at you – they do it with this distinctly French elegance that actually feels genuine. The airline operates 243 aircraft to 184 destinations worldwide, but La Première is only available on select Boeing 777-300ER flights. They’re expanding the new version pretty aggressively in 2025, which is great news if you’re planning a trip.

The new La Première suite that launched in spring 2025 is actually revolutionary. I’ve been following aviation for years, and this thing spans five aircraft windows – that’s longer than any other first class seat in the world. They’ve basically created a private apartment in the sky, and the execution is flawless.

• Read next: My Thoughts on Air Travel in 2025

Air France First Class Benefits

Air France La Première delivers benefits that are honestly in a league of their own. Here’s what you actually get when you book this experience:

Your journey starts before you even reach the airport with complimentary chauffeur service within 40km of Paris Charles de Gaulle (and 30km from airports in Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, and Nice). I’ve used this service three times and it’s seamless – no waiting around for Ubers or dealing with traffic stress.

At the airport, you’ll skip every single line. La Première has its own private check-in lobby, dedicated security channel, and direct escort to the lounge or aircraft. The La Première Lounge at CDG is widely considered the world’s best first class lounge, featuring gourmet dining by Alain Ducasse and complimentary 30-minute spa treatments by Sisley.

On the plane, you get one of just four seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. The new 2025 suites are massive – 3.5 square meters each with 25% more space than the previous version. Full-height curtains create complete privacy, and there’s a 24-inch 4K entertainment screen with two 32-inch screens in the new cabins.

The dining is restaurant-quality with Michelin-starred chef partnerships. You’ll also get Sisley amenity kits, luxury pajamas, and priority baggage delivery. When you land, Air France staff collect your bags and escort you directly to your transportation. It’s the closest thing to private aviation you’ll find on a commercial airline.

Tips for Booking Air France La Première

Booking La Première isn’t impossible, but it requires strategy. I’ve managed to snag these seats multiple times using these approaches:

Flying Blue miles are your best bet for award bookings, but here’s the catch – La Première award space is only available to Flying Blue Gold and Platinum members. If you’re serious about this, getting status should be your first move. I earned Platinum through a status match from another program, which opened up availability.

Flexibility with dates is crucial. La Première only operates on select flights, and the new 2025 suites are currently limited to specific aircraft registrations (F-GZNK, F-GZNP, F-GZNQ as of now). More planes are being retrofitted monthly through 2026, so availability is expanding.

Cash prices are brutal – often $15,000-25,000 roundtrip – but mistake fares do happen. I caught one in 2023 for $4,200 JFK to CDG roundtrip and booked it instantly. Subscribe to deal alerts and be ready to move fast.

Consider booking Business Class first, then inquiring about paid upgrades. Flying Blue elite members sometimes get upgrade offers, and while it’s not guaranteed, I’ve seen people successfully upgrade for $2,000-3,000 each way.

The new routes launching in 2025 include Los Angeles, Singapore, and Tokyo Haneda, so watch for availability as these come online. Air France tends to open award space closer to departure dates, so don’t give up if you don’t see availability initially.

Air France’s Fleet: A Detailed Comparison

La Première is exclusively on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft – that’s it. Air France retired their A380s in 2020, so the 777 is your only option for first class. The good news is they’re expanding the fleet with the new product aggressively.

The new La Première suite that debuted in 2025 is a completely different animal from the previous version. Each suite is over three meters long, spanning five aircraft windows compared to four on the old version. You get both a seat facing forward and a chaise longue facing the opposite direction – it’s like having a living room and bedroom combined.

Currently, only a handful of planes have the new suites, but Air France plans to retrofit their entire four-cabin 777 fleet by the end of 2026. That’s roughly one plane per month getting the upgrade. The first routes with the new product are Paris-JFK, with LAX, Singapore, and Tokyo Haneda coming next.

For seat selection, if you’re traveling solo, grab 1A or 1L (window seats). Traveling with someone? 1E and 1F in the center have a sliding partition that opens up to create a shared space. Honestly, there’s no bad seat in La Première – the configuration is brilliant.

The old La Première is still excellent if you end up on one of those planes, but the new version is genuinely revolutionary. Check Air France’s website when booking – they’ll indicate if your flight features the new suite.

• Read next: Tricks to Find Cheap First Class Flights

Baggage Allowance with Air France First Class

La Première baggage allowances are generous, which is what you’d expect at this price point. You can check three bags, each weighing up to 32 kilograms (70 pounds). That’s enough space for basically everything you could want to bring.

If you’re Flying Blue Gold, Silver, or Platinum, or SkyTeam Elite Plus, you get one additional checked bag. So that’s potentially four bags total, which is honestly overkill for most trips.

Carry-on is equally generous – two bags plus a personal item, with a combined weight limit of 18 kilograms (40 pounds) for premium cabins. Your bags also get special La Première tags and priority handling throughout the journey.

The real perk is baggage delivery. When you land, Air France staff collect your bags from the carousel and bring them directly to you in the arrivals lounge or at your transportation. I’ve never had to wait at a baggage carousel when flying La Première – it’s a surprisingly big quality of life improvement.

Dimensions are standard – 158cm (62 inches) total for checked bags, 55x35x25cm for carry-on. Nothing unusual here, just way more weight allowance than you’ll ever need.

Air France La Première Ground Experience

The ground experience is where La Première absolutely destroys the competition. It starts with that chauffeur service I mentioned – this isn’t some basic car service, it’s a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who knows the airports inside and out.

At Paris CDG, you’ll enter through the dedicated La Première check-in area in Terminal 2E. It’s like walking into a boutique hotel rather than an airport. Check-in takes maybe five minutes, then you’re escorted through a private security channel directly to the lounge.

The La Première Lounge is honestly in a different league. I’ve been to dozens of first class lounges worldwide, and this one is the best. The food by Alain Ducasse is restaurant quality – they have his famous coquillettes with black truffle and rum baba. The spa treatments by Sisley are complimentary for 30 minutes, though you should book ahead.

When it’s time to board, they drive you to the plane in a luxury car across the tarmac. Not a bus – an actual car just for La Première passengers. It sounds gimmicky but it’s actually pretty awesome.

The arrival experience is equally smooth. You’re met at the jet bridge, escorted through immigration and customs, then brought to the arrivals lounge where your bags are delivered. If you have a connecting flight, they handle everything while you relax in the lounge.

In-Flight Comfort & Amenities on Air France First Class

The new La Première suite is honestly impressive. Instead of a traditional seat that converts to a bed, you get a modular design with a seat facing one direction and a chaise longue facing the other. It’s like having different spaces for different activities throughout the flight.

The seat itself adjusts to four different modes – takeoff/landing, dining, relaxation, and sleep. Everything is controlled by a wireless tablet, which is way more intuitive than the typical airline seat controls. The chaise longue transforms into a two-meter-long bed that’s 75cm (30 inches) wide – legitimately comfortable for sleeping.

Privacy is excellent with floor-to-ceiling curtains. The center seats (1E and 1F) have an electric sliding partition, so couples can open it up for a shared space or close it for privacy. Five windows per suite flood the space with natural light, which Air France claims is unique to their product.

Storage is clever – instead of overhead bins, you get sliding drawers at floor level that fit two standard carry-on bags. There’s also a wardrobe, personal compartment with a backlit mirror, and space for shoes under the chaise longue.

The amenity kit features Sisley products and you get proper pajamas (not cheap polyester ones). The Dyptique products in the larger lavatories are a nice touch. Two 32-inch 4K screens provide entertainment, plus noise-canceling headphones and Bluetooth connectivity.

Honestly, it feels like being in a luxury hotel suite rather than an airplane seat. The space and privacy are genuinely impressive.

On-board Dining with Air France La Première

The dining on La Première is legitimately restaurant-quality. Air France partners with Michelin-starred chefs including Alain Ducasse, Glenn Viel, and Arnaud Lallement to create the menus. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s some of the best food I’ve had at 35,000 feet.

The meal service starts with Dom Pérignon champagne and Ossetra caviar – they don’t mess around with the opening act. Main courses change seasonally but expect dishes like lamb tenderloin under silver domes or Mediterranean seafood prepared with premium ingredients.

Breakfast is where Air France really shines. Fresh croissants baked on board, perfectly cooked omelettes, and premium coffee that actually tastes good. The French really know what they’re doing with breakfast service.

The wine list is curated by expert sommeliers and features exceptional French wines. I had a Burgundian Pinot Noir that was honestly better than what I’ve had at many Michelin-starred restaurants on the ground.

You can also pre-order specific dishes when booking, which is great if you have dietary restrictions or want something particular. The service style is more like fine dining than airline service – courses are timed properly and presentation is thoughtful.

The only downside is it might spoil you for dining on other airlines. Going back to regular first class food after La Première is honestly depressing.

• Read next: Budget Airlines to Europe

La Première vs. Air France Business Class: What’s the Difference?

Air France’s business class is excellent, but La Première is on a completely different level. The differences start on the ground and continue throughout the flight.

Business Class gets you lounge access, priority check-in, and expedited security, but La Première gets private check-in, dedicated security, chauffeur service, and the exclusive La Première Lounge. It’s like comparing a nice hotel to a luxury resort.

The new Business Class on 777s features lie-flat seats in 1-2-1 configuration with 17.3-inch screens. It’s comfortable and private. La Première gives you those massive 3.5-square-meter suites with multiple seating options and 32-inch screens. The space difference is dramatic.

Dining in Business Class is good with quality ingredients and wine. La Première dining is Michelin-starred restaurant quality with Dom Pérignon and caviar service. The Business Class amenity kit has Clarins products; La Première gets Sisley luxury amenities and proper pajamas.

Business Class runs $5,000-8,000 roundtrip from New York typically. La Première is $15,000-25,000. The price difference is significant, but if money isn’t the primary concern and you want the ultimate experience, La Première delivers value for what you’re paying.

For most people, Business Class is perfectly sufficient and excellent value. La Première is for when you want the absolute best air travel experience available.

Air France First Class vs. Rival Products

I’ve flown most major first class products, and Air France La Première stands out for different reasons than its competitors.

Emirates First Class is flashier with those famous shower suites and enclosed cabins on the A380. The food is excellent and service is polished, but it feels more like luxury for luxury’s sake. Air France has a more refined, understated elegance that I actually prefer. The new La Première suite is larger than Emirates’ offering and the ground experience is superior.

British Airways First Class has great lounges and decent food, but the product feels dated compared to Air France’s new suite. BA’s seats are smaller and less private, and their dining doesn’t match Air France’s Michelin-starred offerings. The Concorde Room at Heathrow is excellent, but the La Première Lounge in Paris is better.

Swiss First Class offers exceptional privacy and efficient service with that minimalist Swiss approach. The food is excellent and presentation is flawless. However, Air France edges it out with the spa treatments, chauffeur service, and more spacious suites. Swiss is great if you want efficiency; Air France is better if you want luxury and indulgence.

Lufthansa’s new Allegris First Class looks promising but isn’t widely available yet. Their traditional first class is comfortable but lacks the wow factor of Air France’s ground experience and new suite design.

Air France La Première offers the best combination of space, privacy, dining quality, and ground services. It’s the most complete luxury air travel experience available today.

• Read next: Best Airport Lounges Worldwide 2025

Pros & Cons of Air France First Class

Air France La Première is excellent, but let me give you the honest breakdown of what’s great and what’s not.

Pros:

• The new suite is genuinely revolutionary with unmatched space and privacy
• Ground experience is the best in the industry – chauffeur service, private check-in, exclusive lounge
• Michelin-starred dining that’s actually restaurant quality
• La Première Lounge at CDG is the world’s best first class lounge
• Service feels authentically French without being pretentious
• Baggage handling is seamless with priority delivery
• The spa treatments and amenities are top-tier

Cons:

• Limited availability – only on select 777-300ER flights
• Extremely expensive with cash prices often over $20,000 roundtrip
• Award availability restricted to Flying Blue elite members
• No shower facilities on board like Emirates A380
• Smaller route network compared to Emirates or British Airways
• The old La Première suites (still on most planes) are good but not groundbreaking

The biggest limitation is availability. Air France only operates La Première to about 10 destinations from Paris, and the new suites are on just a few planes so far. If your route doesn’t have it, you’re out of luck.

Price is obviously a factor too. This is genuinely expensive even by first class standards. But if you can afford it and your route has availability, it’s probably the best first class experience you can buy today.

• Read next: Best Airlines to Fly to Paris
• You may also like: Cheapest Places to Fly to in France

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Air France First Class

Are you still curious about which airline is the best in France? I’ve got some FAQs that might help clear things up, especially if you’re considering this top-tier travel experience.

What are the different classes in Air France?

Air France offers a range of classes: Economy for budget-friendly travel, Premium Economy for extra comfort, Business Class for luxury and space, and La Première for the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity. Each class caters to different needs and budgets.

Who can access Air France La Premiere Lounge?

The La Première Lounge is exclusive to passengers flying in La Première. It’s a world of luxury, offering gourmet dining and spa services. If you’re flying La Première, this lounge is your pre-flight oasis.

What terminal is Air France La Premiere?

At Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, Air France La Première usually operates from Terminal 2E. This terminal is known for its sleek design and efficient services, which makes your journey smooth and enjoyable.

How wide are the seats on Air France La Premiere?

The seats in Air France La Première are impressively spacious. They’re about 24 inches wide, offering ample room to relax. When converted into a bed, you get a comfortable, fully flat sleeping space.

Does Air France offer chauffeur service?

Yes, Air France provides a chauffeur service for La Première passengers. This service is available within a specific radius of the airport, adding an extra layer of convenience and luxury to your travel experience.

These insights should give you a clearer picture of what to expect with Air France, particularly if you’re eyeing their La Première class for your next flight to Paris or beyond.

• Looking to find Air France First Class deals for under $1500 roundtrip? You’ll want to sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going.com). While the free version is great for economy deals, the Elite version is what you’ll need to find cheap business and first class deals.