✈️ Inside Air France's Breathtaking New La Première First Class
Welcome to Smart With Points, the podcast where we dive into the world of traveling with miles and points. I'm your host, Jack, and today we're going to talk about something truly exciting - Air France's new La Première first class cabin. After three years in development, the French flag carrier has finally unveiled its highly anticipated new first class product, and it's nothing short of breathtaking. Air France's new La Première cabin will debut this spring on the Paris to New York route, with Los Angeles, Singapore, and Tokyo-Haneda to follow in the summer two thousand and twenty-five season. So, what makes this new first class offering so special? Let's dive in and find out. The first thing that stands out about Air France's new La Première cabin is its sheer size. Each suite occupies nearly three point five square meters, providing twenty-five percent more space than the current first class offering. Most impressively, the window suites span five windows - an industry exclusive that creates an unparalleled sense of openness and airiness. The cabin maintains its exclusive four-suite configuration on selected Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, arranged in a one-two-one layout. This limited capacity ensures the utmost privacy and attentive service that La Première is known for. Rather than following the trend of enclosed suites with sliding doors, Air France has maintained its signature curtain concept while reimagining the suite's layout. The design features two distinct areas - the seat, perfect for dining, working, or enjoying entertainment during takeoff and landing, and the chaise longue, ideal for relaxation, reading, or watching movies. The chaise longue transforms into a fully flat bed measuring an impressive two meters long and seventy-five centimeters wide. This versatile arrangement allows the suite to adapt to different phases of the flight and passenger preferences. While many airlines are moving toward fully enclosed suites, Air France has stayed true to its design philosophy by using floor-to-ceiling curtains to provide privacy. The center suites feature an electric sliding partition that can be lowered for couples traveling together - a thoughtful touch that many competitors have overlooked in their pursuit of complete isolation. Each suite is equipped with two thirty-two-inch 4K screens positioned for viewing from either the seat or the chaise longue/bed. Passengers can control all suite functions via a wireless tablet, and connectivity options include AC, USB-A, and USB-C outlets, wireless charging, Bluetooth audio, and free Wi-Fi throughout the journey. Air France has also eliminated overhead bins in first class, replacing them with floor-level storage that can accommodate two carry-on suitcases, plus dedicated shoe storage and a personal wardrobe. So, how does it compare to other luxury options in the skies? Air France's approach to first class stands in contrast to some recent industry trends. While Emirates and Singapore Airlines have opted for enclosed suite concepts with doors, and Lufthansa has introduced a double bed option in its new Allegris first class, Air France has created a product focused on adaptability and understated luxury. The new La Première feels evolutionary rather than revolutionary - and that's precisely its strength. Air France has identified what works well in its current product, which still ranks among the world's best despite being introduced in two thousand and fourteen, and elevated those elements to create something even more special. Beyond the seat, the complete La Première experience is what truly sets Air France apart. The ground service at Paris Charles de Gaulle is legendary, offering chauffeur service to and from the airport, a dedicated check-in area, being driven to the luxurious La Première lounge, personal escort to the aircraft, and on arrival, being driven through passport control without leaving the car. This seamless journey more closely resembles private aviation than commercial travel, creating a truly frictionless experience for the most discerning travelers. Is it worth it? Air France commands some of the highest first class fares in the industry, often charging significantly more than competitors for similar routes. For those who can afford it, the new La Première offers an experience that few airlines can match in terms of exclusivity, personalization, and sheer elegance. For points enthusiasts, La Première remains one of the most elusive aspirational redemptions. Air France typically restricts award availability to its own Flying Blue elite members, making these seats extremely difficult to book with partner airline miles. For those lucky enough to experience it, the new La Première promises to be the pinnacle of commercial aviation luxury, embodying everything that makes Air France special. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Smart With Points. If you want to stay up to date with the latest news and tips on traveling with miles and points, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on all major platforms or visit our website at smartwithpoints.co.uk. And before we go, a quick word from our sponsor - Award Travel Finder. Looking for the best award flights? Use AwardTravelFinder.com to search availability across Qatar Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and more. Try it for free with our link in the shownotes.
