Air France Unveils Luxurious La Première Cabin at Place Vendôme, Redefining First-Class Travel | X – @AFnewsroom
Paris: In a grand unveiling at the iconic Place Vendôme, Air France has introduced its latest innovation in luxury air travel, the new La Première cabin. Ben Smith, President of Air France and CEO of the Air France-KLM Group, personally presented the new experience, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s strategic roadmap.
The Franco-Dutch airline aims not only to dominate the European aviation industry but also the global aviation industry with its revamped first-class offering, challenging competitors like British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates and Singapore Airlines. Air France emphasizes the concept of “experience” in its vision of first class, promising passengers total invisibility and absolute tranquility.
The journey for La Première customers begins hours before takeoff. While they still pack their own bags, Air France ensures a seamless experience from home to the airport. A chauffeur-driven limousine transports them directly to the exclusive La Première gate at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport. Upon arrival, passengers are greeted by a porter who handles their luggage, and they embark on a VIP journey with a hostess.
The journey starts in a dedicated vestibule for departure formalities, featuring 15 seats and two private lounges for added privacy. After completing formalities, passengers access the La Première lounge, a spacious 1,000 m² area offering gourmet dishes and pampering in a spa Guests can also opt for private 45 m² suites, available for an additional fee starting at 800 euros.
Passengers then travel to the Boeing 777 in a hybrid Porsche for a discreet boarding. The new La Première cabin features four first-class suites at the front of the plane, each measuring 3.5 m². These suites include an armchair for work and dining, a chaise longue that converts into a two-meter-long bed, and five portholes with electric blinds. Each suite is equipped with two 32-inch 4K screens and navy blue Jacquemus designer pyjamas for passengers.
Designed by Stellia Aerospace, the cabin offers 25% more space than its predecessor, using premium materials like full-grain leather and soft wool. Amenities are controlled via a wireless touchscreen tablet, allowing passengers to adjust their seating and lighting with ease.
The gastronomic experience is equally luxurious, featuring Aquitaine caviar, champagne, and foie gras. Menus have been conceptualised by three 3-Michelin-starred chefs.
This new cabin is the culmination of three years of development, reflecting Air France’s commitment to exceptional customer experiences. Despite many competitors shifting focus to Business class, Air France sees the La Première segment as attractive, with personal travel in Business and First Class increasing by 24% over the past decade.
The new La Première cabin will be introduced on routes to New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, and Tokyo-Haneda during the 2025 summer season. The first plane, named Épernay, will fly to New York-JFK this spring. But naturally, this luxury comes at a cost, with the average fare for a Paris-New York round trip in La Première costing around 10,000 euros.
