Air France Unveils Next-Generation La Première First Class in Paris
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APEX Joins Exclusive Reveal of Air France’s Ultra-Luxury Cabin
Air France officially revealed its highly anticipated next-generation La Première first-class suite today in Paris, marking the airline’s most significant update to its luxury long-haul experience since 2014. The unveiling showcased an evolution of the airline’s commitment to refinement, exclusivity, and technological advancement.
This new La Première suite reaffirms Air France’s position in the ultra-premium travel market, where privacy, comfort, and bespoke service remain essential. The airline has dedicated billions of euros to fleet renewal, onboard enhancements, and customer experience improvements as part of its broader transformation strategy.
A Suite Redefining Luxury
Designed for the most discerning travelers, the La Première suite introduces a fully enclosed private space with a 2-meter-long bed, an adjustable chaise lounge, and five windows per suite, an Air France exclusive. The four-suite cabin aboard the Boeing 777-300ER ensures an intimate and highly personalized journey.
Passengers can control their environment through a wireless touchscreen tablet, allowing them to adjust lighting, window shades, seating positions, and in-flight entertainment (IFE) with ease. The suite features two 32-inch 4K screens, enabling passengers to switch content between displays for an uninterrupted experience while dining or reclining.
Fabien Pelous, Air France senior vice president of customer experience, emphasized the versatility of the suite’s layout. “We wanted passengers to feel at home in the air, with a space that adapts to their every need—walking space, relaxation space, dining space—all within one seamless experience,” Pelous said.
The suite also integrates ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi, ensuring passengers remain connected at all times. The IFE system allows movies to transfer between screens, letting travelers seamlessly transition from dining to relaxing without interruption. “You can start your movie while you are dining,” Pelous said. “Then, if you want to recline, you just reverse it and send the movie to the other screen in an interactive way.”
French Craftsmanship at the Core
The new La Première suite embodies French luxury and craftsmanship, a central pillar of Air France’s identity for over 90 years. The airline emphasized its commitment to locally sourced design and manufacturing, with the suites produced in Rochefort, France.
Air France has partnered with some of France’s most prestigious brands to deliver an unmatched onboard experience. Passengers will receive Jacquemus-designed loungewear, Dumas Paris bedding, and a Sisley amenity kit, ensuring that every detail aligns with the airline’s ultra-premium vision.
Anne Rigail, Air France CEO, highlighted the significance of this approach. “We wanted to develop a cabin that provides both innovation and a feeling of familiarity,” Rigail said. “Privacy, personalization, and effortless luxury remain at the heart of the La Première experience.”
Industry Expert Weighs In
Sam Chui, one of the world’s most influential aviation content creators and airline reviewers, experienced the suite firsthand and praised the innovation behind its design. “First Class design is no longer just 1-2-1 with a shell, there are so much differentiation in the next gen First Class design,” Chui said. “The new La Première surprised me with the extra long and wide bed that changed the whole game.”
A Luxury Experience Beyond the Aircraft
The La Première experience begins long before takeoff, with an enhanced airport journey at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. The newly redesigned La Première lounge features private suites, gourmet dining, and concierge services tailored to every traveler’s needs. Air France has expanded its premium lounge offerings in key global markets, including New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
Ben Smith, Air France-KLM Group CEO, detailed the airline’s strategic investment in its luxury offering. “Paris is a unique hub for premium travel,” Smith said. “Our customers expect the very best in refinement, privacy, and service, and La Première delivers exactly that.”
A Billion-Euro Investment in Excellence
Air France’s broader transformation strategy includes a €1 billion annual investment in fleet renewal and customer experience enhancements. The airline has already introduced new Airbus A350s, with more deliveries scheduled, while modernizing its short- and medium-haul fleet with the Airbus A220.
The current La Première cabin, introduced in 2014, has already received international acclaim, featuring just four suites per aircraft on select Boeing 777-300ERs flying across five continents. The new suite will begin rolling out in 2027, with additional routes in North America and Asia set to receive the upgraded cabin.
Smith reinforced Air France’s long-term vision for ultra-premium travel. “We didn’t just want to build a better first-class suite—we wanted to create something that defines the future of ultra-premium travel,” Smith said. “This is the highest expression of Air France.”