First class got an upgrade. Announced yesterday, Air France’s La Première is a door-to-door experience: A private chauffeur to the airport, exclusive check-in, an audaciously spacious suite and an off-boarding escort for a smooth customs experience guided by a dedicated staff whose aim is to “provide discreet yet attentive service.” To quote Air France, it is indeed an expression of the art of living.
While supporting the journey entière is the aim, the on-board accommodations are also elevated. The suite is three-and-a-half square meters or roughly six-feet and five inches in length, and stretches the length of five windows. A chaise longue turns into a bed. Overhead bins are gone and luggage is to be stored in floor-level compartments. There’s a separate drawer just for shoes.
This “exclusive tailor-made haven of peace” features full-grain leather, soft wool, and nods to haute couture with the addition of “thoughtfully placed” accents of “character and distinction, notes of red—the emblematic color of this cabin.” Guests are given a complimentary Comfort Kit made in collaboration with French beauty brand Sisley, and sleepwear by Jacquemus (“le pyjama”).
In addition to five windows, there are lamps—one for the floor, one for the wall—and blackout blinds when the light is no longer welcome. And then there’s the food. Billed as three-star Michelin cuisine, guests can expect «Sturia caviar, prestigious French champagnes, foie gras, and more» from menus created by a rotation of chefs: Emmanuel Renaut, Arnaud Lallement and Anne-Sophie Pic.
The experience launches this spring on a selection of Boeing 777-300ERs between Paris and New York, but it’s set to expand to destinations including Los Angeles, Singapore, and Tokyo.
