La Première Experience — Air France Inaugurates New First Class Suites & Services

Air France’s new service class transcends in-flight experience, extending exclusive benefits before and during the flight.

First class Air France flyers traveling from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) will be among the first to experience the carrier’s new premium product — La Première. Business Traveler reports the French flag carrier inaugurated the product for regular service on Monday, January 12, and plans to have it rolled out on all daily routes to CGK and SIN by February.

The new service is part of an experiential product focused around premium travel. La Première flyers check in at a private desk, where they are then invited to relax in an exclusive lounge. When it’s time to board, travelers are granted priority access through security and escorted directly to their flight by car.

Onboard the Boeing 777-300ER outfitted with the La Première cabin, each seat can be transformed into a lie-flat bed measuring over six feet in length. The premium product also features a 24-inch HD touchscreen in-flight entertainment system and a retractable curtain, which creates a private experience for flyers.

“With our new La Première suites, we intend to offer the best on the market and this is what we are highlighting,” Frédéric Gagey, president and CEO of Air France, stated in a company press release. “By choosing to fly to south-east Asia, we also intend to reaffirm just how important this part of the world is to us, especially to attract and retain our Premium customers.”

Although officials have not yet set a timetable for expansion, La Première will ultimately be available on select Air France flights from CDG to several key destinations, including Dubai and New York.

[Photos: Air France]