Mar 12, 2018, 1:46 pm
Last edit by: Goldorak
This wikipost presents an updated summary of AF configurations and plans for deliveries and retrofitting the long-haul fleet with new J (and W) seats. For more details, please refer to the thread below
Last update on 15 JUL 2025
All the long-haul fleet is equipped with lie-flat seats in J. All the long-haul fleet is in 1-2-1 configuration in J with direct aisle access, with the exception of the A332 which are in 2-2-2 configuration.
B772
21 planes, all B772 with the BEST cabins (Zodiac Cirrus seat). A refit programme is nearing completion to standardise the 772 fleet with a 28J 32W 268M configuration, with the final frames in the hanger for refurbishment
- J seating is 1-2-1
- W seat is a hard-shell seat (the 1st generation of W seats installed by AF)
- Seating Config: C28W32Y268
B77W
4P Version with "Old" P (19 planes out of 43 77W : F-GSQA, F-GSQB, F-GSQC, F-GSQF, F-GSQG, F-GSQH, F-GSQI, F-GSQJ, F-GSQK, F-GSQL, F-GSQM, F-GSQU, F-GSQV, F-GSQY, F-GZNA, F-GZNB, F-GZNC, F-GZND, and F-GZNE)Last update on 15 JUL 2025
All the long-haul fleet is equipped with lie-flat seats in J. All the long-haul fleet is in 1-2-1 configuration in J with direct aisle access, with the exception of the A332 which are in 2-2-2 configuration.
B772
21 planes, all B772 with the BEST cabins (Zodiac Cirrus seat). A refit programme is nearing completion to standardise the 772 fleet with a 28J 32W 268M configuration, with the final frames in the hanger for refurbishment
- J seating is 1-2-1
- W seat is a hard-shell seat (the 1st generation of W seats installed by AF)
- Seating Config: C28W32Y268
B77W
- J seating is 1-2-1 (Zodiac Cirrus seat), aka BEST cabin, same as B772
- W seat is a hard-shell seat (the 1st generation of W seats installed by AF)
- Seating config: F4C58W28Y206
4P Version with "New" P (3 planes : F-GZNK, F-GZNP, F-GZNQ).
[F-GZND arrived @ ORY 08 APR for mods]
- New La Premier cabin with chaise lounge
- New J seat: Safran Cirrus 5C03 suites with a door in a 1-2-1 configuration
- W seat: Recaro PL3530 seats
- Seating config: F4C60W44Y204
COI version (14J) (12 planes out of 43 B77W : F-GSQO, F-GSQP, F-GSQT, F-GSQX, F-GZNG. F-GSQS, F-GZNF, F-GSQR, F-GSQN, F-GZNO, F-GZNL and F-GZNN).
- The J seat is Zodiac Optima (same as chosen for the initial batch of A350), similar to the UA Polaris seat, in a 1-2-1 configuration
- The W seat is the same as in the B789, i.e a hard-shell seat with a very slightly improved version compared to B772 and B77W (version with P).
- Seating config: C14W28Y430
Remaining 77W (9 planes out of 43 B77W : F-GZNS, F-GZNT, F-GZNI, F-GZNR, F-GZNU, F-GZNJ, F-GZNH, F-GSQD and F-GSQE)
- These planes were the former "NEV4" ones. Retrofits started in March 2022 and were completed in June 2024.
- New J seat: Safran Cirrus 5C03 suites with a door in a 1-2-1 configuration
- W seat: Recaro PL3530 seats
- Seating config: C48W48Y273
B789
- Ten planes have been delivered to AF (F-HRBA to F-HRBJ). No further deliveries are planned for AF (the initial order was for 15 frames, but the 5 remaining ones have been assigned to KL).
- J seat is BEST cabins (Zodiac Cirrus seat, slightly smaller than the 777 one, due to fuselage width limitation). The main difference with the B777 is the smaller tablet.
- J seating is 1-2-1
- The W seat is a hard-shell seat with a very slightly improved version compared to B772 and B77W (version with P).
- Seating config: C30W21Y228
A332
- As of 11/2025, only 7 planes remain in service (F-GZCA/F/G/K/M/N/O), but F & N are not flying at the moment, so only 5 are active. They are mostly flying to SXM, BLR, BEY, and some Africa routes (LAD, PNR, BZV, LFW).
- J seating is 2-2-2, with the Stelia Equinoxe seat (a similar seat can be seen in the UX B787).
- The W seat is the same as in the B789, i.e a hard-shell seat with a very slightly improved version compared to B772 and B77W (version with P).
- Seating config: C36W21Y167
A359
39 planes have been delivered as of 11/07/2025:
First batch (20): F-HTYA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/Q/R/S/T
- J seat is Zodiac Optima, same as in B77W COI version)
- J seating is 1-2-1
- The W seat is a Recaro recliner seat.
- Seating config: C34W24Y266
Second batch (19/21): F-HUVA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/Q/R/S/
- The new seat (Stelia Opera) is a slightly improved version of the BEST seat, with a door for privacy (similar to the one placed in the last batch of retrofitted B77W, with small differences).
- J seating is 1-2-1
- The W seat is a Recaro recliner seat.
- Seating config: C48W32Y212
RETIRED PLANE TYPES
Last plane was withdrawn in 2020.
Remaining 77W (9 planes out of 43 B77W : F-GZNS, F-GZNT, F-GZNI, F-GZNR, F-GZNU, F-GZNJ, F-GZNH, F-GSQD and F-GSQE)
- These planes were the former "NEV4" ones. Retrofits started in March 2022 and were completed in June 2024.
- New J seat: Safran Cirrus 5C03 suites with a door in a 1-2-1 configuration
- W seat: Recaro PL3530 seats
- Seating config: C48W48Y273
B789
- Ten planes have been delivered to AF (F-HRBA to F-HRBJ). No further deliveries are planned for AF (the initial order was for 15 frames, but the 5 remaining ones have been assigned to KL).
- J seat is BEST cabins (Zodiac Cirrus seat, slightly smaller than the 777 one, due to fuselage width limitation). The main difference with the B777 is the smaller tablet.
- J seating is 1-2-1
- The W seat is a hard-shell seat with a very slightly improved version compared to B772 and B77W (version with P).
- Seating config: C30W21Y228
A332
- As of 11/2025, only 7 planes remain in service (F-GZCA/F/G/K/M/N/O), but F & N are not flying at the moment, so only 5 are active. They are mostly flying to SXM, BLR, BEY, and some Africa routes (LAD, PNR, BZV, LFW).
- J seating is 2-2-2, with the Stelia Equinoxe seat (a similar seat can be seen in the UX B787).
- The W seat is the same as in the B789, i.e a hard-shell seat with a very slightly improved version compared to B772 and B77W (version with P).
- Seating config: C36W21Y167
A359
39 planes have been delivered as of 11/07/2025:
First batch (20): F-HTYA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/Q/R/S/T
- J seat is Zodiac Optima, same as in B77W COI version)
- J seating is 1-2-1
- The W seat is a Recaro recliner seat.
- Seating config: C34W24Y266
Second batch (19/21): F-HUVA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/Q/R/S/
- The new seat (Stelia Opera) is a slightly improved version of the BEST seat, with a door for privacy (similar to the one placed in the last batch of retrofitted B77W, with small differences).
- J seating is 1-2-1
- The W seat is a Recaro recliner seat.
- Seating config: C48W32Y212
RETIRED PLANE TYPES
A343
Last plane was withdrawn in 2021.
A388Last plane was withdrawn in 2020.
updated information about new J seats deployments and other information
May 11, 2019 | 8:21 am
#152
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I have edited the wiki with a few updates about A343/Joon and new deliveries of B787 + calendar of delivery of 3 A359 for 2019.
May 11, 2019 | 2:35 pm
#153
Join Date: Feb 2008
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It is nice to see that AF finally continues to get new 787s. I read a few weeks ago that AF will only have 7 787s in their fleet and that the remaining 787s would go to KLM: https://thetravelersclub.boardingare...o-neerlandais/
Last edited by LY777; May 11, 2019 at 11:00 pm
May 12, 2019 | 7:51 am
#154
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thanks for the update Goldorak.
It is nice to see that AF finally continues to get new 787s. I read a few weeks ago that AF will only have 7 787s in their fleet and that the remaining 787s would go to KLM: https://thetravelersclub.boardingare...o-neerlandais/
”Note* : Pour l’heure Air France dtient 7 Boeing 787-9 en flotte et s’apprte recevoir d’autres Dreamliner, dj prts tre livrs.” So the recent delivery and the coming one are probably in this context and will be the last ones to be delivered to AF.
Last edited by Goldorak; May 12, 2019 at 8:24 am
May 13, 2019 | 7:24 am
#155
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Airlineroutes just published that the A350 will be used on CDG-BKO-ABJ from 23 SEP 2019 with the seatmap of the J cabin showing staggered seats.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38...from-sep-2019/
Config is J24 W24 Y266
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38...from-sep-2019/
Config is J24 W24 Y266
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38...as-of-10may19/
Jun 14, 2019 | 2:59 pm
#157
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Jun 23, 2019 | 9:11 am
#158
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
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You do realise that your experience from 2014 is ridiculously irrelevant for what is happening in 2018? In 2014 they were in the middle of the refurbishment programme, where for any given variant of the 777 you could have had the new or the old J seat.
Now things are simple:
There are routes where they make changes for given periods of time, and they do indeed know months in advance. For instance AF 008 during the summer months sees a 789 instead of a 77W (not a problem in this case, as both have the new J seats). But when they do know, they'll put that in the schedules and you'll know about it.
Refusing to fly AF in 2018 because you have had a plane substitution in 2014 is a bit like refusing to take the train because you don't like the smell of steam locomotives. Things do evolve.
Now things are simple:
- if it's a 777-200ER - it's new business class (there are no more old business seats in the 772 fleet)
- if it's a 777-300ER with First Class cabin - it's new business class (there are no more old business seats in the 77W with P fleet)
- if it's a 787-900 - it's new business class (all 789s were delivered with new J seat)
- if it's any other plane - it's old business class
There are routes where they make changes for given periods of time, and they do indeed know months in advance. For instance AF 008 during the summer months sees a 789 instead of a 77W (not a problem in this case, as both have the new J seats). But when they do know, they'll put that in the schedules and you'll know about it.
Refusing to fly AF in 2018 because you have had a plane substitution in 2014 is a bit like refusing to take the train because you don't like the smell of steam locomotives. Things do evolve.
So, if a 777-300ER (which I believe is the same as a 77W) has J in a 2-3-2 configuration, it's angled flat seat? Specifically AF0099 from MIA-CDG on 5/15/20.
If I understand the updates correctly, there are no plans to further upgrade the remaining 77Ws.
I can get an Iberia award, tempted to do that even though it means a connection, to get the lie flats.
Jun 23, 2019 | 10:17 am
#159
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Yes, Busienss Class seats on those planes will be angled flat.
Miami is one of those destinations where many people go but which AF typically does not consider worthy of the lie-flat Business Class seats (yields too low). It does get A380s in winter (at least that was the case in previous winters) when yields are somewhat higher though, but that also only has angled-flat seats. It's untypical for a destination to from no Premiere to the largest Premiere cabin in the fleet, but MIA does have seasonal changes.
Miami is one of those destinations where many people go but which AF typically does not consider worthy of the lie-flat Business Class seats (yields too low). It does get A380s in winter (at least that was the case in previous winters) when yields are somewhat higher though, but that also only has angled-flat seats. It's untypical for a destination to from no Premiere to the largest Premiere cabin in the fleet, but MIA does have seasonal changes.
Jun 23, 2019 | 1:15 pm
#160
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Yes, Busienss Class seats on those planes will be angled flat.
Miami is one of those destinations where many people go but which AF typically does not consider worthy of the lie-flat Business Class seats (yields too low). It does get A380s in winter (at least that was the case in previous winters) when yields are somewhat higher though, but that also only has angled-flat seats. It's untypical for a destination to from no Premiere to the largest Premiere cabin in the fleet, but MIA does have seasonal changes.
Miami is one of those destinations where many people go but which AF typically does not consider worthy of the lie-flat Business Class seats (yields too low). It does get A380s in winter (at least that was the case in previous winters) when yields are somewhat higher though, but that also only has angled-flat seats. It's untypical for a destination to from no Premiere to the largest Premiere cabin in the fleet, but MIA does have seasonal changes.
Jun 23, 2019 | 7:35 pm
#161
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There is a plan for the sub-fleet B77W in COI config. No very concrete plan for the rest of the B77W fleet (the ones with no P and non-COI), but I am 100% sure that they will be retrofitted, while it is very uncertain for the A380 fleet. See the wiki for more details.
Jun 23, 2019 | 11:13 pm
#162
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,453
I can find some nice alternatives with LX or LH.
I do not like IB because of non reliable service. BA offers as well good prices in J with flat beds but I found the cabin to crowded .
AA with direct flights from CDG used to have flat beds in J.
Jun 23, 2019 | 11:17 pm
#163
Join Date: Feb 2017
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If they hold this configuration for 5 extra years, it will be extremely difficult to justify the high prices demanded in P for LAX which is permanently full .
Jun 24, 2019 | 6:46 am
#164
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i boycott AF on the MIA route which benefits about old cabin style when it comes to J tickets I pay personally.
I can find some nice alternatives with LX or LH.
I do not like IB because of non reliable service. BA offers as well good prices in J with flat beds but I found the cabin to crowded .
AA with direct flights from CDG used to have flat beds in J.
Depending on what fare you find on AF, you may find that LX costs only marginally more or sometimes even less - in First. Which is a treat, despite it being back-tracking. But the transfer time in ZRH is quite short I believe and in CDG you can turn up quite late (unlike a departure from 2E on AF) so that you're actually not adding lots of time to the journey.
BA not only has the crowded cabin, it also has the horrible transfer experience in London.
Interesting what you say about IB. In the recent past I only flew them once on a trans-Atlantic flight so I have no data points about their reliability.
Jun 24, 2019 | 7:48 am
#165
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AA flies the route on its 772. Very pleasant seats, the same (more or less) as Air France BEST. The rest is of course the kind of stuff you get on US-based carriers: obsese and slightly over-familiaristic FAs, absolute rubbish food (make sure you eat at the Cathay lounge in Paris before boarding), very poor snack/in-between meals offering. Basically not a premium product, except for the seat.
Depending on what fare you find on AF, you may find that LX costs only marginally more or sometimes even less - in First. Which is a treat, despite it being back-tracking. But the transfer time in ZRH is quite short I believe and in CDG you can turn up quite late (unlike a departure from 2E on AF) so that you're actually not adding lots of time to the journey.
BA not only has the crowded cabin, it also has the horrible transfer experience in London.
Interesting what you say about IB. In the recent past I only flew them once on a trans-Atlantic flight so I have no data points about their reliability.
Depending on what fare you find on AF, you may find that LX costs only marginally more or sometimes even less - in First. Which is a treat, despite it being back-tracking. But the transfer time in ZRH is quite short I believe and in CDG you can turn up quite late (unlike a departure from 2E on AF) so that you're actually not adding lots of time to the journey.
BA not only has the crowded cabin, it also has the horrible transfer experience in London.
Interesting what you say about IB. In the recent past I only flew them once on a trans-Atlantic flight so I have no data points about their reliability.
Transfer in LHR T5 are indeed unpleasant. But if you get fastrack, the transfer should just be unpleasant, bad but not horrible. And the CX lounge in CDG is really nice and 2A a breeze.