Jan 31, 2024, 5:20 pm
Last edit by: ATLCDG
Content from on.the.bowery
In 2024, customers will find La Premiere on to 11 destinations.
La Premiere is available if you are flying to Tokyo, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New-York City (JFK), Washington DC, Miami, Abidjan, Singapore,Mexico City*, Sao Paulo and Dubai.
*Please note that Air France will discontinue the La Premiere service on the Mexico City (MEX) route on the 31st of March.
In 2024, you will find La Premiere on the following flights :
(All flights are in / out of Paris CDG. Exact timing varies during the year. These times are based on departures and arrivals in the month of May or August (middle of 2024)).
From Paris to New York City (JFK) :
AF4 10:30 - 12:45
AF6 13:30 - 15:50
AF8 16:30 - 18:50 (This flight does not systematically offer P Product)
AF10 18:30 - 20:40 (This flight will not offer P product after the month of June)
From New York City (JFK) to Paris :
AF1 16:30 - 05:55+1
AF5 18:30 - 08:05+1
AF7 21:30 - 11:05+1 (This flight does not systematically offer P Product)
AF9 23:15 - 12:40+1 (This flight will not offer P product after the month of June)
From Paris to Los Angeles (LAX) :
AF20 08:45 - 11:25 (P Product on this flight only in July and August)
AF22 10:40 - 13:05
AF24 13:30 - 16:05
From Los Angeles (LAX) to Paris :
AF21 13:40 - 09:20+1 (P Product on this flight only in July and August)
AF23 15:20 - 11:15+1
AF25 18:30 - 14:20+1
From Paris to San Francisco (SFO) :
AF84 10:15 - 12:45
From San Francisco (SFO) to Paris :
AF83 15:00 - 10:50+1
From Paris to Abidjan (ABJ) :
AF702 14:35 - 18:55
From Abidjan (ABJ) to Paris :
AF703 21:30 - 05:55+1
From Paris to Singapore (SIN) :
AF256 21:15 - 16:30+1
From Singapore (SIN) to Paris :
AF257 22:30 - 06:10+1
From Paris to Miami (MIA) :
AF90 14:05 - 17:55
From Miami (MIA) to Paris :
AF99 20:15 - 11:15+1
From Paris to Tokyo Haneda (HND) :
AF274 22:00 - 18:30+1
From Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Paris :
AF293 00:05 - 07:55
From Paris to Washington (IAD) :
AF54 14:00 - 16:21
From Washington (IAD) to Paris :
AF55 18:45 - 08:05+1
From Paris to Sao Paulo (GRU) :
AF460 10:10 - 16:45
From Sao Paulo (GRU) to Paris :
AF459 18:55 - 11:05+1
From Paris to Dubai (DXB) :
AF662 13:45 - 22:25
From Dubai (DXB) to Paris :
AF655 00:40 - 06:00
From Paris to Mexico City (MEX) :
AF178 11:35 - 16:55 (ends in March)
From Mexico City (MEX) to Paris :
AF179 19:55 - 14:35+1 (ends in March)
Previously this travel class was available on the 772 too.
These flights are operated by a fleet of 19 specific 777-300ER (F-GSQA/B/C/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/U/V/Y and F-GZNA/B/C/D, and E)
Other routes that previously operated La Premiere service but are now terminated (as P service) included Osaka, Lagos, Beijing, Atlanta, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Chicago, Houston, Montreal and Johannesburg. (Or even the overnight flight to Sao Paulo for example.)
In 2024, customers will find La Premiere on to 11 destinations.
La Premiere is available if you are flying to Tokyo, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New-York City (JFK), Washington DC, Miami, Abidjan, Singapore,
*Please note that Air France will discontinue the La Premiere service on the Mexico City (MEX) route on the 31st of March.
In 2024, you will find La Premiere on the following flights :
(All flights are in / out of Paris CDG. Exact timing varies during the year. These times are based on departures and arrivals in the month of May or August (middle of 2024)).
From Paris to New York City (JFK) :
AF4 10:30 - 12:45
AF6 13:30 - 15:50
AF8 16:30 - 18:50 (This flight does not systematically offer P Product)
AF10 18:30 - 20:40 (This flight will not offer P product after the month of June)
From New York City (JFK) to Paris :
AF1 16:30 - 05:55+1
AF5 18:30 - 08:05+1
AF7 21:30 - 11:05+1 (This flight does not systematically offer P Product)
AF9 23:15 - 12:40+1 (This flight will not offer P product after the month of June)
From Paris to Los Angeles (LAX) :
AF20 08:45 - 11:25 (P Product on this flight only in July and August)
AF22 10:40 - 13:05
AF24 13:30 - 16:05
From Los Angeles (LAX) to Paris :
AF21 13:40 - 09:20+1 (P Product on this flight only in July and August)
AF23 15:20 - 11:15+1
AF25 18:30 - 14:20+1
From Paris to San Francisco (SFO) :
AF84 10:15 - 12:45
From San Francisco (SFO) to Paris :
AF83 15:00 - 10:50+1
From Paris to Abidjan (ABJ) :
AF702 14:35 - 18:55
From Abidjan (ABJ) to Paris :
AF703 21:30 - 05:55+1
From Paris to Singapore (SIN) :
AF256 21:15 - 16:30+1
From Singapore (SIN) to Paris :
AF257 22:30 - 06:10+1
From Paris to Miami (MIA) :
AF90 14:05 - 17:55
From Miami (MIA) to Paris :
AF99 20:15 - 11:15+1
From Paris to Tokyo Haneda (HND) :
AF274 22:00 - 18:30+1
From Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Paris :
AF293 00:05 - 07:55
From Paris to Washington (IAD) :
AF54 14:00 - 16:21
From Washington (IAD) to Paris :
AF55 18:45 - 08:05+1
From Paris to Sao Paulo (GRU) :
AF460 10:10 - 16:45
From Sao Paulo (GRU) to Paris :
AF459 18:55 - 11:05+1
From Paris to Dubai (DXB) :
AF662 13:45 - 22:25
From Dubai (DXB) to Paris :
AF655 00:40 - 06:00
From Paris to Mexico City (MEX) :
AF178 11:35 - 16:55 (ends in March)
From Mexico City (MEX) to Paris :
AF179 19:55 - 14:35+1 (ends in March)
Previously this travel class was available on the 772 too.
These flights are operated by a fleet of 19 specific 777-300ER (F-GSQA/B/C/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/U/V/Y and F-GZNA/B/C/D, and E)
Other routes that previously operated La Premiere service but are now terminated (as P service) included Osaka, Lagos, Beijing, Atlanta, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Chicago, Houston, Montreal and Johannesburg. (Or even the overnight flight to Sao Paulo for example.)
AF « La Première » Outlook
Jan 11, 2022, 3:11 pm
#841
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,920
Final thought: LP is amazing compared to pretty much every other first class service, but to go through even 10% of this nonsense defeats the whole purpose. It's not worth it!
Jan 11, 2022, 3:50 pm
#842
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: WRO/BOS
Programs: LH HON/AF Gold
Posts: 286
This is seriously wrong and leaving the plane after boarding with a checked bag is a DICK MOVE, but I guess selfishness and utter disregard for others is the norm for some.
Final thought: LP is amazing compared to pretty much every other first class service, but to go through even 10% of this nonsense defeats the whole purpose. It's not worth it!
Final thought: LP is amazing compared to pretty much every other first class service, but to go through even 10% of this nonsense defeats the whole purpose. It's not worth it!
Color me unimpressed.
Jan 11, 2022, 11:54 pm
#843
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Reality, Freedom • Fly Tarom •
Programs: AF FB Platinum For Life (F+ Rouge Vintage®) / Hertz President's Circle / SNCF Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 10,077
All I can say is that I hope Rachel got a nice Christmas bonus ...
Jan 12, 2022, 2:47 am
#844
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,049
I believe the recent price increase + is the measure is as well to avoid the exceptional “misusage” of PAX spending on purpose an entire day in the P lounge.
Last edited by Bullspread; Jan 12, 2022 at 2:57 am
Jan 12, 2022, 10:14 am
#845
Join Date: May 2020
Programs: Flying Blue, Mileage Plus
Posts: 88
In my case, they boarded close to boarding completed and were en route to an assignment. The Purser bothered to explain (after noticing my "w-t-f" look 
) that the gentlemen would be drinking alcohol, but wouldn't have to technically work until the following morning or something like that. And the gentlemen would of course be entitled to fly in P.
My point is: AF is doing a lot to preserve the exclusivity of the product (see this weirdo move with P ground service), but at the same time they are letting their staff fly in P while on an official assignment. I don't think it would harm the 3 or 4 golden stripes if they would stay in Business and sober while on such trips.
) that the gentlemen would be drinking alcohol, but wouldn't have to technically work until the following morning or something like that. And the gentlemen would of course be entitled to fly in P.My point is: AF is doing a lot to preserve the exclusivity of the product (see this weirdo move with P ground service), but at the same time they are letting their staff fly in P while on an official assignment. I don't think it would harm the 3 or 4 golden stripes if they would stay in Business and sober while on such trips.
That AF allows its senior pilots to deadhead in P does not surprise me either. At least the purser had the courtesy and smarts to say something to you as the sole non-AF employee traveling in that cabin.
On a less positive note, and despite my general and strong appreciation for AF, there have been rare moments when, as a non-French national and/or traveler of no apparent standing as far as AF is concerned, I've been appalled. One such time occurred in 2007 just before the election of Nicolas Sarkozy. He visited Washington as a candidate and managed to secure a meeting in the White House with then President George W. Bush. By chance, I happened to be in the Y cabin of Sarko's return flight. He and his oversized entourage had largely pushed all or most of the other travelers out of the P and J cabins. One of those people was the U.S. ambassador, who had presumably helped arrange the White House meeting and had traveled back to DC to be present.
I watched the incredulous and appalled ambassador try several times to argue with AF flight attendants before finally accepting they would not budge and squeezing into his tiny seat. Knowing him, he would have already used his personal wealth to pay to get a full business seat, so he presumably had to give way to some UPM hack.
One way I would like AF to "abuse" its position for the sake of its employees involves the ground staff taking care of P passengers. I've encountered a number of them at IAD, the majority quite young, who escort passengers with no real understanding of the service beyond what they do and the lounge. Why not upgrade these folks when they take their complimentary trips to Paris from outstations so they can experience the service and interact with the flight attendants and CDG ground staff? None of the escorts I've asked have had this happen, and no wonder some may not stick around after a couple of years. I'd love to see these folks flying P aux frais de la princesse.
Jan 12, 2022, 10:29 am
#846
Join Date: May 2020
Programs: Flying Blue, Mileage Plus
Posts: 88
More info: https://princeoftravel.com/blog/the-...mistake-fares/
File this in the category of "sorry I asked."
This may have answered my questions about the Algiers connection to this caper, but, rather than being a lesson in the value of persistence, it's a demonstration of the principle that just because you can doesn't mean you should. Travel halfway around the world for a P journey on AF and inconvenience a planeload of LH passengers in the process? Wha'?
I agree with the comments about this guy's irresponsibility, narcissism, and discourteous behavior on display. He's lucky no one else could get off that LH flight to express how they felt about his antics.
Perhaps LH has flagged him somehow so that, even if he gets to redeem his trip, he finds himself in a seat with no inflight entertainment system and served by a clumsy attendant who constantly dumps food on his lap. Oh, yeah, and his luggage mysteriously dropped out of the baggage hold over Greenland.
Jan 15, 2022, 4:10 am
#847
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: DL DM, FB Gold
Posts: 296
I was disappointed at first not to have the whole cabin to myself but they were actually quite joyful people. They were not obnoxious or anything but also didn't go out of their way to stay silent. A big part of why it was no problem was the fantastic cabin attendant who made my flight really enjoyable.. it was the only P flight out of 3 last year that was downright perfect. And while the pilots all got the regular P service, the crew made sure to take my meal order first and time the meal courses to my speed of eating, even if that meant the pilots had to wait a bit from time to time.
I had a much better time flying with the 3 pilots in P than on my return trip where an obnoxious French rockstar was making a big fuss about wanting to have my window seat...
Jan 15, 2022, 8:05 am
#848
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,557
Yes, I experienced something similar a while back. I was looking forward to being the only passenger in P and when I asked the driver on the way to the plane if I was still the only one she said, no the cabin is full but they are "company". And indeed a senior pilot and two co-pilots took the remaining three seats on the flight to LAX.
I was disappointed at first not to have the whole cabin to myself but they were actually quite joyful people. They were not obnoxious or anything but also didn't go out of their way to stay silent. A big part of why it was no problem was the fantastic cabin attendant who made my flight really enjoyable.. it was the only P flight out of 3 last year that was downright perfect. And while the pilots all got the regular P service, the crew made sure to take my meal order first and time the meal courses to my speed of eating, even if that meant the pilots had to wait a bit from time to time.
I had a much better time flying with the 3 pilots in P than on my return trip where an obnoxious French rockstar was making a big fuss about wanting to have my window seat...
I was disappointed at first not to have the whole cabin to myself but they were actually quite joyful people. They were not obnoxious or anything but also didn't go out of their way to stay silent. A big part of why it was no problem was the fantastic cabin attendant who made my flight really enjoyable.. it was the only P flight out of 3 last year that was downright perfect. And while the pilots all got the regular P service, the crew made sure to take my meal order first and time the meal courses to my speed of eating, even if that meant the pilots had to wait a bit from time to time.
I had a much better time flying with the 3 pilots in P than on my return trip where an obnoxious French rockstar was making a big fuss about wanting to have my window seat...
And pilots do behave in my experiences.
Of course, flying pilots have a nice bunk room to rest during the flight. I was allowed to sleep there by the pilot for reasons I do not wish to discuss
Jan 15, 2022, 8:14 am
#849
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Jan 15, 2022, 8:17 am
#850
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Paris and around the WW
Programs: AF/KLM Club2000 Ultimate / M&M HON Circle / ALL Diamond / Hertz President Circle
Posts: 1,040
Jan 15, 2022, 9:05 am
#851
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Bergen - Norway
Programs: EBD , FBG
Posts: 563
Yes, I experienced something similar a while back. I was looking forward to being the only passenger in P and when I asked the driver on the way to the plane if I was still the only one she said, no the cabin is full but they are "company". And indeed a senior pilot and two co-pilots took the remaining three seats on the flight to LAX.
I was disappointed at first not to have the whole cabin to myself but they were actually quite joyful people. They were not obnoxious or anything but also didn't go out of their way to stay silent. A big part of why it was no problem was the fantastic cabin attendant who made my flight really enjoyable.. it was the only P flight out of 3 last year that was downright perfect. And while the pilots all got the regular P service, the crew made sure to take my meal order first and time the meal courses to my speed of eating, even if that meant the pilots had to wait a bit from time to time.
I had a much better time flying with the 3 pilots in P than on my return trip where an obnoxious French rockstar was making a big fuss about wanting to have my window seat...
I was disappointed at first not to have the whole cabin to myself but they were actually quite joyful people. They were not obnoxious or anything but also didn't go out of their way to stay silent. A big part of why it was no problem was the fantastic cabin attendant who made my flight really enjoyable.. it was the only P flight out of 3 last year that was downright perfect. And while the pilots all got the regular P service, the crew made sure to take my meal order first and time the meal courses to my speed of eating, even if that meant the pilots had to wait a bit from time to time.
I had a much better time flying with the 3 pilots in P than on my return trip where an obnoxious French rockstar was making a big fuss about wanting to have my window seat...
Not only is it embarrassing but it makes no sense. A proper blow to the head with the Heidsieck might recalibrate to normal behavior
Jan 15, 2022, 9:25 am
#852
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I guess to even things out, each time I've been in P on the 777 it's been full of paying pax. Never seen a pilot in P. The only time I was alone in P was in the huge A380 cabin with only one other passenger, way over on the other side and a few rows back.
Jan 15, 2022, 9:59 am
#853
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Jan 15, 2022, 10:39 am
#854
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Bergen - Norway
Programs: EBD , FBG
Posts: 563
I managed to get the 777 P cabin to myself in September, with an amazing stewardess, CDG to JNB. Despite a hangover from the flight the previous day, I think it’s the best flight I’ve ever flown 🤔
Jan 15, 2022, 11:02 am
#855
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 267
What I can say is that the cabin crew on most of my flights was excellent, with a few flights that had spectacular cabin crew making the flight a delight.
I know that AF is kind of union infested, where the unions' demands usually are particularly ridiculous in the bigger scale of things. And the last things that unions seem to have in mind is the wellbeing of the company.
The LP product in a 360degree view is one of the best in the market. The ground service in CDG is amazing, but I would not say that the LP lounge is anything special, except the top notch F&B offerings. There is not even a quiet place to work, only sofas and coffee tables apart from the restaurant area that has proper tables. And there are exactly two lie flat loungers that are also offering some kind of privacy in the relaxation area.
Hard product is so so best case, soft product is a very nice thing with a "hit or miss" risk.
The Pier and The Wing in HKG kind of set the baseline for P Lounges, before C19 and when CX was leading in the industry (CX is now just a shadow of its former self, but that is another topic). That combined with AF ground service and the amazing P crews would be THE thing. The P seats would also need a drop of oil at some point.... ;-)
So, there is still room for improvement.
I know that AF is kind of union infested, where the unions' demands usually are particularly ridiculous in the bigger scale of things. And the last things that unions seem to have in mind is the wellbeing of the company.
The LP product in a 360degree view is one of the best in the market. The ground service in CDG is amazing, but I would not say that the LP lounge is anything special, except the top notch F&B offerings. There is not even a quiet place to work, only sofas and coffee tables apart from the restaurant area that has proper tables. And there are exactly two lie flat loungers that are also offering some kind of privacy in the relaxation area.
Hard product is so so best case, soft product is a very nice thing with a "hit or miss" risk.
The Pier and The Wing in HKG kind of set the baseline for P Lounges, before C19 and when CX was leading in the industry (CX is now just a shadow of its former self, but that is another topic). That combined with AF ground service and the amazing P crews would be THE thing. The P seats would also need a drop of oil at some point.... ;-)
So, there is still room for improvement.
Last edited by feederflight; Jan 15, 2022 at 11:32 am