SFO777

Mrs. SFO777 and I finally got to experience what others have raved about on today's AF 8 to JFK. All I can say is WOW. Amazing service that started curbside. And with an Alain Ducasse menu, there is no lounge anywhere that has better food offerings. The new 4 seat cabin is drop dead gorgeous, amazing design and soothing decor. In flight, the combination of wonderful food and elegant table and glassware made for a sublime experience. It certainly didn't hurt that it was a charter like experience with just the two of us in the cabin, and impeccable service.

Although I intended for this to be a part of my current trip report, this experience was so mind-blowingly good indeed borderline orgasmic that it deserves its own thread.

Our Uber Black driver Alain dropped us off at the porte 14 La Premiére entrance of Terminal 2E. Oui, Uber is alive and well in Paris.



A La Première porter greeted us and escorted us and our bags to the La Première check-in area.







Where our Personal Assistant welcomed us and processed our docs and check-in while we sat in a comfortable lounge area.



And then escorted us to security and a VIP/La Première lane where we were the only passengers.





To the wonderful La Première Lounge just inside the secure area and above dozens of high end shops.





















Attractive dining area.





With a serve yourself food selection that varies according to the time of day.













But the most impressive food option is the fabulous Alain Ducasse a la carte Menu. It was all we could do to not stuff ourselves in the lounge.













The coolest part of the lounge is the bar, which is a smaller replica of the old red Plaza Athenée bar.















Wine selections under lock, presumably for the asking.













Cool theatre with giant screen TV.







And the bath, spa area.











Free 30 minutes massage should you be so inclined.

SFO777

Paris CDG - New York JFK
Air France 008
777-300ER
7:05P-9:00P
September 19, 2015
Seats 1EF and 1AK for sleeping

At around T-40, our Personal Assistant came and escorted down to the limo area for the short BMW ride to our gate.

















Where she handed us off and introduced us to our cabin crew for the evening. And our first time in the new La Première. Simply stunning.













Pre-departure beverages including a lovely Bollinger.



And a nut and dried fruit mix in an elegant serving dish.



Excellent IFE system although no where near the selections of EK or SQ.



Nice amenity kit.



With high quality, usable creams.











After takeoff, the first thing was to close off the First cabin from the rest of the plane.





Today menu featuring Michelin three star chef Anne-Sophie Pic.









And the guy responsible for the fabulous china, table and glassware.



And the wine list.







Although a little strange that the only white was a Viognier.







Today's caviar amuse-bouche.





Wow, talk about a table.





And showtime, La Première style.









We both started with the wonderful Foie gras terrine with lime zest, balsamic cream sauce and melon chutney. Oops, took a bite before I remember the pic.



Refreshing mixed green salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.



Delicious tomato and mozzarella starter.



And for the main, wow talk about presentation! Mrs. SFO chose the Beef and Foie Gras ravioli which she loved.







And my main...



The wonderful Orléans chicken with medjool date chutney and truffle.



OMG, how can we say no to French cheese...







And the most amazing dessert selections from Lenôtre in Paris.



What a decision. I went with the Baba au Rhum, one of the best I've ever tasted.





Still sunset as we chase the sun west.



After another movie, to the lav to change.







While our FA Audrey prepared our beds, Mrs. SFO in 1A.



And me in 1K



OMG, more sweets. The amazing chocolates on both of our pillows.





We both slept for a couple of hours and then returned to our middle suite. Very cool and private with the curtains drawn. One of most brilliant ideas in suite privacy.





About an hour out, more food.



And another dessert.



We arrived at JFK T1 a few minutes early and bid adieu to a most excellent cabin crew, but especially the wonderful Audrey. But that was not the end of the great La Première service. We were met by an AF JFK rep who escorted all the way to and out of customs, making sure we found our way to the AirTrain.

What can I say? One of the most amazing First Class experiences ever. And that's saying a lot since we've flown almost every airline. La Première is an outstanding product that moves Air France to the top echelons of five star First Class carriers. Move over Lufthansa, Air France has passed you. Indeed, based on this flight, Air France may indeed have the best overall First Class product in the world.

fly7b2

I had been waiting for a TR of La Première. Sounds like it was an amazing experience and thanks for sharing!

I like the privacy curtain. Is there a divider between the two middle seats that could be raised if needed?

steveman518

wow-just an amazing TR, and one that I'm sure many of us have been looking forward to since your DL MR

noniron

Jeepers!

puls

Ooh la la! How many miles did this one end up costing? I'm guessing your epic 15-segment MR on Delta didn't quite cover it.

Prospero

In one word: Magnifique!

chris1979

wow! just wow!

love the look of the cabin - private jet look!

thank you for sharing - great pics and TR - thank you!

SFO777

Thank you fly7b2. Indeed, there is a push button operated divider that extends the entire length of the suite and rises to what appears to be just about eye level.

Thanks steveman518.

Indeed.

Thanks puls. After all my planning and DL mileage run, I didn't use miles.
I actually bought a ticket (roundtrip discounted F ticket of course). Flying Blue now wants 200,000 miles for a one way NA-Europe and with only limited new First 77Ws, they understandably aren't release many 77W seats.

Merci Prospero. Absolument magnifique!
I'm thinking that the odds of me flying BA again anytime soon just went from slim to none.

Thank you chris1979. It was an amazing flight and experience.

Fly Baby

Thank you for posting these pictures - I didn't take any photos on my trip so it brings back great memories! Agree - its a wonderful First Class experience.

Trying to appreciate BA F (and CCR) is more difficult once you've tried the alternatives. Having said that the price difference is also significant.

(I fully acknowledge this is a classic FWP....)

PS - is that a BMW 3 Series GT?

Yul67

Un très beau voyage ! Merci pour votre TR.

Purim

The Devil is the details.....Heineken is the singular beer available 😖

Ok, no big deal. But for such an impressive cabin and service and given some great French beers.....even a Kronenburg 1664...a bit disappointing. Posh Frenchies don't drink beer?

Surftel

The only American Whiskey they offer is Jack Daniels? How to you bring yourself to fly on such a terrible airline?


Amazing report.

UAL250

Wow. Just wow. With a good crew, this would easily be the best F product in the skies IMO. The cabin is beautifully designed, the food looks stunning, and the presentation looks immaculate. Absolutely stunning. So glad that you have shared it with us, SFO777! Looks like I'm going to get back to fly DL a lot more so I can try this product out!!

fly747first

Excellent report! However, AF is still very far from having the world's finest First Class as it is still not nearly as nice as Etihad's The Residence or even the First Apartments with access to showers and a stand-up bar area in-flight. Also, I find that even Garuda Indonesia has a stronger F product.