Air France La Premiere - Paris to New York
Jan 4, 2018, 10:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Million Miler, Mosaic, Delta Platinum
Posts: 1,561
Air France La Premiere - Paris to New York
I did a quick trip to London at year-end that included an outbound trip in business in the new 789 and a return in La Premiere on the 777. I won’t cover much about the outbound leg except that the 789 cabin is very stylish, I found the seat quite comfortable and the amenity kit was handsome.
I assume this 747 parked at Heathrow is a private plane?
After a couple of days, it was return time. The London lounge and flight were consistent with what I discussed in last year’s trip report. Upon landing at CDG, I was escorted off the plane and down to a waiting Jaguar. It was probably a 2-minute drive to La Premiere lounge. It was relatively crowded with a restless infant in the room I prefer. So, I sat in the first room, had a glass of Alain Ducasse champagne (pretty good) and then a spa treatment & shower. After that, the infant was gone and time to enjoy some treats.
I switched to the Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Rose Champagne. Wow, was that terrific!
Then, it was time for lunch. I went with the coquillettes (I’d never been tempted but was urged to try it by posters here) and the beef (included whipped potatoes (not shown)). Exceeded all expectations.
I retired back to the couches for my favorite dessert – the Paris-Brest wonder bomb. More rose champagne.
Before I knew it, it was time to go to the plane.
I had been monitoring the seat availability on expert flyer for a few weeks and what I hoped for turned out to be true – I had the first class cabin to myself. I don’t know how much that contributed to the extremely high service quality, but that aspect was superb. Very professional staff –proactive throughout, charming, smart, great attention to detail. Everything one would want for a premium product. They closed one of the curtains so that traffic between the front and business class would be shielded from me – my own cave.
Good leg room and impractical amenity kit – no real clasp so difficult to ever re-use.
Following are the food and beverage highlights leading up to the main course. For what it’s worth, I preferred the L-P Alexandra to the Krug. Overall, this may have been the best food and wine I’ve ever had in the air.
I was undecided about which main course to select. So, Caroline advised, “You’re the only one here. It’s all for you. Have two!” And so . . . I had both the lamb and the lobster. Both were phenomenal.
Overall, this may have been the best food and wine I’ve ever had in the air. After a long break, there was a nice cheese course.
Oh, and let’s not forget dessert. It was back to “You’re the only one here so . . . “
Another terrific La Premiere experience. Kudos to Air France. Hard and soft products were terrific and – likely because of the holiday season travel dates – it was pretty good value for the price.
I assume this 747 parked at Heathrow is a private plane?
After a couple of days, it was return time. The London lounge and flight were consistent with what I discussed in last year’s trip report. Upon landing at CDG, I was escorted off the plane and down to a waiting Jaguar. It was probably a 2-minute drive to La Premiere lounge. It was relatively crowded with a restless infant in the room I prefer. So, I sat in the first room, had a glass of Alain Ducasse champagne (pretty good) and then a spa treatment & shower. After that, the infant was gone and time to enjoy some treats.
I switched to the Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Rose Champagne. Wow, was that terrific!
Then, it was time for lunch. I went with the coquillettes (I’d never been tempted but was urged to try it by posters here) and the beef (included whipped potatoes (not shown)). Exceeded all expectations.
I retired back to the couches for my favorite dessert – the Paris-Brest wonder bomb. More rose champagne.
Before I knew it, it was time to go to the plane.
I had been monitoring the seat availability on expert flyer for a few weeks and what I hoped for turned out to be true – I had the first class cabin to myself. I don’t know how much that contributed to the extremely high service quality, but that aspect was superb. Very professional staff –proactive throughout, charming, smart, great attention to detail. Everything one would want for a premium product. They closed one of the curtains so that traffic between the front and business class would be shielded from me – my own cave.
Good leg room and impractical amenity kit – no real clasp so difficult to ever re-use.
Following are the food and beverage highlights leading up to the main course. For what it’s worth, I preferred the L-P Alexandra to the Krug. Overall, this may have been the best food and wine I’ve ever had in the air.
I was undecided about which main course to select. So, Caroline advised, “You’re the only one here. It’s all for you. Have two!” And so . . . I had both the lamb and the lobster. Both were phenomenal.
Overall, this may have been the best food and wine I’ve ever had in the air. After a long break, there was a nice cheese course.
Oh, and let’s not forget dessert. It was back to “You’re the only one here so . . . “
Another terrific La Premiere experience. Kudos to Air France. Hard and soft products were terrific and – likely because of the holiday season travel dates – it was pretty good value for the price.
Jan 4, 2018, 10:56 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 453
Thanks for this report 
!
Having taken that same flight the day before you, I can't believe you managed to eat all that food (lounge + plane) haha
... I usually have to skip the cheese plate as I'm about to burst by that point! Interestingly enough, the fish soup looked different than yours (I didn't have any bread or anything in it but maybe it was slightly different because of the catch of the day). That was the only weak point of the meal, the soup was very watery. But the rest was very similar to your experience.
!Having taken that same flight the day before you, I can't believe you managed to eat all that food (lounge + plane) haha
... I usually have to skip the cheese plate as I'm about to burst by that point! Interestingly enough, the fish soup looked different than yours (I didn't have any bread or anything in it but maybe it was slightly different because of the catch of the day). That was the only weak point of the meal, the soup was very watery. But the rest was very similar to your experience.
Jan 4, 2018, 10:15 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,230
Nice - surprised they served the LP Alexandra in the lounge -- usually airlines save the "good" stuff for on board, and this is ~$350/bottle stuff (in the US anyway). My visit in March they had the Alexandra on board, and in the lounge they had the Ducasse, Bolly 2005, and P-J Rose (NV).
I probably would have been disappointed with Krug on board, unless I had my fill of the Alexandra in the lounge.
I probably would have been disappointed with Krug on board, unless I had my fill of the Alexandra in the lounge.
