I stepped onto my 777-300ER Air France first class flight from Los Angeles to Paris with dangerously high expectations. Even so, they were still exceeded. Air France first class is truly a special product.
Let’s start with ground service, which was unparalleled. I had an escort with me from check-in to Los Angeles all the way to my car in Basel. In LA, I was escorted through security, dropped off at the Qantas first class lounge, picked up, and walked to my seat in first class. In Paris, a representative was waiting at the door of the aircraft, took me downstairs, ushered me into a car, and drove me to the first class lounge. Upon departure to Basel, I was driven right up to my aircraft, which was boarding from a remote stand. Upon arrival in Basel I was met by the manager on duty, who escorted me to the baggage claim, personally retrieved my bags, and walked me outside. All in all, the experience went a step beyond what I haver ever received when flying first class.
Onboard, the seat was wonderful…more comfortable than I expected. I slept like a baby and enjoyed the curtains, which fully enclosed around me.
I enjoyed a multi-course feast for dinner, including soup, caviar, filet mignon, salad, cheese, and dessert. While my filet was well-done, it was still delicious and the other courses were simply perfect.
Prior to landing, I had a breakfast of fruit, yogurt, and waffles. Once again, the food was excellent.
But what I enjoyed most of all was the excellent, polite, gracious, and professional service by Maurice, the first class flight attendant. For example, I woke up without a voice. He noticed and brought me over some hot water with lemon and honey. What attention to detail!
CONCLUSION
I’ll go into far greater detail in my full trip report, but it was totally worth the 200,000 miles…what a special treat this was. Air France truly met and exceeded my high expectations.
Flew a paid F JFK-CDG-BCN round-trip and had a disappointing experience both ways (especially service, seemed like it was the FA’s first time in F). No bag service as described in the article. Totally disappointing, average food and will not do it again.
Glad you enjoyed it. Your experience more or less mirrored mine, though I don’t recall bag service at either BCN or JFK. The seat was great but what really sets AF F apart is the ground service. It was nice to be treated like a king, even for just a day.
Would you say that Air France first class is better than Lufthansa?
A post is coming on that.
Considering it was 1.5-2x as expensive, it should be
Almost 3x…
I have to agree. I did CGK-SIN-CDG when AF still did CGK and the whole experience was outstanding.
Are we safe to assume your Swiss First Class issue has not been resolved and you ended up using your own money? It feels like it’s been a long time and nothing was ever published as closure on the matter.
I would not make that assumption.
I would love for you to publish a story about it at some point.
I thought the whole LH F Class experience blows Air France away. I had better food and better lounge on LH. Service on LH in First is just perfect Untouchable by AF
Screwing up the centerpiece of the meal service is a big deal. I’m not sure why the well-done filet, when you didn’t ask for it that way, is being glossed over. Also, American Paddleback caviar is very cheap caviar at only about $25 an ounce. I can’t comprehend how this “exceeds high expectations”.
We ran into horrid turbulence…it delayed meal service by 15 minutes, and happened while the steak was in the oven. I cut the FA some slack.
I find the caviar discussion interesting. While I can appreciate the Krug on this flight (versus the swill served other carriers), I admittedly thought this caviar had a better taste than the caviar I usually have on Lufthansa.
It sounds like pretty big news if non-elites are allowed to book those 200k La Premiere awards now. Assuming you aren’t an elite, did you end up booking it like any other award? I had heard that the site either errors out or the award doesn’t ticket, but clearly yours went through without a hitch.
Impressive. I thought that only FB elites got access to first class award space.
I thought award bookings errored out for La Premiere if you didn’t have top tier status with AF?
You only need an Elite status, not a top-tier Elite status.
You don’t need any status anymore.
Status is still needed, as far as I know. A family member with silver status booked this for me.
I enjoyed it twice due to last minute upgrade offers from affaires. It is very nice – the food is particularly good, as it is in every class. Having the escort to the lounge seems a little awkward, but that is probably just me.
Are you FB elite?
What aircraft? Did you mention that?
777-300.
A380 has very different seats onboard.
I flew a paid RT in La Premiere from JFK-CDG-ARN earlier this year, having actually originated in TPA.
My only “regret” was that I wasn’t on one of their flights from the U.S. West Coast for: 1) longer flight time, with more chance to sleep, and 2) better arrival times at CDG compared to the flights from JFK.
The private room for LA Premiere customers in AF’s JFK Lounge WAS very nice, despite no escort service from my DL-operated inbound flight. Instead I had to get myself from the DL arrival gate to the AF La P check-in counter in the immediate next terminal.
But from there I WAS escorted back through security and to the Lounge. Awaiting was a very good selection of wine, cheese, charcuterie (incl truffled foie gras), and other self-serve appetizers — plus menu service! And in my case, with NO other La P pax on my flight that day, COMPLETE privacy!
Then the flights themselves, in both directions, were WONDERFUL. And I can’t say too many great things about the ground service at CDG and EVERY aspect of the La Premiere Lounge there.
La Premiere has evolved from a one-time aspirational experience for me into something I now want to enjoy annually — to one destination or another. It was THAT good.
Caveat: make sure that the flights you book are operated by their 777, rather than the A380.
Looks amazing, Matthew! Thanks for sharing, can’t wait for the full review.
I’m so happy you were able to give yourself this treat! You work so hard for your family and this blog. It all looks and sounds wonderful.
Definitely surprised though at the paddlefish USA caviar though. $22 at the local market. But maybe that’s all they are willing to get starting from LAX. I’m sure that’s not what’s served going the other direction.
Can’t wait to read the full review.
Happy New Year!
First world problems but I never like the bread pancake things (blinis?) they serve with caviar. They almost taste stale. Ie Cathay and etihad. Much prefer crackers 🙂
I know I have an undefined palate 🙂
Haha! I like the blinis. I hate the crackers.
Matthew,
I would love to talk to you about my upcoming trip to Paris.
Can you email me your contact info.
Thanks.