Video from the first flight in the new Air France La Premiere first class

Editor’s note: The Points Guy was invited on Air France’s new La Premiere inaugural as a guest of the airline, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of TPG staff and were not subject to review by the airline or any other external entity.

On April 8, Air France’s stunning new La Premiere first-class seats flew their first long-haul flight from Paris-Charles de Galle Airport (CDG) to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and TPG was among the first on board to experience them.

In fact, we made an entire video of the experience just so you can feel like you were along for the ride with us! Check it out here:

We loved the new La Premiere check-in lounge at CDG, where each passenger enjoys personalized service and a private escort through security to the La Premiere lounge.

Designed by architect Didier Lefort, the new Air France La Premiere lounge feels like a destination in and of itself thanks to designer furnishings by the likes of Pierre Paulin and Patrick Jouin, a Sisley spa and a la carte dining with menus by French master chef Alain Ducasse.

There are three private suites for hire (starting at 800 euros, or about $873) for departing passengers, each with dedicated butler service and its own living room, bedroom, bathroom and even an outdoor patio.

After that, passengers are whisked directly to their flight in a chauffered Porsche Cayenne hybrid.

As for the onboard experience, there are only four of the new La Premiere suites on the Boeing 777-300ERs being outfitted with them.

Each has nearly 38 square feet of personal space (among the most in the industry) and not only an ergonomic reclining armchair but also a separate chaise lounge and five windows for the side seats.

The suites have two, yes two, 32-inch 4K entertainment screens, plus wireless touchscreen tablets to control the functions of the seats. Among other tech touches are wireless charging, USB-A and USB-C ports and high-speed Wi-Fi.

The chaise converts into a lie-flat bed about 6 1/2 feet long by 2 1/2 feet wide that the crew will turn down with bedding from French linen brand Dumas Paris.

All the better for spreading out and getting a restful snooze after changing into the provided Simon Porte Jacquemus cotton pajamas and freshening up with the Sisley amenity kits.

Passengers will be treated to multicourse gourmet meals, also courtesy of chef Alain Ducasse, plus premium wine and spirits. You might not want to deplane at the end of your flight.

So far, the new La Premiere suites can be found on select Boeing 777-300ERs flying between Paris and New York, with more to go into service between Paris and Los Angeles, Singapore and Tokyo this summer.

Unfortunately, Air France restricts award availability for La Premiere, so you must have Air France-KLM Flying Blue Platinum elite status if you want to redeem miles for the experience. Given the scarcity of these new suites so far, even those with status are unlikely to find bookable award seats. That said, perhaps more space will become available as more planes with the new seats go into service, but only time will tell.

Don’t have time to watch the full video? Take a look at the highlights below!

 

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