Air France is well known for its La Premiere first class, which is among the best first class products in the world. In particular, the carrier’s experience at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the best first class ground experience in the world. The airline is now taking this to the next level, though at a cost.
New Air France La Premiere check-in lobby
Let’s start with the service that’s open to all first class passengers. By July 2024, a new check-in lobby will open at Paris Charles de Gaulle for La Premiere customers. This is intended to be the first step in the personalized journey through the airport.
Here an Air France employee will manage all departure-related procedures, including check-in and luggage assistance. This area will feature 15 seats and two private lounges (these are paid, more on that below).
This will also act as an arrivals lounge for La Premiere customers, with the option to relax post-flight, use showers, and retrieve checked bags. That’s awesome, given that Air France closed its arrivals lounge a few years back.
Once check-in formalities are concluded, each guest will be escorted to the La Premiere Lounge, via a private passage, featuring a dedicated security checkpoint.
For what it’s worth, Air France already has a La Premiere check-in area, but this new facility looks much more elegant, will have showers (for arriving passengers), and will also have a dedicated security checkpoint. This marks a significant improvement over the current setup.
New Air France La Premiere airport suites
Now this is where it gets really interesting. Air France already has its excellent La Premiere Lounge, and not much is changing there. However, as of July 2024, there will be three new private suites adjacent to the lounge, which La Premiere passengers can buy access to. Let’s get the cost out of the way upfront — they’ll be offered as an option to La Premiere customers, starting at 800 euros.
So, what can passengers expect from these private suites? They’ll each span around 500 square feet (45 square meters). Each suite will feature a spacious living area, a bedroom with a double bed, a private bathroom, and an outdoor patio.
Each passenger booked in a suite will also have a dedicated butler, who will look after the guest throughout the entire experience. Guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy an Alain Ducasse meal, or take advantage of a Sisley spa treatment.
Each of the three suites will have its own distinct character, with “iconic examples of French design,” including Charlotte Perriand’s writing table, Pierre Paulin’s Ribbon chair, and Philippe Starck’s Privé sofa.
Those who book this private experience will also receive one of the private suites at check-in.
This takes commercial aviation to the next level
While I’d argue Air France already offers the world’s best first class ground experience, these latest updates really sort of blend private aviation and commercial aviation.
Now, some lounges already have many of the individual elements you’ll find in Air France’s new airport suites, like a terrace, or bedrooms, or showers. However, to be able to reserve all of this in advance for just for yourself, to be able to skip the airport experience altogether, is something no other airline offers to this level.
I mean, how many people essentially get what amounts to a full hotel suite with a private terrace in an airport?
Now, understandably some people will say “well, it seems kind of cheap to charge first class passengers for this.” I hear you, though realistically, it’s the only way something like this can be done, and on top of that, this is a legitimate value-add.
If these were offered on a first come, first served basis, they’d probably always be full, and there would be no way to ensure that you could get one of these during your visit. For some high profile guests, this kind of a private facility might be a reason to choose Air France over other airlines.
Air France is essentially introducing a private aviation-like facility, which is something we’ve never seen an airline do before to this extent.
Bottom line
Air France is improving its La Premiere ground experience at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The airline is introducing a new check-in facility (which can be used as an arrivals lounge), a private security channel, and three private suites, each featuring a living room, bedroom, bathroom, and terrace.
Between these updates and plans for a new La Premiere cabin within the next year, it’s an exciting time for Air France’s most premium product.
What do you make of Air France’s first class airport suites?