France is a country loved around the world for its culture, including gastronomy and fashion. That’s a major competitive advantage for national carrier Air France, and makes the airline very appealing, including among premium passengers.
The airline very much leans into its French roots, and along those lines, the airline is modifying its onboard drink selection. Everything that’s not French is being eliminated, with one exception.
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Air France focuses on French drinks in premium cabins
Air France has updated its drink options for those traveling onboard flights in first class (La Premiere) and business class, as well as in lounges. With these updates, Air France has discontinued all foreign drinks to focus on French products, with the only exception being Coca-Cola.
As the airline describes it, “to showcase the best of France, the revamped selection exclusively features French brands, with the exception of Coca-Cola.” So with these changes, the airline is no longer serving Schweppes Tonic (owned by Suntory) or Sprite and Fuze Tea (owned by Coca-Cola).
Instead, these drinks are being replaced by organic fruit juices, iced teas, artisanal lemonades, and premium French tonics, as well as a new ginger soda.
When asked about the decision to keep Coca-Cola, the airline explained that it’s “a benchmark beverage, in high demand among our customers, particularly international ones.” However, the airline notes that even the Coca-Cola served onboard flights departing France is produced in France, even fi it’s not really a traditional French beverage.
To further improve its drink selection, Air France has also introduced a new array of cocktails by Matthias Girous, including an exclusive cognac creation in business class, and a reinterpretation of the kir cassis in premium economy and economy.
Air France has long served French wines across travel classes, and it’s one of the few airlines to serve champagne in economy.
This is great… now Air France just needs to figure out coffee!
Like I said, I think it’s fantastic that Air France is embracing its roots and trying to focus on French products, as that’s something that most customers will no doubt appreciate.
The above updates seem to be specific to wine and soft drinks, but there’s one thing that’s not addressed, and that’s coffee. After all, coffee isn’t necessarily “branded” in the same way as other drinks, even if it comes from a certain company. As I understand it, Air France has historically served illy espresso in premium cabins, and Segafredo drip coffee.
The issue here with emphasizing French products is obvious — while France certainly has a culture of visiting cafes, the country isn’t exactly known for its locally produced coffee, unlike nearby Italy. I’m sure that’s something Air France management will eventually address as well, as even in La Premiere, the cappuccinos have historically not been great.
So it’s tough to strike the right balance here, between trying to highlight local products, while also having the best quality. This is a problem that can easily be solved with all other aspects of gastronomy in France, but coffee is definitely the exception.
Bottom line
Air France is updating its premium cabin drink selection, focusing almost exclusively on French drinks, with the only exception being Coca-Cola. Given the extent to which France is known for its food & drinks, I think it’s great to see how focused the airline is on highlighting those products. I’m curious to try some of the new choices.
What do you make of Air France eliminating foreign products in premium cabins?
This is not cool by any stretch of the imagination. Are they completely removing the Scotch, Gin, and Bailey's from first class? Air France has done amazingly well improving their service but this is a terrible detraction.
There are some amazing French gins out there - Citadelle is top tier stuff.
Similarly, the whisky they've got is very solid, though I agree they should perhaps have something really special although it doesn't absolutely have to be from Scotland - e.g. Bushmills do some brilliant single malts.
Bailey's is a cheap sugary drink- nothing wrong with anyone enjoying it, but it's hardly the pinnacle of sophistication.
Given where the water to brew the coffee comes from I am surprised people drink coffee on a plane
You could name the "one drink" in the title
I would be shocked if this applies to to Air France lounges in North America. The shared Air France-KLM lounge at Toronto and the Air France lounge in Houston have AWFUL wines. None from France.
When I flew Air France last month in business class within Europe, the white wine served was a plastic mini-bottle of chenin blanc from South Africa.
This is a great idea and good for French businesses as well. As for the coffee just adding some cognac will do nicely. Merci.
If they refuse to serve sugar-free sodas, it's a hard pass for me. Have they retained them?
They've been serving Perrier for a very long time.
Coca Cola is a global brand. There is nothing that competes with it and France knows it.
Ben is absolutely correct about French coffee. Italy doesn't produce enough coffee beans but they sure know how roast and prepare it better than the French.
In my last few AF trips I have tasted French whiskey onboard and in the lounges and it was very decent- a lot better than the JW Black and associated rubbish served by a lot of their competitors.
Air France can use coffee from beans grown in their overseas territories - should not be an issue (except for price perhaps)
Would be French enough to have at least one (good) single malt Scotch whisky, though
Perrier water has a "Psssst" sound if you hold it near your ear .
Soft drinks are known to be unhealthy . Wine and beer are known to be healthy . French Grey Goose L'Orange vodka is known the be the Most Healthy .