I last reviewed Air France La Premiere on a flight a couple of years ago from Paris to Houston. I say that up front because that review was much more detailed than I’ll make this one in terms of the hard product, while this review will mostly be focused on how much fun we had.
Continue reading: Review: Air France La Premiere 777-300ER
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I too regularly use Blacklane and have had a lot of issues lately with drivers showing up late (and feeling the quality of cars / drivers has gone down too).
Blacklane is really understanding if this is the case, and quickly refunds or discounts, but it's not quite the service it used to be.
Hope to try AF F someday! Looks amazing and glad you enjoyed it with your dad.
"and the curtains for full privacy are something you won’t find on any other airline. It really takes privacy to the next level."
Well, Emirates' new first class doesn't have curtains, but is just as private...I guess all that good food and champagne made you forget? 😉
The only thing I think you can say that is about first class on AF is serving the yogurt in the original container. Given how good the rest of their food is, I'm surprised they don't mix it the way Qatar Airways serves it's breakfast yogurt dishes.
Sorry, meant to say that the only thing I think you can say that is about first class on AF...
Wow.Honestly you can't beat the French when it comes to Luxury.
This flight looked like a Palace on wings.
No wonder why you seemed traumatized,Ben, after flying on a low cost airline between Milano and was it Mykonos?
Very nice. Tempting to book this. Only did fly Swiss F so far (which was excellent, spoiled for life ) Off topic maybe, How the H@#LL do you change into pajamas in the very small (and dirty) bathroom? Or did you change in the “suite” with curtains closed? Any tips are welcome. I’m very tall so most bathrooms are too small.
How did you get a $4200 ticket? Not able to find on google flights, ITA matrix gives a minimum $6400 using Emirates. Air France’s own site doesn’t even RECOGNIZE yyz...
Well, can't say I don't like the French touch 😉
So you got the whole F cabin all to yourselves, from NYC all the way to South Africa for a little more than half an EY appartment for two would cost ?
That's a real bargain, congrats ! 😉
Thank you for sharing! These travel stories with family are always the best! I think the price you paid is really good for 2 flights in La Premiere! Kudos! I agree with you that it's a nice touch for AF pilots to introduce themselves before departure as that's what happened on my La Premiere flight last year. Great pics of all three of you!
Excellent report, Ben. Thank you.
Looked magical
Even better: I’m happy you have loved ones with whom you can share this experience
Having Ford in your life has made your trips more applicable to those of us who don’t travel alone. (Less focus on privacy, and more on the experience). Hooray for “honeymoon seats”). 🙂
Question: why not ask them to turn down the heat?
With how personal it is, I can’t imagine they’d decline.
Lastly: you don’t need to write “in my opinion” when you make declarative statements. We know it’s your opinion!
Never read a review like this style on this blog.Anyone can tell YOU ARE VERY HAPPY.
More articles like this please.
This is my favorite review I think ever! The fact that you, Ford, and your wonderful Dad not only get to share it all, and have the cabin exclusively to yourself is the icing on the cake.
Everything looks very very elegant.
I'm much younger than your Dad but also use my phone light when looking at the Menu
I wish I were a schlappig too!
Thanks for sharing this, reading this was just 15 minutes of true happiness with a hint of jealousy 😉
Also agree that this is one of the best reviews I've ever read from you.
@Lucky Just out of curiosity, what is the most you've ever paid for a single flight?
Thanks for the review @lucky! Really makes me look forward to my next La Premiere flight in a few months :).
A quick question though: did you book just one way? Since usually one ways on international flights are so much more expensive than round-trips. Curious to know if it would have made a difference with maybe a throw away return ticket in economy since AF allows those mixed class itineraries.
While the bed was really comfortable, Air France doesn’t have air nozzles in first class, and the cabin was really warm.
3 things American does right in Flagship First
1. A swivel chair that turns into a workstation with the world’s best office view.
2. Individual air nozzles
3. Signature ice cream sundae
The accommodation looks very good; some aspects of the food service look sub par: yoghurt in a plastic tub, UHT milk/cream served with the coffee, dull looking cheese selection ( looks more J than F in that regard)
I find that Air France air crew and staff don’t mind Americans, but dislike the British.
Many Brits I know even in premium cabins say they have received poor treatment upon failure to speak French.
So glad you enjoyed your flight on my favorite airline!
Air France meal services are usually a treat, but I wish the coffee creamer wasn't served in those little plastic containers. AF should use a small ceramic pitcher. And the yogurt should be spooned out of the plastic container into a bowl. (I figure if I would do that for guests in my home, Air France should do it for their first class guests in the air...)
Incidentally, Air France's Paris - Johannesburg flight flies directly over our house here in Occitanie each night around 12:30 - an hour after leaving CDG. I heard it last night.
When you say this is the most you spent on an airline ticket, do you mean the three tickets in total? If I remember correctly you paid for Etihad Residence out of pocket?
Simply amazing experience and report. That’s why this site is the best. Thanks For making my day Ben.
Read your trip reports each time they appear and really love your approach and dedication to what you do. Keep it up!
What a wonderful review! Really enjoyed the personal touch, thanks for sharing.
Looking at their wine selection, obviously Emirates is much, much better. As a matter of fact, the Wine selection is the No. 1 reason I choose Emirates First whenever I can...
However, AF seem to have a certain elegance, which is really very French. Can’t wait to fly them! Will be looking into their offerings, hopefully it will work out soon.
How do I find out which US routes does AF fly their 777-300ER La Premiere? The A380 experience is so different.
Thank you for sharing this trip with us. As others pointed out, you sound very happy 🙂
Thank you for sharing this trip with us. As others pointed out, you sound very happy
I am with X. - "How did you get a $4200 ticket?" ???
Would be super helpful if you elaborated on your search process.
I am looking for AF First for 2020 for either ex USA/Canada to JNB or ex JNB to USA/Canada, and the very cheapest I can find is $7000 from JNB to Toronto (otherwise they are in $8000-$10000 range).
So what's the trick? Or pure luck? Or some blogger discount? Or strategy you could share to help find it under $5000?
A nice and warm review! A dad travelling with his son and son-in-law: more as the excellent F of Air France, you feel the warmth of travelling together, and you see it on the photos.
What a great thing to do with your Dad and Ford! Happy Birthday Dad!
Benny, hope to see you at our local Equinox soon.
Hi Ford!
Wow - Air France F looks incredible, as it had in so many reports I have seen. What an incredible looking flight.
I definitely would love to fly in this cabin sometime - what a truly special trip.
I agree with @ A.F....a review of the flight is interesting and worthwhile but glossing over the booking process, for what appears to be a heavily discounted ticket unable to be sourced by others, is unhelpful. To offer value to others ( other than in an aspirational sense) it has to be able to be replicated, within reason.
Another top notch review. Looks like something out of a movie!
Have a question. Wonder what you think they’d do if ahead of time you told them you were allergic to seafood and shellfish. Would you have to just take whatever they had or would they have created a totally different menu?
Love reading your reviews. If you fly first into Paris and your onward connections are in business ( to London) , do you go to first lounge or business lounge?
Agree with the others that some of the food presentation (plastic tubs of coffee cream, etc.) look a little less-than-first-class.
Lovely photos of your family. I'd love to take my Dad on a trip like this, but he's too old now. Good on you for being able to do this while you still can.
Hey Lucky,
I rarely comment on your posts, but I really enjoyed reading this one. It truly looks like all three of you are so happy to be on this trip. I'm wishing all the best to your mom, who I'm sure you'd love to have with you on this amazing vacation. You've motivated me to plan a trip for me and my parents (perhaps SQ business to FRA, then some Europe travel). All the best, Lucky!
-bc
Incredible post!! Hope you cover the flight to Africa as well.
But how the hell did you score two La Premiere for $4000??? Also, hard to believe it's the most you've spent on a ticket....although you sure do use miles all the time, but it's super common to see business class tickets nowadays ranging anywhere from $4k-$7k....
Ben “ Very pleased you enjoyed their service. AF . I haft to say they are one
of the best , if not thee best. But since deregulation . Everything has changed , To long of a discussion with the pros and cons. Surprised to see the yogurt and creamer displayed in such a manner. Especially in this cabin.
I did the same with my Parents . with bringing them on an earlier flight . Priceless .
On AA inaugural flight - 707 JET Aircraft . Non stop from LAX TO JFK in FC.
The service OB was truly. premiere . The flying time was four and 1/2 hours .Unheard of at the time. I can only imagine What was going through your mind
in pleasing your father. Unfortunate your Mother Could not be with you.
It would have been the icing on the gateau..What a gift to him. He will never forget. Tingled in hearing all this. You have witnessed .like Being on Concord..AF .
I have travel. Af so many times with my partner he loved this aircraft..
What a gift we both gave our parents. it’s the best flight you have ever taken .
I know . it can be very lonely. Traveling in FC. your trip comments were special Every shoe meets a sock . Thank you P.
I did see this who knows why of the duplication . Make no sense to me .please
Display only once if possible or do I haft to start over .So time consuming thanks
And your blog is great again - the best by far for “the hobby”. I had gone off it for a while as there was too much content on credit cards and not enough reviews by yourself (sorry - tbh - the only ones worth reading).
Now that you are sort of posting “live” and disclosing real info such as how you got each flight your blog has reached another level. The bonus - of getting to know your family is also a nice touch that has won you many brownie points.
Bravo! Keep it up and stay away from being too PC.
Great booking but nothing about this flight seems worth the price tag. From the champagne to the food. Looks very much like something I'd get in a top biz class. Even the ground service and IFE. Don't get the thrill.
I thought the one photo you described as awkward was adorable. You both are so cute together and it shows in the way you look at one another. Enjoy the remaining trip!
I've just completed a trip with my family of 3 others, in QR Q-suites, the more private cabin of the A351 where there were only 4 of us. With the center partition removed and sharing the experience as a family, I definitely get the emotions and feelings your have just succumbed to. It's unforgettable.
@ Icarus
Yes, we absolutely hear it. Our house is in the remote mountain village of Saint-Vincent-d'Olargues, so quiet at night the only sound is hooting owls. We hear the jet engines at bedtime and my husband looks at his phone, which has a flight tracking device, and says "It's the Jo'Burg flight". We listen for this plane because we take that flight occasionally.
We get lots of flights overhead on their way to Palma de Mallorca, and to Algiers, but they are usually earlier in the evening. The daytime A380 from Paris to Abidjan passes over our house too and it's clearly identifiable by the aircraft's shape and the four contrails. Again, we're high up and the air is crystal-clear.
USD4200 in F is a bargain in my opinion. I see prices typically closer to $9000 for that route, mainly for company travel.
Welcome to South Africa. if you have time you should go check out the SAA 747's at Rand Airport.
This is a magical review on the same stratospheric level of your Etihad Residences and previous Sri Lankan flight; thank you for sharing the fabulous images of the world-class food beverage on board this memorable flight - the saffron monkfish with fennel and crispy rice and coconut milk looks delicious; the élan of haute cuisine seems magical; cheers - you are flying in the stratosphere on this flight
Ben left out the most interesting part - how did he book $4200 tickets? One way F ticket on AF from North America to Africa is pretty much always in the vicinity of 8K. It would really be interesting to examine the search process for such a deal. We saw the pictures and read reviews before, but it’s the ‘how’ that is the most interesting yet missing from this article
I don't think I'll ever fly First Class... I fly plenty of business class but I don't think I can ever justify paying for First or figure out the trouble of booking First via points. So, being able to read your First Class trip reviews are always very fun for me. I find it interesting that it seems like the European carriers offer the best overall First experience: Air France, Lufthansa, Swiss. Odd that the much vaunted Asian carriers don't quite deliver as good an overall package when factoring in the ground service.
@T. I believe Lucky sort of covered the booking process earlier when he announced the trip. Basically throw-away return leg in economy.
https://onemileatatime.com/dad-surprise-safari/
@Lucky, I thought your most expensive paid ticket was the Residence on Etihad?
Thanks as always for the great review. I was wondering if you knew , had you been connecting at CDG, whether your arrival car and driver would take you to the La Premiere lounge for immigration or whether you would go to the same empty line you did?
I hope that air France's cost cutting doesn't affect food as it is truly the best in the world.
You pay $12k for tickets, but you don’t ask the FA to lower the cabin temp in FC? 😉
@Noah Bowie
"I hope that air France’s cost cutting doesn’t affect food as it is truly the best in the world."
No because food is a religion in France, people would rather fly without a seat but be served Kir Royal & Foie gras on board! And in Air France 1st Class passengers will always expect "la crème de la crème" in terms of gourmet food and beverages.
I noticed there seemed to be a tremendous about of pushback from the pundits when Ford first came onto the scene and it appeared you tried to keep him at arms length a bit in terms of profile. This is the first prominent photographic showing since and it looks like the pundits are relatively accepting nowadays? The sense I had at the time was people admired that you got to the top through toil and hard work and people initially weren’t happy about someone cashing in.
Great review. Does first class gets its own bathroom on the 777? Only having to share it with 2 other people would be fantastic.
Excellent review! Can't expect anything less from the French (or Air France) - looks eclectic, esp. all the presentations, giveaway and dining.
That being said, I am little surprised they served coffee/ tea milk in sachets. Even Qatar business serves tea/ coffee in such a nice platter and in bone china cups and small jugs. And food courses are more - not saying having more is better. Don't get me wrong, the food looks fantastic, but it it feels less, esp the breakfast potions.
Awesome experience creating special memories. Great pics with your Dad and Ford, and not often we see you in a pic with Ford - the love you share is very obvious. Ford has a bit of a look about him of Adam Lambert when he is relaxed.
If only the Air France infrastructure outside the high priced upscale cabins would match the quality inside. In the past 2 years I have flown Air France Business class with my son from San Francisco to Paris and then on to La Clausaz Fr in one case and Andalusia Spain in the other. We fly with two bicycles in cases, since we join up with groups for tours. We arrive at the airport at least 3 hours early to make sure there are no problems. Two years ago AF lost both of our bikes and one of our 2 suitcases. The bikes came two days later, but the suitcase did not show up for six days. This past year again they lost both bikes and one came three days later and the other arrived four days later. The frustrating thing was that no matter how many times we called or who we spoke to they had no idea where the bikes were. For this we were charged an extra $125 each for the privilege of bringing our bikes with us, in addition to the standard business class fares. Do you think if we upgrade to La Premier for twice the price we will have better luck? Obviously the priority handling tags are meaningless, unless they mean AF loses those bags first.
Thank you for this review. As a person who will never fly First Class, It was interesting to me to see the inner workings... I am, quite frankly, astonished that there are several people commenting that the cream for the coffee was not served in an appropriate manor! My friends and I will be laughing our @sses off ( with our pinkies in the air!), about that for days to come!
How spoiled must one be, that such trivial things, such as having to open a small container of cream yourself amidst such luxurious surroundings, would even be worth complaining about?
Ben - this was a really great post. My wife and I generally fly J, and very often select routes and carriers based on your reviews. I'm planning a round the world trip for our 25th anniversary in 2 years and will do F for as many segments as we can manage, and all if possible.
I am looking for the 'perfect' F experience and reviews like this one will be invaluable in my quest to find it!
On another note, very cool for sharing family with your readers. And well done on the travel with your father. I was very blessed to have parents who valued the educational value in world travel just as much as the adventure value. So travel is something I have enjoyed as long as I can remember. As I grew older (I'm one of 5 children), and left home for my own life, several times over the years my father told me he wanted to 'take a trip together - just the two of us'.
I unfortunately let 'life' happen to me, naively thinking we would have all the time in the world to take that trip together. Unfortunately he passed away unexpectedly, and our father-son getaway will never happen. So, for you - really glad you were able to share this time with your father, and hope my story will not make others sad, but instead stir them to action to actually spend time with loved ones (traveling or otherwise) rather than just talking about it.
The older I get, the faster I get older.... 😉
Your photo of the AF pajamas doesn't exactly make the case that they are "chic." Which I don't dispute, mind you, having flown La Premiere, and saved the pajamas, several times in recent years.
But... if GC or Vouge puts out a call for fashion photographers, DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB!