Air France first class (marketed as “La Premiere”) is regarded as one of the world’s best first class products. Best of all, the airline is in the process of rolling out a brand new first class suite, which takes the experience to the next level.
Air France’s “old” first class product was already excellent, and you can read my full review here. Meanwhile the new first class product is even more impressive, and you can read my full review here.
Air France is continuing to introduce its new first class product to more flights, and we’ve just seen it debut on a second route. In this post, I want to recap which routes feature La Premiere, and which routes have the new product.
In this post:
Which planes have Air France first class?
Air France’s first class is only available on a subfleet of Boeing 777-300ERs, which feature four classes of service (first class, business class, premium economy, and economy). Specifically, it’s currently installed on just under two dozen Boeing 777-300ERs, which makes up roughly half of the 777-300ER fleet.
Just in the interest of being very thorough, let me emphasize that you won’t find first class on any other Air France jets, including the A330s, A350s, 787s, etc. Air France is increasing the number of 777-300ERs with first class cabins, though it’s not yet known how many total 777s will have first class, when all is said and done.
Which routes have Air France first class?
Which routes feature Air France first class? Air France operates Boeing 777-300ERs with first class on select frequencies between Paris (CDG) and the following destinations:
- Abidjan (ABJ)
- Dubai (DXB)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York (JFK)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Sao Paulo (GRU)
- Singapore (SIN)
- Tokyo (HND)
- Washington (IAD)
For what it’s worth, in the past we’ve seen Air France also offer first class to Beirut (BEY), Houston (IAH), Johannesburg (JNB), and Mexico City (MEX), among other airports, but there’s no indication of any of those destinations getting first class for the foreseeable future.
Which flights have Air France’s new first class?
Air France’s plans are to retrofit the entire fleet of four cabin Boeing 777-300ERs with the new first class cabins by the end of 2026. We’ll see how that timeline works out, but that basically means that one aircraft will be reconfigured per month.
So far, you’ll find the new cabins on the 777-300ERs with the registration codes F-GZNK, F-GZNP, F-GZNQ. Meanwhile the jet with the registration code F-GZND is currently being reconfigured.
It’s interesting to note that all three of the 777-300ERs that have been reconfigured so far were previously in a three cabin configuration without first class, so that already represents an increase in the La Premiere footprint.
So, which flights feature Air France’s new La Premiere first class product?
- Air France’s route between Paris (CDG) and New York (JFK) have the new cabins, most commonly for flights AF4/3
- Air France’s route between Paris (CDG) and Singapore (SIN) have the new cabins, for flights AF256/257
Keep in mind that routes operated by the new aircraft type are always subject to change. The next destinations expected to get the new cabins are Los Angeles (LAX) and Tokyo Haneda (HND), and I’ll be sure to report back once those schedules are finalized.
When searching online, how can you tell if your flight will feature the new first class? For one, if you go to Air France’s website and do a search, you’ll see a message indicating “Aircraft equipped with the new La Premiere suite.”
Furthermore, when you go to the seat map, you’ll see a different layout, with both a seat and chaise longue.
Note that these reconfigured jets aren’t just great news for first class passengers. As Air France installs its new first class, the airline is entirely overhauling its four cabin Boeing 777-300ERs. Most exciting is that these planes are also getting Air France’s new business class with doors, so arguably that’s an equally positive aspect of these updates.
Bottom line
Air France exclusively has its La Premiere first class cabin on just under two dozen Boeing 777-300ERs, operating select long haul flights out of Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). These planes are in the process of being reconfigured, and Air France has so far updated the interiors of three jets.
You’ll now find these updated 777-300ERs flying from Paris (CDG) to both New York (JFK) and Singapore (SIN) on select frequencies, and you can expect Los Angeles (LAX) and Tokyo (HND) to be next. Obviously this is exciting for those in first class, but it’s also positive for those in business class, as that cabin has received a makeover as well.
What do you make of Air France’s plans for its refreshed four cabin Boeing 777-300ERs?
Give me a schnitzel and a duck and I’ll be far happier
This is all fine and dandy but please get back to more realistic travel articles. The vast majority of your readers are not buying Air France La Premiere. A few might with points but most aren't. This started off as a miles and points blog. It's too often a luxury travel blog.
FNT, some of the readers are not as interested in “Miles and points” as you might be. Some of us have specific requirements and are selective in what we read about. Nobody is asking you to read what might not be of interest to you, therefore, perhaps you might offer the rest of us a reciprocal amount of courtesy, yes?
Pretty sure DKR also has had La Premiere at different points in time, no?
@ Ben -- Yep, it indeed at one point. The list of some past destinations wasn't intended to be comprehensive, but instead, just reflect some of the most recent ones.
La Première flights are bookable from IAH starting October 25 for the first time in a while, for $14k. Hopefully it's the new cabin.
@ Jtmbin -- Hmm, maybe I'm missing something, but I'm not seeing La Premiere to Houston available?
$20,487?!!! Absolutely not!
Some people have no sense of occasion …. :-)
Do remember one important fact Justin …. there are definitely NO pockets in shrouds old bean!
@ Justindev -- Hah, in fairness, that was the pricing for pulling up a random one-way flight. Yes, La Premiere is priced at the top end of the market, but there are better deals to be had than that, and you'll find similar pricing for much worse first class products.
Ben, for your information, the cost of our CDG-SIN return flights in the NLP was <£25k.
Well, I just checked Emirates from IAD to Singapore and cheapest was $22,777 - and while really nice, NOT as nice as this is. I have a neighbor who has taken both and this beats them all ... Of course, he lives a much different life than I do... Still, if I find out I have a year or less to live - I am flying this way - even if it is just to my destination, turn around and come back home!!!
I flew the “old” LP SIN-CDG last week, just missing the new LP by a few days (it started on Sunday). Whether in old or new cabins, LP is very much a force to be reckoned with.
We are booked fully flex for flights to SIN in the new year. AF customer service are on notice that we will only fly the New La Premiere cabin.
In the event that the New LP cabin is not available then we will suffer a night or two in Paris …. no hardship for my little friend.
ABJ is a la premiere market? where is that premium demand coming from?
all the other cities I understand
Côte d'Ivoire is a former French colony with very close (and sometimes very tenuous) ties to France to this day. There is robust travel demand between Abidjan and Paris.
Sorry, hit submit too soon.
Ivory Coast is an oil-producing nation, thus high demand for premium offerings.
Even Air France used to fly the A380 to Abidjan until the aircraft was retired. Currently I think they fly the 777-300ER twice daily to Abidjan.
@Nasir
I don't think Abidjan can handle the A380 on a regular basis.
Maybe a one-off.
@ericyihengji
It's not necessarily your average passenger on this flights
Usually french government officials, and the many businesses from France with stations in this countries.
You will barely see an individual from Abidjan book la premiere, usually politicians and government officials.
There's a lot of trade (politically and economically) between the two nations.