I just flew Air France’s new Boeing 777 business class from Paris to New York. While I’ll have a separate post with my overall thoughts on the flight, in this post I wanted to address what amazed me most about this flight — Air France now has what I consider to be the world’s best business class seat. There’s a slight catch, though.
In this post:
We’re entering an era of business class “plus”
Airlines are all about maximizing real estate onboard, and that involves utilizing space creatively. In most business class configurations nowadays, seats utilize the space to the side of the seat in front, to minimize each seat’s overall pitch.. That’s why we often see business class seats with small footwells, since that’s what’s needed to make the seats economical.
In the first row of the cabin, though, space can’t be utilized as efficiently, since there’s no seat in front where you can place a footwell. Historically airlines haven’t done much to differentiate the first row, perhaps aside from a marginally larger footwell. However, that’s a trend that’s changing. From the JetBlue Mint Studio on the A321LR, to the Virgin Atlantic Retreat Suite on the A330-900neo, we’re seeing lots of airlines create special, spacious seats in the first row.
There are more airlines introducing similar “business class plus” products, ranging from Air New Zealand, to Condor, to Lufthansa. As it turns out, Air France’s reconfigured 777-300ERs also have a special product, which the airline has been pretty modest about, and hasn’t marketed much.
Air France’s eight incredible business class seats
Air France’s new business class cabin consists of Safran Versa reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, which are very good (I’ll talk more about the seats and overall experience in a separate post). Based on the below picture you may think the seats are all the same, but nope, they’re not.
The seats at the bulkheads — specifically rows one and nine — feature an unbelievable amount of space. I’m going to go on record in saying that these eight seats are the best business class seats in the world (and I’m happy to be challenged on this in the comments section).
What makes these seats so great? To start, they’re cutting edge reverse herringbone seats which I find to be very stylish. They feature wireless charging, bluetooth audio, and all the other gadgets you’d expect from a new product.
The seat also has a door, which many people will appreciate.
Those features make this a highly competitive product, but what makes the bulkhead seats the best in the world? Well, take a look at the amount of personal space you have, and the size of your ottoman. There’s no small footwell you have to squeeze your feet into, but rather you have as much space as you’d expect in first class, if not more.
When resting, you can basically position your body any way you’d like, which is great for side sleepers.
It’s great that you have the option of selecting this as a single seat by the window, or in the center if traveling as a couple, as it gives you the best of both worlds.
I just can’t think of another seat out there that offers this combination of personal space, privacy, and modern technology.
- This is much more spacious than the JetBlue Mint Suite, and you get to face the window rather than the aisle
- While the Virgin Atlantic Retreat Suite looks great, those seats are only available in the center section, so they’re not great if you’re traveling alone, since you can’t select one and sit by the window
- I think Singapore Airlines’ bulkhead seats are phenomenal as well, but they’re not cutting edge otherwise, and have been around for a long time; they don’t have doors or the other modern tech features you’ll find in these seats
How you can select these special Air France seats
Air France’s reconfigured Boeing 777-300ERs feature 48 business class seats. With only eight bulkhead seats, that means at most ~17% of business class passengers can assign these seats.
So, how can you secure one of these amazing bulkhead seats? Up until 72 hours before departure, these can exclusively be reserved by Flying Blue Gold and Platinum members, so assigning them is a perk of elite status.
However, starting 72 hours before departure, these seats can be assigned by any business class passenger, if empty. That’s exactly how I snagged one of these. 73 hours out, the seats showed as not available (rather than occupied).
Then 72 hours out they showed as being available.
So if you are flying in this configuration, it’s absolutely worth trying to assign one of these seats, either based on your elite status, or 72 hours out for everyone else. Personally I wouldn’t be surprised if Air France tries to monetize these seats eventually, given how exceptional they are.
Bottom line
We’re increasingly seeing airlines introduce “premium” business class products in the first row of the cabin, making the most of the extra space available in this area. I’ve flown in some of these over the years, but nothing has impressed me as much as the bulkhead seats in Air France’s new 777 business class.
These are reverse herringbone seats with doors, amazing tech, and unbelievably spacious ottomans, which will make you feel like you’re in first class. These are only available to Flying Blue elite members at booking, though anyone in business class can start selecting them 72 hours… for now.
I firmly believe that these eight seats on Air France’s 777s are the best business class seats currently in service anywhere in the world.
What do you make of these Air France business class seats, and the general trend of “premium” business class seats?
Got myself a 9L seat, CDG to SIN. Looking forward to this one :) Thank you very much for the advise!
That monitor looks tiny
I was able to get one of the bulkhead seats by having a lap infant fwiw
Try Qsuite from Qatar Airways ;)
Are all the 777-200's the new J? I'm trying to figure out the schedule from PAR - NYC. Looking at AF 62 on March 10th and its a 777-2000 so I think it's the new layout but not sure?
Is still think the screen size is a joke. What happen to the seriously nice big screens.
Will the retrofitted AF 77W likely be available on HND-CDG later this year?
The door here is a mind trick. Given the way reverse herringbone seats are situated and the partial wrap around seat guard, there is no one who will have seated eye level view at you with the door open unless they're really tall and also completely leaned over in their seat. Yet, you can still see into pods while standing or walking down the isle even with the door closed. So the privacy being sold...
The door here is a mind trick. Given the way reverse herringbone seats are situated and the partial wrap around seat guard, there is no one who will have seated eye level view at you with the door open unless they're really tall and also completely leaned over in their seat. Yet, you can still see into pods while standing or walking down the isle even with the door closed. So the privacy being sold by this door is kind of meaningless. I don't see that being all that much of an upgrade over prior reverse herringbone designs, save for that enormous foot rest at the bulkhead and modern IFE/controls (those are nice, but to be expected in a new design). The bulkhead foot rest--seems amazing to have that much space, but in reality, how much of that is usable given the seat angle and bed layout?
This is all to say--I really like it still and it is pushing innovation, but I still feel it isn't as groundbreaking as it was when reverse herringbone seats were released.
U got lucky, my paris to chicago flight in business was a nightmare
No aisle access and inedible food.never again
Sorry but these comments look more like disguised advertisement than a real assesment of the product.
Take a note from a professional of the industry : in terms of modularity , 3Ps and delivery at the standards of Top Business : Nothing gets closer than the QSuite....
They also have the absolute worst economy seats it has ever been my misfortune to use.
Ben,
How about the other business class seats, aside from the bulkhead ones? Where do you rank those and more importantly is worth going out of the way to fly a route with those seats taking the chance that I might not be able to be snag in a bulkhead?
What about qatars q suite? Assigned on booking and option of window, double or club?
If you think air France have the best business class you clearly haven't flown business class with many carriers. I've recently flown AF business in their new cabin it was a horrifically bad experience. I think I'd rather fly economy with a carrier like Singapore, Quatar, Emirates or Ethiad. I don't think I've had a worse business class experience except maybe BA.
He was talking about the seat not the whole experience.
You're new here, aren't you...
If you don't consider SQ business class seats:)
Has this made you change your usual preference for a seat in the very last row Lucky?
Currently booked on AF256 CDG-SIN, but seat plan shows 4 class 777-300 (not ER). Looks like I've missed the new seats! Have reserved 3A which is a bulkhead seat in J, so hoping its better than those behind.
Which routes have the new seats?
At this point there are 3 planes equipped with the new seats, 2 being refitted as I write, and 7 more scheduled to be refit: all had the configuration for leisure destinations of 6 rows of 2-3-2 angle flat.
In the past week, F-GZNK has operated (from/to CDG):
442/443 (GIG), 718/719 (DSS), 22/15 (JFK: 830 WB/1730 EB), 334/333 (BOS), currently on 22 to JFK (likely will come back as 15)
F-GZNS has operated the above...
At this point there are 3 planes equipped with the new seats, 2 being refitted as I write, and 7 more scheduled to be refit: all had the configuration for leisure destinations of 6 rows of 2-3-2 angle flat.
In the past week, F-GZNK has operated (from/to CDG):
442/443 (GIG), 718/719 (DSS), 22/15 (JFK: 830 WB/1730 EB), 334/333 (BOS), currently on 22 to JFK (likely will come back as 15)
F-GZNS has operated the above GIG, DSS, JFK flights
F-GZNQ has operated only the above GIG, DSS, JFK flights
At this point it's basically the 830 flight from CDG to JFK, the 1730 JFK-CDG, 718/719 to DSS and back, and 442/443 to GIG and back. BOS looks to have got it as a one-off equipment swap from a 789.
TV screen looks like an 'afterthought', I guess your neck might get locked up, as per it's weird positioning .
@ Gareth -- Keep in mind the seat is angled a bit toward the fuselage (despite the huge ottoman space), so the view is head-on.
The seat itself looks excellent but the finishes really don’t appeal at all. The winged seahorse is a lovely touch but overall it looks sterile and plasticky to me. Quite surprising given how exquisite the La Premiere cabin is, IMO.
Even better than ANA’s “The Room?” I’ve flown it a few times and actually prefer the Q Suite overall seat/food/service combo but there’s no denying that the ANA seat gives you a ton of room.
IMO the bulkhead seat on Singapore Airlines still looks much more spacious than this one. Considering that the only improvement on this AF seat is a “door” I still think the bulkhead seat on SQ looks like a better seat. Unless I’m missing something?
Nice, american carriers have plenty to catch up to, i seldom wonder if they see what europe and Asia offer
Yeah, but they also know how European and Asian customers pay... they'll in significant part do so for brand/soft-service.
USAmerican and N.American market as a whole? It's schedule (business) and price (leisure). Anything else is the exception, not the rule. The airlines react as such.
Curious to see how you'd rank the overall product
This is a quick hit right after the flight. I expect we'll see an overall ranking in the full review (probably queued up for next week, after the one review a day from the Aeroplan ORD-VIE-FCO-BAH-SIN-SGN-HAN-FRA-YYZ-MIA run is complete and then it's ITA longhaul/shorthaul J, EgyptAir J, AF J, BA F, VS J reviews).
I loved Kenya airways in 2018 for a similar reason. Was with my wife and we had two forward facing seats with huge footwells. Not a highly rated product but for the second leg from the USA to Nairobi it was perfect for sleeping. I’m sick of being squished into a pod on a lot of these airlines. Even front row in the old United was good. Bulkhead on sq good.
Ben - I'm dreaming of Flying Blue putting out a few biz saver awards for this year.
What you describe is a bit confusing to me, and raises a few questions. My wife and I have reserved two business class seats on Air France 777-300 Ft. 11 from JFK to CDG on March 30. Looking at the diagram for our flight, it does not show two center seats in Row 9, as does the chart in your article and you recommend. Also, didn't you find the row 9 seats to close to...
What you describe is a bit confusing to me, and raises a few questions. My wife and I have reserved two business class seats on Air France 777-300 Ft. 11 from JFK to CDG on March 30. Looking at the diagram for our flight, it does not show two center seats in Row 9, as does the chart in your article and you recommend. Also, didn't you find the row 9 seats to close to the cooking galley just in front of it? Finally, we selected seats in row 5 which is ahead of the galley, but your pics do not seem to show those. What's up?
Different airplane configuration, simple as that.
Bob W, the article stated "on select flights." Air France has four different 777-300ER configurations. The configuration that Ben is discussing is the 48J configuration and the "big front seats" are in rows 1 and 9. The other three configurations do not have the "big front seats." (Based on your comments, I'd guess that AF Flight 11 on 3/30 is the 4P configuration.) Hope this clarifies things.
AF11 is a La Premiere flight. This seat is only on 777-300s without La Premiere and a reverse herringbone layout (there are also 777-300s with 2-3-2 layouts in J (these will convert to the reverse herringbone with doors seats over the next couple of years) and 777-300s with a 1-2-1 Polaris-style seat).
I believe that I have a new AF business class seat next month, JFK-CDG. Ticket was purchased via Delta for AF operated, but DL marketed flight. As a DL DM I was allowed to select a bulkhead, 3A, which I did last month. Mater of fact, I flew the same AF flight number last month, Jan 2023, and it was the older business class seat (JFK-CDG).
If it's a bulkhead 3A then it's not the new product, it has La Première... As stated in this review bullheads are rows 1 & 9 in this cabin. And I believe in cases like this, the ability to book the seats in advance would be limited to Flying Blue Gold & Plat, not Sky Team Elite Plus on partner airlines.
This configuration has 1A as a bulkhead seat and 48 business class seats. 3A being bulkhead sounds like a La Premiere equipped configuration, which has the old reverse herringbone configuration.
How do the seats in Row 9 compare to those in Row 1? Do they have small footwells/ottomans, and larger space at the shoulders, for example?
I don't like seats that are angled relative to direction of travel, like herringbone or reverse herringbone. I think seats that are straight are much better.
Well that’s a bit homophobic /s
I love the review and the seat looks snazzy - BUT presenting the bulkhead row seats and calling those the best in the world isn't quite fair as that only applies to a (small) subsection of the seats.
How do the regular (non-bulkhead) seats compare to other leaders such as QR, ANA?
Also I was surprised that the product is on a 777-300 without First Class. Isn't AF also coming up with a new Premiere? I thought the new First and new Business would go hand in hand.
Lucky, how can you tell which plane has these? I am on 777-300 fro CDG to JFK in April But no way to tell if this is the refreshed plane.
777-300
No La Premiere
48 business class seats
Quick guide to AF 773 configs:
Variant 1 ("4P"): 4 La Premiere seats, 58 "BEST" business class (reverse herringbone)... Generally only flies JFK, LAX, SFO, MEX in North America
Variant 2 ("48J"): no La Premiere, 48 business class (reverse herringbone with doors)... For now only JFK, though I'd expect one of the YUL flights (traditionally AF's 2nd most important outstation, though one with little La Premiere demand) to get this before too long.
Variant 3...
Quick guide to AF 773 configs:
Variant 1 ("4P"): 4 La Premiere seats, 58 "BEST" business class (reverse herringbone)... Generally only flies JFK, LAX, SFO, MEX in North America
Variant 2 ("48J"): no La Premiere, 48 business class (reverse herringbone with doors)... For now only JFK, though I'd expect one of the YUL flights (traditionally AF's 2nd most important outstation, though one with little La Premiere demand) to get this before too long.
Variant 3 ("42J"): no La Premiere, 42 business class (2-3-2 angle flat "NEV4")... Seen on lower yield North American routes sometimes, especially as an equipment swap (I believe tonight's BOS-CDG switched from 789 to this config)... This version is getting reconfigured into the 48J variant
Variant 4 ("COI"/"Loisirs"): 14 business class seats (same seat as Polaris and AF's A350) used mainly for flights to Caribbean or Indian Ocean destinations that need 430 economy seats, though it's been seen recently at YYZ.
4P also makes occasional IAD, MIA, and IAH appearances.
I stand corrected: CDG-BOS on 12 February was operated by the new business class.
So if definitely gets edge over ANA's seat?
Looks like a pretty awesome seat!
The "longest" business class seat I ever experienced is SWISS on their 777 bulkhead row (albeit not wide). I measured around 250+cm!! As someone who is close to 2 meters, I was almost hiding in the foot cubby, never seen that before.
So you like Asian and European carriers best. I don’t see much praise for American carriers.
That’s because, in general, American carriers don’t provide a level of service worthy of much praise.
....and THAT is because Americans won't pay for it, even if they do. No matter how much AvGeeks may be in denial about it, it's been proven by the general public time and time and time again.
If anyone wonders why US carriers won't do shit for service, particularly in terms of Economy, then simply review American's "More Room Throughout Coach" experiment from spring of 2000, and you'll (hopefully) understand.
That's because American carriers are mostly terrible particularly compared to Asian and European carriers.
It sounds like you’ve never been on a plane.
Very much looking forward to the more detailed review! I was scheduled to fly this exact same seat and then in the last weeks before my trip they pushed back the roll out of the seat, I was super disappointed!
I'm curious, would this still be a better biz seat than the new ANA seats?
Not sure what day you flew, but I flew this last night (so maybe on the same flight?)
I tried (hard) to get these seats. Asked a few days ahead and day before check in and was told they were not available. Upon Check in at 30 hours ahead they were unoccupied but unavailable. We landed at jfk around noon and trekked over to terminal 1 (air train not open at terminal 1, so...
Not sure what day you flew, but I flew this last night (so maybe on the same flight?)
I tried (hard) to get these seats. Asked a few days ahead and day before check in and was told they were not available. Upon Check in at 30 hours ahead they were unoccupied but unavailable. We landed at jfk around noon and trekked over to terminal 1 (air train not open at terminal 1, so go to 8 and take a bus), and check in wasn’t open yet so went to the Air France club. Asked and they said system had issues but not available and come back in 3 hrs. I stopped by for something else and asked a few hours later and told due to system issues can only change when on board. But row 1 now not available. Then went back when told and was told they are now assigned and not available. I got a different answer from every person. Super disappointed that I couldn’t get a straight answer and missed out. I would have just gone to centurion lounge instead.
So I didn’t have extra leg room in my seat, but the seats were quite hard, I thought. We were delayed a bit and sitting in the upright position got uncomfortable quickly. The seat controls are touchy and not intuitive. There is a small triangular section between the seat and movable armrest that was at a slightly different height than the seat or armrest. Not sure if that was just my seat or all seats.
I will say it is very pretty and the wireless charging worked well for me, although tough to find the exact spot. I liked the open surface between me and my husband, it felt like we could interact better than other planes. Better than emirates first class.
The tv is nice, had a decent selection, and was a nice size screen and good quality picture.
The door was nice, gave a small sense of privacy. It doesn’t go down far and isn’t tall, but was a plus I thought.
There was a couple moved before the flight due to an inoperable seat, which surprised me after just a few weeks of flying.
So while good, not sure I would say best. I don’t think that extra amount of space pushes this to best business class seat, when looked at as a whole.
Wish I had gotten that kind of seat, maybe I would like it better, but that won’t fix the hardness of the seat.
Overall very good biz class flight with a pretty cabin.
I fell asleep 3 times writing this on my phone, so time for dinner and early bed for me.
Glad Ben got the seat he wanted, if anyone has more insight on how to get it I would love to hear.
Hopefully AF blocks off these seats for Plats only, especially as they (seemingly) reduce the number of planes featuring La Première.
As far as I know these planes never had La Première?... They previously had a very old & out of date biz class that is now being revamped.. Perhaps I'm wrong, but seem to remember reading that somewhere. As an AF Gold I certainly hope they don't restrict to Plat only, esp as they have done that with La Première award bookings.
As Gold was able to select one of these when booking an award ticket.
These planes will get La P soon. Too many Premium Economy. It will get 4/47/24+ eco
Not a big fan of reverse herringbone seats. I personally like seats as close to the window as possible. When traveling with my wife I prefer sitting as close to her as possible. Double bed are even better ! Both these are not possible in reverse herringbone configuration
QR QSuite are still the best business class for me. (Haven’t flown ANA’s new business class yet). QSuite is a well thought out design overall keeping...
Not a big fan of reverse herringbone seats. I personally like seats as close to the window as possible. When traveling with my wife I prefer sitting as close to her as possible. Double bed are even better ! Both these are not possible in reverse herringbone configuration
QR QSuite are still the best business class for me. (Haven’t flown ANA’s new business class yet). QSuite is a well thought out design overall keeping all kind of travelers in mind. Space is not a big deal for me as long as I can lie flat !
You don't mention a word of The Room by ANA in your article,why?
I know it wasn't designed as a business class seat but Asiana A380 'business plus' (their old first class) might be more spacious than this arrangement. But, it's missing the technology of course.
@ Bruce -- That's a good point. That is technically a business class, even if it's a rebranded first class. However, frankly I'd even prefer this for the much better technology, given that Asiana doesn't have Wi-Fi, very good entertainment, etc.
I guess you don't consider Q-suite to be business class?
@ Al -- I absolutely do. Qsuites is an amazing business class product, and better than standard business class seats in this configuration. However, it's not as spacious as the bulkhead seats in this configuration.
I loved my flight in actual Asiana First in February 2019, and if it was possible to book w/ miles I’d love to fly it again despite lack of Wifi & entertainment. Will just eat & sleep a lot (which is typically all I do on longhaul flights anyway)
That seat looks similar to the space you get in BA's First Class! So, which seat do you think is better?
@ JB -- Well stay tuned for my next flight, which was in BA first class. ;-) I'd actually say this seat probably offers a bit more space.
I mean, you did say AF now has the worlds best business class...
1) Could the TV be any tinier?
2) What good does the huge ottoman do, if in bed mode the seat is so thin that you can only use half of the total space the ottoman could give you
Usually first and last rows on business class are the closest to bathrooms and the area where food is prepared. Is that the case here? If yes, the cons outpaces the benefits at least for me.
@ Santastico -- Indeed the galleys and bathrooms are the same places they are on other planes, so they are close to these seats. However, Air France uses thick curtains, and I had absolutely zero issues with noise or odor.
Good to know. My problem is usually that the curtains are opened and closed several times during the flight and the light will come straight to your eyes (I hate using an eye mask). For that reason I always book seats in the middle rows of business class cabins by the window.
Me too, I never had a good experience in a first row business seat due to the traffic, noise, and light.
Great post Lucky. Has Air France announced which routes will start getting the renovated cabins? I’m flying SFO-CDG next month, so I think my chances aren’t too good.
@ Debo -- Currently it's available on select flights to New York and Dakar. Over a dozen 777s should get these new cabins this year, so you can expect more routes will get these planes in the coming months. Any 777-300ER without first class and with business class in a 1-2-1 configuration features these seats.
There are 773s with a small Polaris-style business class (same seat as AF's A350) and a dense economy configuration (14J, 28W, 430Y), but that's mostly only seen on routes to the Caribbean and Indian Ocean leisure destinations.
I think this headline deserves a "Crikey". Air France and world's best aren't words you would have used together 20 years ago.
Or even today. Cricket indeed.
You might if referring to their First Class experience.