As I’ve already covered, Air France will be debuting a new La Premiere first class product, available exclusively on a subfleet of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. This is an exciting development, as it really takes the carrier’s incredible first class to the next level. However, arguably there’s another change that’s just as significant, as first class won’t be the only part of these jets that’s being updated.
In this post:
Air France four-class 777-300ERs getting new business class
Over the next couple of years, Air France will be installing its new first class product on at least 19 Boeing 777-300ERs. However, the changes to these planes go beyond just the pointy end. These aircraft will be getting a makeover in all cabins, bringing them in line with Air France’s latest passenger experience.
I’d say the most exciting development here is that Air France will also be installing its new business class product on four-cabin Boeing 777-300ERs (with first class). In 2023, Air France debuted its new 777 business class, though at the time, it was only installed on 12 three-cabin Boeing 777-300ERs (without first class). Now the airline will be expanding that project, with the number of 777s featuring the new business class cabins nearly tripling.
This is a huge deal, and incredibly positive. Keep in mind that these four-cabins 777s operate on the most premium routes, to destinations like Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Singapore (SIN), and more. So it’s nice that these routes won’t just feature the incredible new first class, but also the latest business class.
For context, Air France’s four cabin 777-300ERs currently have the carrier’s older business class product, which is also in a reverse herringbone configuration, but without the modern bells and whistles.
Meanwhile the new 777-300ER business class is so much better, with each seating having a door, and hugely upgraded tech, from USB-C and wireless charging, to bluetooth audio.
In the interest of being thorough, let me emphasize that no plans have been announced for reconfiguring the high density 777-300ERs (with just 14 business class seats), or the three-cabin 777-200ERs.
Air France is reconfiguring 777-300ERs very efficiently
As Air France reconfigures its four-cabin 777-300ERs, there will be some changes to the layout:
- Currently, four-cabin 777-300ERs have 296 seats, including four first class seats, 58 business class seats, 28 premium economy seats, and 206 economy seats (see the seat map here)
- Once reconfigured, four-cabin 777-300ERs will have 312 seats, including four first class seats, 60 business class seats, 44 premium economy seats, and 204 economy seats (see the seat map here)
As you can see, the improved yields made possible by these configuration are wild, and would make any airline executive salivate. Once reconfigured, planes will have 16 more seats, almost all premium:
- The plane will have a much improved and more spacious first class
- The plane will have two extra business class seats
- The plane will have 16 extra premium economy seats
- The plane will only have two fewer economy seats
So, how is the layout changing section-by-section?
- Between the first and second set of doors, there will still be four first class seats and 16 business class seats; there’s even a fourth lavatory being added by the second set of doors, compared to the three there currently are
- Between the second and third set of doors, there will continue to be 44 business class seats
- Between the third and fourth set of doors, there will be 44 premium economy seats and 70 economy seats, compared to 28 premium economy seats and 78 economy seats; this is possible in part because the two lavatories at the front of premium economy are being eliminated
- Between the fourth and fifth set of doors, where will be 134 economy seats, compared to 128 economy seats
Essentially, it would appear that a lot of these changes have been made possible by rearranging lavatories. In total, premium economy and economy go from six lavatories to five lavatories, and premium economy loses dedicated lavatories. Obviously that’s not great for premium economy passengers, but airlines also have to balance passenger experience and efficiency, and one thing is for sure — this is a mighty efficient configuration.
Bottom line
Air France will be reconfiguring all of its four-cabin Boeing 777-300ERs. While the new La Premiere first class cabin is of course the “shiniest” change, arguably an equally big development is that these planes are getting a new business class.
Air France is installing reverse herringbone seats with doors on its four-cabin 777-300ERs, featuring greatly updated tech. This will be a game changer for Air France in the most competitive markets.
The airline is reconfiguring these planes very efficiently, and is increasing seat count, almost entirely with premium seats. The only bad news is that premium economy passengers lose their dedicated lavatories.
What do you make of Air France’s plans to reconfigure its four-cabin 777-300ERs?
Air France’s decision to refurbish its four-cabin 777-300ERs is clearly an attempt to keep up with Delta as a JV partner. Considering Air France can’t compete with Delta on profitability, reliability, or service, it’s no surprise they’re scrambling to upgrade their cabins. By trying to mimic Delta’s premium product, Air France is hoping to appear consistent across the JV network, especially on key routes. Sure, the upgraded first and business class may look nice, but...
Air France’s decision to refurbish its four-cabin 777-300ERs is clearly an attempt to keep up with Delta as a JV partner. Considering Air France can’t compete with Delta on profitability, reliability, or service, it’s no surprise they’re scrambling to upgrade their cabins. By trying to mimic Delta’s premium product, Air France is hoping to appear consistent across the JV network, especially on key routes. Sure, the upgraded first and business class may look nice, but let’s be real—it won’t close the massive service gap with Delta. Nice try, though, Air France.
I question the timing of such an upgrade to premium seating at the onset of a potential worldwide downturn in the economy. The decision to limit lavatories for Premium Economy seating is also a bit of a head scratcher as other than bigger seats the main selling point of Premium Economy is access to washroom facilities. I think they may have misread the market on this one.
Hmmmmm.... Losing a lav and no mention of any change in seat pitch ? Pity the poor unwashed relegated to the very back of the bus....
Is anything known yet about the reconfiguration timeline? I have a CDG-LAX and LAX-CDG flight booked in AF business in November on a 4-class 777-300ER, so it would be awesome to have the newer biz seats by then …
Good news on the upgrade.
Now, can you get them to give their aircrafts a good wash.
Are the 777-200s largely end of cycle and likely due to replaced soon? Makes sense to not largely invest in high-density 777-3s, but hopefully they do replace Premium Economy as the new hard product is much improved over previous gen seat.
Will these reconfigured planes also feature the incredible Business bulk-head seats?
@ Dror -- I would imagine so, though it hasn't been officially confirmed.
For me it seems like the first row business seats behind first class are utilised the space under the first class seats' armrest - in that way the cabin size stays the same while first class went from four to five windows.
The saddest part of this for me, living in NYC, is the flight to CDG is too short to really enjoy it all. The food, the bed, the service.
For most, the purpose of air travel is not being there, but, getting there, yes?
By the looks of it, they also downsized the galley at door 2. It definitely looks tight-ish, but worth it for the new business class.
Seems like these changes is to also include Economy Comfort - which I suspect would be the in the same cabin as PE.
Sadly, this indeed does make PE less exclusive with the lost of the lavaratory dedicated to it.
It will be at the front of each standard eco section
I fly Air France in business several times per year. I always walk around the plane once or twice in-flight to stretch my legs.
While first and business are excellent — though admittedly business-class is HUGE in terms of the number of seats — economy is tight. It looks miserable. I couldn’t imagine flying economy on the 777.
After walking through economy, I’m always glad to retreat back behind the curtain and enjoy...
I fly Air France in business several times per year. I always walk around the plane once or twice in-flight to stretch my legs.
While first and business are excellent — though admittedly business-class is HUGE in terms of the number of seats — economy is tight. It looks miserable. I couldn’t imagine flying economy on the 777.
After walking through economy, I’m always glad to retreat back behind the curtain and enjoy the space and privacy of business-class.
And the number of lavatories per passenger seems crazy low.
Haha you're so cool for being better than those hundreds of economy peasants sitting in the back that you can't even imagine it.
I hope the Air France alcohol in the air is good enough for your taste buds unlike the swill they serve at 8am in an airport lounge!
One must be a desperate alcoholic to be quaffing any nations “Swill, at 8am”.
Agreed, you should've seen FNT crying about the how "For the last year or so, Air France also been putting out inferior wine in the morning. For example, no champagne."
The 77Ws that are bound to be reconfigured will most likely be the 2009+ builds while the older frames are kept as is until they retire.
The 200ERs will probably not get retrofitted as they're 20+ years old and counting, so they'll easily be replaced by the A350.
It's also unfortunate that premium economy in the new configuration won't have their own toilet.
All B777-300ER with first class are being reconfigured.
Heard rumours that some of current 3 class B777-300ER might be updated with first class, growing first class equipped aircraft in the process.
Those Frenchies will do anything to lure us Brits away from LHR, onto the Eurostar, then into the Paris La Train Bleu restaurant for lunch, followed by a La Premiere class international flight.
I have to be honest and admit that I am looking forward to the prospect.