Air France (Paid) First Class Airport Suites In Paris Now Open

Air France is well known for its La Premiere first class, which is among the best first class products in the world. In particular, the carrier’s experience at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the best first class ground experience in the world.

The airline has now taken this to the next level. This includes a new check-in experience for all first class passengers, plus a new paid ground experience for those in first class. The airline first announced this some time back, but all of these amenities have become available as of today.

New Air France La Premiere check-in lobby

Let’s start with the service that’s open to all first class passengers. A new check-in lobby has just opened at Paris Charles de Gaulle for La Premiere customers. This is intended to be the first step in the personalized journey through the airport.

Here an Air France employee will manage all departure-related procedures, including check-in and luggage assistance. This area features 15 seats and two private lounges (these are paid, more on that below).

This also acts as an arrivals lounge for La Premiere customers, with the option to relax post-flight, use showers, and retrieve checked bags. That’s awesome, given that Air France closed its arrivals lounge a few years back.

Once check-in formalities are concluded, each guest is brought to the La Premiere Lounge. This includes going through a private security checkpoint, and then being driven to the lounge.

For what it’s worth, Air France previously had a dedicated La Premiere check-in area, but this new facility looks much more elegant, has showers (for arriving passengers), and also has a dedicated security checkpoint. On top of that, you get driven to the lounge, rather than having to walk. This marks a significant improvement over the previous setup.

New Air France La Premiere airport suites

Now this is where it gets really interesting. Air France already has its excellent La Premiere Lounge, and not much is changing there. However, the airline has now introduced three new private suites adjacent to the lounge, which La Premiere passengers can buy access to.

Let’s get the cost out of the way upfront — they’re offered as an option to La Premiere customers, starting at 800 euros. More specifically, passengers are being quoted 800 euros per person to use these suites, and that’s for a stay of up to three hours. That’s really steep pricing, and it’s interesting how the cost is per person rather than per suite, since there’s not much incremental cost to accommodating multiple people.

So, what can passengers expect from these private suites? They each span around 500 square feet (45 square meters). Each suite features a spacious living area, a bedroom with a double bed, a private bathroom, and an outdoor patio.

Each passenger booked in a suite also has a dedicated butler, who looks after the guest throughout the entire experience. Guests also have the opportunity to enjoy an Alain Ducasse meal, or take advantage of a Sisley spa treatment.

Each of the three suites has its own distinct character, with “iconic examples of French design,” including Charlotte Perriand’s writing table, Pierre Paulin’s Ribbon chair, and Philippe Starck’s Privé sofa.

Those who book this private experience also receive one of the private suites at check-in.

This takes commercial aviation to the next level

While I’d argue Air France already offers the world’s best first class ground experience, these latest updates really sort of blend private aviation and commercial aviation.

Now, some lounges already have many of the individual elements you’ll find in Air France’s new airport suites, like a terrace, or bedrooms, or showers. However, to be able to reserve all of this in advance for just for yourself, to be able to skip the airport experience altogether, is something no other airline offers to this level.

I mean, how many people essentially get what amounts to a full hotel suite with a private terrace in an airport?

Now, understandably some people will say “well, it seems kind of cheap to charge first class passengers for this.” I hear you, though realistically, it’s the only way something like this can be done, and on top of that, this is a legitimate value-add.

If these were offered on a first come, first served basis, they’d probably always be full, and there would be no way to ensure that you could get one of these during your visit. For some high profile guests, this kind of a private facility might be a reason to choose Air France over other airlines.

It seems like this is intended for the type of person who might ordinarily fly private on short or medium haul flights, and only fly commercial on long haul flights.

Air France is essentially introducing a private aviation-like facility, which is something we’ve never seen an airline do before to this extent. And as you can see, it’s priced accordingly. This isn’t intended for those with a 12-hour layover who want to sleep in a room all day, but rather it’s intended for those passengers where cost is no issue, and privacy is paramount. I can’t blame Air France for trying, and I’m curious how often these suites are occupied.

Bottom line

Air France has improved its La Premiere ground experience at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The airline has introduced a new check-in facility (which can be used as an arrivals lounge), a private security channel, and three private suites, each featuring a living room, bedroom, bathroom, and terrace.

Between these updates and plans for a new La Premiere cabin within the next year, it’s an exciting time for Air France’s most premium product.

What do you make of Air France’s new first class check-in and paid airport suites?