Air France has just introduced a new monetization scheme for its front row business class seats, and I suspect many flyers won’t be too happy about this…
Air France brands front row seating as business suite
Air France offers an excellent long haul business class product, though the best business class seats in the fleet are the front row seats on select Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 777-300ERs.
While there’s no differentiation in terms of soft product, I’d consider these to be “business class plus” seats in terms of the amount of space they offer. That’s because they have absolutely massive ottomans, taking advantage of the extra space that’s available at the bulkhead. 
Historically, the airline hasn’t really branded these seats as anything, though it appears that Air France is now referring to these as the “Business Suite” option. As the airline describes it:
The Business Suite areas are location in the first row of the Business cabin. With the Business Suite option, you can enjoy the comfort of the Business seat, but with extra personal space for an even more enjoyable journey.
This option is available on board Airbus A350 and Boeing B777 aircraft for long-haul flights.
The branding change is fair enough, since these are some pretty special seats. However, the implications to this change are what I find to be most significant.
Air France monetizes best business class seats
Historically, Air France’s front row business class seats could be assigned by Flying Blue Platinum members and above at the time of booking, and then by all other business class passengers starting 72 hours before departure, on a space available basis.
Well, that policy has now changed. Effective immediately:
- Only Flying Blue Ultimate members can assign these front row business class seats for free
- All other passengers can pay to assign these seats at the time of booking (or any time up until departure), and the fee seems to be around €200 one-way
- Frustratingly, Flying Blue Platinum members can no longer assign these seats for free, and they don’t even get a discounted seat assignment fee, as they have to pay the full cost
Note that for the time being, this updated monetization scheme specifically doesn’t apply on flights to and from the United States, where Air France takes a different approach to charging for business class seats, perhaps due to its joint venture with Delta.
I figured that Air France would try to monetize these front row seats sooner or later, since they are much better, so I can’t blame the airline for that. What I do find a bit frustrating is how Flying Blue Platinum members are getting the short end of the stick here.
Keep in mind that Air France charges to assign seats in business class on long haul flights in most markets. Flying Blue Platinum members can assign standard seats for free, while others can’t. So what’s not great is that elite members actually incrementally have to pay the most to assign these front row business class seats.
Flying Blue has otherwise made some very nice improvements to Platinum status in recent times (like offering improved award availability), so it’s unfortunate to now see a negative change.
Bottom line
Air France is now branding its more spacious front row business class seats as “business suite,” which is fair enough, since this is a great product. Along with that, the airline has also updated its monetization of these seats.
Outside of United States flights, these seats are now only available for free to Flying Blue Ultimate members, with all others being able to assign these seats for a fee of around €200 one-way.
I’d say this change is good news for those who don’t have Platinum status or above, and who appreciate the ability to pay cash for this seat upgrade. However, it’s bad news for Platinum members, plus Gold, Silver, and non-elite members, who snagged these seats starting 72 hours out.
What do you make of Air France’s new business suite policy?
I just booked ewr-cdg-tlv for the end of Jan. At booking I was only able to choose bulkhead ewr-cdg but the tlv route they wanted to charge. A day later also the bulkhead on the tlv route was offered for free and I snatched it. I wonder if that's because it's connected to a flight departing US?
Flown these few times and I’d say def not worth the $200.
As a fairly satisfied “Ultimate” for the past year and a bit, there are a few frustrating things about the Ultimate program against HON circle, where the HON level is truly above many expectations. One of the frustrating things is how these really amazing seats disappear and become unable for reservation and then when I get on the plane I see a once-or-twice a year leisure Traveller occupying the seats which I can’t understand.
...
As a fairly satisfied “Ultimate” for the past year and a bit, there are a few frustrating things about the Ultimate program against HON circle, where the HON level is truly above many expectations. One of the frustrating things is how these really amazing seats disappear and become unable for reservation and then when I get on the plane I see a once-or-twice a year leisure Traveller occupying the seats which I can’t understand.
So while platinum should have some benefit, Ultimate should have more so I welcome the change. These “suites” are pretty amazing and forget about cabin galley noice and so on as AF uses very thick curtains. The space is incredible; I think Ben is correct when he says that these are the best business class seats available as I haven’t seen anything better (although I admit I am flying LX/LH and now AF almost exclusively)the TV screen is indeed too small They are a cut above and I’m not surprised AF is trying to monetize. And if I can get 1A or 3A more often because of the change, great!
DEFINITELY a First World problem.
So are most issues discussed on this website. What's your point?
I love these seats for daytime flights, but found them to be a bit close to the galley for overnight (noise and light). There's not enough of a value proposition here for me to consider paying extra. I find AF regular business seats to be quite good.
Conversely, I found paying extra for the Prime seat on Condor to be totally worth it- besides the great seat- free wifi, pjs, snack basket etc. is also offered. I was quite impressed. Just my 2 cents- YMMV.
My dad and I flew the A350-900 CDG-IAH back in September (award seats), and I found that extra space really nice, especially for sleeping (we had 1D and 1H). I may consider paying extra for the bulkhead seat if it's a red-eye flight but not daytime flight.
Hopefully, in time, Platinum members will receive the no-fee opportunity.
Selecting first row seats on my upcoming YYZ-CDG on the 359 still appears as 0 USD (award flight, FB Gold), so perhaps ex-Canada remains exempt too?
I'm a little confused by this wording: "All other passengers can pay to assign these seats at the time of booking (or any time up until departure), and the fee seems to be around €200 one-way". Does this mean that even at check-in, there will be a €200 fee? i.e., there is no opportunity at all to assign these seats for free?
By luck, I got one of the bulkhead seats on their A359 in August. I was booked in PE but 24 hours before departure I paid a cash upgrade to J. Yes, the seat space is definitely larger. But I didn't really use it any differently. I had just registered as Flying Blue a few weeks prior for the free wifi. The best part about that seat is the monitor was broken so my spouse told an FA who showed up with her tablet and awarded me 40,000 points. Yay Air France!
The next step might be to examine the order in which seats in Business and First are selected then, if there is a significant trend, monetize the seats selected first. Each seat in Business would have a slightly different surcharge, similar to what developers do for lots in a new subdivision. Going out on a limb, I would call it a 'Premium seat premium." Perhaps there is a reason I do not work for an airline.
I have experience the front row seat before this new policy (no added charge at the time). Yes you have more space but as a result the TV screen felt too far away from my eyes and appeared smaller...
Besides you are loosing the cosy, cocoon feeling of regular Air France business Class seats.
Impressed at first but finally did find this front row so welcoming.
Cocoon?
You mean coffin.
Why would Oleg mean “Coffin”, he is not talking about U.S. airline seats.
More like... coughin'
I don't find any problem with how AF has moved forward with these seats and I don't find it really a negative change for Platinum members being charged for this. I don't expect Air France-KLM to keep offering all things free to Platinum members, for Ultimate yes I would expect this (as it is not "cheap" to achieve - no matter personal or business money and most importantly only achieved by the amount of business...
I don't find any problem with how AF has moved forward with these seats and I don't find it really a negative change for Platinum members being charged for this. I don't expect Air France-KLM to keep offering all things free to Platinum members, for Ultimate yes I would expect this (as it is not "cheap" to achieve - no matter personal or business money and most importantly only achieved by the amount of business given to the group compared to Platinum). I would prefer that they have in general good benefits for Platinum members than to have this minor increase in space on what already are good standard business seats.
On more than one occasion I was able to pre-assign these bulk head seats (2x HND-CDG, CDG-MEX, and 2x TLV-CDG) on an award ticket booked either with FB or Virgin miles, without having to pay more and a few weeks before the departure date.
Dror, I was able to do the same a few weeks ago on a LAX - Papeete trip spring 2026 using Flying Blue miles. Booked the flight, and was able to select the front row window bulkhead suite for no fees, and I am only FB Silver.
Found the same thing (able to book/select 1A) last year when I booked US East Coast to CDG for May. Problem was they did an aircraft swap...
Dror, I was able to do the same a few weeks ago on a LAX - Papeete trip spring 2026 using Flying Blue miles. Booked the flight, and was able to select the front row window bulkhead suite for no fees, and I am only FB Silver.
Found the same thing (able to book/select 1A) last year when I booked US East Coast to CDG for May. Problem was they did an aircraft swap a few weeks out and I would up with the old business class product. Still good, just not what Ben calls the “Best in Europe”
Understanding the different J configurations is just one of the many useful nuggets I get from OMAAT.
Ben, for someone who consistently picks seats in the last row of business class in large part because they are quieter and less disturbed by foot traffic, I am always surprised to see you describe these first-row seats as “best.” Proximity to the galley makes these seats the least peaceful ones in the business class cabin.
@ Jack -- While I do normally go for the seats in the last row, in fairness, those are also often near the galley (obviously it depends on the exact layout). Personally I avoid the first row on US carriers, since crews are often not very good at keeping noise levels low, though I've not had any issues with that on Air France.
Jack, as a point of contrast. For years, once per month, I ‘inhabited’ seat 2A on an A350. Personally, I found that forward position to suit my requirements more than any other in the cabin. We all have our idiosyncrasies.
Correction …. twice a month! I forgot the return journey.
Same here, I would avoid these seats if I actually wanted to get some sleep. Fine on a day flight. Anyways, I'm all for upgrades to F but paying for a seat in the same cabin with the same service...I don't get that.
Not a good change, obviously, for Platinums. Ben, do you think they will honor already picked seats on upcoming flights? I have the front row selected on 4 upcoming flights, for free as Platinum. I see that on two of the flights the seat designation is still the same, but the "name" has changed from Business to Business Suite.
@ Tom S. -- Yeah, they absolutely should honor existing seat assignments.
I can Not confirm this, the changed my 9A seat due to operational reasons. I called the Platinum line, they Said the seat would 200 EUR. I escalted to a supervisor and he gave my wife the seat but just because of the lap infant. Let’s see if the seat assignment sticks.
I had 1A on a CDG-BOS AF A350 last March and have it on the reverse route next year. Both flights were bought as DL codeshare flights. The extra space is nice, but of no real use to me. It is psychologically a nice boost, though. There is no way I'd spend an extra €200 to reserve it, even though it's only about a 10% kicker. I also get to try the J bulkhead row...
I had 1A on a CDG-BOS AF A350 last March and have it on the reverse route next year. Both flights were bought as DL codeshare flights. The extra space is nice, but of no real use to me. It is psychologically a nice boost, though. There is no way I'd spend an extra €200 to reserve it, even though it's only about a 10% kicker. I also get to try the J bulkhead row on the AA 789P for no uncharge in a few months. It will be nice to try it free before they start the upcharge to determine if it will be worth extra $s when they transition. I'm guessing their existence isn't well known on AA, as only 3 of the 8 on my flight have been snatched up as of today.
TCTM, it is interesting to read that, after trying the seat, you are not inclined to offer payment for it in future. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Feel the same way about B6 a321neo first row Mint Studio. Like, an extra $200 to try for once was fine, but, it’s not that special.
I flew the AA Suites Preferred this past summer and I really liked the seat. Didn’t get the full soft product improvements (mainly just the extra blanket and mattress pad), and also haven’t tried a standard suite yet, so I can’t say how much more I’d be willing to pay once they start charging. If I were to take a flight on a 787P to Australia I’d more likely consider the upgrade.
I’m in the...
I flew the AA Suites Preferred this past summer and I really liked the seat. Didn’t get the full soft product improvements (mainly just the extra blanket and mattress pad), and also haven’t tried a standard suite yet, so I can’t say how much more I’d be willing to pay once they start charging. If I were to take a flight on a 787P to Australia I’d more likely consider the upgrade.
I’m in the bulkhead row for my AF flight home in April, so I’m happy to try the more spacious seat before they start charging.
My 787p flight is on AA's longest flight, so I'll give it a true test.
On an overnight flight they're excellent for sleeping
I’ve selected the second bulkhead, row 10 for my next trip to the UK. Looking forward to the extra room. Figure it’ll be quieter and darker than the forward bulkhead seats.
An up and coming common practice learned from an example set by some low cost carriers. One is not surprised by this trend.