France is a country loved around the world for its culture, including gastronomy and fashion. That’s a major competitive advantage for national carrier Air France, and makes the airline very appealing, including among premium passengers.
The airline very much leans into its French roots, and along those lines, the airline is modifying its onboard drink selection. Everything that’s not French is being eliminated, with one exception.
In this post:
Air France focuses on French drinks in premium cabins
Air France has updated its drink options for those traveling onboard flights in first class (La Premiere) and business class, as well as in lounges. With these updates, Air France has discontinued all foreign drinks to focus on French products, with the only exception being Coca-Cola.
As the airline describes it, “to showcase the best of France, the revamped selection exclusively features French brands, with the exception of Coca-Cola.” So with these changes, the airline is no longer serving Schweppes Tonic (owned by Suntory) or Sprite and Fuze Tea (owned by Coca-Cola).
Instead, these drinks are being replaced by organic fruit juices, iced teas, artisanal lemonades, and premium French tonics, as well as a new ginger soda.
When asked about the decision to keep Coca-Cola, the airline explained that it’s “a benchmark beverage, in high demand among our customers, particularly international ones.” However, the airline notes that even the Coca-Cola served onboard flights departing France is produced in France, even fi it’s not really a traditional French beverage.
To further improve its drink selection, Air France has also introduced a new array of cocktails by Matthias Girous, including an exclusive cognac creation in business class, and a reinterpretation of the kir cassis in premium economy and economy.
Air France has long served French wines across travel classes, and it’s one of the few airlines to serve champagne in economy.
This is great… now Air France just needs to figure out coffee!
Like I said, I think it’s fantastic that Air France is embracing its roots and trying to focus on French products, as that’s something that most customers will no doubt appreciate.
The above updates seem to be specific to wine and soft drinks, but there’s one thing that’s not addressed, and that’s coffee. After all, coffee isn’t necessarily “branded” in the same way as other drinks, even if it comes from a certain company. As I understand it, Air France has historically served illy espresso in premium cabins, and Segafredo drip coffee.
The issue here with emphasizing French products is obvious — while France certainly has a culture of visiting cafes, the country isn’t exactly known for its locally produced coffee, unlike nearby Italy. I’m sure that’s something Air France management will eventually address as well, as even in La Premiere, the cappuccinos have historically not been great.
So it’s tough to strike the right balance here, between trying to highlight local products, while also having the best quality. This is a problem that can easily be solved with all other aspects of gastronomy in France, but coffee is definitely the exception.
Bottom line
Air France is updating its premium cabin drink selection, focusing almost exclusively on French drinks, with the only exception being Coca-Cola. Given the extent to which France is known for its food & drinks, I think it’s great to see how focused the airline is on highlighting those products. I’m curious to try some of the new choices.
What do you make of Air France eliminating foreign products in premium cabins?
I'm waiting for Trump to ban all French products on American airlines..
Wait the idiot liberals in Canada have elbows up.
Please tell me the new policy will permit Belgian beer? Does France even produce beer?
This sort of thing is just annoying.
Its like how virgin only serve brewdog beer ffs.
That's super racist from them
Ha ha wait. So they’ll have the normal drinks (sprite, Diet Coke) in economy class?
So basically anyone can have a normal beverage if they want one?
So this means nothing?
LOL. My lord. This is so dumb. Europe’s virtue signaling is WILD. Almost Canadian-level of “elbows up” stupid.
And Lucky, dude, really? This was your analysis?
-G
I don’t think there is any issue with just using unbranded Illy coffee. It is by far one of the best coffee brand you can get in most airlines, definitely better then every branded ones in all major carriers in rest of Europe and all carriers in US
Excellent, I think it's a positive especially for a country with so much to offer as France.
The homogenized "everywhere serves the same products from the same handful of international conglomerates" is the opposite of why we (or at least I) travel...
I applaud this effort!
Is it just me that thinks all coffee is France is truly truly awful. No word of a lie I visit France at least 4-5 a year and have all my life really, and the coffee is always terrible.
When I’m in Paris is have to hunt for decent place.
They mostly drink filter coffee, which is unlikely to impress those of us used to espressos. That doesn't automatically mean their coffee is bad.
It depends. I’m a fan of coffee and can appreciate the complex flavours of French press or filter coffee. However, I agree that it certainly does not match the aroma and strength of a bold espresso or a Turkish coffee.
Worst coffee experience remains pretty much most of the crap sold as coffee in the US.
Why has orangina shriveled up and died
Well done them, now the rest of the worlds airlines should all agree to boycott all French products except for champagne, the French made one exception so it's only fair to reciprocate
Absolutely. Let’s drink Mexican beer and Indian wine in F instead.
Besides AF continuing to stock Coca Cola onboard, I hope the carrier will also maintain Diet Coke and/or Coke Zero onboard as lots of folks avoid the original, sugar-enriched version of "The Real Thing" favor the sugar-free, Stevia/NutraSweet (sugar substitute) versions. I understand the carrier NOT offering Sprite, Schweppes, Fanta, etc. which are all bottled by Coca Cola in France and instead choosing to offer a similar French name-brand beverage that's also made France.
Besides AF continuing to stock Coca Cola onboard, I hope the carrier will also maintain Diet Coke and/or Coke Zero onboard as lots of folks avoid the original, sugar-enriched version of "The Real Thing" favor the sugar-free, Stevia/NutraSweet (sugar substitute) versions. I understand the carrier NOT offering Sprite, Schweppes, Fanta, etc. which are all bottled by Coca Cola in France and instead choosing to offer a similar French name-brand beverage that's also made France.
The French Whisky that they have been serving in Business class for years is terrible. I refuse to imbibe. On the other hand, the Gin and of course the wines are very good. Some good scotch would be appreciated.
I think they've been improving it recently, I can definitely detect bad whisky and what I had on 3-4 occasions between February and June was very drinkable.
Last May I tasted the 3 different ones they offer and I was pleasantly surprised. I don't know if you've had a chance to taste those lately.
The vodka a couple of years was very good, i'm not sure what they have now.
They’ve been serving Bellevoye on and off in LP, including the Prune, which I liked, but I’m hardly an aficionado.
Tokaji was their Premiere Digestif. Is that also gone? It was there cos it’s better than the French stuff.
Zut alors!
What about Scotch whisky?
Haha that was my comment. And bailey's too!!
Is there any other airline that serves free champagne in economy?
Who cares - no one with any money or sense flights economy on international flights.
I have both, and the second tells me not to waste the first on an overpriced seat.
@Retired Gambler, are you saying that people with money and sense choose Hop! business class for the 50 minutes between CDG and Düsseldorf due to a national border being crossed? Seems legit!
@Retired Gambler
Got both and I do the second to have more of the first.
I guess you must be referring to the nouveau rich who have just gotten the taste of money and know not what to do with it or how to limit their excitement of having it.
The best thing about wealth is knowing that should I want something, there’s nothing stopping me from acquiring it.
I'm glad to see a more exciting selection of non-alcoholic drinks. It's one thing I love about flying Turkish - one can have something interesting without necessary drinking alcohol. As I fly Air France often, it's nice to see a similar concept on their flights too.
Just so you know Ben, I believe you have a typo, fi should be if:
However, the airline notes that even the Coca-Cola served onboard flights departing France is produced in France, even fi it’s not really a traditional French beverage.
Agreed that no sugar-free drinks is a hard pass. My doctor agrees.
The French haven't a clue how to make good healthy drinks. Soft drinks are fine but overcarbonated water (Perrier) is not.
Best of luck to them screwing up the softest of products. Number of AF flights you'll see me on ever: 0.
There are plenty of sugar free drinks available on Air France. If I'm gonna drink soda, I do it respecting that it's an unhealthy product that should be consumed in moderation and then there's no problem with it having some sugar in it (it's certainly better than the alternative sweeteners used in the diet versions).
Diet Coke is the same nonsense as non-alcoholic beer. If I don't want to consume alcohol, I don't drink beer....
There are plenty of sugar free drinks available on Air France. If I'm gonna drink soda, I do it respecting that it's an unhealthy product that should be consumed in moderation and then there's no problem with it having some sugar in it (it's certainly better than the alternative sweeteners used in the diet versions).
Diet Coke is the same nonsense as non-alcoholic beer. If I don't want to consume alcohol, I don't drink beer. If I don't want to consume sugar, I don't drink soda. There's a lot of alternatives.
LOL. Good for you, you sanctimonious nonce.
Coke Zero and Diet Coke are - get this - the world’s #2 and #3 most popular bottled beverages. They’re not some kind of moral failing, hand waved away by people who are DEFINITELY fun at parties.
Not stocking this will not last long on AF. From celebrities to athletes, teens to politicians, these drinks are non negotiable.
Although the French are horribly stupid about 7/8th...
LOL. Good for you, you sanctimonious nonce.
Coke Zero and Diet Coke are - get this - the world’s #2 and #3 most popular bottled beverages. They’re not some kind of moral failing, hand waved away by people who are DEFINITELY fun at parties.
Not stocking this will not last long on AF. From celebrities to athletes, teens to politicians, these drinks are non negotiable.
Although the French are horribly stupid about 7/8th of the time (see air conditioning, immigration policy, CDG), they will reverse this decision within a quarter. Maybe less.
LOL. Also, thanks for your input.
-G
I get it. I get it. But by being so strict on principle, they’re kinda setting themselves up for a (very minor) fail. Will there really be no sake on flights to Japan?? (Worse things in life, I know. But easy to poke fun at where they’ll need to make exceptions).
Or as the French call Coca-Cola: Vin américain
Or as the French call Coca-Cola: Vin américain
They have a non alcoholic cocktail by L'Alchemiste called L'Eveil now in LaP that I had two of last week and it is both welcomed as an option and delicious. Nice to not just drink sparkling water for 8 hours.
By all means replace your top-international spirit brands with mediocre french substitutes. I am sure most business an first passengers would love a non-premium french whisky, beer or vodka from a french brand instead of the international top brands other airlines serve.
That will surely be visible in the customer appreciation reviews
This is not cool by any stretch of the imagination. Are they completely removing the Scotch, Gin, and Bailey's from first class? Air France has done amazingly well improving their service but this is a terrible detraction.
There are some amazing French gins out there - Citadelle is top tier stuff.
Similarly, the whisky they've got is very solid, though I agree they should perhaps have something really special although it doesn't absolutely have to be from Scotland - e.g. Bushmills do some brilliant single malts.
Bailey's is a cheap sugary drink- nothing wrong with anyone enjoying it, but it's hardly the pinnacle of sophistication.
Agreed... But it makes a nice coffee.
Given where the water to brew the coffee comes from I am surprised people drink coffee on a plane
You could name the "one drink" in the title
@John, that ship has sailed. This has been the editorial style worldwide for titles for at least a decade.
and then people wouldn't click. it's called "burying the lede."
I would be shocked if this applies to to Air France lounges in North America. The shared Air France-KLM lounge at Toronto and the Air France lounge in Houston have AWFUL wines. None from France.
Indeed. I was just there. Horrible selection.
When I flew Air France last month in business class within Europe, the white wine served was a plastic mini-bottle of chenin blanc from South Africa.
This is a great idea and good for French businesses as well. As for the coffee just adding some cognac will do nicely. Merci.
If they refuse to serve sugar-free sodas, it's a hard pass for me. Have they retained them?
They've been serving Perrier for a very long time.
Coca Cola is a global brand. There is nothing that competes with it and France knows it.
Ben is absolutely correct about French coffee. Italy doesn't produce enough coffee beans but they sure know how roast and prepare it better than the French.
AF serve something far better for you than Coca Cola on their long flights …. that is …. Taliban Champagne don’t you know Walter.
In my last few AF trips I have tasted French whiskey onboard and in the lounges and it was very decent- a lot better than the JW Black and associated rubbish served by a lot of their competitors.
Air France can use coffee from beans grown in their overseas territories - should not be an issue (except for price perhaps)
Would be French enough to have at least one (good) single malt Scotch whisky, though
Perrier water has a "Psssst" sound if you hold it near your ear .
Soft drinks are known to be unhealthy . Wine and beer are known to be healthy . French Grey Goose L'Orange vodka is known the be the Most Healthy .