In mid-2022, Air France formally announced plans to introduce a new first class product. Details were fairly limited at the time, though it’s no doubt one of the most exciting first class products on the horizon.
As is the case with so many new airline products, Air France has experienced delays with rolling this out, in part due to supply chain issues. However, the airline will be unveiling this product in March 2025. Thanks to some new clues (intentional and unintentional), we also have reason to believe that this new experience may enter service sooner rather than later. Let’s talk about what we know so far.
In this post:
What we know about Air France’s new first class
Air France is working on introducing an all-new first class product (known as “La Premiere”). The new first class experience will be unveiled in March 2025. As of several months back, Air France claimed the new first class would enter service in the 2024-2025 winter season, which would be by late March 2025. We’ll see if that timeline sticks, but it might not be too far off, as I’ll explain below.
What do we know about this new first class cabin?
- The new first class will be “the longest cabin” on the market, with each passenger having five windows
- The new first class seat will be fully private; we’ll see if that comes in the form of curtains (as Air France currently has) or a floor-to-ceiling wall
- The new first class seat will have a modular design with three entirely private living spaces, including a seat, a chaise lounge, and a flat bed
- The new first class seat will have two video screens, as well as a wireless tablet for controlling seat functions
- Air France will introduce first class on a greater number of aircraft, though we don’t know which; it could be that more 777-300ERs are reconfigured into a four-class layout, or it could be that some Airbus A350s get the cabin as well (possibly some of the A350-1000s that Air France has on order?)
- According to Air France CEO Anne Rigail, “we aim to position it as the best in the world”
Below are a couple of slides from a 2024 investor day presentation, mentioning the new product.
Furthermore, below is a slide from a 2022 investor day presentation, which contained an artistic rendering of the new La Premiere seat. My guess is that this was just a possible concept, and not necessarily the product that Air France will go with. Note that the timeline for the product has shifted since then, because at the time the plan was for it to be introduced in the 2023-2024 winter season.
Here’s another interesting point. Up until recently, I’ve been under the impression the cabin would go from having four seats to having three seats. That’s because the carrier’s investor day presentation indicated there would be a “new cabin with 3 modular and totally private suites.” To me that suggested there were three suites, separate from the fact that each suite has a modular design with three private living spaces.
However, as it increasingly looks like Air France is revealing which routes will get the new cabins (as I’ll cover in the next section), it seems likely that there are actually four seats, as is currently the case.
Air France first class is currently available on select Boeing 777-300ERs. The current first class product, which was introduced back in 2014, features curtains that offer full privacy. It’s a phenomenal cabin, and personally I rank Air France as having the third best first class experience in the air, and the best first class experience on the ground (and that experience recently got even better).
Air France’s new first class should enter service soon
We have reason to believe that Air France is not only unveiling its new first class product soon, but is also putting it into service soon. Why? Well, some eagle-eyed FlyerTalk members note how Air France is starting to not only restrict first class award space, but also offer fewer seats in the lower first class fare bucket, progressively and on select routes.
Specificially:
- As of April 2025, there are no longer first class awards on select CDG-JFK frequencies, AF3/4 and AF5/6
- As of June 2025, there are no longer first class awards on select CDG-LAX frequencies, AF22/23
- As of July 2025, there are no longer first class award seats on the CDG-SIN route, AF256/257
While Air France restricts first class award seats to Flying Blue Platinum members, at least there have historically consistently been first class award seats (though at very high redemption rates). So it sure seems to me like this blocking is largely intended to reflect the routes on which the new first class is planned.
It would make sense that New York, Los Angeles, and Singapore, would be the first destinations to get the new product. And the timeline also makes sense, and would reflect the airline essentially reconfiguring one jet per month.
It’s possible this is some strange coincidence, but that seems unlikely, as it otherwise tracks. It’s worth noting that even on these flights, there continue to be up to four first class seats for sale, which is why I believe the cabin will have four seats.
It’s disappointing if Air France chooses to restrict first class award seats on these flights, though I also can’t say I’m surprised, given how the airline chooses to position this product.
That brings me to another question — if Air France introduces its new first class in the coming months, presumably the first plane will be reconfigured pretty soon. Does anyone know where this work will be done, or where Air France historically reconfigures the interiors of its jets?
Among the four-class 777-300ERs, two are currently not in service. The plane with the registration code F-GSQF was flown to Frankfurt Hahn (HHN) on January 22, 2025, while the plane with the registration code F-GSQC was flown to Paris Orly (ORY) on January 26, 2025.
In terms of timing, it would make sense if one of these is the first planes to be reconfigured, since I could see it taking about two months to reconfigure the first jet, as it takes a bit more effort. I would assume it’s more likely that this work takes place in France, but who knows?
My initial take on Air France’s new first class
Air France simply does an amazing job with its first class experience, and I’m thrilled to see that the airline has recently even further improved the ground experience, and will now elevate the inflight experience. We’ve been waiting quite some time for the details, so I’m looking forward to the big reveal, and hopefully the imminent introduction of the product.
We now have reason to believe that there will be four seats rather than three seats in the new first class, which makes me wonder how exactly this product will be. I’m expecting Air France’s new first class to be absolutely amazing, though in a 1-2-1 configuration, that seems a bit challenging.
Nowadays the cutting edge products seem to all be in a 1-1-1 configuration. This is really a trend that was kicked off with Emirates’ new 777 first class, and it’s now something we’re seeing with Japan Airlines’ new A350 first class. Yes, Cathay Pacific’s 777s also have three seats per row, but that’s because they’re angled, so it’s partially a space saving technique.
While Lufthansa’s new A350 first class also has three seats per row, that’s because the airline has (a really poorly thought out) double suite in the center of the cabin, so it really has the capacity for up to four guests.
So I’m curious, will Air France be able to introduce something amazing if there are four seats in one row, or does the airline have some super innovative trick that I’m missing?
I’m happy to see that Air France has plans to not only reconfigure its existing Boeing 777s, but also introduce first class on more aircraft. I’m curious to learn the details of that, and just how many additional planes will get first class.
All that being said, I’m disappointed that Air France appears to have plans to block first class award redemptions with the new product. I mean, the airline restricts these redemptions to top elites, and charges 300K+ miles one-way in many markets, so you’d think the airline could make some seats available. Oh well. I guess we can hope it’s just a temporary measure?
Bottom line
Air France’s new La Premiere first class should be unveiled in March 2025. While it hasn’t been officially confirmed, it also seems likely that the product will actually enter service not long after that, based on how inventory has been updated on these flights.
I can’t wait to learn more details, including what the product will be like, and which aircraft it will be expanded to.
What do you make of Air France’s first class plans?
One week ago F-GZNA was also flown to Frankfurt Hahn airport, so there could be 3 aircraft with the new product launching in March instead of 2.
Both planes you mentioned are now back in service, and there are no reports of the new F seat so I guess it was a false alarm.
So the guy in the previous article who posted about there being four seats was right
I am totally okay with the restrictions. The last thing we need are “points people” vlogging from the cabin.
Indeed!!
I'd love it if they also stop offering discounted upgrades from Business Class on the day of the flight. Hate checking in and being told I'm the only one in the cabin and then when boarding the cabin is full with randos from the back. Diminishes the quality of service, especially on return flights to Paris from the US.
@lucky: I disagree with you on the statement “in a 1-2-1 configuration, that seems a bit challenging”. I think as a passenger you could benefit more from a longer seat, than a wider seat. I think having a longer 1-2-1 has more potential compared to a 1-1-1 in terms of what i imagine airlines can do with that space. So I’m excited to see what AF comes up with.
Considering 777 cabin width and frame length this product should measure roughly 1.2m wide x 2.9m or 3.5 m2, incl. partitions.
...I indeed think it's a better use of space than Emirates latest wider shorter product which has similar footprint per seat or LHG's undecided product. It's also a choice of 4 F seats vs 3-3.5 F seats + 10 Y seats so AF must feel they can profitably fill the extra seat.
Considering 777 cabin width and frame length this product should measure roughly 1.2m wide x 2.9m or 3.5 m2, incl. partitions.
I indeed think it's a better use of space than Emirates latest wider shorter product which has similar footprint per seat or LHG's undecided product. It's also a choice of 4 F seats vs 3-3.5 F seats + 10 Y seats so AF must feel they can profitably fill the extra seat.
A good single bed is 0.9x 2m so there plenty of space width wise for a good bed some armrest and side tablets. A wide seat is useless of you can reach the armrests (cf ANA the room). Clever design like retractable armrests can ensure an even wider bed.
A 4-across arrangement maintains the possibility of a center honeymoon suite with a kingsize bed (180 cm) with aisle access from both sides.
I think it's a better value proposition than either latest Emirates (no honeymoon F) or LHG pseudo double bed layouts.
I just hope they improve partitionning for the center section in the event it's used by pax that don't know each other (the current common room created by the aisle curtains is a bit awkward).
I can definitely see some availability on AF6 for several days in May, maybe it's just progressive but it doesn't seem as clear cut.
Maybe we need to think outside the box here with the 4 seat cabin.
A single aisle on a 777 with 2 rows in a 1-1 configuration?
Or will this configuration just remain in my dreams…
That could be possible but it would also mean that the claim of it being the longest product with 5 windows per seat is also not going to happen.
I've got a SIN-CDG-LAX La Première trip coming up in mid-northern summer. Fingers are crossed for the new suite, but as with all things airline hardware-related, I would expect delays...
Surely there must be a point at which the cabin becomes too "exclusive" to be commercially viable, even though AF charges hefty cash fares for LP? By almost every report their paying customers are very pleased with the current product, and it seems to be making them money. It's wise not to mess too much with a winning formula!
"It would make sense that ... and Singapore, would be the first destinations to get the new product."
Singapore? Really? Why?
A high income, long distance market that already has first class demand (both SQ and AF send a daily first class cabin each way).
For the alternatives:
1. NY and LA are the two highest value US destinations and are also suggested by Lucky as probable locations.
2. Other US cities don't have the same level of wealth concentration. You could argue SFO but I think that's it.
3. Hong Kong...
A high income, long distance market that already has first class demand (both SQ and AF send a daily first class cabin each way).
For the alternatives:
1. NY and LA are the two highest value US destinations and are also suggested by Lucky as probable locations.
2. Other US cities don't have the same level of wealth concentration. You could argue SFO but I think that's it.
3. Hong Kong and major chinese cities aren't currently served and so it would be surprising if they're served.
4. Dubai is only 6/7 hours away. While it has the most first class capacity (between EK and AF) of any city pair the actual "need" is probably the least.
5. Tokyo is probably as likely as Singapore
I can't see any other city even getting consideration so Singapore being one of the first three to get the product isn't too shocking.
There's far more to cabin/capacity allocation than "this big city has more rich people than that big city."
I don't have access to status newer than 2019, but pre-Covid, IAD was actually AF's...
There's far more to cabin/capacity allocation than "this big city has more rich people than that big city."
I don't have access to status newer than 2019, but pre-Covid, IAD was actually AF's highest-yielding station in 3 of 4 cabins, including F; and MIA had the highest percentage of paid-F per flight.
JFK and LAX of course did fine, but they were actually middle-of-the-pack.
Singapore has one of the highest concentrations of millionaires per capital in the world. On source indicates second after Zurich.
@Ben
The Air France - KLM group has 11 A350-1000s on order and all of them will go to KLM according to Wikipedia.
They didn't state the composition of the order when they announced it.
It was intentionally left unannounced, they can decide which varient to pick as build/delivery draws closer.
KLM is in greater need of the higher capacity A350.
Air France said it will eventually receive some A350-1000 but they are prioritising the smaller A350-900
Of the two aircraft you mention, F-GSQC and F-GSQF, I'd lean towards GSQC. When AF was updating the 77W cabins (e.g. updating the COI 77Ws and getting rid of the angle-flat NEV4 seats on the no-F 77Ws), that work was done at BOD and ORY. Some aircraft also visited HHN during that timeframe, but those turned out to just be regular maintenance checks, not cabin updates.
Hopefully they do not restrict the awards. I'd love to see you be able to try it out since you went for Flying Blue status.