During our royal visit to Versailles, we flew Air France’s Boeing 777-300ER La Premiere first class from Miami (MIA) to Paris (CDG). Upon arrival, we had the chance to check out Air France’s new arrivals lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which opened as part of the 2024 La Premiere ground refresh.
While Air France’s first class inflight experience is great, it’s the ground experience that’s truly exceptional, and on a different level than you’ll find on any other airline. There’s simply not another airline that makes the first class ground experience so worry-free, whether on departure or arrival. This arrivals experience is on a different level, and is more like private aviation than commercial aviation…
In this post:
Air France La Premiere first class arrivals service
As soon as we exited the jet bridge of the Air France 777, we were greeted by a lovely La Premiere agent, who would take care of arrival formalities for us. At the end of the jet bridge we took an elevator down to the apron level, where a Porsche was waiting to transport us to the terminal.
After driving for around five minutes, we had an intermediate stop at the La Premiere Lounge (the one for departures), where passport formalities were taken care of. Someone came to collect our passports as we stayed in the car, and within a few minutes, we were on our way.
From there, we drove to the arrivals lounge, which is attached to the check-in area of Terminal 2E.
Air France La Premiere first class arrivals lounge layout & seating
All arriving La Premiere passengers will find themselves in the arrivals lounge, which is probably the most versatile arrivals lounge I’ve ever seen:
- You can enjoy anything from a coffee to a full meal here
- You can use the bathroom or take a shower
- You can wait here while the La Premiere agents collect your checked bags for you
- You can wait here for your chauffeur service (included when flying La Premiere), and again, the agents coordinate all that to make it seamless
Let me explain the logistics here, so that this all makes sense. Essentially the Terminal 2E La Premiere check-in area and the arrivals lounge are attached, so this is very close to the exterior of the terminal, making this a convenient path to take out of the airport while barely entering the main part of the terminal.
As you enter the facility on arrival, you’ll find yourself going down a long hallway, with some cool art, including of the Concorde.
The arrivals lounge is intimate but stylish, and I can’t imagine it ever gets busy (I mean, we were there over the busy morning rush, and below are pictures, which tells you everything). The center of the arrivals lounge is three dining tables, each seating two people.
Then there are several more seats along the edge of the lounge, for those who don’t want to enjoy a meal.
The arrivals lounge has a small buffet, but most of the food is a la carte. I also appreciate all the aviation geek elements to the lounge, like the Concorde model plane.
If you keep walking down the hallway, you’ll eventually find yourself passing the check-in area, as past that is the exterior of the terminal.
During the time we spent in the lounge, a few other guests showed up over time, but each just for a few minutes. They typically had a coffee while one of the La Premiere agents fetched their checked bags, checked on the timing of their chauffeur service, etc.
Air France La Premiere first class arrivals lounge food & drinks
The Air France La Premiere arrivals lounge has a small buffet. During our mid-morning visit, the buffet had some very light breakfast options, like croissants, pastries, cereal, yogurt, fresh juice, and water.
There’s a much more extensive a la carte selection, and you can find the menu below.
I had intentionally arranged our chauffeur service so that we’d have around an hour to check out the arrivals lounge, so we decided to have something to eat. We had a seat at one of the tables, and the excellent server appeared within seconds, initially bringing us a bread basket.
We weren’t terribly hungry or thirsty, but I ordered an americano to drink.
To eat, I selected the sea bass, which was simply prepared, but phenomenal.
Ford had two poached eggs on little toasts.
While the menu is scaled back a little compared to the main La Premiere Lounge, the quality is every bit as good.
Air France La Premiere first class arrivals lounge bathrooms & showers
The Air France La Premiere arrivals lounge offers dedicated bathrooms and showers. The men’s room has two separate bathrooms, which were super clean during my visit.
The lounge also has two luxurious shower suites, each with a sink, toilet, and walk-in shower.
The amenities are very nice, ranging from bathrobes to Sisley products (shampoo, conditioner, and body wash).
Air France La Premiere first class check-in area
While not relevant on this trip, when you exit the arrivals lounge you’ll find yourself in the La Premiere check-in area. Since I hadn’t visited this new facility before, I decided to snap a few pictures.
It’s all a very stylish setup, with the same design as the arrivals lounge area. There’s plenty of seating, and I can’t imagine that most guests spend more than a couple of minutes here, while check-in formalities are taken care of.
If you’re departing, then the process is exactly the opposite of the arrivals experience — after checking in, you walk through the arrivals lounge, clear security through a private channel, and get in one of the cars, as you’ll be driven to the lounge (where passport control happens), and then to the plane.
For those departing in La Premiere, you’ll want to be dropped off at Terminal 2E, departures area 17. That’s because that’s the dedicated space for La Premiere customers.
Air France La Premiere first class chauffeur service
Air France La Premiere passengers receive complimentary chauffeur service in Paris, in partnership with Hertz DriveU. We had arranged that in advance, so our driver was there right on-time, and took us to Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle, where we’d be spending the next couple of nights.
Bottom line
Air France’s La Premiere first class is an exceptional experience from start to finish. Arguably what differentiates the product the most is the ground experience, whether on arrival or departure.
Air France’s arrivals experience couldn’t be better — you’re picked up at the plane, passport control is performed from the car, and then you’re in the arrivals lounge, where you can wait while the La Premiere agents either get your checked bags or arrange your car transfer.
Even beyond that, the arrivals lounge is probably the best you’ll find from any airline, with proper gourmet a la carte dining, and luxurious bathrooms and shower suites. Well done, Air France!
What do you make of the Air France La Premiere arrivals lounge Paris?
the new suites are also joined onto this part of the terminal where you can rent a full suite with bedroom for 3 hours for like 600Euro ?
Maybe I missed it but I saw no mention of there being wine or other alcoholic beverages.
I know many arrivals lounges do not serve alcohol, although the BA one at LHR T5 serves champagne with breakfast which is a nice touch.
And this is France!
I remember when American Airlines had an arrivals lounge at CDG (in 2002). It was hidden away in the lower reaches of the terminal, but at least it included a Continental Breakfast and showers. It disappeared. Now even the Admiral's Club at CDG is gone (there's a shared/outsourced facility only). How times have changed.
Many years ago we used the American Airlines arrivals lounge at Heathrow. Don't know if it's still there, but it was a nice place to hang out for about 4 hours until our connecting flight. Light eats, a quiet room with recliners for napping, individual shower rooms, and luggage storage. No where near as nice as the la Premiere arrivals lounge, but we were only flying biz across the Atlantic so no complaints.
AA Arrivals lounge is still there. LHR is just that important of a market. UA, VS, BA, and AA all have their own respective arrivals lounges.
Air France used to have a CDG arrivals lounge as well, but that's since been closed, with no signs of coming back. Even UA used to have one at SFO, seems like they are slowly disappearing.
Cathay is looking at bringing back their HKG lounge however.
Looks beautiful. What an experience. You've probably covered this before, but I'm always curious. Are any of these people: driver, waiter etc.. tipped. Or expect it?
IME, tipping in even lower-end places in Paris gets you laughed at or scoffed at. With varying degrees of politeness. Mostly bars but a few brasseries before I got the hint.
I do not tip in airport lounges and do not tip anywhere in Continental Europe. I tip 25-40%, depending on service, in America at restaurants and bars.
Santos, I was with you until the "I tip 25%-45% in the US".
My tip range is more reasonable - about half that.
I have used Hertz DriveU a number of times for airport transfers in France and Italy. Their rates always seem competitive and the drivers have been consistently good.
You have a dope life, Ben.
Wow looks great.
Quick question about the immigration facilities - customers stay in the car whilst these are processed?
Most countries I have entered want to compare the person standing in front of them with the picture in the passport/bio chip.
@ Duck Ling -- Indeed, you stay in the car. And I wondered about what you mention as well, since you have no contact with the immigration officer.
I was a flight patron bringing dogs from an Asian country. I upgraded to LA Première because of the length of time I was in the air. 50 hours in economy just wasn't going to cut it. Well I was quite worried about my charges and the attendants were nothing but exceptional. They were there every step of the way, ensuring the dogs were on board and as comfortable as dogs in a crate can...
I was a flight patron bringing dogs from an Asian country. I upgraded to LA Première because of the length of time I was in the air. 50 hours in economy just wasn't going to cut it. Well I was quite worried about my charges and the attendants were nothing but exceptional. They were there every step of the way, ensuring the dogs were on board and as comfortable as dogs in a crate can be. When we landed at the final destination (not France), I still received the A+ service in getting the dogs where they needed to be once off the plane. My only complaint is that they didn't have La Première on the first half of the journey from the Asian country to France.
Ben, story tip: US couple currently being held in Mexican jail for weeks for disputing resort charges on their Amex card. Resort now demanding $250k and NDA to drop charges. Don't know which resort.
@ Jack -- Thanks for the heads up, just published a post about it!
La Premiere is my fav lounge of all!!
Hey Ben, this sentence can't be right: "If you’re departing, then the process is exactly the opposite of the arrivals experience — after checking in, you walk through the arrivals lounge and to one of the cars, as you’ll be driven to the lounge (where passport control happens), and then to the plane."
So when does security happen?
@ david -- Forgot to mention the part about the private security channel. Updated the post now to add that, thanks!
My husband and I experienced this last November and it is as amazing as you describe! We weren’t as wowed by the La Premiere flight experience, but the ground service made up for it! We actually were heading to Airelles Chateau de Versailles as well so we are looking forward to your review.
Do you have access to the normal La Premier Inn lounge on arrival or is that purely for departure?
That's only for departure or connecting because it's on the secure/airside side of the terminal. This arrivals area is on the landside part of the terminal, that's why you enter once they complete your passport check, and why you can just walk into the check-in area.
So you’re driven to landslide no matter what? It’s not like Lufthansa where you can go use the FCLs like an arrivals lounge?
@ E39 -- Correct, you're driven to the land side if you're not connecting.