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I flew Air France from Nice to Dubai via Paris CDG. When checking in online, I decided to upgrade my ticket from business class to La Première, which is Air France’s very exclusive first class.
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Best way to fly La Première
Air France certainly maintains the very high entry level of its Première Classe La Première. Not only does it take a lot of miles to redeem La Premiere, but you also have to be Air France Flying Blue Elite.
The best way is to pay for an upgrade when checking in online, assuming there are seats available. This is exactly what I did the day before my trip and was offered the upgrade for € 1,019. It’s significantly cheaper than paying the typical price difference of € 2,000 more.
Salon La Première
After an uneventful hour domestic flight I arrived at Paris CDG, where a personal escort and limousine were waiting to take me to the Air France La Première lounge. I enjoyed the great French food and drinks there and left for my next flight to Dubai.
Salon La Premiere is consistently rated as one of the best first-class salons, simply because of its great gastronomy and high-end design. The lounge is by no means huge, especially when you compare it to the Qatar Airways Al Safwa lounge, but it offers understated luxury and a warm atmosphere with decor in vibrant red and beige colors.
I’m also happy to report that there is no covid reduction in terms of food / drink offerings. However, the private spa is still closed.
After an hour in the Salon La Première, it was time to board the personal limousine until the next flight to Dubai. I was asked if I wanted to get on board sooner or later. I chose to board at the last minute to be able to enjoy the show a little longer.
In my opinion, the ground escort service is what sets La Premiere apart from other great First Class products; many of which do not provide any type of ground service at the airport (i.e. Singapore Airlines or Emirates).
The La Première agent will also take care of the customs clearance of your passport, while you wait in the lounge. It is not necessary to stay in the passport queue.
The Paris-Dubai flight was a B777-300 / ER. I was lucky enough to be the only passenger on La Première. Take a look at the luxurious, understated design and elegance of the interior.
The usual first-class equipment, such as the amenity kit and pajamas, were distributed along with a sanitary kit.
We left 30 minutes late on my flight. The flight time to Dubai was six hours 20 minutes.
It was operated by one of the oldest B777-300 / ERs in the Air France fleet, the F-GSQB, at 17 years old! Air France was the launch operator of the B777-300 / ER in 2004.
I was still full of my visit to the show, so I opted for an aperitif only and then a little rest. I could then enjoy a full dinner before landing.
The next dish was foie gras in hot ravioli. It is a great dish because the foie gras literally bursts in the mouth. I also drank a glass of red wine to accompany the dish.
The bed was changed while I went to the bathroom to change into my pajamas. The pillow and duvet were both soft and cool, I believe the bedding is proven by Sofitel.
The curtain can be closed completely and goes all the way up to the ceiling, so you have complete privacy. I much prefer the curtain, as it is less claustrophobic than other fully contained first class seats. The curtain also gives a more spacious feel to your private space. It’s not transparent either, so you can even change clothes inside!
After six hours and 15 minutes of first class flight, I landed in Dubai with a great deal of experience in mind. Another ground agent was waiting for me at the end of the gangway and escorted me to the arrivals.
My verdict
I would say Air France La Premiere is one of the best first class on the market, along with Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and ANA. Air France La Première is a hidden gem and exclusive to most full-fare passengers.
Advantages:
- Simple luxury design
- Great gastronomy in the saloon and on board
- Personal escort on the ground and transfer by limousine during transit. They even take care of stamping your passport while you relax in the lounge!
The inconvenients:
- The catering in Paris is significantly better than some remote resorts (like Dubai) in my past experience.
- Outside of Paris, there is only one La Premiere / First Class space inside the standard Air France / Skyteam lounge.
Previously, the lack of WiFi on the Air France B777 fleet let the experience down, but WiFi is now installed.
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