Reviews

Video from the first flight in the new Air France La Premiere first class

Eric RosenDirector of travel content
TPG's director of travel content Eric Rosen has used points and miles to visit some of the world's most remote corners, including swimming with whale sharks off Western Australia's Ningaloo Coast, exploring the wilds of Botswana's Okavango Delta and tasting the high-altitude wines of Argentina's Mendoza region.

April 11, 2025 • 7 min read

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Editorial note: The Points Guy was invited on Air France's new La Premiere inaugural as a guest of the airline, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of TPG staff and were not subject to review by the airline or any other external entity.

Quick summary

Air France debuted its new La Premiere first-class suites on long-haul flights between Paris and New York, offering an elevated ground and inflight experience.
The La Premiere lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle features designer furnishings, a Sisley spa, gourmet dining and private suites with butler service for an additional fee.
Onboard, each suite provides nearly 38 square feet of space, advanced entertainment systems, luxury bedding and amenities, and multicourse meals by a renowned chef.
The new suites are currently available on select flights, with more routes to Los Angeles, Singapore and Tokyo planned for the summer.

What to consider

Award bookings for La Premiere require top-tier Flying Blue elite status and are extremely limited due to high demand and restricted availability.
Private lounge suites at the airport incur an additional charge starting at 800 euros (about $873).
Expanded availability may occur as more aircraft are outfitted, but access remains highly exclusive for now.

What you'll miss from the article

A detailed look at the exclusive services, design features and inflight amenities that set La Premiere apart from other first-class products.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

On April 8, Air France’s stunning new La Premiere first-class seats flew their first long-haul flight from Paris-Charles de Galle Airport (CDG) to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and TPG was among the first on board to experience them.

In fact, we made an entire video of the experience just so you can feel like you were along for the ride with us! Check it out here:

We loved the new La Premiere check-in lounge at CDG, where each passenger enjoys personalized service and a private escort through security to the La Premiere lounge.

Designed by architect Didier Lefort, the new Air France La Premiere lounge feels like a destination in and of itself thanks to designer furnishings by the likes of Pierre Paulin and Patrick Jouin, a Sisley spa and a la carte dining with menus by French master chef Alain Ducasse.

There are three private suites for hire (starting at 800 euros, or about $873) for departing passengers, each with dedicated butler service and its own living room, bedroom, bathroom and even an outdoor patio.

After that, passengers are whisked directly to their flight in a chauffered Porsche Cayenne hybrid.

Air France La Premiere — NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUY

As for the onboard experience, there are only four of the new La Premiere suites on the Boeing 777-300ERs being outfitted with them.

Air France La Premiere cabin — NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUY

Each has nearly 38 square feet of personal space (among the most in the industry) and not only an ergonomic reclining armchair but also a separate chaise lounge and five windows for the side seats.

The suites have two, yes two, 32-inch 4K entertainment screens, plus wireless touchscreen tablets to control the functions of the seats. Among other tech touches are wireless charging, USB-A and USB-C ports and high-speed Wi-Fi.

The chaise converts into a lie-flat bed about 6 1/2 feet long by 2 1/2 feet wide that the crew will turn down with bedding from French linen brand Dumas Paris.

All the better for spreading out and getting a restful snooze after changing into the provided Simon Porte Jacquemus cotton pajamas and freshening up with the Sisley amenity kits.

Passengers will be treated to multicourse gourmet meals, also courtesy of chef Alain Ducasse, plus premium wine and spirits. You might not want to deplane at the end of your flight.

So far, the new La Premiere suites can be found on select Boeing 777-300ERs flying between Paris and New York, with more to go into service between Paris and Los Angeles, Singapore and Tokyo this summer.

Unfortunately, Air France restricts award availability for La Premiere, so you must have Air France-KLM Flying Blue Platinum elite status if you want to redeem miles for the experience. Given the scarcity of these new suites so far, even those with status are unlikely to find bookable award seats. That said, perhaps more space will become available as more planes with the new seats go into service, but only time will tell.

Don't have time to watch the full video? Take a look at the highlights below!

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
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Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.