Flying with Air France? All you need to know about the menu
France is known for its unparalleled gastronomy and fine wines, so you can expect the full culinary experience when flying with Air France. Whether you're planning a getaway to Paris or using Charles de Gaulle (CDG) as a connection point for long-haul travel, you can get a taste of French cuisine on board or in its lounges.
Read more: 4 must-do activities for a very Moulin Rouge trip to Paris
The full French offering is available from the ground to the air with dishes from French chefs such as foie gras, beef bourguignon, croissants and pastries, French cheeses and French wines and Champagnes.
Below is a full breakdown of the Air France food served in the lounges and also on board in each class.
Lounges
Air France La Première Lounge -- Charles de Gaulle, Paris (CDG)
Breakfast: Choice of eggs, cold cuts, bacon and sausages, sautéed potatoes, cheese, tomatoes, a selection of cereals, yogurts, pastries and bread.
Main menu: A choice of starters including shrimp salad, pumpkin soup, duck foie gras, chicken and comté cheese and black truffle-toasted sandwich. Main courses include seared cod, free-range chicken with ceps (mushrooms) and a grilled thick slice of black pudding. There are also a selection of cheeses and desserts, which feature hot chocolate souffle and praline chocolate made in Paris.
There is also a buffet available with a selection of starters, salads, meats, cheeses and desserts.
Related reading: As good as it gets: A review of Air France La Première (777-300ER) from Paris to Beijing
Beverages: A selection including Louis Roederer Champagne, French red and white wines, cocktails, mocktails, spirits and soft drinks.
Nutrition tip: Try to stick to a la carte to make sure you don't overload your plate at the buffet. Remember you are going to eat on board too so try just to stick to one dessert, either in the lounge or on board.
Business lounges -- across the world
The French brasserie spirit is on offer in both CDG and Orly Airport (ORY). On offer there are French wines, Champagnes, cheeses, croissants, French flan and a Brittany galette dessert, a salad bar, quiches, soup and noodles.
At CDG, there is even an offer from a chef to cook a special dish. At the time of publication, the offering is boeuf bourguignon with celeriac mashed potato. As well as the usual drinks, there is a special cocktail menu available each day from 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
To celebrate Valentine's Day, Air France is organizing Champagne tasting and is giving passengers a chocolate love heart.
On board
Economy
On offer is a main course, French cheese, dessert and bread. Champagne and wine are free-for-all passengers -- an added bonus as most airlines charge for this. On longer flights, you can choose from a self-service snack offering with cookies, sandwiches and ice cream.
A special kids' menu for those up to 8 years old features a fresh salad, a baked dish, soft white bread, apple juice and a fruit compote.
There is also a range of special meals available, which can be ordered 48 hours before your flight here.
Premium economy
On offer in the premium economy cabin is a menu and wines chosen by famous sommelier Paolo Basso.
At mealtime, you start with an aperitif accompanied by salted cookies. The service also includes a starter and a choice of two mains with dessert and coffee. For longer flights, there is also a snack service or a second meal if your flight is over 10 hours.
Business class
Business-class cuisine is curated by Andrée Rosier, the first woman to be awarded Meilleur Ouvrier de France and the chef of Michelin-starred restaurant Les Rosiers in Biarritz.
Passengers have the option of five starters. For mains, there are options of confit lamb, guinea fowl, Basque koskera-style haddock and the vegetarian option of bulgur wheat with spices. This is followed by cheese selections and various dessert options.
Not in the mood to eat? You can choose to have an express lunch so you can maximize your rest and then have a pre-landing snack including yogurt, vegetable cake with citrus salad and an apricot cake.
Children can also benefit from a child's business-class meal which can be ordered in advance.
Read more: Guide for bidding for upgrades on premium seats
La Première
La Première is one of the most exclusive first-class products in the world. In fact, it won the award of the Best International First Class at the 2019 TPG Awards. The menu on board is curated by chef Emmanuel Renaut who was awarded Meilleur Ouvrier de France and is a chef of triple Michelin-starred restaurant Flocons de sel in Megève.
The offering begins with langoustines, Oscietra caviar, tangy citrus fruit and gentian drops and cream of chestnut and celeriac soup. Starters are a choice of duck foie gras and a mango and pineapple compote or scallop terrine with herb jelly, whipped cream with mascarpone.
Main options: Blanquette-style veal shank with carrots, confit farmhouse poultry salmis with mushrooms, juniper flavored jus, lobster fricassee with seasonal vegetables or risotto-style root vegetables, button mushrooms, porcini mushrooms and Beaufort cheese.
Passengers can create their own salad to accompany their meal and then have a choice of cheeses and a dessert of Lenôtre Paris (dried fruit, nut and candied orange tartlet, almond and hazelnut cake).
Nutrition tip: If you are looking to travel with your health in mind then choose the scallop terrine followed by the farmhouse poultry and try to just have fruit for dessert (yes, very difficult!).
Diners can choose from a selection of soft drinks, hot drinks including Illy espresso choices and a full first-class wine selection including Krug Champagne.
Menus a la carte
If you are traveling economy or premium economy and want to pay for a special menu, you have the option of purchasing from the range of a la carte packages on the Air France website up to 48 hours before you fly.
Fauchon menu: A menu designed by the prestigious French house Fauchon, which is luxurious and even includes the house éclair ($30).
Healthy menu: For those watching their waistline try a lentil salad, white cheese and grilled fish with vegetables ($23).
The “my fun menu”: A burger, Kettle crisps, Haribo and doughnut ($14).
A traditional menu: Featuring "delights of culinary French heritage" ($20).
Ocean menu: Variety of seafood dishes ($16).
Italia menu: Italian cuisine from every region of Italy ($13).
Bottom line
You haven’t truly experienced dining on board until you’ve enjoyed foie gras and vintage Bordeaux at 40,000 feet in the air. Air France's menu is exquisite, even in economy. What other airline offers free Champagne in economy? Air France is best experienced when flying from CDG to fully experience the flagship lounge offerings. Some of the dishes can be quite rich to the palate and hard to digest, though, so consider your well-being and perhaps try to steer clear of the fatty cheeses and foie gras dishes.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.