Air France's lie-flat business-class seats to get mattress pads through luxury Accor brand partnership
Fresh off of a glitzy reveal of its new long-haul first-class suites, Air France is announcing an upgrade for its international business class — one that should mean a better night’s sleep on flights to and from the French capital.
The Paris-based carrier is partnering with a luxury hotel brand on new mattress pads for its lie-flat business-class seats. They’ll start appearing on the airline’s long-haul jets this summer.
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Air France's new business-class feature
Air France’s new bedding partnership will see the French flag carrier join forces with Sofitel, the legacy hotel brand that’s part of the Accor Live Limitless loyalty portfolio (itself fresh off something of a glow-up).
Sofitel custom-designed a new bedding collection for Air France’s business pods, which the carrier said is meant to offer a “floating on a cloud” feel in its front cabin. At the very least, it should make for a more comfortable red-eye experience on your next business class redemption.
Private suites and high-tech touches: What it's like flying Air France's business class
The new “Sofitel My Bed” covers will slip over the entirety of each lie-flat seat on Air France’s whole fleet of wide-body aircraft, from the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner to its Airbus A330s and A350s.
“The introduction of a new mattress pad will further enhance the comfort offered on board, ensuring even more restful nights before arrival at destination, as well as greater relaxation during daytime flights,” Fabien Pelous, Air France's senior vice president of customer experience, said in a statement announcing the news.
The mattress covers will sport shades of gray colors that the airline believes fit the overall aesthetic of its business cabin. Tags on the coverings offer a nod to the partnership between the airline and the hotel brand.
Air France notes the coverings will work — and add comfort — in both the lie-flat and upright positions, as shown below.
Travelers will start seeing the new premium-cabin feature appear on jets in July. Every Air France long-haul aircraft will offer the mattress pads by the end of this year, and they’ll be available whether you’re flying on an overnight trek to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or a daylight flight.
How to book Air France with points and miles
Hoping to book a business-class flight on Air France? You have a few options.
For example, you can transfer credit card rewards to the Flying Blue loyalty program it shares with sister airline KLM as one option. Points and miles transfer 1:1 from most major credit card issuers, including American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One, Bilt Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards
Alternatively, you can transfer credit card points from several programs to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to take advantage of some of the lowest transatlantic award pricing out there (but do watch out for high surcharges on some bookings).
And among U.S. frequent flyer programs, Delta SkyMiles is a SkyTeam partner of Air France, but its award pricing tends to be pricier than Air France’s own Flying Blue program — though you can score an award pricing discount with a Delta SkyMiles credit card.
Accor, for its part, is a transfer partner of Capital One.
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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
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- 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.
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| 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. |
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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.