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Air France unveils new business-class seat that now features a sliding door

May 10, 2022
3 min read
Business Air France 2
Air France unveils new business-class seat that now features a sliding door
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Air France just said oui to sliding doors in business class — the latest airline to do so.

The French flag carrier on Tuesday unveiled its latest business-class seat, which will be installed on 12 of the carrier's largest aircraft, the Boeing 777-300ER.

The reverse herringbone design — where passengers are angled diagonally toward the window or each other — is more of an evolutionary than revolutionary design for the airline, which currently features a similar seat in a 1-2-1 configuration on its 777-300ER fleet. But the seats feature a more modern finish of "wool, brushed aluminum and full-grain French leather," a 17.3-inch 4K inflight entertainment screen and the ability to pair your own Bluetooth headphones with the system.

(Photo courtesy of Air France)

In addition to the new sliding doors, which add privacy, the two seats in the center section of the cabin now feature a privacy divider separating them that raises and lowers.

Review: Crossing the Atlantic on Air France’s 777-300ER in business class, New York to Paris

(Photo courtesy of Air France)

When fully reclined, the carrier says the seat will feature a bed nearly 6.5 feet long.

(Photo courtesy of Air France)

In addition to business class, the carrier is updating the premium economy and economy class seats on these aircraft.

In premium economy, Air France is bringing the seat that it introduced on its Airbus A350 fleet to the 777. Those seats feature about 38 inches of pitch. It's a much-needed upgrade for a seat that has received poor reviews from TPG in the past.

Review: Air France (777-300ER) premium economy from New York to Paris

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(Photo courtesy of Air France)

In economy class, the new seats are 17-inches wide and feature about 31 inches of pitch, which is a standard configuration across multiple carriers for 10-abreast economy class on the 777-300ER.

(Photo courtesy of Air France)

Passengers in both cabins will enjoy inflight entertainment on a 13.3-inch 4K screen. This system will feature the same Bluetooth pairing capability as business class.

The new seats will hit the skies starting in September. Flights between Paris (CDG) to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will be the first market for the 777s equipped with these seats. Each of the 12 777s in this configuration will feature 48 business-class seats, 48 premium-economy seats and 273 economy seats.

Featured image by AIR FRANCE
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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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.