‘Secret VIP paths’ through the airport, Porsche rental cars and ‘zero-flaw’ food: Travel experts compare Air France’s ‘La Premiere’ first class cabin with the new business class on flights to New York and Dubai
Secret VIP paths through the airport, Porsche service cars taking passengers to the plane, giant armchair-style seats and caviar nibbles.
Travel expert Nicky Kelvin, from The points manshows in a magical video what it is like to travel from Paris to Dubai in Air France’s very best first class cabin: La Premiere.
And that’s quite something.
On Youtube videohis colleague Liam Spencer makes an intriguing comparison with a review of Air France’s newest business class seat on an A350 flight to New York.
He declares it one of the best business class flights he has ever taken. And he knows a thing or two about business class flights. Read on for the full statements and watch the trailer video – presented above.
BUSINESS CLASS – PARIS CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT TO NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL. TYPICAL COST SINGLE – £3,404/$4,351
Liam Spencer from The Points Guy puts Air France’s A350 business class to the test
A bit special: Liam declares that his trip was one of the best business class flights he has ever taken
Liam told MailOnline Travel that his experience of Air France business class was ‘great’ overall.
And from the beginning.
He said: ‘The business check-in desk was quite chic, the lounge had loads of seating and dining options, and was generally a perfect place to relax before a flight.’
On board, Air France continued to impress, with its seat like a big piece of real estate.
Liam continues: ‘I had a lovely big window seat with all the space to myself.
‘The seat itself was very comfortable and had a nice fresh blue design. I had loads of room and a super wide seat, adjustable armrest and a super handy modern tablet designed to order food, change seats and control the entertainment.
Above – Liam sits in the footwell to demonstrate how big the chair is
“My space came with an adjustable reading light and a make-up mirror which were lovely additions. I also got a really nice pair of headphones and a lovely glass of champagne which is always a nice touch. My entertainment screen was absolutely huge and very responsive.”
In addition, Liam received “a soft, large, fluffy pillow… a fluffy duvet” and a “beautiful” care package containing “a sleep mask, flight socks, pen, eco-friendly toothbrush, moisturizer and Clarins beauty balm.”
Air France has also provided a good range of food and drinks.
Air France has done a good job with the food and drink offering (three images above). Liam said: ‘The food itself was delicious without any faults’
Points Guy’s travel guru tested the seat in bed mode and found it “super comfortable”
The Air France A350 business class competes with Qatar’s famous Qsuite, says Liam
Liam said: “Air France passengers can order their meal before the flight. The menu had many options to choose from. The way the food was presented made the dining experience feel more like a first class experience than a business class experience. Moreover, the food itself was delicious, without any flaws.’
Points Guy’s travel guru then tested the seat in bed mode and found it “super comfortable.”
And finally?
Liam said: ‘A great business class flight, right up there with the best business class flights I’ve ever been on. Really competitive with Qatar’s Qsuite in terms of luxury, space, food, it really had it all.’
FIRST CLASS – PARIS CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT TO DUBAI. TYPICAL COST SINGLE – £4,443/$5,680
Nicky revealed he was ‘blown away’ by Air France’s La Premiere experience. He is pictured above in the La Premiere lounge at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris
Enjoying the beret: Nicky said the lounge (above) had a ‘calm and exclusive atmosphere’
Nicky revealed he was ‘overwhelmed’ by Air France’s La Premiere experience.
It all started with an exceptional welcome.
He told MailOnline Travel: ‘I received such a special welcome at the door. They took me straight to the entrance of La Premiere. Checking in was one of the most seamless and stunning experiences I’ve had.
“The lounge really blew me away. It had fancy lighting and even a Sisley Spa. It had everything you could possibly want with a calm and exclusive atmosphere. When my flight was ready to board, I was directed to a private Porsche, ready to take me straight to the plane.”
Nicky gives his La Premiere blanket a hug
Short Faith: Nicky said the seats in first class were ‘next level’
Nicky said: “There is only one row of first class La Premiere, with giant armchair style seats. I just couldn’t believe how much space there was’
Champagne is being served
Once on board, Nicky remained elated.
He said: ‘The ground experience was great, but the seats were really next level.
“There’s only one row of first-class La Premiere, with giant armchair-style seats. I just couldn’t believe how much space there was.
‘The seats fold out into huge, wide, fully flat beds. My seat also came with a curtain that closed off my area from floor to ceiling, so it feels incredibly private when it’s turned off.
‘The chair also came with a large, sturdy table and a huge screen for all kinds of entertainment.
‘A feature I really loved was a beautiful lamp with the seahorse hippocampus, the Air France motif. These little details add an extra touch of class that you don’t normally find on a regular flight.
‘In addition, the seat was equipped with an extra privacy divider, a soft cushion, very chic slippers and a signature red Air France blanket.’
What about the amenities package? Luxury? Sure.
Nicky said: ‘La Premier passengers also get a lovely kit, which includes an eye mask, pen, earplugs, comb and various Sisley products. I also got some lovely pyjamas.’
Nicky’s dine-on-demand experience takes off
La Premiere passengers are offered a ‘huge range’ of menu items
In-Seine-ly tasty: Nicky looks at his caviar appetizer
Meanwhile, the food and drink offerings were delicious.
Nicky continues: ‘At La Premiere, dining is on demand, so you can choose to dine whenever you want. There was such a huge range of options, from caviar to champagne, and from soup to cheese, salads and desserts. I tried as much as I could. I had super luxurious dishes, including caviar to start my meal, which made the experience very special. This dining experience was heaven. The food was delicious and super luxurious.’
Was the chair dreamy in lay-flat mode?
Nantes thing to complain about: The above four images show Nicky’s meal. He concluded: ‘This dining experience was heaven, the food was delicious and super luxurious’
Nicky said: ‘This was one of the widest, most comfortable and spacious beds in the sky. With a soft mattress underneath, completely flat, and great.’
And as a conclusion? We’re guessing it’s a thumbs up…
Nicky confirmed: ‘I was so overwhelmed by this experience. The ground experience in Paris was next level, the lounge was chic, the food was amazing and there were a lot of quirks that made the experience so special for me.
‘Features like the Sisley lounge and the Porsche up to the plane were of a higher level. On the flight the service was also so friendly, so nice and absolutely top of all the crew members I encountered.’
For more from The Points Guy visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel. For more from Nicky visit his Instagram account – www.instagram.com/nickykelvin. Liam posts to Instagram on this profile – www.instagram.com/liam_spencer.
Nicky’s flight to Dubai was operated by a Boeing 777
