New Air France La Premiere Suite Review: Paris to Tokyo (2026)

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When Air France unveiled its new La Premiere suite, a lot of the online reaction was a shrug: same old Air France slapped with new paint. After flying it from Paris to Tokyo, I couldn’t disagree more. It is quite different, and it fixes nearly everything I complained about in my 2024 review. That review ended with a bottom line: fly La Premiere for the ground experience, not for what happens in the air. I’m retiring that line now and can say unequivocally that Air France La Première is the best First Class in commercial aviation today. Period.

This is not a full review, but it is my 2nd review after having flown La Première 3 times. For the history, the routes and the basics, read my original La Premiere review. This post covers what’s new, and I’ll keep score against my 2024 complaints as we go.

AF 274
Boeing 777-300
Paris – Tokyo Haneda (CDG – HND)
Duration: 12h 42m
Seat: 1L

How I Booked It and What It Cost

I booked the La Première flight with Flying Blue points. However, booking it requires top-tier Flying Blue status: Platinum or Ultimate. Award space is also limited to one seat per flight. I transferred Amex Membership Rewards points with a 25% bonus, so the 350,000 Flying Blue points cost me 280,000 Amex points.
350,000 points is the fixed price and changes only slightly with Flying Blue’s dynamic pricing. For comparison, I paid only 156,000 points to fly from Paris to Washington in 2024, an ~8-hour flight. That same route is now nearly double, which is why flying a proper long-haul delivers much more value for your points. Note that taxes are also significantly higher now due to higher fuel costs.

One more thing on price: if I were booking again, I’d fly the Paris to Singapore route for 280,000 Flying Blue points. The flight time differs by only about 30 minutes, and you get the same new product with 70,000 fewer points.

Where you can find it: The first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER entered service on April 3, 2025, on Paris to New York JFK, followed by Los Angeles, Miami and Singapore. The new suite began daily Tokyo Haneda service in March 2026, and as of October 2026, additional routes include Miami, San Francisco, and Abidjan. Future routes will include Boston, Houston, and New York Newark.

Positioning to Paris: I booked the Ottawa–Paris leg separately in Economy, but at check-in I was offered an upgrade to Premium Economy for just 12,000 miles, which I gladly accepted. One tip for anyone positioning on a separate ticket: I called the La Première concierge beforehand to advise them of my arrival, and they seamlessly handled my transfer into La Première, exactly as promised.

Arriving in Paris

I took the early Air France departure from Ottawa on purpose instead of other flight options because it’s direct and gets me into Paris close to midnight Ottawa time. I’ve flown this flight several times, and my usual routine is to stay awake and work through the flight, skip subpar premium economy meals, and not fight trying to sleep for a few hours. Although I’d be a bit tired and hungry upon arrival, the La Premiere lounge would solve those problems.

After completion of the short 6h 32m flight that day, a La Premiere agent was waiting outside the aircraft door. My friends Mike and Diana were also arriving that morning from a different flight and connecting onto La Première that evening, but to a different destination. They also received the same treatment:

From there, both of us were driven separately in a Porsche across the tarmac straight to the lounge.

The Chauffeur Service

La Première offers chauffeured transfers on eligible itineraries, although my experience highlighted some inconsistencies worth mentioning. I used the concierge-arranged Hertz DriveU and received a van to get into Paris, while my return to the airport was in a Mercedes EQS from the Four Seasons Paris, alongside my Ottawa friends Mike and Diana, who were also flying La Premiere that day.

Interestingly, Mike and Diana received more transfers than I did, including transportation back into Paris during their long transit.  Each of us had separate bookings between connections, and I couldn’t figure out why the arrangements differed. My theory is that Mike’s Flying Blue Platinum status may have played a role, although that’s purely speculation. Either way, I’d recommend confirming exactly what transfers are included if you are connecting through Paris. In addition to the city transfers, both of us were driven several times within the airport premises: twice to/from the aircraft, and twice between the lounge and the check-in vestibule or the land-side exclusive, private ground-handling terminal space at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) designed for First Class La Premiere passengers.

The New Check-In Vestibule

Air France opened its redesigned La Premiere check-in vestibule at Terminal 2E in summer 2024, just a few weeks after my first flight. Back then, I reviewed the old facility, which was fine, but the new space is completely different. For those who may not know, the vestibule is a landside, exclusive, private ground-handling terminal space at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) designed for first-class La Premiere passengers.

The 570 m² vestibule includes a dedicated concierge, private security access, and staff who handle checked luggage personally. The biggest improvement, however, is how completely it separates passengers from the rest of the airport. Previously, you were dropped off at the curb and walked through a common terminal area to reach check-in. Now, a private entrance and walkway take you directly into the facility without encountering regular airport traffic.

It’s a relatively simple change, but one that makes the already impressive La Premiere ground experience feel even more exclusive.

La Premiere Lounge Refreshed

Air France completed its renovation of the Paris La Première lounge in July 2026, and I was fortunate to visit shortly afterward. The lounge spans more than 1,000 m², and while the changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary, the refreshed furniture, expanded sleeping facilities, and redesigned seating areas make a meaningful difference.

I arrived early in the morning and had the lounge almost entirely to myself, which made exploring and photographing everything considerably easier.

Seating and Dining Areas

The seating areas now feature more comfortable armchairs, sofas, and partitions that create private spaces without compromising the lounge’s open feel. The dining room is also larger, with full table service and the same understated elegance that has always made La Première special.

The Sleep Rooms

The sleep rooms were one of my biggest complaints in 2024. Back then, the two rather basic sleeping areas were adequate for a couple of hours but couldn’t compete with the facilities offered by Qatar, SWISS, or Singapore Airlines.

Now there are six dedicated sleep rooms with proper doors, daybeds, and duvets. I slept for four hours and found them better than the sleeping facilities I’ve experienced with those three airlines. The only airport bedroom I’d rank above them is the one associated with Etihad’s Residence, which provides a private room.  Air France has certainly made quite the turnaround!

My only gripe with the new sleep rooms are the walls are not the ceiling and i could not figure out a way to turn off the overhead spot lights, which was a bit annoying.

Sisley Spa and Showers

The Sisley spa has expanded from one treatment room to two, and I enjoyed another complimentary facial. Unfortunately, it’s still just 15 minutes, and I would love to see Air France offer a longer treatment or a proper massage.

The lounge also has three beautifully maintained shower rooms stocked with Sisley products, plus a small enclosed phone booth for anyone who needs privacy to take calls.

The Private La Premiere Suites

I also toured the three private suites adjacent to the lounge, which opened in summer 2024. Named Champs-Élysées, Montmartre, and Vendôme, each suite measures nearly 45 m² (480 sq. ft.) and includes a spacious living area with a workspace, dining table, and TV; a separate bedroom with a double bed; a full bathroom; and an outdoor patio.

The experience is quite impressive, with a dedicated attendant, champagne and caviar on arrival, and private dining from the lounge’s Alain Ducasse menu, complemented by a curated wine list. Guests also have access to Sisley wellness facilities, while the artwork displayed in each suite changes every six months. Two suites can even be connected by opening a large partition, creating a much larger private space for families or groups.

What impressed me most was just how much space and privacy you get. This is essentially a private luxury apartment within the airport, complete with its own bedroom, living room, bathroom, and outdoor terrace.

These suites aren’t complimentary, however. They cost approximately €800 for a three-hour stay, on top of your La Première ticket. Air France doesn’t publicly list the price, so it’s worth confirming the current rate with the concierge.

Dinner With Friends

After spending the afternoon in Paris, I returned to the lounge for dinner with Mike and Diana. We enjoyed the famous free-range chicken, carved and served from the trolley next to our table.

Here’s also the dining menu:

Here’s a picture of the delicious breakfast I had earlier that day, including the truffle eggs benedict:

My favourite dish was the coquillettes, small elbow pasta with Comté cheese, ham, and shaved black truffle, from a menu designed by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse. Simple, rich, and delicious.

We followed that with drinks and plenty of lounging around.

One unexpected highlight was discovering Hennessy Paradis in the lounge. Until now, the only place I’d encountered it was onboard on Emirates First Class, while Oman Air had once served it in a First Class lounge that no longer exists.  Here it was presented in Hennessy’s own glassware, with a pipette used to draw the cognac from a large bottle. A rather elaborate presentation, but certainly a welcome surprise.

My only real annoyance with the lounge experience was that they could not store my luggage, forcing me to use the lockers in the Business Class lounge while I was out in the city. A minor inconvenience, but not something I’d expect from Air France’s flagship lounge.  Anyways, after a very enjoyable evening with Mike and Diana, we parted ways, and I was once again driven directly to my aircraft.

Let’s get on board.

The New La Première Suite

When the new suite was unveiled, plenty of people suggested it looked like the same old La Première with a few cosmetic changes. Now that I’ve experienced it, I can confidently say that’s not the case.

Modular Space

Each suite measures approximately 38 sq. ft., about 25% larger than the previous design, and features three distinct elements: an armchair, a chaise longue, and a bed.

What impressed me most was how efficiently Air France designed the space. Singapore Suites devotes considerable room to its oversized chair, while some areas of Etihad First feel almost like passageways. Here, virtually every inch serves a purpose, creating a spacious, practical suite with a clean grey-and-white interior beautifully contrasted by a red throw.

Five Windows

The window suite is something special. Five consecutive windows create an unusually expansive view, unlike anything I’ve experienced in another First Class cabin. Watching the sunset from that space was surreal, and it’s easily one of my favourite features of the new design.

The Armchair, Chaise, and Bed

The armchair is immensely comfortable and offers plenty of adjustments:

However, it’s the chaise longue that truly sets this product apart. I watched a movie, worked on my laptop, and enjoyed the sunset through five windows, all while sitting comfortably on something that felt more like living-room furniture than an airline seat.

When it was time to sleep, the crew converted the chaise into a fully made bed within minutes. At two metres long and 75 cm wide, with a mattress topper, pillow, and Dumas Paris duvet, it’s exceptionally comfortable, with no awkward seams interrupting the sleeping surface.

I genuinely think this might be the best First Class bed I’ve experienced. The brilliance of the design is how naturally everything works together, letting you move between dining, lounging, and sleeping without compromising comfort.

Privacy: My 2024 Complaint, Fixed

In my 2024 review of La Premiere, I described the privacy in the old suite as something of a fallacy, thanks to its partially transparent curtain. I thought a door would be better, but Air France has convinced me otherwise.  The new, much thicker curtains provide significantly better privacy and sound insulation, while making the suite feel surprisingly warm and inviting. That’s why I prefer curtains to blinds at home. A conventional door might have made the cabin feel like a hotel corridor, whereas these curtains create the feeling of a private room. Well done, Air France!

The centre suites also feature a full-height electric sliding partition, completely separating passengers travelling independently. Between that and the redesigned curtains, my previous privacy complaints have effectively disappeared.

Entertainment: Improved!

The previous suite’s HD screen and limited entertainment selection were disappointing for a product of this calibre. Air France has now installed two 32-inch 4K screens, one positioned for the armchair and the other for the chaise and bed.  A brilliant design execution!

Switching between them is seamless, while the wireless tablet can be moved between dedicated holders near each seat. Bluetooth worked flawlessly, the interface was fast, and the aircraft camera views looked fantastic. Although Emirates ICE remains one of my favourite entertainment systems, Air France has improved significantly here.

Power, Storage, and Lighting

Another 2024 complaint was the absence of USB-C charging, which has now been addressed with USB-A, USB-C, and wireless charging throughout the suite.

Storage is particularly clever. Rather than overhead bins, each suite has a large drawer that accommodates up to two carry-on suitcases, plus a shoe drawer beneath the chaise and an individual wardrobe. I also appreciated the lighting controls, with multiple settings and smooth transitions between different modes.

These aren’t necessarily headline features, but they contribute to how thoughtfully designed the entire suite feels.

Wi-Fi

Starlink Wi-Fi was included, and my speed test registered nearly 400 Mbps, with no noticeable interruptions throughout the flight. Quite impressive.

Washroom

The washroom has also been refreshed, with sensor-operated waste disposal and Sisley toiletries. It’s nicely finished and reasonably spacious for a Boeing 777, although it still can’t compete with the enormous washrooms found in Emirates and Etihad’s A380 First Class cabins.

Pyjamas and Amenity Kit

Air France has introduced new Jacquemus pyjamas, appropriately named Le Pyjama, which I found softer and better-fitting than the previous version. The redesigned Sisley amenity kit is also lovely, featuring a box with an interesting opening mechanism and a particularly beautiful pen.

Small touches, but very much in keeping with the refreshed product.

Dining and Drinks Onboard

Full disclosure: I didn’t eat much on this flight, and I also overslept, so this isn’t a comprehensive assessment of the menu.

Here’s what I ordered:

• Caviar
• Porcini mushroom cream soup
• Beef fillet
• Custom-mixed salad
• Tomato and smoked vanilla tart
• Ice cream and berries

The porcini mushroom cream soup was my favourite dish, but overall, the food was largely on par with my previous two La Première flights, perhaps with some subtle improvements.

In 2024, I was repeatedly asked whether the dishes were memorable, and my answer was generally no. Unfortunately, that hasn’t changed much. The caviar, which I found particularly disappointing last time, still didn’t leave much of an impression. Considering the exceptional dining in the Paris lounge, onboard catering remains one area where Air France could do better. I wish I had time to order the cheese plate as I do recall that being excellent from my previous flight.

The drinks, however, were excellent. I tried two of the three signature cocktails created by Matthias Giroud, with the Belle Époque being my favourite.

• Belle Époque: A bitter, citrus-forward variation of a Negroni with orange hydrosol.
• Parfum de France: A lighter cocktail featuring Chardonnay, Muscat, raspberry liqueur, and verbena.
• L’Éveil: A non-alcoholic combination of cranberry, mint, ginger, and lime.

The beverage program is a definite improvement. I just wish the food had made the same leap forward.

La Premiere: What Improved and What Didn’t

Here’s how the new La Première compares with the issues I raised in my previous review.

Nearly every major criticism I had of the hard product has been addressed, leaving the onboard food and spa treatment as the two areas where I’d still like to see improvement. But really, I am nitpicking at these minor items.

Bottom Line

I went into this flight with relatively low expectations and came away blown away. In 2024, I concluded that La Première was worth flying for its exceptional ground experience, but the onboard product didn’t quite measure up. That is no longer the case.

The new suite is a significant improvement, with a brilliant chaise longue, an exceptionally comfortable bed, five windows, vastly improved privacy, and technology that finally feels worthy of a modern First Class cabin.

The catering still has room to improve, but after dozens of First Class flights, I struggle to think of another airline offering a more compelling overall experience. From the private transfers to the intimate four-suite cabin, La Première offers a level of exclusivity no other airline can match, making it the closest I’ve experienced to flying private on a commercial airline.

The ground experience always carried La Première. Now the seat finally earns its place beside it. Air France La Première is the best First Class in commercial aviation today. Period.