Air France’s Business-Class Seats Have Been Enhanced—and We Tried Them Out

Earlier this year, Air France unveiled some exciting enhancements to its business-class seats for long-haul flights. The airline's previous business-class design, which features pod-like, lie-flat seating, remains in place, but the latest upgrade introduces new features like a retractable door for added privacy, a do not disturb button, and Bluetooth connectivity to the personal entertainment screen. In bulkhead seating, passengers can now enjoy an ottoman instead of a footwell, providing extra seating space.

Recently, I took a flight with Air France to experience the new business-class seats firsthand. Here’s how it went.

Route Information

Initially, the new seats were limited to a few flights between Paris’s Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and New York City’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) airports, but they have gradually been introduced on more routes. They are now available on select flights from Paris to Los Angeles (LAX) and Paris to Washington, D.C. (IAD). For my journey, I first flew from San Francisco (SFO) to Paris (CDG) on the older business-class seats (the new ones weren't yet available on that route) before continuing from Paris (CDG) to New York (JFK) on the upgraded seats.

Airport Experience and Lounge Access

The enhanced experience started before I boarded the plane. Business-class passengers with Air France enjoy Sky Priority access, which grants them a dedicated, expedited lane for security checks before boarding and for customs clearance upon landing at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.

After passing through security, all business-class travelers can access Air France’s lounges (there are five in total at Charles de Gaulle). I visited the newly renovated lounge in terminal 2E, a spacious and modern area with plenty of seating; at 7 a.m., it was relatively quiet with only a few dozen other guests. Amenities included a self-service buffet featuring French specialties (breakfast included crepes, baguettes, pastries, eggs, and fresh yogurt, among other offerings); a bar serving wine, beer, and cocktails; a kids' play area complete with an impressive video game setup; free Wi-Fi; showers; a sauna; and—most notably—a spa by Clarins. A highlight of the spa (open daily from 7:40 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Sundays) is the complimentary 20-minute facials available on a first-come, first-served basis. I arrived too early to utilize this particular amenity but appreciated the wide range of services available within the lounge.

The Seating and Onboard Experience

After boarding in the first group, I settled into my window seat—11A—on the left side of the Boeing 777-300. This aircraft featured a one-two-one herringbone layout, with privacy partitions between the middle seat pairs and an exterior door separating each seat from the aisle. The business-class section was divided into two, with a galley positioned in the center.

Each seat came with a spacious table area, positioned either between the window and the seat or between the pairs of seats in the middle section. Additionally, there was a small cubby equipped with noise-canceling headphones, a USB-C outlet, and a mirror. While the headphones took up some space, I still managed to fit my water bottle and a small toiletry bag in the cubby. Further storage was available in a pocket below the table, which held safety pamphlets and a water bottle, along with a USB-A and a universal plug outlet for charging more devices.

A pillow and a warm, quilt-like blanket were waiting at my seat as soon as I sat down. Shortly after boarding, flight attendants distributed amenity kits, which contained an eye mask, ear plugs, socks, a compostable toothbrush, toothpaste, a pen, and two different moisturizers from Clarins.

Even with my head turned toward the aisle and feet facing the window, I felt a good amount of privacy right away—even with the door open—only catching a glimpse of the feet of the passenger directly to my right. Closing the door provided even more seclusion, though since it’s the same height as the seat, it didn’t offer complete privacy. While seated, I couldn’t see into my neighbors’ pods, but I could glance over the door into them when walking or standing in the aisle (which I tried to avoid). Additionally, closing the door activated a “do not disturb” light, letting flight attendants know I preferred to be left alone—a feature I found especially useful while trying to nap. A tip: when closing the door, guide it with your hand instead of just pressing the “door close” button to prevent it from slamming against the wall.

During the flight, I was able to recline my seat to a fully flat position. In this configuration, the seats measure a generous 6.5 feet in length. At 5’3”, I could lie down completely with extra room to spare.

I also observed one passenger in a bulkhead seat traveling with his young child as a lap infant (which means they were sharing the seat). The new ottoman feature seemed particularly beneficial for his situation—during the flight, he could sit comfortably in the main seat while his son played or sat on the ottoman.

In-Flight Entertainment

While the entertainment options on the new business-class seats were the same as those on the old ones—featuring a wonderful selection of French films and TV shows to get passengers excited about their journey—the new glare-free TV screen and Bluetooth functionality were significant improvements. I had some trouble connecting my device during taxiing, but it was easy once we were airborne. The Bluetooth experience was generally good but a little temperamental; I needed to reconnect to the TV each time I removed my headphones and put them back on. However, once connected, the connection was stable and didn't drop unexpectedly. Overall, I was thrilled with this new feature and enjoyed using my own headphones.

Dining Options

When it comes to food, Air France truly excels. Their in-flight menu has been crafted by a team of over a dozen French chefs, including some from Michelin-starred establishments, featuring a variety of vegetarian, fish, and meat options. On my morning flight, they served a generous brunch that included an English muffin topped with salmon lox, a warm mushroom and spinach frittata, fresh fruit, and plain yogurt with granola. Toward the end of the flight, a light snack was offered, featuring a savory puff pastry, an almond financier, and more fresh fruit. In addition, a selection of packaged snacks, including a gourmet chocolate bar, was provided between meal services.

Passengers traveling during dinner service can anticipate an even more enticing array of dishes, which may include a savory beef filet with port sauce and carrots or a vegetarian risotto featuring artichokes and mushrooms, depending on the day.

Of course, the French airline also provides an excellent selection of wines and champagnes, carefully chosen by sommelier Paolo Basso to pair perfectly with the meals. With my snack, I opted for the 2021 Chablis Jean-Marc Brocard Vieilles Vignes De Sainte-Claire, a delightful and refreshing white wine.

Restroom Facilities

The bathrooms were fairly standard; however, there was one larger, accessible restroom located at the front of the cabin, complete with a full-length mirror. A thoughtful detail: Each restroom was equipped with a bottle of Clarins Eau Dynamisante, a bottle of hydrating toner, and cotton pads for a refreshing skincare touch during the flight.

Reservations and Pricing

A recent search for business-class tickets on Air France’s New York-JFK to Paris-CDG route for April 2024 revealed round-trip fares starting at $2,592, comparable to other airlines offering direct flights on those dates. Naturally, prices can vary significantly, ranging from $1,500 to over $5,000, depending on your travel date and how far in advance you book. Business-class seats can also be acquired using points or miles—widely considered the most cost-effective way to secure a business-class seat—or by upgrading from economy using points or cash, though this method carries more risk.

Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?

If you can find a fare or upgrade that fits your budget, flying in Air France’s new business class is definitely worthwhile. I was genuinely impressed with the in-flight dining and appreciated the attention to detail in getting passengers excited about traveling to France, including the food and beverage selections in the lounges stateside and the onboard entertainment.

The new privacy doors and Bluetooth functionality are fantastic additions, but the highlights of the experience—lie-flat seats, priority access at customs and security, exceptional in-flight dining, and the lovely lounge at Charles de Gaulle—are staples of all long-haul business-class flights with Air France. The primary reason I would choose to book a seat in the new cabin over the old one is for overnight flights where sleep is a top priority.