For the final long-haul flight on my journey to South East Asia, I had the chance to strive Air France’s latest enterprise class product on a flight from Paris to New York, which first debuted on the Boeing 777-300ER in January 2023.
It isn’t on a regular basis that you just get to check out an thrilling new product quickly after its launch, so I used to be past excited to pattern Air France’s newest innovation.
Furthermore, having flown the already spectacular Air France A350 enterprise class just a few years earlier, I used to be significantly curious to see how the airline’s latest refresh stacked up.
Air France 777 New Enterprise Class – Reserving
When you’re seeking to ebook Air France enterprise class on factors, there are just a few loyalty applications value contemplating. Your greatest wager is to look to both Delta SkyMiles or Air France/KLM Flying Blue, and to regulate Flying Blue Promo Rewards every month.
Flying Blue miles specifically are pretty straightforward to earn, because it’s a 1:0.75 switch associate of Canadian-issued American Categorical Membership Rewards factors and a 1:1 switch associate of US-issued Membership Rewards factors.
Moreover, it’s a good suggestion to look out for engaging money fares, that are normally extra reasonably priced when travelling from Europe to North America, however not vice versa.
For this Paris to New York route on Air France’s new 777 enterprise class, I used to be capable of snag a seat by redeeming 55,000 Flying Blue miles plus $300 (CAD) in taxes and costs. This matched the bottom fare listed on Flying Blue’s chart for journey between Europe and North America.
Air France 777 New Enterprise Class – Floor Expertise
Upon my arrival in Paris from Hong Kong onboard Cathay Pacific, I had solely a brief layover earlier than my subsequent flight with Air France. Due to this fact, I wound up heading straight to the gate to board.
Usually, passengers travelling on Air France enterprise class have the choice to go to the Air France Enterprise Class Lounge situated in Corridor L of Terminal 2E at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Air France 777 New Enterprise Class – Cabin
Upon boarding the airplane, I used to be directed to a separate jet bridge resulting in the enterprise class cabin, which spans throughout two sections.
Air France’s new enterprise class cabin incorporates a whole of 48 Safran Versa reverse herringbone seats organized in a 1-2-1 configuration, providing direct aisle entry and sliding doorways, which is a primary amongst Air France’s varied enterprise class seat varieties.
The cabin includes a ahead part consisting of seven rows with 28 seats, and a rear mini-cabin with 5 rows and 20 seats.
The cabin’s design instantly captured my consideration with its fashionable and progressive fashion. Drawing inspiration from the airline’s traditional French heritage, the design idea presents a recent interpretation, which contains modern curves, resembling these of a racing automotive, and fluid traces paying homage to water.
The impartial color scheme options Air France’s deep blue accented by touches of beige French leather-based, white seat shells, and comfortable temper lighting.
Notable particulars, such because the herringbone-patterned carpet evocative of Parisian Haussmann residences, and the illuminated winged seahorse Air France emblem, create a signature elevated fashion, which is visually gorgeous and unmistakably Air France.
Row 1 and Row 9 function considerably extra spacious seats, with a V-shaped bench and no footwell, using the additional area on the bulkhead. Take note, these coveted seats can solely be reserved 72 hours upfront by all passengers, or earlier for Flying Blue elite members.
These travelling solo could choose the odd-numbered window seats, significantly Seats 1A and 9A within the bulkhead, which provide ample area and enhanced privateness.
In the meantime, {couples} could go for the center seats, comparable to Seats 1D and 9D within the bulkhead. Moreover, travellers occupying the centre two seats of the 1-2-1 configured cabin could make use of the seat divider to regulate privateness ranges or create extra space, whether or not travelling alone or with a companion.
With solely a 3rd of the seats stuffed on this flight, the cabin felt pleasantly uncrowded. Whereas I had initially chosen Seat 11A within the mini-cabin, I couldn’t resist the chance to later stretch out within the extra spacious and unique bulkhead seats in Row 9, which have been unoccupied.
Air France 777 New Enterprise Class – Seat
Upon settling into the seat, you’ll be instantly captivated by the gorgeous 17.3-inch 4K leisure display. The show options an anti-glare coating, guaranteeing crystal-clear pictures and vibrant colors from all viewing angles, for an distinctive visible expertise.
The high-definition display might be effortlessly operated utilizing both the touchscreen or the leisure controller. (The latter, nonetheless, is considerably redundant, because the touchscreen is conveniently inside arm’s attain, permitting for simple navigation.)
Under the monitor, a spacious footwell awaits, whereas the literature pocket and a small water bottle holder might be discovered to the left.
The window-side panel homes a cleverly hid storage compartment embellished with the Air France emblem. With only a push of a button, it opens to disclose headphones and an arrogance mirror.
The compartment’s inside is adorned with luxurious tan French leather-based, boasting a secondary emblem on the door’s interior floor. Subsequent to it, the leisure controller might be unlatched and withdrawn for handheld use.
The seat is well-equipped by way of connectivity, with a USB-A charger discreetly situated beneath the seat’s storage compartment, a USB-C and common charging port located close to the literature pocket, and a wi-fi charging spot on the floor area proper subsequent to you.
The left-hand facet of the seat incorporates a floor with a wi-fi charger, together with the seat’s management panel.
The panel provides 4 recline features, facilitating easy transformation between a totally flat mattress and an upright seat.
Air France’s progressive enterprise class tray desk is especially attention-grabbing, because it emerges from the seat console at an angle and folds into place, offering ample area for eating and dealing. Ought to it’s worthwhile to rise up throughout a meal, the desk might be simply maneuvered round.
The aisle-side armrest might be lowered or raised to your required stage. Moreover, the console on the window facet of the seat options an indentation, creating a cushty alcove for resting the opposite arm.
A coat hook is offered on the aisle facet panel; nonetheless, the attentive crew will gladly provide to hold up your coat on the entrance of the cabin, conserving it out of your manner at some stage in the flight.
Lastly, a studying gentle and “don’t disturb” button are conveniently positioned close to your shoulder on the window facet.
The elegantly designed enterprise class door slides easily into its holder on the fringe of the seat and closes routinely with the press of a button.
Not like another airways, there’s no have to brusquely maneuver the door by yourself, and I believed this was undoubtedly one of many best enterprise class doorways I’ve encountered to date.
To open the door, merely pull it again manually. Throughout takeoff and touchdown, the door stays securely locked in its open place.
General, with this new seat, Air France has actually created an distinctive onerous product, geared up with cutting-edge know-how, ample area, and a powerful sliding door.
Now, in a while through the flight, I’d have the chance to check out the superior seats within the cabin, that are present in Rows 1 and 9.
These distinctive enterprise class seats rival notable opponents comparable to Qatar Airways Qsuites and ANA’s The Room by way of dimension, providing an abundance of area and eliminating the necessity for a restrictive footwell.
As a substitute of the standard compact footwell, these seats function expansive ottomans, making them extra spacious than even some First Class merchandise at the moment in the marketplace. The extent of consolation and roominess is arguably unparalleled amongst enterprise class choices.
Observe that these superior seats are additionally designed to accommodate child bassinets, with a fixture conveniently situated on the facet.
Air France at the moment doesn’t cost further to order these eight premium seats, though this may increasingly at all times change sooner or later.
Air France 777 New Enterprise Class – Facilities
Previous to boarding, a blanket, pillow, and coat hanger have been thoughtfully positioned at every seat.
As I settled in, a heat towel was offered, adopted by a pre-departure beverage choice that included Champagne, orange juice, or water. Naturally, I opted for Champagne, which I loved as I eagerly anticipated the journey forward.
Air France has not too long ago unveiled an elegant, eco-friendly amenity equipment that resembles a mini laptop computer case with a herringbone-patterned casing.
Every equipment is crammed with necessities like eyeshades, socks, earplugs, a cleansing fabric, and a dental equipment. Further objects, comparable to a pen, shoe horn, and Clarins mini-moisturizer and hand cream, are additionally inside.
To conclude the pre-flight service, the crew members personally launched themselves and handed out the in-flight menus. The enterprise class menu was each easy and classy, matching cabin itself completely.
Air France 777 New Enterprise Class – Breakfast
As soon as we reached cruising altitude, the onboard meal service commenced. With the enterprise class cabin solely a 3rd full, the service was notably environment friendly.
On this specific flight, the meal served was breakfast. I used to be considerably upset to overlook out on Air France’s signature eating expertise, however alas, this new 777 enterprise class product was solely out there on the morning departure out of Paris to New York.
However, the breakfast served was of outstanding high quality, with a menu that learn as follows:
At this level, I switched from Champagne to a glass of orange juice, which was adopted by the breakfast presentation.
The meal was offered fantastically on a tray, that includes a tasty bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese, which struck the proper stability of breakfast flavours.
Alongside the principle course, a refreshing strawberry tartare was garnished with white chocolate shavings. A considerate addition of granola was offered for the yogurt, in addition to a various assortment of bread, together with croissants and Parisian brioche.
For the principle dish, I ordered a delicious omelette accompanied by celery, spinach, and tomato sauce.
I believe it’s truthful to say that its style, which was scrumptious, compensated for any shortcomings in its presentation.
After sprucing off the dish, I ordered one other black espresso, which was offered on a separate tray.
Air France 777 New Enterprise Class – Mattress
After the meal service, I spent a while working earlier than changing my seat right into a lie-flat place. Previous to settling in for some relaxation, although, I took a fast detour to the restroom to clean up.
The restroom within the enterprise class cabin was clear and full, with a useful tray that folds out above the bathroom, in addition to Clarins lotion and fragrance. The tasteful blue and white color palette additionally harmonized properly with the cabin’s total design.
Upon returning to the cabin, I effortlessly reworked my seat right into a lie-flat place with only a contact of a button. It’s value noting that Air France doesn’t provide turndown service in enterprise class, so that you’ll should make the mattress your self.
The mattress was spacious, offering ample room to stretch out and loosen up.
Later, I inquired about making an attempt out Seat 9H, one of many bulkhead enterprise class seats that boasts considerably extra space.
The beneficiant area allowed for a lot simpler motion throughout sleep, as I found throughout a quick nap right here within the bulkhead row.
In actual fact, it felt akin to the sleeping expertise in a full-sized First Class suite, apart from the hole between the lie-flat seat and the V-shaped bench.
Air France 777 New Enterprise Class – Snack Service
The rear of the cabin featured a snack galley, providing an assortment of bite-sized treats, comfortable drinks, and juices, in addition to self-serve Champagne.
I opted to stay with the non-alcoholic drinks for a short while, although, making an attempt a glass of the Fuze ice tea.
Afterward, I made a decision to discover Air France’s well-known wine choice, sipping on a glass of the beautiful Saint-Estèphe whereas engaged on my laptop computer and savouring the second meal through the last stretch of the flight.
The pre-arrival meal featured a puff pastry brioche with celery, fava beans, and pickled onion. The sunshine, nice flavours of the bottom layers have been enhanced by the intriguing twist of pickled onions.
Curiously, each the primary and second meals got here with a strawberry tartare with white chocolate shavings. Though palatable, it didn’t significantly stand out to me sufficient to have it served twice.
Lastly, a small, delicate madeleine was offered as a final touch to the meal.
Air France 777 New Enterprise Class – Leisure
Air France’s reconfigured Boeing 777s have a reasonably complete leisure system.
There’s a wide array of greater than 350 movies, together with new releases, and a modest however diverse choice of TV exhibits. Moreover, the system has Bluetooth audio for simple connectivity with private gadgets.
Then there’s the airshow with an interactive map function, the place I at all times admire conserving observe of the flight’s progress in real-time.
Air France provides just a few several types of Wi-Fi passes for its enterprise class passengers: free messaging, “Surf” for one hour for €8, “Surf” for the total flight for €18, or “Stream” for the total flight for €30.
I bought the Surf move for your entire length of the flight and had no bother staying productive on my laptop computer, and was even capable of swap gadgets to my cellphone by getting into the voucher code.
Conclusion
Air France’s new enterprise class product on the Boeing 777 is exceptionelle, and one which I’d extremely advocate in search of out, significantly for transatlantic flights. And should you can handle to snag a bulkhead seat in Row 1 or 9, even higher!
The seat is provided with sliding doorways and cutting-edge know-how, setting a brand new normal for what we are able to count on from future iterations of enterprise class seats, all housed inside a beautiful cabin with an unmistakably French look.
The bulkhead rows are particularly spectacular, providing an unbelievable quantity of private area and maybe rivalling the perfect enterprise class seats on the earth, even these supplied by high airways from Asia and the Center East.
Whereas the brunch service didn’t overly impress on this specific flight, Air France’s lunch and dinner choices are usually very well-regarded.
General, I’d rank Air France’s new 777 enterprise class as a category-leading product within the transatlantic market, and an exquisite alternative to your subsequent flight to Paris or factors past.