Air France Business Class Review: Elegant? Or Just Expensive?
Updated: May 26
When it comes to flying in style, the French certainly know how to do it. The Air France business class experience elevated our journey in ways we had previously never seen, however, it did fail to reach complete perfection.
Table of Contents
Comfort
The seats in the Air France business cabin were large and comfortable, fully reclining to lay flat. The layout of these seats however was a little unusual and may catch you off-guard. The window seats alternate, with one being positioned close to the window and the next closer to the aisle. We opted for those closer to the window to take advantage of the increased privacy and quiet, which unfortunately meant we had to sit two seats apart.
Entertainment
Air France did not disappoint with their selection of entertainment on board, nor with the large viewing screens. The headphones though were less-than-ideal. Their small ear holes left us longing for more comfort as they pressed into rather than circled around our ears.
Culinary Delights
Prepare your tastebuds for a gastronomic adventure. The food on Air France Business Class surpassed our expectations, earning the title of the best we’ve ever tasted on an airplane. With two meals on each of our two flights, only one fell slightly short of perfection. We ate risotto, beef, chicken, and shrimp, with delicious roasted vegetables, fresh salads, and warm bread on the side. An elegant touch that deserves applause? The flight attendant offered freshly ground pepper on top of our meals. This was the first time we have seen a pepper mill at cruising altitude, and other airlines should take note!
Of course, no culinary journey is complete without a nod to the obligatory offer of champagne. On our flights, Pommery was served. A sip of bubbles was a welcome compliment to the delicious meals. Okay, maybe we had a little more than a sip.
Business Class Amenity Kits and Washrooms
The amenity kit contained the standard eye mask, ear plugs, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, as well as a couple of lotions by Clarins. It leant towards the basic side, yet what allowed us to enjoy it was the thoughtful addition of a mirror inside your seat cabinet. A small touch that makes a significant difference to your ability to use the creams inside the amenity kit, especially when preparing for your grand arrival in Paris.
The washrooms were clean and not especially large, however, they did include some unusual amenities such as Clarins toning lotions and perfume oil.
Air France Business Class Lounge
As we had a connecting flight onwards in Europe with Air France, as well as one returning to North America, we were able to explore the Air France lounges in two different terminals at Charles de Gaulle Airport. The lounge in Terminal 2F was a visual masterpiece - multi-storied, adorned with giant glass walls to view the airplanes and an abundance of champagne to be sampled. The other in 2E Hall K, unfortunately, fell short of this highly set standard. It was a simple room with few breakfast buffet or coffee options available, and we left within minutes of our arrival, yearning for the grandeur of the previous lounge.
Flight Attendants
Throughout our journey, the flight attendants stood out for their warmth and professionalism. Attentive and accommodating, they contributed to our overall positive experience.
In conclusion, upgrading to Business Class when flying Air France is an elegant experience. Despite the few quirks, you will arrive rested after a nice sleep in your bed if you so choose, or with a belly full of bubbles and beef bourguignon if you’d rather. Next time you take to the skies consider treating yourself, as for us it was worth every penny.