Latest news with #LaPremière
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Air France's new La Première suites take to the skies for the first time to Singapore
SINGAPORE, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As of 15 July 2025, Air France is offering its new La Première suites on its daily flight between Singapore Changi airport and Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. The Boeing 777-300ER used on this flight now features the airline's highest standards of comfort in all travel cabins. On board, it is equipped with 4 new La Première suites, as well as 60 seats in Business, 44 in Premium and 204 latest-generation Economy seats. After New York JFK, Singapore is the second destination to operate a newly retrofitted aircraft equipped with the new La Première suites. Gradually rolled out on a selection of Boeing 777-300ERs, the new La Première cabin will be available on flights to Los Angeles during the 2025 summer season and Tokyo-Haneda in during the 2025/2026 winter season. In the future, Air France plans to deploy this new product on a greater number of aircraft and to more destinations. La Première is currently available on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Abidjan, Dubai, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Tokyo-Haneda and Washington DC. La Première, the highest expression of travel Air France's new La Première suite features five windows and a one-of-a-kind concept. Entirely modular, it consists of a seat and a chaise longue that converts into a true bed. The seat can be adapted to every moment of the flight, during take-off, landing, mealtime or simply to relax. Featuring soft ergonomic seat foam, it adjusts each passenger's body for maximum comfort. In front of the seat, a chaise longue allows passengers to rest in their preferred position and stretch their legs while sitting down to read or watch a film. And for a perfect night's sleep, the chaise longue simply unfolds to become a true bed measuring two meters in length. The four suites available on board each feature a thick curtain for total privacy from floor to ceiling, providing a cozy atmosphere. Each guest has access to two 32-inch 4K anti-glare screens, allowing them to enjoy over 1,500 hours of entertainment in optimum conditions from their seat, chaise longue or bed. Passengers are also provided with a set of noise-reducing headphones, as well as the option to pair their own headphones or earphones to the screens via Bluetooth. Each suite is also equipped with 110V/220V, USB A and USB C power sockets, as well as induction charging slots and a smartphone or tablet holder, so guests can use their own personal devices. The suite is intuitively controlled from a wireless touchscreen tablet. By touching the tablet screen, guests can adjust the seat recline, chaise longue or bed, as well as the various lighting options and window blinds. Navigating all the cabin's functionalities is also made easy by using the two screens available. With a vast airport lounge, a private suite on board, fine dining created by Michelin-starred chefs, a carefully selected wine and champagne list and a peaceful night's sleep at 35,000 feet, every moment of the La Première travel experience has been carefully curated to make for an unforgettable trip. Find out more about the new La Première travel experience Download the visuals Comfort and elegance in Business As with every new product introduced on its aircraft, Air France is redesigning all its travel cabins to offer the airline's highest standards in every class. In Business, the 60 spacious seats recline to become fully flat beds almost two meters long, with direct aisle access. A sliding door means all customers have their own private space, secluded from the rest of the cabin. When travelling with a companion, the seats in the middle of the cabin are equipped with a central partition that can easily be lowered, providing plenty of space to enjoy the journey together. The seat also features a large, anti-glare 4K High-Definition screen, noise-reducing headphones, a Bluetooth connection for personal headphones, and several electric sockets. As passengers take their seat, they are greeted by a backlit winged seahorse, the symbol that embodies the airline's rich history. Inside the seat, the upholstery gives a feeling of comfort and privacy. Made from wool, brushed aluminium and full-grain French leather, Air France has opted for premium, soft and natural materials. Each seat is embroidered with the airline's trademark red accent symbol. Beginning in July 2025, Air France will gradually introduce new mattress pad for every Business seat on all long-haul flights. To design this mattress pad, Air France has teamed up with Sofitel MY BED, Sofitel's top-of-the-line bedding collection that has been unanimously recognized for its expertise and outstanding comfort. With meals concocted by Michelin-starred chefs, carefully selected wines and champagnes and a restful night's sleep, travel in the Business cabin offers an exceptional experience. Comfort and technology in the Premium and Economy cabins The Premium cabin is equipped with 44 recliner seats. The backrest reclines up to 121 degrees and has been further widened to offer greater privacy and comfort. The seat back foam has been redesigned and now extends up to shoulder level for optimum comfort. The seats are upholstered in a navy-blue herringbone fabric with a specially refined finish. The 4-position headrest can be adjusted to suit everyone. A noise-reducing audio headset, plenty of storage space, an individual reading light and USB-A and USB-C ports complete the package. In the Premium cabin and from Paris-Charles de Gaulle the one-starred chef Frédéric Simonin continues to delight Air France customers as part of an on-going partnership initiated with the company in 2023. A perfectionist at heart, he has created a new series of dishes prepared with the greatest respect for the products chosen. The Economy cabin offers 204 reclinable seats with a wide 46 cm seat pan. The backrest is ergonomically designed with cushions offering reinforced lateral support. The seat is equipped with a personal smartphone or tablet holder integrated into the backrest, as well as a USB-A and USB-C port. Customers who desire additional legroom and a seat that reclines further back can select a new paid seat option called "Economy Comfort". Located at the front of the Economy cabin, Economy Comfort seats are being rolled out on all the airline's long-haul flights. As part of the airline's commitment to more responsible catering, the meat, poultry, dairy products and eggs on each menu are of French origin, and the fish sourced from sustainable or French fisheries from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Vegetarian options are also systematically available in all cabins. In Premium and Economy, the cabins feature large 13.3-inch anti-glare 4K screens equipped with a Bluetooth connection. Customers can enjoy on-demand entertainment programs with their own headphones. They can thereby connect their own personal device to the on-board screen to use it as a remote control or to browse through the entertainment catalog, in addition to being able to use the main screen. Air France Flight schedule between Singapore and Paris: Summer flight schedule (in local time): Daily flight with new travel cabins operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft: AF257: leaves Singapore Changi Airport at 22:30pm, arrives at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport at 06:10am the next day. AF256: leaves Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport at 21:15pm, arrives at Singapore Changi Airport at 16:30pm the next day In addition, three flights a week, operated with Boeing 787-9 aircraft: Departure from Singapore: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday: AF181: leaves Singapore Changi Airport at 10:50am, arrives at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 18:10pm Departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle: Monday, Thursday, Saturday: AF182: leaves Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 13:35pm, arrives at Singapore Changi Airport at 08:25am the next day. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Air France Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Virgin Atlantic is swapping onboard bars for high-end suites as the luxury travel boom funds a major overhaul
Virgin Atlantic is launching a major cabin overhaul after reporting record financial results. It's shrinking economy class and removing onboard bars in favour of more premium suites. Airlines are in a luxury arms race as demand for premium long-haul travel booms post-pandemic. Virgin Atlantic has announced a host of upgrades with a view to winning over the wealthiest passengers amid a Transatlantic luxury travel arms race. "There is an insatiable demand for premium travel," CEO Shai Weiss told attendees at a launch event in London on Tuesday, saying that the overhaul had been made possible by booming demand pushing Virgin to a record financial year. He added that more than 90% of seats in its premium and upper-class cabins are filled, "so we know we have the ability to provide more of it." Since the pandemic, travellers have been more interested in flying premium, prompting several airlines to invest in upgrading their business- and first-class suites. Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways have all recently announced larger and more luxurious first-class suites. Air France's La Première takes up the length of five windows while Lufthansa's Allegris has floor-to-ceiling walls and 43-inch TVs. United Airlines has also upgraded its Polaris class, including Studio suites that are more like first class. Virgin Atlantic isn't launching any completely new seats but expanding the size of its cabins and rolling out more Retreat Suites — its business-class-plus option. Transatlantic travel, in particular, has soared post-pandemic, providing a prime opportunity for the airline, given that it emphasizes such routes. This spells a transformation from its original focus on economy passengers when it was founded in 1984, shaking up UK aviation by challenging the dominance of British Airways. "I think not just Virgin Atlantic started with a heavy focus on economy, but travel has evolved so dramatically over the past 41 years — and especially over the last five — and I think we are here to show that we can do all these things expertly well," Weiss told reporters on the sidelines of the event. The UK flag carrier is undergoing a $17 billion fleet transformation, which is expected to be completed by 2028. 10 Airbus A330neos being delivered from the third quarter of next year will have 16 more upper-class seats and 10 more in premium class, while the economy cabin will shrink by about 30% to 128 seats. Plus, Virgin Atlantic is retrofitting its Boeing 787s, adding 13 more upper-class seats and 21 premium seats, while economy will be cut from 192 to 127 seats. Its 787 upper class has sometimes been derogatorily known as "coffin class" because the suites are narrow, and they lack privacy in a herringbone layout. But they'll soon be updated to modern designs like those on its A330neos. However, Virgin Atlantic will remove its famous bar to accommodate the extra seats. Instead, the airline says its spacious and swanky Retreat Suites can also function as social spaces, as an in-suite ottoman allows them to fit two people. The new A330neos will have six instead of two such suites, while the retrofitted 787s will have eight in total. "I love the bar, and we do love a social space, but the extension of the social space on the 787 will be the Retreat Suite," CEO Shai Weiss told reporters. Virgin Atlantic also announced a partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink, becoming the first British airline to offer streaming-quality WiFi for free. Business Insider previously tried out Starlink on a Qatar Airways flight last year, and found speeds of up to 215 Mbps — faster than most home internet connections. Installation is expected to be completed across the Virgin Atlantic fleet by the end of 2027. To use Starlink, you'll need to sign up for Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club loyalty program. The airline is working on key changes here, too, seeking to recognise passengers who don't fly frequently enough to move up the tiers but have been loyal to the airline for several years. Virgin is also partnering with OpenAI and to introduce an AI concierge to help with travel ideas and navigating airports. A demo at the event drew laughter from the crowd when the user mentioned that rival BA also flies to Mexico, and the concierge responded: "It's pronounced Virgin Atlantic, not BA," with a winky-face emoji. The airline's increased focus on premium will also see it invest millions in refurbishing its lounges at London Heathrow and New York JFK. "Everything we're gonna be telling you today will not be possible if our financial performance had not improved," Weiss said at the start of Tuesday's presentation. Last year saw Virgin Atlantic post record results, with revenues of £3.3 billion ($4.5 billion) and profits of £230 million ($313 million), which were up fourfold from 2023. The airline said this was fueled in part by continued demand from premium travelers, albeit more from those flying for leisure rather than work trips. "Although business travel has not yet recovered to the extent we thought it would have done by now, we have been happy with the strength of consumer demand for premium leisure travel," Virgin Group Chairperson Peter Norris said in the airline's annual report. Weiss told reporters that results for this year are likely to be similar, as uncertainty from tariffs and wars has damaged the hope of setting more records. Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Business Insider
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Virgin Atlantic is swapping onboard bars for high-end suites as the luxury travel boom funds a major overhaul
Virgin Atlantic has announced a host of upgrades with a view to winning over the wealthiest passengers amid a Transatlantic luxury travel arms race. "There is an insatiable demand for premium travel," CEO Shai Weiss told attendees at a launch event in London on Tuesday. He added that more than 90% of seats in its premium and upper-class cabins are filled, "so we know we have the ability to provide more of it." Since the pandemic, travellers have been more interested in flying premium, prompting several airlines to invest in upgrading their business- and first-class suites. Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways have all recently announced larger and more luxurious first-class suites. Air France's La Première takes up the length of five windows while Lufthansa's Allegris has floor-to-ceiling walls and 43-inch TVs. United Airlines has also upgraded its Polaris class, including Studio suites that are more like first class. Virgin Atlantic isn't launching any completely new seats but expanding the size of its cabins and rolling out more Retreat Suites — its business-class-plus option. Transatlantic travel, in particular, has soared post-pandemic, providing a prime opportunity for the airline, given that it emphasizes such routes. This spells a transformation from its original focus on economy passengers when it was founded in 1984, shaking up UK aviation by challenging the dominance of British Airways. "I think not just Virgin Atlantic started with a heavy focus on economy, but travel has evolved so dramatically over the past 41 years — and especially over the last five — and I think we are here to show that we can do all these things expertly well," Weiss told reporters on the sidelines of the event. The UK flag carrier is undergoing a $17 billion fleet transformation, which is expected to be completed by 2028. 10 Airbus A330neos being delivered from the third quarter of next year will have 16 more upper-class seats and 10 more in premium class, while the economy cabin will shrink by about 30% to 128 seats. Plus, Virgin Atlantic is retrofitting its Boeing 787s, adding 13 more upper-class seats and 21 premium seats, while economy will be cut from 192 to 127 seats. Its 787 upper class has sometimes been derogatorily known as "coffin class" because the suites are narrow, and they lack privacy in a herringbone layout. But they'll soon be updated to modern designs like those on its A330neos. However, Virgin Atlantic will remove its famous bar to accommodate the extra seats. Instead, the airline says its spacious and swanky Retreat Suites can also function as social spaces, as an in-suite ottoman allows them to fit two people. The new A330neos will have six instead of two such suites, while the retrofitted 787s will have eight in total. "I love the bar, and we do love a social space, but the extension of the social space on the 787 will be the Retreat Suite," CEO Shai Weiss told reporters. Free high-speed WiFi Virgin Atlantic also announced a partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink, becoming the first British airline to offer streaming-quality WiFi for free. Business Insider previously tried out Starlink on a Qatar Airways flight last year, and found speeds of up to 215 Mbps — faster than most home internet connections. Installation is expected to be completed across the Virgin Atlantic fleet by the end of 2027. To use Starlink, you'll need to sign up for Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club loyalty program. The airline is working on key changes here, too, seeking to recognise passengers who don't fly frequently enough to move up the tiers but have been loyal to the airline for several years. Virgin is also partnering with OpenAI and to introduce an AI concierge to help with travel ideas and navigating airports. A demo at the event drew laughter from the crowd when the user mentioned that rival BA also flies to Mexico, and the concierge responded: "It's pronounced Virgin Atlantic, not BA," with a winky-face emoji. The airline's increased focus on premium will also see it invest millions in refurbishing its lounges at London Heathrow and New York JFK. Funded by a record 2024 "Everything we're gonna be telling you today will not be possible if our financial performance had not improved," Weiss said at the start of Tuesday's presentation. Last year saw Virgin Atlantic post record results, with revenues of £3.3 billion ($4.5 billion) and profits of £230 million ($313 million), which were up fourfold from 2023. The airline said this was fueled in part by continued demand from premium travelers, albeit more from those flying for leisure rather than work trips. "Although business travel has not yet recovered to the extent we thought it would have done by now, we have been happy with the strength of consumer demand for premium leisure travel," Virgin Group Chairperson Peter Norris said in the airline's annual report. Weiss told reporters that results for this year are likely to be similar, as uncertainty from tariffs and wars has damaged the hope of setting more records.

Condé Nast Traveler
02-07-2025
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
Come for the Amenity Kits, Stay for the Flight
This story is part of The New Era of Work Travel, a collaboration between the editors of Condé Nast Traveler and WIRED to help you navigate the perks and pitfalls of the modern business trip. Last March, Air France hosted a private event at the upscale Ritz Paris hotel in Place Vendôme, in the luxurious heart of the city. The airline had built a full-scale mock-up of its new La Première first-class cabin and treated travel journalists like its most valued customers. The new cabin was classic and elegant, a showcase of the Air France aesthetic. Matteo Rainisio, founder of the Italian frequent-flier website The Flight Club, who was in attendance, called it akin to haute couture. Each first-class suite has a separate chair and bed, five windows, sound- and light-blocking curtains, and two 32-inch high-resolution 4K screens. At the end of the presentation, guests were given a gift: the same upgraded amenity kit the airline's future La Première travelers will receive, complete with high-end pajamas by Jacquemus. British Airways offers first-class passengers a Temperley London bag filled with Elemis products. Photography: Roberto Badin This single kit is a small part of a larger, increasingly aggressive push by major global airlines like Air France, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, British Airways, and others to attract coveted, high-spending passengers. These kits serve as powerful marketing tools, widely discussed online (see: amenity kit TikTok), collected by enthusiasts and sometimes even sold on eBay. Call it the amenity kit arms race. Gone are the utilitarian days of dental kits and foam ear plugs. At their lie-flat beds or private pods, premium guests in both first and business class today are greeted with a collection worthy of an Oscars gift bag. These are defined by collaborations with premier luxury brands. Emirates' first-class kits feature skin care products from Byredo, with face toner, eye cream, and even sleep oil. Singapore offers its business-class passengers a pouch from Le Labo filled with plant-based products. ANA, Japan's largest airline, collaborates with luggage maker Ettinger and Sensai cosmetics for first-class offerings, while British Airways works with The White Company for its toiletry kit and Temperley London for its amenity bag. Sometimes it's the bag itself that's the collectable. Delta's first-class kits are made by Tumi, Qatar's by the Italian luggage maker Bric's, and EVA Air's by Rimowa. These airlines' battle to offer the best bag takes place within the context of the rise of business class and the fall—until recently—of first-class travel. Beginning in the early 2000s, many airlines shifted away from first-class cabins, favoring larger business-class sections that offered an increasingly luxurious experience, with lie-flat seating becoming the standard. Some airlines, especially in the United States, scrapped their first-class sections altogether. The reason was economic: Business travelers account for only about 12 percent of passengers but can generate up to 75 percent of an airline's profits. In the past few years, however, high-end airlines have begun reinvesting in first class, betting that a small but influential market of elite travelers was being ignored. First-class availability globally has shrunk to about 1 percent of total seats, according to aviation analytics company Cirium, but the airlines that still offer it are making their cabins more exclusive than ever. Air France, Qatar, and Emirates have all launched, or are planning to launch, new offerings focused on unparalleled privacy, space, and luxury. Think a chauffeur service to and from the airport, private suites with doors, unlimited caviar, and even double beds for couples. The goal is not always direct profit but powerful brand awareness.


Vancouver Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Flying business class with Air France — an honest review of the fine-dining experience
I've spent plenty of flights wedged into economy seats, balancing plastic-topped trays on flimsy tables and managing sleep in fits between meal carts and elbow jabs. My expectations for in-flight dining have always been low — more about getting through it than savouring anything. So when I boarded my Air France business class flight from Toronto to Paris and settled into a lie-flat seat for the first time, I didn't expect much more than comfort. But then the linen napkins and warm towels appeared. Champagne was poured before takeoff. And a menu was placed in my hands. It felt less like a routine flight and more like being quietly ushered into a fine-dining experience — one that just happened to be unfolding at 35,000 feet. Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The current business class menu, which launched in spring 2024 on select North American routes, is part of Air France's elevated in-flight experience in partnership with renowned French chef Olivier Perret, also the executive chef of Renoir restaurant in Montreal . Flights from Toronto to Paris run daily, and roundtrip business class fares can range between $3,500 and $5,000, with prices varying by season. For comparison, an Air Canada Signature Class (or 'La Première') ticket on the same route can cost upwards of $4,500. Air France also offers business class service to Paris from Vancouver and Montreal, with varying frequencies. Toronto Pearson airport, usually a scene of chaos, felt like a private club that afternoon. Air France business class passengers get to glide past the snaking economy lines and into a dedicated check-in zone where the stress seems to evaporate with the sound of a friendly 'bonjour . ' Within 10 minutes, I had cleared check-in, was fast-tracked through security and found myself in a leather armchair at the Air France lounge, torn between a flute of champagne and an espresso — France's eternal dilemma. The lounge was a sunlit oasis with floor-to-ceiling views of the tarmac and a spread that included pastries, fresh fruit, yogurt and sandwiches. The seating was designed for lingering, not just passing time: chairs angled for privacy, clusters of café tables near the buffet and quiet corners with built-in power outlets for those trying to squeeze in one last email. When boarding time arrived, I was greeted at the aircraft door by none other than chef Perret himself. I didn't know what business class really meant until I walked onto that aircraft and found what can only be described as a high-altitude cocoon — equal parts boutique hotel room, cinema pod and tranquil workspace. My first impression was that the seat looked like something you'd find on a Scandinavian design blog. The cabin was a palette of clean whites and blues with lighting that adjusted gradually as the evening sky outside darkened. My seat, more of a suite, featured a full lie-flat bed, bedding and a privacy door I could slide shut to disappear into my own world. I soon found myself reclining into a dozen different positions until I landed on the perfect zenned-out angle. The amenity kit offered noise-cancelling headphones, a sleep mask, slippers, a toothbrush and a (semi-limited) selection of toiletries from French brands like Clarins and Buccotherm. The smallest details, like a hanger for my jacket and a light-up mirror to touch up my appearance, made it clear that I wasn't merely a passenger, but a guest in a flying hotel suite. But it was the new Sofitel MyBed mattress pad that truly elevated the experience. Firm yet cloud-like, it's part of a new collaboration between Air France and the luxury hotel brand Sofitel. The pad made the in-flight rest feel indulgent, even restorative. Before takeoff, a flight attendant asked if I preferred champagne or still water. The Air France motto is, 'Everyone has the right to champagne' — and judging by the glass in my hand before we even left the tarmac, they mean it. The Air France food experience began with linen. An attendant unfolded a white napkin onto my tray and handed me a menu. Not a laminated list of options, but a carefully designed booklet outlining the culinary philosophy behind the flight's meal service. A selection of four entrée options stood out, but I zeroed in on the beef cheek. (Later, Perret would tell me it's his favourite, too.) First came the starters: a curated cheese plate with three aged varieties, accompanied by a warm baguette. The butter, sliced into four delicate tabs, was pre-softened and easily spreadable (a small but thoughtful detail that felt helpful). A fresh heirloom salad came alongside a plate of roast duck and butternut squash, presented with precision. Because of the shorter flight time, dessert arrived with the starter course: a refined caramel shortbread biscuit. Creamy, light, not overly sweet — it was a quiet counterpoint to the richness of the cheeses. But it was the heirloom tomatoes on my salad that shocked me most. I usually avoid tomatoes. These ones burst with flavour like they'd been sun-ripened in Provence. Then came the main event. The beef cheek arrived steaming, the sauce poured tableside by Perret himself, who asked if I'd like to keep the extra on the side. Of course I did! The meat was meltingly tender, bathed in a savoury red wine demi-glace sauce that clung to every bite. Rich without being heavy, indulgent without being overpowering. It was plated with tender heirloom carrots and sweet glazed onions. The ingredients — from the beef to the vegetables — were sourced in Canada, a detail Perret was proud to share. While I didn't try them, the other entrées sounded equally well-crafted. They featured a poultry blanquette with a creamy tarragon sauce and vegetables, a zander fillet paired with Saint-Germain cream and slow-cooked leeks, and a vegetarian risotto finished with portobello mushrooms, fava beans and parsley coulis. For wine, the flight attendant recommended a structured red Bordeaux from the Air France wine list: Château de Malleret 2017. Classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, it paired perfectly with the beef. At altitude, you lose about 30 per cent of your ability to taste salt. But the chef's careful seasoning and the wine's minerality made up the difference. Air France's in-flight meal service was polished and intuitive — never hovering, but always near when needed. The flight attendants spoke knowledgeably about the food and wine and delivered courses with care. The entertainment system was sufficient: a large, high-definition screen that extended in front of you, with a responsive interface and a well-curated library featuring more than 370 films and 1,500 hours of content. Whether you wanted to binge French cinema or catch up on Oscar winners, it was all there. The meal was easily one of the best I've had in the air — and yes, it could rival some restaurants on the ground. But it was the sense of care that struck me. Every touchpoint felt considered: from the wine pairings to the pacing of the meal, to the simple question, 'Would you like more sauce?' It's rare to leave a flight talking about the entrée. Rarer still to remember what the butter looked like. But I did. I remembered everything. Air France's business class menu didn't just meet my expectations for a premium experience: it redefined them. Would I fly Air France business class again just for the food? Honestly, yes. And while $3,500 may not be a casual expense, the experience — when compared to similar offerings from other airlines — offers real value for those seeking comfort and cuisine in equal measure. This flight wasn't just a way to get to Paris. It was part of Paris, served at altitude. Victoria Surla was a guest of Air France. No one from the airline read or approved this article before publication.