The reimagined Air France La Première experience distils time-honoured French savoir-faire into a seamless journey where intuitive refinement defines every detail
Refinement doesn’t come easy. In fact, the very notion of the word suggests a continual pursuit of perfection. In the world of luxury, a field replete with objects and experiences that appear immaculately refined, the work and finesse required to achieve such clarity are often invisible yet omnipresent.
Nowhere is this truer than in air travel, where operators must find a way to deliver superlative experiences while adhering to rigorous safety codes. In this regard, the purest expression of the art of air travel can only be achieved by an airline that has, since its inception, dedicated itself to crafting unforgettable journeys imbued with rarefied panache. And where better to begin than in France, a nation whose cultural fabric has long been woven with the threads of artistry, refinement, and instinctive style.
Parisian Sophistication
It is through this lens that the unveiling of Air France’s latest La Première suite on flights between Singapore and Paris is best viewed. The refreshed first-class experience, which took three years of meticulous refinement to come to fruition, offers an integrated, end-to-end journey that immerses travellers in French elegance from the moment they step on board.
To get a sense of this, we must, of course, begin with the in-flight suite. Spanning nearly 3.5sqm, framed by five windows, and cocooned by full-height curtains, the suite offers a private enclave high above the clouds. And while comfort and privacy have become ubiquitous in the world of first-class flying, every touchpoint of La Première’s in-cabin experience feels effortlessly, and almost instinctively, sophisticated.
On one end, a wide, deeply cushioned armchair offers the perfect space for lounging and dining. On the opposite side, a chaise longue—sheathed in crisp bedding—runs along the windows. Unfolding into a two-metre bed, the chaise allows you to stretch fully as you unwind into a deep repose. Twin 32-inch 4K screens are positioned strategically, ensuring that both the armchair and the bed are equally well served. Meanwhile, the absence of overhead bins adds to this impression of ease, leaving the cabin open and uncluttered, with storage tucked discreetly beneath the seat.
As you might expect, La Première will tempt your palate with only the finest French cuisine. Sturia caviar, foie gras, and prestigious champagnes set the tone, while the menus—served course by course—are entrusted to some of France’s most decorated Michelin-starred chefs, including Emmanuel Renaut, Arnaud Lallement, and Julien Royer.
The final course of the meal is no afterthought either: Claire Heitzler’s light, fruit-led compositions and Angelo Musa’s decadent signatures bring a balance of restraint and indulgence. To accompany the courses, you can choose from a wine list curated by Xavier Thuizat, head sommelier at Hôtel de Crillon, whose blind tastings gather the best of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, and beyond.
La Première also features further signatures of French artistry beyond the table. Amenity kits are created in collaboration with Sisley, the Parisian phyto-cosmetology house, filled with skincare treatments designed to refresh and revive at altitude. Sleepwear, meanwhile, comes courtesy of Simon Porte Jacquemus, whose pared-back silhouettes offer a startling reminder that even in the air, French refinement is still within reach.
End-to-End Elegance
The in-flight journey, however, is only half the experience with La Première. From the moment you touch down at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, personalised world-class service awaits. You’ll be greeted at the aircraft door before being guided along a discreet passage through the terminal, far removed from the crowds.
While a dedicated concierge handles your immigration and baggage, you’ll be free to unwind in the vestibule, an exclusive 570sqm check-in lounge designed for rest and refreshment. Here, a shower, a light meal, or simply a few unhurried moments between connections set the tone for the rest of your time in Paris. Should you be continuing onward, a Porsche Cayenne Hybrid will be waiting to whisk you across the tarmac to your next flight.
When returning home from Paris, you can expect the same seamlessness, rendered with an added theatrical flourish. Before your departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, you’ll go through a private check-in area and exclusive security channel before arriving at the airline’s stunning 1,000sqm lounge.
The expansive lounge, decked in contemporary materials that exude Parisian flair, offers the perfect space to enjoy a moment of stillness before the long flight home. More impressively, you can indulge in a signature treatment at the in-lounge Sisley spa or savour an exclusive menu curated by Alain Ducasse and his team, should you wish to pamper yourself.
For those who desire complete privacy, however, you may opt for one of three 45sqm La Première private suites situated near the lounge. Designed to resemble Parisian apartments at their most elevated, each suite comes with a bedroom, dining space, bathroom, and private patio, furnished with works by legendary designers Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Paulin, and Philippe Starck. From here or from the lounge, you will be escorted directly to your aircraft at the appointed moment, returning once more to the sky for yet another chapter of refinement in the skies.
It is this fully integrated, end-to-end opulence that marks the experience with La Première as an expression of the art of air travel par excellence. And while a first-class offering from France’s national carrier was always destined to carry an air of refinement, Air France’s dedication to elevating every detail—both in the air and on the ground—cements La Première as a bona fide embodiment of French savoir-faire at its finest.
This story first appeared in the October 2025 issue. Purchase it as a print or digital copy, or consider subscribing to us here
