TTN was recently on board the very posh business class service of Air France A330-200 flight from Abu Dhabi to Paris. On international long-haul flights, Air France’s business class is known as “Affaires” and truly offers a high-end travel experience. Our journey begins from Dubai, with its Chauffeur service to the Airport. Check-in at Abu Dhabi airport’s First and Business class check-in area is quick and efficient and with the lounge located immediately after security, one is saved from the hassles of a long walk through the airport. Abu Dhabi Airport’s first and business class lounge offers an excellent range of food and beverage options, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi and Laptops upon request, if you’re looking to catch up on work before you take-off.
Onboard, Air France service and amenities are impeccable and the Affaires business class seats are lie-flat seats which recline to two meters in length. Each seat is fitted in an enveloping shell design giving travellers more privacy and comfort. The Air France Abu Dhabi to Paris is a night flight and the fully flat seat makes for a good nights sleep. Each seat includes a 10.4” touch screen TV monitor with interactive gaming and AVOD, reading lamp that can be switched on and off, as well as a personal telephone, and laptop power ports.
As a transit passenger at Charles de Gaulle, we experienced the facilities of Air France’s La Première lounge – a First Class experience that is second to none. For those departing from Paris, La Première guests get a red-carpet welcome at Terminal 2E while being checked-in at a private lounge exclusively designed by Didier Lefort. Once checked-in, the team records passenger seat and service preferences including favourite newspaper and welcome drink. Customs clearance is done in the Lounge itself and passengers are escorted via ‘Access No.1’ – a dedicated channel through the airport reserved for First Class passengers.
The 1,000-sq-m La Première lounge is decorated with contemporary works of art by renowned artists. There is a varied choice of food and beverage options; including an à la carte menu prepared by French chef Alain Ducasse, from his signature restaurant Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée in the Dorchester Collection in Paris.
A team of chefs hand-picked by Ducasse means passengers can chose to have their meals at the lounge before they board the aircraft. A private and trendy bar area offers a selection of drinks from Plaza Athénée, including their signature cocktail. If you are looking to refresh, the lounge offers a lush relaxation centre offering treatments by environment friendly Biologique Recherche.
While waiting for your flight, passengers can do some duty free shopping which includes limited edition perfumes and vintages, exclusively available to Air France first class passengers. Once you are ready to check-in, guests are personally escorted by the lounge staff, through private security checks and then chauffeured to their aircraft in their own private vehicle from their fleet of luxury cars.
Already popular with celebrities and diplomats, La Première is the ideal choice of travel for VIP’s. With Air France’s just inaugurated A380 service from Dubai, Middle East travellers can now get used to red-carpet service even while flying.