Air France’s new 777 La Première first class

One of the world’s most elegant first class suites is undergoing a haute couture transformation, with Air France’s new 777 La Première set to strut down the runway in March 2025.

That’s later than the SkyTeam member’s previously-scheduled ‘late 2024’ debut – although despite the delay, these upgraded Boeing 777s will still be making their way to Dubaï, Tokyo, Singapore, Sao Paulo, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC.

“La Première represents the highest level of French excellence and is an intrinsic part of Air France’s DNA,” says Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith.

Air France's current 777 La Premiere first class.

Travellers can look forward to what Air France promises will be the longest first class cabins in the world, stretching to encompass five windows on the 777.

That’s one more than the current 777 La Première first class suites, and leans into the same refined residential “living space” feel.

Air France's current 777 La Premiere first class.

Another change: while today’s Air France 777s sport four first class suites at the pointy end of the plane, the revamped 777s will have just three.

Air France's current 777 La Premiere first class.

That’s the same first class layout as most recently adopted by Emirates, Lufthansa and soon Qantas.

It remains to be seen if Air France will make its middle suite into an extra-large La Première Plus which can be shared by two travellers.

What we do know is that the new 777 La Première suites will offer “three modular configurations… a seat, a sofa and a fully flat bed.”

Air France's new 777 La Premiere first class.

This concept sketch from an Air France presentation shows an airborne chaise lounge facing an armchair with a swing-up legrest.

We expect the gaps between these two pieces of furniture will be closed to create one long wide bed, although the layout should also allow two first class flyers to share some time together over a meal.

There’ll also be two video screens – one at either end of the suite, and both controlled by a wireless tablet.

It’s understood the floor-to-ceiling curtains on today’s 777 La Première suite will be replaced by a sliding door or partition.

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