Air France La Première Dubai to Paris

B777-300/ER

First Class

13 August 2016

Video

 

Follow an absolute outstanding and perhaps my best First Class flight with Air France in May this year, I flew with Air France again this summer from Dubai to Madrid via Paris. This time travelling with my wife together.

We originally purchased Business Class tickets. Air France have a special offer at check-in (either online or at check-in counters) for upgrade. (when the next cabin is not full) Such was the case on our flight and it costed 800 Euros per passenger to upgrade to La Première which I think the price is quite fair.

The upgrade not only came with a better cabin with better seats, better food, better privacy. It also entitles you to use the Salon La Première in Paris with private limo transfer and a host to take care of all your needs.

Thinking of that, it has tremendous values!

A nice surprise from Air France, they have arranged an escort to walk us through the departure formalities.

This was even before we purchased the upgrade at check in!

La Première passengers are entitled to such escort and use of DCA Ahlan First Class Lounge in Dubai.

 

Dubai new Concourse D

This is also my first time using the new concourse D in Dubai which is used by all airlines in Terminal 1.

Concourse D houses all international airlines except Emirates and airlines that use Terminal 2.

Once after checked-in at T1, you will go through the usual passport control and screening. Then you will board the new transit train to take you directly to the new Concourse D.

New Concourse D at Dubai International Airport.

The lounge and several restaurant is located upstairs with a huge duty free area on the boarding level.

La Premiere (First Class) passengers on Air France flight out of Dubai are entitled to use the awesome DCA Ahlan First Class Lounge

Business Class passengers can use the Skyteam Lounge.

 

The lounge feature an unique and amazing Flightradar 24 display!

 

 

The First Class lounge feature amazing "cook-to-order" food.

Click here to see the complete review of the awesome DCA Ahlan First Class Lounge

We didn’t realize how much time we had spent until our escort came back to collect us.

A golf buggy was arranged to take us directly to the boarding gate.

A First Class Welcome!

Another Air France gate agent personally escorted us to the plane from the gate and bid farewell.

The First Class jetbridge is just for two of us to use personally tonight!

There are no other passengers in First Class!

As soon as we board, a nice surprise was presented to us!

 

 

 We felt so pampered once we were settled in as we were welcomed with a bottle of La Grande Annee Bollinger, orange juice and some toasted nuts for both of us.

 

 

We were then presented the new comfort kit complete with a selection of Carita facial and body care products and an excellent designed pyjama.

 

 

The usual slipper, socks and shoe bag.

La Premiere food and drink menu

 

 

 

The food and beverage menu is also available on our entertainment screen.

 

After takeoff, our dinner order was taken with recommended wine to pair with.

Since it is an overnight flight, we'd prefer to have a quick supper then rest.

Flight time to Paris was about 6 hours 30 minutes.

The usual excellent tableware of La Premiere!

 

Backside of the dish, just for your record! 😉

The catering is from outstation Dubai. Even the crew admitted it won't be as good as from Paris so we adjusted our expectation accordingly.

Starter : Jumbo Shrimp with Chinese noodles.

Green Salad to go with the dinner

My wife enjoyed the pumpkin soup

 

 

Main course individually presented in front of you.

Sea Perch

 

Beef Fillet steak

 

 

Our exclusive private cabin! It certainly felt it was on our own private plane.

The steak and fish wasn't bad but the food can't compare than the ones from Paris!

The dessert was a bit simple and disappointing. More like Business Class standard.

 

After the meal service, I asked whether we could see the cockpit for a few minutes. The pilot kindly granted us entry.

I like how Air France pilots have the final authority instead of follow a fixed rule.

The pilots informed our flight route from Dubai to Paris via Shiraz, turkey, black sea, Romania, then onto continental Europe.  Flight time was 6 hr 30 minutes and cruising level at 36,000 feet.

After the cockpit visit, our bed has already been turned down and we're off for some sleep.

My wife took the window solo seat and I took the middle aisle seat.

The bedding is excellent, easily the best I've experienced on any First Class. It is from Sofitel

 

Stylish bathroom, consistent with La Premiere brand theme.

 

This is how it looks when the curtains are closed together in the middle pair seats.

You're in your own bubble with full privacy but do not feel "closed in" by doors or walls.

I turned out the In-Flight Entertainment to see where we are.

 

Lot of nice movies on the touch screen unit, but I am getting very tired on the comfy La Premiere bed....

 

After about 3 hours of rest, we woke up just before the descend into Paris.

The crew brought us some pastry, tea and juice. They asked us whether we want a full breakfast....

But we decided to wait and have it in the excellent Salon La Premiere after landing.

Our gorgeous cabin with daybreak view during out gradual descend...

The cabin was quiet, and private at all times. There were no disturbances and it is perfect for just two of us!

 

 

Enjoying our last moments.... It was such a fast 6.5 hours while you enjoy every minute of it!

We landed at CDG on-time and it's time to say goodbye to our lovely AF crew.

 

As soon as we got out of the door, another lovely Air France agent, Alise was waiting and escorted us to the waiting limo to take us directly to the lounge.

Upon hearing I am an aviation enthusiast, Alise decided to drive me around CDG airport to look at all the planes. We have an awesome airside tour for almost half an hour in our private limo!

We finally arrived at Salon La Premiere private entrance.

The Salon La Premiere is a destination of its own. It is quite, luxurious and cozy.

We spent 3 hours there easily and did not want to leave....

You can see a full review of the lounge here.

Breakfast: Jamon Ibérico Pata Negra (Bellota)

Fried Egg (well done)

Foie Gras Terrine with toast

We always enjoyed the complementary 30 minutes spa

What I like about Salon La Premiere is, it was never too noisy or crowded. It has all the feature of a First Class lounge that a First Class passenger demands, with French elegant flair and style added to its design

Upon leaving the lounge, I was given a choice whether I would like the BMW limo or try the French Citroen. I choose the latter and was very happy with the comfort.

Arrive on our Limo below the boarding gate of our A320 flight to Madrid.

 The pilot of our onward flight was awaiting us on the jetbridge!

Alise says her farewell and have asked the onward crew to take special care of us.

We were treated like Royalty. It certainly feels special!

A selfie together with our lovely host, Alise.

 

Bottom Line

Wow, that was my 2nd flight with Air France La Premiere First Class.

What a product, I felt so in love with it and it keeps growing in me!

We were extremely lucky to have the whole 4 private suite cabin to ourselves.

We felt so cozy, comfortable and being at home, but above the clouds at 36,000 feet.

Thank you Air France by providing such magnificent moment to our travel memories.

 

Video

 

My other Air France Review

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