La Premiere: Air France's first-class suite 14 May 2014

Air France is attempting to add some flair to its first-class offering with the launch of its La Premiere suite. To be progressively rolled out in 19 Boeing 777-300 aircraft, four individual suites will stand in a dedicated La Premiere cabin. Each will be simply but stylishly finished in leathers, woven fabrics and suedes, and will feature the types of extras travellers at this level now take for granted. The fully flat 79-inch bed features integrated lumbar support and is topped with a Sofitel duvet; films and entertainment options are transmitted on a 24-inch high-definition screen and an additional ottoman chair allows La Premiere guests to invite a guest to join them for dinner.

And food is likely to be one of the main lures of the service. Passengers will be able to dine from a gourmet menu developed by Michelin-starred chefs including Joel Robuchon and Michel Roth, served on porcelain tableware by Bernardaud and in glassware designed by Christofle. (At the La Premiere lounge in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, meanwhile, passengers can enjoy a menu developed by Alain Ducasse.)

The suite has been conceived by the travel and transport design consultancy Priestmangoode, which has also designed first-class cabins for Thai Airways and Brazil’s national carrier TAM Airlines. The agency also recently unveiled its designs for World View, a unique passenger capsule that will be hoisted to the edge of space by an immense helium balloon. The aircraft is expected to commence commercial services in 2016, with tickets costing from £45,000 per person.

Air France isn't the only carrier going to increasingly extravagant ends to lure the biggest-spending passengers. Among many other recent aviation innovations, Etihad has announced the launch of The Residence, a three-room “hotel suite in the sky” with its own butler, bedroom and shower; Qatar Airways, meanwhile, this weekend commences its all-business-class flights from London Heathrow to Doha. 

( The Telegraph )