Air France has unveiled its redesigned La Première lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, giving its highest-paying passengers a more private, wellness-focused and dining-led first-class experience before departure. The revamped lounge is located in Terminal 2E and forms part of the airline’s broader push to elevate La Première, its most exclusive long-haul product.
The redesign was developed in collaboration with MARKS Brandimage and focuses on creating a more intimate airport experience. Air France has added new furniture, partitions, alcoves and quieter seating arrangements to create what the airline describes as individual cocoons of privacy. The goal is clear: make the lounge feel less like a shared airport space and more like a private residence for premium travelers.
The experience begins at the entrance, where guests are welcomed by Air France’s signature AF001 home fragrance, created by Francis Kurkdjian, the French master perfumer and artistic director of Maison Francis Kurkdjian. It is a small detail, but one that signals how far airlines are now going to differentiate their most premium ground experiences.
Dining is one of the biggest upgrades. The redesigned dining area now includes more tables and full table service for every guest. Air France says the space has been made warmer and brighter, balancing the feel of a refined restaurant with the privacy expected by first-class passengers. The menu is designed by Alain Ducasse and his teams, with dishes including coquillettes with ham and black truffle, seasonal vegetarian options and the chef’s rum or Armagnac baba.
The wine and champagne program has also been curated with a premium positioning. Xavier Thuizat, Air France’s head sommelier, oversees the selection, while Alain Ducasse’s teams have chosen additional grands crus to pair with the dining experience.
Private Suites and Spa Push La Première Beyond a Lounge
Wellness has become another major part of the La Première upgrade. The lounge now includes a more spacious Sisley spa, with a second treatment room added to increase availability. Treatments are tailored to the amount of time passengers have before a daytime or overnight flight, making the spa useful for both short connections and longer layovers.
The relaxation area has also been redesigned with new individual rooms featuring day beds, duvets and soft pillows. For passengers arriving early, connecting between long-haul flights or trying to rest before an overnight service, these rooms add a more hotel-like layer to the airport experience. A new work area, including a private booth for calls and confidential conversations, has also been added.
For travelers who want complete privacy, Air France offers three exclusive 45-square-meter suites adjacent to the lounge. Two can be connected on request. Each suite includes a living room, bedroom with a double bed, bathroom and outdoor patio. Guests are welcomed with champagne and caviar by Sturia and can dine privately from the La Première menu.
The lounge reopening also ties into the rollout of Air France’s new La Première cabins on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Together, the cabin and ground upgrades show how first-class competition is increasingly defined by the full journey, not only the seat onboard.
For Air France, Paris CDG is the natural showcase. With the redesigned La Première lounge, the airline is trying to turn first class into a complete French luxury experience, built around privacy, cuisine, design, fragrance, wellness and service before passengers even board.
