- Mr Plane Guy
- 5 hours ago
- 6 min read
Air France Premium Economy: Oui to Champagne, Non to Ordinary
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger, Flight & Travel Expert
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps cover my airport lounge habits, thank you for the support.
There are airlines that transport you. And then there are airlines that attempt to seduce you.
Air France has always belonged to the second category.
From the cut of the cabin crew uniforms to the way a tray table is presented, there’s a certain confidence, an unspoken “bien sûr” that this is how flying should feel.
In 2026, Air France has quietly elevated its Premium cabin once again. If you’ve been searching Air France Premium Economy, wondering whether it’s worth the supplément, the answer is no longer simply about legroom.
It’s about experience.
Champagne on departure. Michelin-starred cuisine. Apple TV at altitude. A cabin that feels curated rather than crowded.
So, let’s ask the proper question: Is Air France Premium Economy still just a bigger seat, or is it becoming something far more… chic?
What Is Air France Premium Economy?
Air France Premium (formerly known as Premium Economy Air France) sits elegantly between Air France Economy and Air France First Class (La Première).
On aircraft such as the Air France 777 Premium Economy, you’ll find:
Wider, fixed-shell recliner seats
Increased pitch
2-4-2 cabin layout
Dedicated cabin zone
Priority boarding
Enhanced catering
Refined tableware
But here’s the difference: Air France doesn’t sell space. It sells atmosphere.
Where some carriers say “extra comfort,” Air France says, essentially, “Pourquoi pas les deux?” Why not comfort and cuisine?
The 2026 Upgrade: Michelin at 35,000 Feet
From February 2026, Air France expanded its partnership with Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Simonin across all Premium flights departing the United States and Canada.
Oui, Michelin.
This is not a garnish-on-a-tray situation. Simonin is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France, the culinary equivalent of winning the World Cup in a toque.
Premium passengers now choose between two hot dishes, updated regularly, including vegetarian options. Recent menus include:
Scallops with tapioca pearl sauce
Asparagus pasta
Trofie with porcini mushrooms and hazelnuts.
Add to this:
Champagne immediately after take-off
Cheese course (of course)
Gourmet dessert
Stainless steel cutlery
Real glassware
Suddenly, the difference between Air France economy and Air France premium economy feels less incremental and more intentional.
In economy, you are fed. In Premium, you dine.
Is Air France Premium Economy Worth It?
Let’s be direct.
Is it business class? Non.
Is it economy with lipstick? Also non.
Air France Premium occupies a very French middle ground curated indulgence without excess.
If you’re comparing:
Air France premium economy review
Air France economy vs premium economy
Air France 777 premium economy
The cuisine alone may tip the scales.
Especially on long-haul routes like:
New York
Los Angeles
Miami
Toronto
San Francisco
When the journey exceeds eight hours, food becomes more than fuel. It becomes mood.
And mood, Air France understands.
Apple TV in the Sky: Oui to Ted Lasso
As of January 2026, Air France partnered with Apple TV, bringing over 45 hours of original programming onboard long-haul flights.
Passengers now enjoy:
Ted Lasso
The Morning Show
Severance
Documentaries
Children’s programming
French lifestyle series
Across long-haul aircraft, you’ll find:
1,500+ hours of total content
4K anti-glare screens in newer cabins
Bluetooth headphone connectivity
Touchscreen interface in 12 languages
Air France dedicates roughly 30% of its entertainment catalogue to French productions.
It’s subtle cultural diplomacy at 35,000 feet. If older Air France reviews criticised inflight entertainment as unremarkable, that narrative is shifting.
Air France Economy vs Premium Economy: What’s the Real Difference?
This is where the real difference becomes clear.
In Economy:
Standard 3-4-3 layout (on 777)
31” pitch
Standard catering
No champagne
In Premium:
2-4-2 layout
38” pitch
Champagne on departure
Michelin collaboration meals
WiFi Rollout: Très Moderne
High-speed WiFi is being rolled out fleet-wide.
Passengers can access Apple TV via the WiFi portal and stream on personal devices.
Will it replace pre-downloaded content? Non.
For long-haul flights, I still recommend downloading audiobooks or podcasts before boarding.
Personally, I use Audible on overnight sectors. It’s discreet, immersive, and far easier than blue light at 3am over the Atlantic.
Plane Tip: Download an Audible book before boarding, in-flight Wi-Fi won’t stream Spotify, but audiobooks work offline. Audible for Travel turns every layover into a first-class story time, and right now you can start listening for just 99p.
If you want to try it, I’ve broken down how to use Audible for long-haul travel here.
Air France Baggage Allowance in Premium
Let’s be practical. The Air fFrance baggage allowance in Premium typically includes:
Two checked bags (23kg each on most long-haul routes)
Increased cabin baggage allowance
Priority handling
If you’re travelling multi-city Europe or extended stays, this alone may justify the fare difference.
Très utile.
If you’re flying Premium, you might as well look the part… it looks high-end, fits Air France Premium cabin dimensions, and costs a fraction of designer brands.
Pair it with noise-cancelling headphones, and you’ll look first-class in any queue. This Amazon Premium Cabin Case looks high-end, fits Air France Premium cabin dimensions, and costs a fraction of designer brands.
Comparing Premium Cabins: C’est La Concurrence
If you’re researching premium economy air france, you’re likely comparing options.
I’ve reviewed:
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy (A350) Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy A350 Review: Has Virgin Premium Lost Its Sparkle?
Emirates Premium Economy (A350) Onboard Their New A350 This is Why I Hated Emirates Premium Economy
Norse Atlantic Premium (787) Norse Atlantic Airways Review of Premium
Scoot Plus Premium Cabin (787) ScootPlus Review
Air France Premium Economy Seat Specs (B777)
Seat pitch: ~38 inches
Seat width: ~19 inches
Recline: Fixed shell recliner
Footrest included
13.3” HD screen
Plane Tip: Don’t forget the little comforts. I never board without my noise-cancelling earbuds and travel adapter with USB-C ports both from Amazon, both worth every penny on long-haul flights. You should also get a airplane bluetooth adaptor, now you could pair your headsets on Premium Air France, but it may not be possible on lots of other aircraft so its worth having!
Air France First Class: The Aspirational Benchmark
While researching Premium, many travellers also look at air france first class.
La Première is rarefied air, caviar, private transfers, lounge suites.
Premium does not compete with it.
But what’s interesting is how elements of French identity, cuisine, presentation, hospitality, filter downward.
Premium may not offer a suite, but it offers intention.
How to Book Air France Premium for Less
Luxury feels better when it’s a smart decision.
Here’s how I’d approach it:
1. Jack’s Flight Club
Premium economy sales appear more frequently than people assume.
Find discounted Premium fares with Jack’s Flight Club discounted fares here.
If you’re flexible with departure airports, even better.
2. Flying Blue Awards
Air France’s loyalty programme occasionally releases promotional awards.
3. Seasonal Sales
Shoulder seasons (spring, autumn) often deliver the best value.
Premium, when priced correctly, becomes a strategic indulgence rather than an impulse splurge.
Final Verdict: Oui or Non?
So, is Air France Premium Economy worth it in 2026?
If you value:
Culinary detail
Champagne ritual
Cultural curation
A calmer cabin
Thoughtful presentation? Then oui.
Flying long-haul? Here’s how I use Priority Pass before departure.
If you simply want maximum recline for minimum spend, perhaps non.
Air France Premium is not about excess. It’s about elegance.
It’s about choosing a little more without going all the way and at 35,000 feet, sometimes that balance feels just right.
Merci, Air France.
From lounge reviews to funny airport moments, I share it all on Instagram.
👉 Follow @MrPlaneGuy for real-time travel tips and plane chaos.
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport a
nd mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Air France Premium Economy: Oui to Champagne, Non to Ordinary
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