Airline reveals luxury first class suite as it fights business aircraft for top rollers

Air France on Tuesday revealed a new first -class suite after expanding efforts to entice rich travelers from business aircraft and give a “French touch” in premium revenue clash.

General Director of Parents Air France-Klm, Ben Smith, told Reuters unspecified investment aimed at putting Air France at the top of the European League in the luxury of the airline, signaling a battle with British Airways and Lufthansa.

“A large percentage of customers are flying for business reasons … Many have the choice of a private plane or fly to the first grade,” Smith said in an interview.

“What is new to us in recent years is a marked increase in the number of luxury customers flying for leisure goals.”

The air travel industry is locked in a battle for high -paying customers recovering from the Pandemia, but is divided on the value of first grade investment, with many carriers focusing on sustainable improvements in business class seats.

Air France’s latest first-class cabin, paved in four pairs of gray beds, with red accent and seats on the planes selected, follows an attempt for a year to re-cut a loss product once, as Smith joined the national carrier in 2018.

The Canadian executive has long been a first -class champion even so many rivals withdraw to the business class. But he said that only a small part of the airlines had the depth of question or the ability to introduce assets like France as a destination.

“Many people like to experience France.

Departure comes a few weeks after the British Airways’s rival began its new first class cabin.

Lufthansa also offers first grade. Nor does the airline respond to commentary requests.

The power of the French brand

Smith refused to say how much investment would cost in new countries, but the airline says the first class service is already profitable, partly because the ticket price has increased in recent years.

An average one-way Paris-New York ticket costs around 10,000 euros ($ 11,0000) in May, according to the Air France website.

Tuesday’s participation reflected the airline’s efforts to hit an accord with France’s widest reputation for luxury, with the waiters passing by Michelin stars in the presence of specially invited influenza in Paris Fashion Week.

Smith insisted, however, that Air France’s “The Premiere” brand could stand on its feet as a luxury product.

Partially owned by the state Air France has long been synonymous with first class, with the list of its passengers so powerful that the countries were once reputable to be deceived by the country’s spy agencies.

Now, it has to compete with ordinary places now common in business class or increasingly accessible private aircraft.

Most of the cost is wrapped not only in places, but in terrestrial services such as special controls or limousines.

There is also the hidden cost of creating a plane sub-detachment that can only operate in a small part of the roads.

“If it is not strong, it can be quite marginal due to operational complexity, capital investment and the risk of replacing places that they could be sure of sale in the business class,” said aviation adviser John Strickland.