Evaluate: World’s greatest Enterprise Class seat

Wednesday newsletters all the time function a resort or flight overview.

Final summer time (July 2023), I loved an exceptional safari & seaside vacation in South Africa and Mozambique, in all probability my greatest vacation ever. You possibly can learn my journey experiences right here:

Right now: Evaluate of Air France’s new Boeing 777 Enterprise Class suite (Johannesburg to Paris)

After an unbelievable vacation in Southern Africa, I flew again dwelling with Air France onboard a Boeing 777 which was geared up with the provider’s latest Enterprise Class product: suites with sliding doorways organized in a 1-2-1 reverse structure. As I already described in my overview of the outbound flight, Air France’s new exhausting product is great and the suites – that are unfold over two cabins – function cutting-edge devices resembling sliding doorways, wi-fi charging, bluetooth audio, and 4K high-definition anti-glare screens. Mixed with provider’s wonderful comfortable product – which incorporates connoisseur delicacies designed by Michelin starred cooks – all of it makes for a terrific flight expertise, therefore why Air France is one in every of my favourite airways.

On high of that, there’s one little-known function that makes Air France’s new Enterprise Class product much more particular and distinctive. Its bulkhead seats – that are situated within the entrance of each Enterprise Class cabins, extra particularly in rows 1 and 9 – supply an unlimited quantity of additional house, which equals that and even tops the house you normally discover in First Class cabins. IMHO, these are at the moment the world’s greatest Enterprise Class seats they usually appear to signify some kind of a “Enterprise Class Plus” product. Thus far, Air France has not made a whole lot of fuzz about this function and the provider doesn’t cost additional for these seats however they’re solely out there to Flying Blue elite members at reserving (though additionally they turn into out there to different Enterprise Class passengers 72 hours previous to departure). For my return flight to Paris, I used to be in a position to choose a bulkhead suite through the on-line check-in course of, which might be the prelude of one in every of my greatest Enterprise Class flight experiences ever.

Have you ever ever flown with Air France? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

• Journey: Johannesburg (JNB) to Paris (PAR)
• Airline: Air France
• Plane kind: Boeing 777-300ER
• Plane registration quantity: F-GZNU (inbuilt 2016)
• Departure time: 7 pm
• Arrival time: 6 am (+ 1 day)
• Miles: 4420 miles (8720 km)
• Flight time: 10 hours
• Seat: 9A
• Class: Enterprise Class

On this overview (extra data & images beneath my YouTube video):

1. Air France Enterprise Class Lounge at CDG Airport
2. Air France historical past
3. Enterprise Class cabin
4. Enterprise Class seat (+ greatest & worst seats)
5. Facilities & bedding
6. Meals
7. Leisure
8. Onboard web
9. Different inflight experiences
10. My verdict (rating)

1. SLOW LOUNGE AT JOHANNESBURG O.R. TAMPO AIRPORT

Air France doesn’t have its personal Enterprise Class lounge at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport. As an alternative, it affords its premium passengers entry to the Gradual Lounge, a 3rd social gathering contract lounge situated one flooring above the airport’s principal concourse. The Gradual Lounge is comprised of two separate lounges, one to the left and one to the precise of the reception space. Each lounge areas function an identical structure, and are divided into separate sections for stress-free, working or consuming. Every lounge options its personal buffet station (with an important choice of sizzling & chilly dishes) and a stupendous bar space. Though the Gradual Lounge feels stylish and its meals & beverage providing is great, the lounge doesn’t have any home windows (so it lacks pure gentle) and it would get very busy throughout peak hours (which was the case throughout my go to).

2. AIR FRANCE LONGHAUL FLEET

Air France has 63 Boeing 777s in its fleet: a mix of 18 Boeing 777-200ER and 45 Boeing 777-300ER planes. These plane have a mean age of 17 years (the youngest Boeing 777-300ER was acquired in 2016). Air France is the world’s 4th largest Boeing 777 operator (after Emirates, United Airways and Qatar Airways).

3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

Air France’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ERs that are geared up with the brand new Enterprise Class product function 48 spacious suites unfold over two cabins. The majority of the suites is situated within the entrance Enterprise Class cabin, which has a complete of 28 seats and consists of seven rows, whereas the rear Enterprise Class cabin feels extra intimate with solely 5 rows of 20 suites. The Enterprise Class seats are organized in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone structure, offering all passengers direct entry to the aisle.

All Enterprise Class seats are geared up with a sliding door, permitting every passenger to create a completely non-public house, out of sight from the opposite passengers within the cabin. The seats situated within the middle of the cabin are geared up with a central panel that may be lowered by urgent it down, thus making a convivial house during which to take advantage of the flight collectively. Additionally, the seats on the entrance of each Enterprise cabins (in rows 1 and 9) have an unlimited quantity of additional house in entrance of them for added consolation, making them one of the best seats within the airplane.

Air France’s new Enterprise Class cabin has a chic design and shows Air France’s signature colours: navy blue, the presence of white including gentle and distinction, and touches of purple embodying its excellence and savoir-faire. The carpet on the ground revisits the standard decorative herringbone sample, symbolising the emblematic world of conventional Parisian Haussmann residences. The entrance of the cabin in addition to the facet panel of every suite function a winged seahorse, embodying the founding fantasy of the corporate and its wealthy historical past. The cabin additionally feels very luxurious and plush because the provider has chosen noble, comfortable and pure supplies resembling wool, brushed aluminium and full-grain French leather-based for the manufacture of its seat.

4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)

Air France has put in Safran Versa Enterprise Class seat onboard its retrofitted Boeing 777s. With a pitch of 106 cm (42 inches) and a width of 53 cm (21 inch), the seat feels very comfy, has wonderful padding, and options luxurious accents, resembling a darkish navy blue seat material and a leather-based headrest. Positioned in its personal shell, the design of the Enterprise Class seat relies on the three “F”s: Full Flat, which means that the seat transforms into an actual mattress virtually 2 m (6.5 ft)  lengthy; Full Entry, offering all passengers direct entry to the aisle; and Full Privateness, making certain optimum privateness via a sliding door.

One facet of the seat – situated in the direction of the cabin wall for the window seats or the middle line for center seats – options a big enclosed console, that includes a backlit image of Air France’s iconic winged seahorse emblem. On the within, the console has a hook with the noise-cancelling headphones upon boarding, however when you take away them it has sufficient room to retailer your smaller private belonging (e.g. cellphone, pockets, glasses). There’s additionally an arrogance mirror inside this console and effectively as a handset for the inflight leisure.  On the console’s outer wall is a studying gentle (at eye stage) in addition to a USB-A outlet.

Subsequent to the console is a large counter, which includes a wi-fi charging station and a steel trim holding the seat controls. Beneath the counter are a small storage pocket (which can be utilized to retailer a bottle of water) and several other energy retailers (together with a USB-C charger and AC energy outlet). The seat’s bi-fold tray desk can be situated on this facet of the seat and slides out from beneath the counter.

Every seat has a big 17.3-inch 4K high-definition anti-glare display. The suite’s apex additionally includes a footwell with a further storage space beneath (which is ideal for stowing away a purse or sneakers). The ottoman is kind of massive, which boosts the sleeping consolation when the seat is totally reclined. When sleeping, the aisle armrest might be left up for extra privateness, or lowered for offering some welcome additional mattress width.

What are the greatest Enterprise Class seats?

• The bulkhead seats within the entrance of every Enterprise Class cabin – in rows 1 and 9 – supply an unlimited quantity of additional house, which equals that and even tops the house you normally discover in First Class cabins. There may be a lot house that when sleeping,  passengers can mainly place their physique any approach they like
• Solo vacationers ought to select one of many window seats, whereas journey companions ought to go for the center seats.

What are the worst Enterprise Class seats?

• I recommend to keep away from the final row within the entrance Enterprise Class cabin (row 8) as a result of its proximity to the galley and bathrooms.
• I additionally recommend to keep away from the final row within the rear Enterprise Class (row 14) which is in entrance of the Premium Economic system Class bassinet seats.

Click on right here for a seat map of Air France’s Boeing 777-300ER.

5. AMENITIES & BEDDING

Air France affords the next facilities to its Enterprise Class passengers on longhaul flights:

• A consolation equipment made from 96% recycled materials. Its plastic packaging has been eliminated in favor of an integrity seal. Sober and refined, it’s out there in two colors, navy blue and beige. Every equipment comprises a toothbrush and a pen constructed from maize straw, in addition to earplugs wrapped in kraft paper to keep away from plastic. A big sleep masks, socks, toothpaste and Clarins cosmetics full the equipment.
• A hanger
• A comfortable microfiber pillow and a comfortable blanket
• Air France branded noise-cancelling headphones, that are exhausting wired into the storage cubby and of first rate high quality

Sadly, Air France doesn’t present a quilted mattress. It’s in all probability the one factor I missed throughout my journey with the provider, as a quilted mattress can actually make a distinction in the case of the onboard sleeping consolation.

6. MEALS

Air France has an extended historical past of collaborating witch Michelin-starred cooks. The truth is, it’s the one airline on the earth to companion with so many Michelin-starred cooks, reaffirming greater than ever its position as an envoy for positive French eating and experience all through the world. On long-haul flights departing from Paris, Air France has entrusted the menu in its Enterprise cabin to Michelin-starred French cooks. The best names in French haute delicacies, together with Régis Marcon, Anne-Sophie Pic and Michel Roth, take it in turns to supply vegetarian dishes in addition to refined dishes with purple or chicken or fish. These meals are enhanced by tableware signed by French designer Jean-Marie Massaud. The wine and champagne checklist is chosen by world well-known sommelier Paolo Basso.

Throughout this in a single day flight from Paris to Johannesburg, two meals had been served: a dinner after takeoff and a breakfast earlier than touchdown. Menus had been properly executed (with all choices talked about in English and French), the dishes had been superbly plated, and the meals tasted wonderful.

I select the next choice from the dinner menu:

Breakfast was served 90 minutes previous to touchdown in Johannesburg and included contemporary orange juice, espresso, tea, pastries, yoghurt, and fruits. The recent dish was comprised of scrambled eggs, potato fritter, roasted tomatoes with herbs, and sautéed mushrooms.

7. ENTERTAINMENT

As already talked about, every seat has a big 17.3-inch 4K high-definition anti-glare display, geared up with noise-reducing headphones and a Bluetooth connection in order that clients can use their private headphones. A state-of-the-art graphic interface out there in 12 languages makes it simple to select from all kinds of programmes. Greater than 350 movies can be found, together with a big choice of French films, in addition to TV sequence, documentaries, music and podcasts. A particular part on well-being additionally permits younger and outdated alike to find out about meditation and seated yoga through the flight. Lastly, youngsters have their very own navigation interface to simply discover all of the leisure particularly devoted to our youthful passengers. Air France’s Boeing 777-300ERs are additionally geared up with a nostril and stomach digital camera, streaming stay footage to the inflight leisure system.

8. ONBOARD INTERNET

In all cabins, passengers can use Air France Join, the airline’s in-flight Wi-Fi supply. The portal affords three passes, one in every of which is totally freed from cost and permits passengers to ship and obtain messages through WhatsApp, Messenger, WeChat, and related companies, though you can not ship or obtain images, movies, or audio recordsdata.

Two different web packages can be found for buy on Air France’s longhaul flights:

• The Surf Move is accessible as 1-hour voucher for EUR 8, or a full-flight voucher for EUR 18. With this go, you may surf the web, and ship & obtain e-mails.
• The Stream Move prices EUR 30 for the whole flight and allows you to surf the web, ship and obtain e-mails together with (massive) attachments, ship & obtain messages together with images, movies, & audio recordsdata, and stream music, audio, & video.

9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES

# CREW: The flight attendants on this journey had been very pleasant and provided impeccable and courteous service. I used to be provided a handwritten welcome card by the crew upon boarding, which was a pleasant contact.

# LAVATORY: Air France’s Boeing 777-300ER options 4 toilets for Enterprise Class passengers: two are situated behind the cockpit and the 2 different within the galley between each Enterprise Class cabins. The toilets had been full of Clarins toiletries.

10. MY VERDICT

• Seat consolation (upright): 9/10
• Seat consolation (mattress place): 10/10
• Meals (high quality): 9/10
• Meals (amount): 9/10
• Inflight leisure : 9/10
• WiFi: 9/10 (not out there)
• Service: 10/10
• Cabin design: 9/10
• Total expertise: distinctive – 9,2/10

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