No longer just the name of a really bad Gwenyth Paltrow movie, Sliding Doors is now one of the biggest trends among modern airlines looking to improve their business class offerings. Over the past few years, the idea of a sliding door for every seat has uprooted exclusively first-class suites and worked its way down the aisle to the business side of things. Delta Airlines popularized the business class gate trend with Delta One suites in 2016, and Qatar Airways followed suit with Q-Suite in 2017, while Etihad and British Airways are among the latest airlines to join. Now Air France appears to have entered the growing – and increasingly controversial – trend with the revelation that the airline’s new business class product will come with “three Fs – full access, full apartment and full privacy”. The latter, of course, is made possible as each of the 48 business class suites will have its own sliding door.
Due to launch on the airline’s long-haul B777-300 later in September this year, Air France’s new business class will mark a major step up from the company’s existing business cabins with seats completely flat that converts to a standard bed of approximately 1.98 meters. . . All business class seats are designed in a 1-2-1 configuration and should have direct aisle access and the aforementioned sliding doors should add more than just a touch of privacy for anyone wishing to block out activity from the aisle or correctly indicate a They are closed to work (or sleep).
Each business class seat features a soft blend of wool, brushed aluminum and full-grain French leather for an incredibly luxurious feel. In-flight entertainment will also get a revival with new 17.3-inch 4K HD panels and noise-canceling headphones neatly stowed in its locker. All screens will also be equipped with Bluetooth technology so that passengers can use wireless connectivity with their headphones and earphones if they wish.
Related: Here’s what to expect from the amazing new Business Class experience in Business Class on the Qantas A380
Just like other modern business class suites, passengers in the middle rows of the cabin can lower the divider between the two seats if they wish to create a larger cabin for two people. Consider that with both doors closed and it’s no wonder more and more people are choosing to travel on business trips rather than accumulating enough money together (or saving up enough points) for a first class suite.
A total of 13 new Boeing 777-300 business class aircraft will be supplied to Air France, and the first aircraft are expected to fly from France to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. After the flight of this aircraft, nicknamed “Fontainebleau”, Air France’s business class seats will begin to be rolled out to the rest of the fleet.
Every plane that gets Air France’s new business class will also see changes in other cabins. 273 economy seats and 48 premium economy seats will complete the updated aircraft, and passengers choosing the latter can expect the same chair-style seat pattern, with a 124-degree recline, that is currently used on the Air France Airbus A350 Express. Anyone in the premium economy will also get the premium noise canceling headphones, adding value and privacy over the old fashioned way.
These sliding doors are clearly the main feature of Air France’s new business class, which makes perfect sense. It’s still pretty new for anyone not used to touring the world in ultra-private first-class suites. As noted above, the feature has been rolling out steadily for some carriers over the past few years, and while some passengers appreciate an extra layer of privacy, most seem bored with the turnover factor and end up leaving them unlocked. anyway.
Still, it’s nice to have options, though door seats are more useful in economy class, where aisle work is relentless.
–
