Review: Air France A350 Business Class is Très Magnifique

Suites with doors are the latest trend in business class. Air France operates a large fleet of Airbus A350-900 aircraft—38, to be precise—with two different seating configurations. I have already reviewed the version without doors, but this time, I had the opportunity to try out the suite with doors, which was incredibly luxurious.

Check-In

Initially, I booked an Air France flight departing from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey when the EWR-CDG route resumed after the pandemic. However, I experienced a series of issues at this busy airport, primarily due to understaffed air traffic control, which led to delays and safety concerns.

Fortunately, since I had booked through Delta and the airlines issued a waiver one week before departure, I was able to switch to New York JFK without any additional fees, while keeping the same aircraft and seat types.

Photo: Delta One Lounge, JFK. Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

Air France operates out of Terminal 1 at JFK. I arrived at the airport five hours early to check in my bag at the SkyPriority counter. After that, I made my way to Terminal 4 to enjoy the Delta One Lounge, a highly acclaimed lounge known for its excellent food and staff.

Air France business class ticket holders have access to this fantastic establishment, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. I met a few friends there and time my return to Terminal 1 for security screening and a visit to the Air France lounge before the boarding call.

Boarding

People began queuing early for their designated zones. I joined the crowd in Zone 1. Facial recognition technology, along with a passport scan, was used to verify identities. However, there was a delay at the machines for some reason.

Once I passed through the automatic gates, I encountered two jet bridges: one for business class and the other for the main cabin. I boarded through door 1L and walked past the crowded business class cabin and the mid-galley to reach the mini cabin that had four rows, where my seat was located.

Photo: Courtesy of Air France

Smiling flight attendants greeted guests and guided them to their seats. I secured seat 10L on the starboard side, next to the bulkhead and window.

This seat is one of the most sought-after on the plane. In fact, the bulkhead window seats in the mini business class cabin are typically blocked during booking and reserved for passengers with babies, as baby bassinets can be installed in these seats. A few days before departure, the app released these two locked seats, allowing me to switch from another window seat.

The Seat

I was excited about this flight because I love modern jets, such as the Airbus. I was particularly elated about my seat choice. It was love at first sight—the seat looked incredibly spacious! As soon as I settled in, I realized that the flat cushion of the footwell could easily accommodate a large suitcase or two carry-on roller bags.

Photo: Courtesy of Air France

The business cabin features 48 bespoke seats based on the Stelia Opera platform, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each seat offers direct aisle access and is equipped with a privacy door. The 21-inch wide seat can be converted into a flat bed measuring 6 feet 7 inches.

Photo: Courtesy of Air France

A 20-inch 4K UHD touchscreen display showcases views from the tail and underbelly cameras. There are also small storage units for personal items, along with universal AC outlets, USB-A and USB-C sockets, and a wireless charging station, although the charging station didn’t work well for my iPhone.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

A mini tablet is mounted beside the cabinet for controlling the entertainment system and seat adjustments, but it failed to function. Fortunately, the main monitor was responsive, and the entertainment offerings were extensive.

On my seat, I found a gray coat hanger, a pair of dark blue slippers, a dark blue pillow, and a dark blue blanket wrapped in plastic. The primary color palette for the interior design features navy blue and cold white with a gray tint.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

The exterior of the suite shell is dark navy blue, while the internal panels are cold white. The iconic winged seahorse emblem is imprinted on the cabinet door. Additionally, a pair of headphones and a bottle of Evian water were placed inside the side cabinet, which also contained a mirror and a light.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

While the other seats do not have such large footwells, they still offer the same amenities and comfort. I was overwhelmed by the generous legroom—I could even sit on the footwell cushion facing the rear of the cabin. Another fun feature was the digital window shade; buttons beneath the window allow you to adjust the dimness, similar to the function found on the Boeing 787.

The Flight

Pre-departure beverages, menus, and amenity kits were promptly distributed by the flight attendants. I grabbed a green juice and ordered the stone bass in matelote sauce.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

This dish was crafted by Dominique Crenn, the first woman in the U.S. to be awarded three Michelin stars for her namesake restaurant.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

As we reached cruising altitude, the crew began dinner service by placing a white tablecloth on the oversized pull-out tray tables and pouring a curated selection of champagne, wines, beers, and aperitifs.

Appetizers, salad, cheese, and dessert were all presented on the same tray, almost as if it were an express service due to our post-midnight takeoff. 

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

Flight attendants also brought warm bread in baskets and later served the main dishes. The plating was simple but tidy.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

I ate as quickly as I could while still taking the time to savor every bite, so I could nap for a few hours in a food coma afterward. I changed into gym shorts in the lavatory located right in front of my seat. Air France collaborates with Clarins for their skincare products, which are provided in the lavatories, amenity kits, and lounges.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

Operating the suite door was easy; a quick push on a large button allowed it to slide open effortlessly and automatically. With the extra space in the suite, I could comfortably toss and turn without disturbing anyone. I managed to get a solid three hours of sleep on this red-eye flight. I woke up once to use the restroom and noticed a nice arrangement of drinks and snacks in the galley for self-service. I couldn’t resist and stocked up on a few packaged items to take with me.

Arrival

After a delicious and satisfying breakfast, I tuned in to the live camera feed for a smooth approach to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Everything about this flight had been perfect, except for one downside: its short duration, which was just 6 hours and 15 minutes in the air.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

Even without the winter’s strong tailwinds, I often find myself wishing for a longer flight time when crossing the Atlantic so I can fully enjoy the experience in business class. Once we landed, the plane parked at Terminal 2E, Hall L, and I was able to access the magnificent Air France lounge in this concourse before transferring to my domestic flight to southern France.

Verdict

People don’t just purchase products; they seek better versions of themselves. Air France’s business class has undergone significant improvements in recent years.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

The hard products, such as the new suites, offer a sense of quiet luxury and exclusive privacy. Alongside these hard products, the soft offerings, including delicious food and attentive service, enhance the elegant flying experience for passengers in the front cabin.