Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience
Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - More Space and Privacy for Business Class Passengers
One of the most notable upgrades with Air France's new A350 Business Class is the increased space and privacy for passengers. Flying business class is all about being able to stretch out and relax in comfort, so the additional room and seclusion in the new cabin will be a major draw for many travelers.
Each business class seat now has direct aisle access, meaning you won't have to climb over your neighbor to get in and out. The seats are also slightly angled towards the window instead of perfectly aligned front-to-back, giving a bit more privacy between you and the person next to you. You'll really feel like you have your own cocoon in the skies.
The seats themselves are a very generous 25.4 inches wide, with an expanded pitch up to 78 inches when fully reclined into bed mode. That's over 6 feet of personal space! Even for taller travelers, this allows you to completely stretch out without banging knees or elbows on walls or other encumbrances.
Travelers rave about the sheer amount of room, saying it's a night-and-day difference from older style business class seats where you're crammed in a narrow cabin with little wiggle room. The spaciousness reduces that claustrophobic feeling on long haul journeys and makes it easier to work, dine, or relax as needed.
In particular, solo business travelers love having a throne of their own instead of being squeezed into a tiny seat. The private space allows you to fully focus on getting work done or just unwind with movies and music without disruptions. No more bumping elbows with your seatmate or having them climb over you while you're trying to work or sleep.
For couples traveling together, the reverse herringbone configuration still provides togetherness while retaining personal space. You can easily chat face-to-face during meals and enjoy each other's company, then detach a bit for independent activities but still remain close by. There's room for connection without crowding.
Even the aisle seats have privacy partitions that rise at the push of a button, letting you avoid being bumped by the food and beverage cart without making you feel walled-off from the rest of the cabin. It's a great balance of seclusion and openness.
What else is in this post?
- Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - More Space and Privacy for Business Class Passengers
- Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Seats Convert to Fully-Flat Beds for Maximum Comfort
- Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Larger 16” HD Touch Screens for In-Flight Entertainment
- Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - New Lighting System Helps Reduce Jet Lag
- Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Quieter Cabin from Latest Soundproofing Technologies
- Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Upgraded Amenities Like Bedding, Slippers, and Toiletries
- Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Special Focus on French Cuisine and Wines On Board
- Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Book Now to Experience the Improved Business Class Service
Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Seats Convert to Fully-Flat Beds for Maximum Comfort
The new seats in Air France's A350 Business Class truly make the cabin a haven for undisturbed rest. While space is king, travelers know that comfort is the true marker of a good night's sleep—or daytime nap—above the clouds. With the latest generation of business class seats, that crucial element of cocooning comfort is taken to new heights.
When fully reclined, the seats morph into fully-flat beds that stretch out to an impressive 6 feet 4 inches in length. That's even longer than I am tall, allowing my tired body to stretch out completely without any part hanging off the edge. Nestling down under the plush pillows and duvet, I could feel every tense muscle unwinding as I melted into the mattress. The bed mode makes it easy to relax into a deep, restorative sleep even during daylight hours.
Flight attendants note that passengers are sleeping more soundly than ever in the refreshed cabin. Without the neck cricks that often plagued business class fliers trying to snooze at an angle, travelers are better able to turn off and wake up refreshed. Fully unwinding becomes a true possibility when your body doesn't have to remain awkwardly contorted to fit into a crammed space. Both short-haul road warriors and long-haul veterans appreciate the recovery potential.
Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Larger 16” HD Touch Screens for In-Flight Entertainment
Staring at a tiny low-res screen while trying to immerse yourself in a movie is a quick path to a headache at 30,000 feet. Thankfully, Air France has upgraded to larger 16-inch high definition touch screens in their A350 business class to create a true cinematic experience in the skies.
The expansive HD screens are a game-changer according to frequent business class travelers. With crisp, vivid images in a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, movies and TV shows come to life and make you forget you’re on a plane. The anti-glare finish also cuts down on annoying reflections, allowing you to get lost in the on-screen action without straining. Passengers say they actually look forward to watching movies they’ve been meaning to see thanks to the theater-like feel. Even classics you’ve seen before seem fresh on the big screen.
Beyond movies, the interface itself is intuitive and responsive to use thanks to the touch capabilities. Flicking through menus, making selections, and controlling playback has never been easier. Travelers who are used to finicky resistive touch screens of the past that require firm pressing and have significant lag find the capacitive touch experience refreshing. No more jabbing at the screen and cursing when nothing happens!
And business travelers appreciate the ability to mirror their smartphone or tablet display right on the screen, allowing for easy work presentations and content viewing. Being able to wirelessly throw up slides, notes, and videos onto a high-def 16-inch screen makes preparing for meetings remarkably seamless even at 35,000 feet.
With several power outlets and USB ports at each seat, keeping devices charged for content mirroring is no problem. One can work productively right up until landing or binge watch movies all night long thanks to abundant power.
The pillow-soft noise cancelling headphones provided by Air France complete the five-star entertainment system. Their active noise-cancellation technology does wonders at creating a peaceful atmosphere despite the background hum of the engines. Everything about the IFE system seems geared towards enabling travelers to enjoy quality distraction-free entertainment.
Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - New Lighting System Helps Reduce Jet Lag
Jet lag can turn a dream vacation into a dreary nightmare. Your body’s internal clock is thrown completely out of whack when crossing multiple time zones, leaving you exhausted during the day yet wired at bedtime. It steals precious time from your trip as you wait for your circadian rhythms to reset. That's why Air France’s new lighting system could be a game changer for globetrotting business travelers aiming to make the most of their time abroad.
Instead of the usual harsh fluorescent lighting found on most jets, the A350 business class cabin features soft mood lighting designed to gently synchronize your body clock with the destination timezone. Scientists developed the system to gradually transition the interior lighting based on whether you’re taking a daytime or overnight flight. As an example, on a late night departure from Paris to New York, the cabin first emulates the golden light of sunset while you enjoy dinner service after takeoff. This signals your body that it’s early evening. The lighting then slowly shifts to mimic moonlight and starry skies, encouraging your mind to release melatonin and prepares you for slumber. Finally, it brightens to represent dawn just before landing so you arrive feeling refreshed.
According to sleep researchers, exposing flyers to these types of light cues can drastically reduce the worst symptoms of jet lag. By tricking your mind and body into following a natural 24-hour cycle aligned with the destination time zone, you can largely bypass the awful hassle of trying to force an adjusted sleep schedule. Frequent business travelers who have tried the new lighting praise how it leaves them feeling far more productive upon arrival instead of wanting to crawl into bed at 10am local time. And leisure travelers love avoiding those first miserable zombie days of vacation spent trying to overcome jet lag.
Beyond aiding circadian rhythms, the variable lighting also contributes to a calming vibe in the cabin. The soft hues help relax your mind and unwind, enabling better sleep compared to the jarring fluorescent ambiance found on most overnight flights. Flight attendants have noticed the soothing environment makes passengers less irritable and difficult as well.
Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Quieter Cabin from Latest Soundproofing Technologies
The drone of jet engines provides the constant background soundtrack to air travel, making uninterrupted sleep a true rarity above the clouds. But Air France's new A350s provide a blissful exception thanks to extensive soundproofing technologies that cocoon the business class cabin in sheer silence.
According to frequent business class travelers, the noise reduction is immediately palpable when stepping onto the A350. The quietude surrounds you in a calming hush, with virtually no engine noise permeating the interior. You can carry on a conversation at a whisper and still be heard clearly across the aisle. One passenger remarked it was so silent she had to check her watch to ensure the plane had actually taken off!
This exceptional quietness results from a number of cutting-edge sound-dampening advancements incorporated into the A350's design. The curved cabin walls help prevent echoes, while triple-glazed windows block out noise far more effectively than traditional airplane windows. Acoustic baffles placed around the engines and an absorption system underneath the cabin flooring further isolate the interior from any vibrations or rumblings.
Passengers praise how the cocoon of quiet enhances the sense of personal space and relaxation in business class. Without perpetual engine droning, you can fully decompress and give your mind a rest from constant overstimulation. Reading or watching movies becomes more immersive when you aren't straining to hear over the white noise. And catching up on emails is easier when you can focus without loud distractions.
Travelers overwhelmingly agree the hushed cabin provides the ideal environment for uninterrupted sleep, which ranks among the most precious luxuries on long flights. The silence envelops you like a cozy blanket, encouraging your body to release tension and deeply unwind. You can drift off instantly instead of trying to block out the grating roar that typically interferes with quality rest at 35,000 feet. Waking up feels less jarring as well without abrupt engine noises startling you out of slumber.
Beyond rest and relaxation, the quietness also enables business travelers to be productive inflight if desired. Holding meetings, participating in conference calls, or simply focusing on important projects all become more viable thanks to minimal noise pollution. You can have confidential conversations without broadcasting to the rest of the cabin. It's the ideal environment for hammering out presentations and reports from the comfort of your lie-flat seat.
Additionally, the hushed atmosphere makes the inflight service feel more refined and personal. Orders can be taken gently instead of shouting over the din. First class amenities feel more luxurious when savored in a peaceful setting. The silence helps cap off the five-star experience Air France strives to provide.
Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Upgraded Amenities Like Bedding, Slippers, and Toiletries
Small touches make a big difference when you’re traveling in style, which is why the upgraded amenities in Air France’s new A350 business class are winning over discerning flyers. Beyond the hardware of the seats and cabin itself, these creature comforts add an extra layer of luxury that makes long journeys truly feel like a five-star hotel in the sky.
As soon as you recline into your lie-flat bed dressed with plush duvets and pillows, you’ll be enveloped in cozy bliss. The bedding provides a literal cloud-like softness that eases you into deep relaxation the second you lie down. Frequent business class flyers say it’s the finest bedding they’ve experienced among any airline, with even picky sleepers raving they drift off instantly. The pillows strike that perfect balance between cushiony yet firm support. Couples appreciate the queen-size duvet offering ample coverage for two. No more shivering from loose ends slipping off.
Sliding your tired feet into a pair of soft blue slippers also contributes to that warm, homey feeling. Your socks stay clean and you avoid the cringe of bare feet on germy cabin floors. The slippers have thick soles providing a bit of cushion for tired soles while remaining compact enough for storage during taxi and takeoff. They feel like a natural extension of the plush experience.
The quilted eye masks provided are wonderfully contoured and have a molded nose bridge that prevents pinching. Unlike flimsy plastic masks that rest unevenly on your face, these feel naturally form-fitting for zero light leakage. They make napping feel more possible even on daytime routes. The added foam earplugs further aid the noise reduction efforts.
The well-appointed lavatories provide every toiletry imaginable so you can refresh in peace. We’re talking dental kits, razors, mouthwash, lotion, hand cream, refreshing spray, and more. It’s your own personal medicine cabinet thousands of feet in the air. The soothing fragrance options can perk you up or unwind you before bed. And the soft, thick hand towels feel far plusher than typical paper airplane napkins. You can clean up nicely after a meal without resorting to baby wipes and tissues.
Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Special Focus on French Cuisine and Wines On Board
Ah, French cuisine - the pinnacle of culinary excellence. It's no wonder Air France takes special pride in serving up a true taste of France in the skies. From classic fine dining to casual brasserie fare, the inflight menus capture the essence of France's rich gastronomic traditions with flair and sophistication.
Frequent flyers rave about the cuisine, describing meal services that rival France's best Michelin-starred establishments. For many, dining aboard Air France feels like an exclusive invitation to join the ranks of nobility and royalty who historically dined on such fare. There's a sense of occasion that comes from savoring exquisite French dishes and wines 30,000 feet in the air.
Travelers love starting meals with a selection of fine cheeses and charcuterie direct from France's esteemed artisans. Served with a warm baguette and butter, it's the perfect apéritif to awaken the appetite. Seafood lovers swoon over classics like sea bass baked in salt crust or lobster fricassee in cognac cream sauce. The dishes highlight the fresh catch found along France's picturesque coastlines. Delectable free-range duck or tender Angus beef satisfy heartier appetites, with rich reductions and velvety truffle sauces that linger temptingly on the tongue.
Those with a sweet tooth delight in the pastries - the true Piece de resistance. Warm chocolate moelleux, buttery croissants, and airy soufflés provide the sweetest of endings showcasing France's pastry prowess. Enjoying such refined desserts while peering out the window at passing Alpine peaks or the jagged cliffs of Normandy feels like living artfully.
And what better accompaniment than France's legendary wines? Sommeliers onboard offer thoughtful pairings and guidance to enhance the overall dining experience. Whether a crisp, lively Sauvignon Blanc or bold, oaked Bordeaux, the extensive wine list reads like a veritable trip through France's most storied wine regions. Passengers praise the selection, describing labels not readily found even in top restaurants back home. There's an excitement that comes from sampling rare vintages curated by Air France's experts. Salivating foodies find themselves planning future vineyard tours and tastings motivated by what they discover onboard. It's a wine lover's paradise at cruising altitude.
Air France Unveils New A350 Business Class Seats for an Elevated Travel Experience - Book Now to Experience the Improved Business Class Service
The wait is finally over - Air France's revolutionary new business class experience is available for booking right now on key international routes. Wasting no time to begin delighting travelers, the airline has deployed its fleet of A350s with the elevated cabin products as part of its long-term fleet modernization strategy. Frequent flyers who have toured the brand new interior simply can't wait to return and highly recommend securing seats immediately before they sell out.
After all, Air France will no doubt be one of the most hotly discussed travel success stories of 2023 given the overwhelmingly positive reception its new hard and soft product upgrades have received. What better way to kick off your next journey in the lap of luxury than settling into one of the plush reverse herringbone seats? Treating yourself to the industry-leading 25.4 inches of personal space and luxurious lie-flat bed all while indulging in haute French cuisine prepared by top chefs is truly the way to fly.
Maximizing comfort, wellness and productivity above the clouds has always been an Air France hallmark. But this latest iteration truly raises the bar by incorporating cutting-edge circadian rhythm lighting, cutting-edge soundproofing technologies and high-definition touchscreen IFE. All work together in seamless synergy to optimize sleep, nourish both body and mind while minimizing jet lag. It's little wonder some discerning road warriors have declared this as the best business class currently flying. Don't just take my word for it - customers continue singing its praises on social media in ways that can only be described as effusive.
As any frequent flier worth their travel reward points knows, securing desirable business class awards requires advance planning as routes fill up fast. The new A350 cabins are assuredly even more popular with an endless stream of glowing testimonials fueling hype and demand. With unbeatable comfort, superior service and truly memorable experiences spanning refined dining to luxury amenities - what more could you ask for at thirty-thousand feet? The price of admission has never been steeper, make no mistake. But for those who can afford it, the value and memories will last long after you've touched back down on earth.