Air France’s La Première suite wins top design award, but how good is it really?
March 18, 2026
Air France’s ultra-exclusive La Première first class suite has won a prestigious 2026 iF Design Award, recognising one of the most ambitious premium cabin concepts in commercial aviation.
The redesigned first-class suite, installed on selected Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, was recognised in the aviation Product Design category. The award highlighted the suite’s distinctive approach to space, comfort and luxury at 35,000ft.
La Première: A first class suite built like a pied-à-terre
Air France’s La Première suite is designed as a fully adaptable private space rather than being built around a single chair. The suite elegantly incorporates separate areas for work, dining and rest, like a small apartment in the sky.
Each suite features:
- A wide armchair for take-off, dining and relaxation
- A chaise longue that transforms into a 6’7” full flat bed
- Floor-to-ceiling lined pencil pleat curtains for privacy
- A unique five-window footprint—unmatched by other airlines
This layout allows passengers to move between sitting, lounging, and sleeping modes without having to do all of these in a single seat, bringing the experience closer to a boutique hotel room or a pied-à-terre than to an aircraft cabin.
Because of the ample space allotted to each passenger, there are only four La Première first class suites on the airline’s Boeing 777-300ERs. The two at the centre have no windows, but the airline’s design choices—employing light materials and curtain dividers—mitigate the feeling of confinement, giving all passengers a comparable sense of space.
There are no overhead bins in the cabin, which allows ample room above and contributes to the small-apartment feel, but there is no lack of storage space. A large sliding drawer can fit up to two carry-on suitcases, with a second drawer under the chaise longue for footwear. There is also a personal storage compartment near the seat that doubles as a vanity with a backlit mirror, and an individual wardrobe for coats and jackets.
Passengers can enjoy in-flight entertainment on either two 32” 4K UHD touchscreen displays, depending on which direction they are facing, with a tablet controller for all suite settings. Power is available through 110V universal AC, USB-A and USB-C sockets.
Why Air France La Première impressed iF Design Award judges
The iF Design Award jury—made up of more than 100 international design and sustainability experts—found that Air France’s La Première stood out for its combination of:
- Spatial innovation: Maximising cabin real estate with a multi-zone layout
- User experience: Separating functions (seat, lounge, bed) rather than combining them
- Visual identity: A refined palette of greys, whites and signature red accents
- Craftsmanship: High-end materials and finishes aligned with luxury hospitality
The suite reflects a trend of first-class cabins being treated as curated living spaces rather than just premium seats.
Air France crafts a flagship first class product in a competitive market
Air France unveiled the new La Première concept in 2025 after a multi-year development programme, positioning the suite as the pinnacle of its long-haul offering. It is a marked improvement on the airline’s previous La Première cabin, which offers a single convertible seat and ottoman.
Airline competition at the very top end of the market has intensified as first and business class cabins remain key to brand differentiation.
Many airlines have eliminated the first class cabin, but only by introducing a business class product that significantly improves on the first class offerings of previous generations. In this sense, many would-be first class cabins have simply been relabeled as business class.
Airlines that still offer a dedicated first class have taken distinct approaches to their suites, some more generous than others. Many still build the space around a single all-purpose convertible seat, but other airlines have taken Air France’s approach to first class, making it a multi-zone experience.
Singapore Airlines A380 first-class suite for singles or couples
According to aeroLOPA data, Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A380s are equipped with six first-class suites on the upper deck, each with its own sliding door, wardrobe, credenza, a leather-upholstered reclining swivel chair (with a 45° recline), and a separate 27”-wide, 76”-long bed.
Suites 1A/2A and 1F/2F have a retractable wall between them. They can be combined into a single living space with a double bed in the middle for couples flying together.
Each suite has a 32” HD adjustable flat-screen display for in-flight entertainment, with two 110V universal AC sockets and USB-A sockets available for power.
Like Air France, Singapore Airlines’ first class suite feels more like a hotel room than an aircraft cabin, with the double-bed feature especially appealing, though the individual cabin footprint is smaller.
Qantas’ upcoming Airbus A350 first-class suite
While the product is not yet flying, Qantas will install six first class suites with a separate seat and bed on its new Airbus A350s.
The suites will be arranged in a 1-1-1 configuration, and offer:
- 1.4 metre (57”) high walls and a sliding door
- 2 metre (80”) long flat bed
- Separate 55 cm (22”) wide reclining armchair
- Full-length wardrobe and multiple personal storage areas
- Flexible work, seating and dining space for two
- Adjustable bed backrest for breakfast in bed
In-flight entertainment will play on a 32” touchscreen with Bluetooth audio connectivity, and the suite’s settings can be controlled via a touchscreen controller. Power will be available via USB-A and C outlets, AC power outlets and wireless charging.
While more comfortable and flexible than first class cabins designed around a single seat, the Qantas first class product is closer to a first class rail cabin, with every inch of space carefully allotted.
Among these competitors, Air France’s La Première offers the largest personal cabin footprint, providing ample space for passengers to move around throughout the flight.
La Première: more than just a sweet suite
For Air France, La Première is designed as an end-to-end luxury experience. A ticket for the luxurious suite includes private airport check-in and security, access to the La Première lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, where private lounge suites for up to four travellers are available on request. Passengers at CDG also get private transport to the aircraft in a Porsche Cayenne Hybrid.
Additionally, Air France first class passengers enjoy fine dining curated by top chefs, a premium selection of beverages, premium amenities, and personal service throughout.
Winning a major international design award recognises that Air France successfully developed La Première as far more than a place for passengers to sit on a plane. It is a refined travel experience all its own that makes for a memorable journey.
Featured Image: Air France
