French airline Air France has completed the renovation of its "La Première" lounge in Terminal 2E at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. The facility, which caters to first-class passengers, now covers an area of more than 1.000 square meters.
The adaptation of the flooring product aligns with the efforts of European network carriers to keep pace with international competitors such as Lufthansa and Middle Eastern airlines in the highly competitive premium segment. The spatial concept for the area in Paris was implemented in collaboration with the agency MARKS Brandimage.
In the lounge's dining area, the airline collaborates with Alain Ducasse's catering company, which is responsible for the food offerings. The wine selection is curated by Xavier Thuizat, the airline's head sommelier. In addition to the restaurant area, the lounge offers workspaces, relaxation cabins, and a Sisley wellness area, which has been expanded to include a second treatment room. The furnishings include pieces by designer Pierre Paulin. For the entrance area, the company commissioned perfumer Francis Kurkdjian to develop a unique fragrance.
In addition to the general lounge area, Air France has been marketing separate, 45-square-meter private suites since summer 2024. A total of three of these units are available, two of which can be connected if needed. The suites include a bedroom, a bathroom, and a living area and are aimed at passengers willing to pay extra for additional privacy on the ground. Furthermore, the airline incorporates artworks into the concept that change every six months, beginning with a sculpture by the artist Jean-Michel Othoniel.
Industry analysts view the investments in such resource-intensive ground facilities as a direct response to the current challenges in the air travel market. With profit margins in regular economy class under pressure due to increased operating costs, airlines are forced to attract wealthy customers by offering exclusive ancillary services. While outsourcing certain functions to external brands like Ducasse or Sisley incurs significant fixed costs for Air France, it is considered a necessary tool within the industry to meet the expected standards in first class and justify the corresponding ticket prices.