Savvy travelers know that not all business and first class seats are the same.
Across the airline industry, nearly all premium cabin seats on long-haul flights convert into fully flat beds to relax or sleep in, but that’s pretty much the only commonality: Business class seats vary from airline to airline, and can vary greatly depending on row and location on the same aircraft.
On a recent Air France flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Papeete (PPT), French Polynesia, I sat in the world’s most spacious business class seat. The Paris-based airline’s newest Airbus A350 has eight of the best-in-class seats. What about the other 40 seats in the same cabin? They’re solid, but not top-notch. Here’s why, and how to get those coveted seats.
Air France’s new business class seat
Chris Dong/Travel + Leisure
Air France offers a few different business class configurations, but the one we want to focus on is their latest generation cabin.
In this version of Business Class, every seat has direct aisle access and comes equipped with all the latest technology, including power-adjustable lumbar support, sliding doors for extra privacy (essentially turning the seat into a suite), a 17.3-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless charging.
But it gets even better if you know exactly which seat to choose. The secret? Pick a bulkhead seat in business class, that is, a seat directly behind the wall that separates the different sections of the plane, because it offers nearly unlimited personal space for your feet and legs.
Related: The main differences between business class and first class and tips for booking each
Why bulkhead seats are good
Chris Dong/Travel + Leisure
Typically, manufacturers design lie-flat business class seats for maximum efficiency.
This usually means that your lower body parts (calves, feet, etc.) are positioned under the seat of the person in front of you. Although this arrangement is efficient, it’s not necessarily the most comfortable as it doesn’t leave much room to move your legs.
But two bulkhead sections in Air France’s new business-class cabin (just eight of the 48 seats) are equipped with ottomans with legroom the same width as the SuitePod itself. This extra space lets passengers lie in any direction without being disturbed — perfect for side sleepers or those who like to toss and turn in bed.
Some of the wall seats in Air France’s newer cabins, like my seat (1A on an A350), even come equipped with a full-size vanity and a wardrobe where you can hang your jacket.
Related: Why you need to check the plane model before booking your next flight
How can I check if this seat is available on my plane?
Air France is in the process of reconfiguring its older aircraft and introducing the seat on all newly delivered aircraft, and in fact many routes between the US and Paris (and Papeete) are now operated with this latest generation business class.
The key to determining whether your Air France plane is equipped with the airline’s latest and greatest is to check the seat map when booking (or when managing an existing booking on the Air France website). If there are exactly 12 rows of business seats on either a Boeing 777-300ER or an Airbus A350-900, you’re in luck. That means, at the very least, every seat has privacy doors, wireless charging, and more.
But the Air France bulkhead is the pinnacle of business class luxury. Here’s a rundown of which seats to choose: In the upgraded Boeing 777-300ER, the extra-roomy seats are located in rows 1 and 9 (1A, 1D, 1H, 1L, 9A, 9D, 9H, 9L). In the newly delivered Airbus A350-900, these seats are located in rows 1 and 10 (1A, 1D, 1H, 1L, 10A, 10D, 10H, 10L).
In the coming months, Air France will also unveil a new first class product, La Première, a new version that will be the longest suite in the world, featuring three separate areas: a seat, a sofa and a fully flat bed.
