At LAX, La Première now has its own dedicated entrance in between Terminals 1 and 2—specifically at door L2-9—bypassing the main Air France check-in crowd at Terminal B (Tom Bradley). Upon arrival, I handed my passport to my dedicated concierge, who swiftly took care of check-in and baggage. A private security area is set aside for La Première customers, meaning there was no wait at all. The most stressful part of the airport was transformed into a seamless experience, with a level of personalization that I imagine is on par with flying private. Before I knew it, I had arrived at the lounge with time to kill.
The La Première lounge is nestled within the larger Air France Business Class lounge. Despite being small, it felt spacious—given that there are only four La Première seats on each flight, you never risk a chance of crowds. I was immediately led to my pre-scheduled complimentary 30-minute facial treatment at the Clarins spa, where I entered a state of relaxation I can honestly say I’ve never experienced at an airport. Properly pampered into blissful oblivion, I felt all my lingering travel anxiety melt away.
You’ve read about the La Première experience at CDG by now. Turns out it’s just as luxurious when your trip starts somewhere else.
As I changed into my Jacquemus pajamas, the flight attendant gave me a hanger for my clothing (which she then delivered to my seat the next morning), and promptly made my bed during the few minutes I was washing up in the bathroom: plush mattress topper, thick duvet, and a fluffy pillow layered onto one another like I was already at a five-star Parisian hotel. Cocooned in soft blankets, and lulled by the plane’s faint movements, I watched Wicked for the umpteenth time and drifted off. This is one case where it is not hyperbolic to say that it felt like sleeping on a cloud.
No airline is doing a better job in the skies than Air France.
(AF has partnerships with Finnair, JAL, and Qantas.)
