As airlines look to differentiate their premium passenger offering in an increasingly competitive market, the expectations surrounding First Class travel continue to evolve. Today, delivering an exceptional experience requires much more than an innovative seat or luxurious cabin design; it means creating a seamless, highly personalised journey that combines privacy, comfort, intuitive technology and outstanding service, while ensuring that every element works together operationally. For airlines, this presents an opportunity to rethink the role of the cabin as a flexible living space, place greater emphasis on the end-to-end passenger journey and ensure that product innovation translates into tangible improvements for both customers and operational teams. In this interview, ahead of his participation at APEX FTE EXPO (Singapore, 18-19 November 2026), Fabien Pelous, Executive Vice President Customer, Air France, discusses the thinking behind the latest evolution of La Première and how the airline is redefining the First Class experience. He explores how space, modular design and intuitive digital technology are combining to deliver greater privacy and personalisation, why the experience must extend seamlessly from the airport to the aircraft, and how close collaboration with customers and frontline teams helps ensure that even the most ambitious cabin concepts remain practical, reliable and intuitive. Pelous also shares his perspective on the future of premium travel and the importance of balancing technological innovation with the human touch.
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Fabien Pelous, Executive Vice President Customer, Air France, is participating in a key session at APEX FTE EXPO focused on ‘Next generation seating standards: How a new generation of cabin platforms has redefined privacy, comfort, and industrial reliability’. He will share a presentation titled ‘Beautiful Seats, Fulfilled Promises: Air France La Première’.
“La Première is much more than a seat,” Pelous explains. “La Première combines the private, exclusive world of private aviation with the global reach of a major international airline. The experience is built around a private suite, with nearly 3.5sqm of personal space – the largest First Class suite currently available on a Boeing 777. There are just four suites in the cabin, each with five windows. The suite adapts to each guest’s preferences, allowing them to create their own personal retreat with the floor-to-ceiling curtains, without sacrificing the feeling of space and freedom. At the heart of the experience lies the French art of travel – attention to detail, fine French cuisine, an outstanding selection of wines and champagne, special touches and attentive, personalised service at every stage of the journey. French design, craftsmanship and a discerning approach to sourcing complete an experience in which every element reflects a commitment to excellence.”
What makes this suite distinctive is its ability to adapt to every moment of the flight. The space is designed around a modular layout, combining a separate armchair, chaise longue and full-flat bed, allowing guests to work, dine or simply relax in complete comfort. “The suite is designed to be effortlessly intuitive, with a single wireless tablet providing guests seamless control over their surroundings, without having to navigate a complicated system,” says Pelous. “Sleep is just as important. The suite integrates a full-flat bed measuring two metres within an elegant, quiet and spacious cabin. Guests can enjoy a real sense of freedom and tranquillity. Our ambition is to create a unique personal space that evolves with the passenger throughout the flight. A single, versatile environment designed to accompany guests through every stage of the flight, from work and dining, to relaxation and sleep, supported by a high level of product expertise, ensuring that every detail lives up to the quality of the suite.”
The ambition was to rethink the entire La Première experience, from the moment guests arrive at Paris-Charles de Gaulle to the end of their journey. On the ground, this translates into a more private, personalised experience, with a dedicated check-in lobby, a refurbished La Première lounge, three adjoining private suites, private transfers in Porsche vehicles, priority lanes for airport formalities and a dedicated chauffeur service, and personalised assistance on arrival and during connections. “Gastronomy is another essential part of this transformation,” Pelous shares. “We have undertaken a comprehensive redesign of the food and beverage experience, with signature dishes by leading French chefs, a new cocktail, an exclusive La Première champagne and an enhanced selection of snacks. The same attention to detail extends to comfort and design onboard. Every element has been carefully curated to bring greater refinement to the onboard experience, with new Jacquemus pyjamas, a redesigned comfort kit and slippers, and new blankets and cushion covers.”
Maximising space without compromising privacy: Designing a more adaptable First Class suite
The priority behind this latest evolution was never to reinvent La Première simply for the sake of change. “It was to take an already iconic product and identify how the experience could be further improved, refining every dimension to elevate it to the highest standards,” says Pelous.
Space was central to that process. With nearly 3.5sqm per suite – 25% more space than the previous La Première cabin – Air France wanted to create a genuine living space, rather than simply a more spacious seat, comprising a separate armchair, chaise longue and a two-metre full-flat bed rather than simply a larger seat. “This meant creating a fully modular space, which adapts naturally to each moment of the flight, allowing guests to dine, work, relax or sleep, without having to compromise on comfort,” Pelous explains. “We also wanted to create a greater sense of openness while preserving the privacy that defines La Première. By removing overhead storage compartments, incorporating five windows in the side suites and integrating floor-to-ceiling privacy features, we have created a cabin that feels remarkably spacious without compromising privacy. Clutter was another consideration. Storage has been carefully integrated throughout the suite, with a personal wardrobe, space for two cabin bags, a dedicated shoe drawer, and compartments for personal accessories. Finally, the ambition extended well beyond the suite itself. We have invested in the entire La Première experience, from the redesigned lounge and private airport experience at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, to our onboard dining offer featuring creations by French Michelin-starred chefs and a selection of leading French wines and champagnes.”
An end-to-end private journey: Extending the La Première experience beyond the cabin
Guests determine their level of privacy. They can choose to share the space or draw the floor-to-ceiling curtains to create a more private, secluded environment. Exclusivity extends beyond the cabin itself. With just four suites onboard, La Première offers a highly personalised journey, beginning with dedicated check-in and the option of private suites on the ground. “The suite is designed to adapt to every moment of the flight,” says Pelous. “A separate seat provides a comfortable setting for dining and working, a chaise longue for relaxation, and a full-flat, two-metre-long bed ensures a restful night’s sleep. Attention to detail plays an equally important role in the experience. French bedding and finishing touches create an experience that feels both refined and deeply personal. Space is another defining feature of the new suite. With nearly 3.5sqm per suite – 25% more space than the previous La Première cabin, the design creates a genuine private living space rather than simply a larger seat. Five windows, the absence of overhead storage compartments, and cleverly integrated storage create an airy, uncluttered environment that maximises light and space, while keeping essentials close at hand.”
La Première is an end-to-end private journey, not just a seat. Air France aims to provide the same standards of privacy, personalised service and French hospitality at every stage of the trip – from the first contact with its teams to arrival at the destination. The journey includes dedicated, personalised assistance and chauffeur service, private check-in, access to the lounge or one of the three private airport suites, transfer to and from the aircraft by Porsche and a private suite onboard. “The aim is to reduce waiting and unnecessary handovers, while giving customers greater control over their time and privacy,” Pelous shares. “The experience moves from ground to air as one connected journey, with moments of rest and wellbeing – including the Sisley spa – integrated into the journey rather than added around it. French excellence is experienced, not simply displayed, in the airport suites, with the French fine dining experience in the lounge and Michelin-starred dining onboard. Just as importantly, our dedicated La Première staff support our guests throughout the journey. Their training, product knowledge and ability to adapt to individual needs are what make the experience genuinely personal.”
Technology with a human touch: Balancing digital innovation and personalised service
A key principle was to make the suite feel simple to use, even though the design itself is highly complex. The new suite includes around 14,000 part numbers, compared with 7,000 in the previous version, so simplicity had to be factored in from the outset. “We tested that simplicity directly with customers and involved cabin crew in the design and improvement process,” Pelous explains. “Maintenance and cleaning were also considered from day one. Their input helps ensure that an ambitious design works not only for customers, but also for the teams responsible for delivering and maintaining the experience.”
Digital services complement the physical design. The technology is there to give customers convenient control without adding complexity. One wireless tablet controls the suite, including the seat, chaise longue and bed positions, lighting, window shades and entertainment. Or travellers also have two 32-inch 4K screens, Bluetooth, wireless charging and high-speed WiFi. “The aim is to make the features available at a touch, exactly when they are needed,” says Pelous. “Technology should support the personal touch, never replace it.”
Commenting on lessons that could be applied more broadly across the industry, Pelous highlights that the first is to design the overall experience, not just the seat. “Every feature should serve a clear customer need. The second is to offer freedom without unnecessary complexity, through privacy, adaptable spaces and intuitive controls. It is also essential to involve our teams from the beginning. Their expertise helps ensure that a product is practical, reliable and works well in the real experience – not just on paper.”
Air France believes private cabins will increasingly become true living spaces: more adaptable, lighter and more durable, while remaining simple to use. “Customers will expect greater privacy, an enhanced sleep experience and seamless connectivity, as well as technology that makes the experience easier rather than more complicated,” Pelous shares. “Private aviation and luxury hospitality will continue to influence expectations. But as technology advances, human attention will matter even more. The strongest experiences will combine thoughtful technology with service that adapts to each customer’s needs and rhythm.”
APEX FTE EXPO: “A valuable opportunity to see new innovations in action and learn from the solutions shaping the end-to-end passenger experience”
As airlines continue to rethink their premium passenger offering, Air France’s latest evolution of La Première demonstrates how thoughtful cabin innovation can help redefine the expectations of First Class travel. By creating a more adaptable, spacious and intuitive environment, while extending the experience across every stage of the journey, the airline highlights the importance of looking beyond the seat itself to consider the passenger experience as a whole. However, delivering this level of excellence requires more than sophisticated design and advanced technology. It means understanding how passengers want to use their space, making privacy and personalisation central to the experience, and ensuring that every innovation is practical, reliable and intuitive for the teams responsible for delivering it. As Pelous’ insights demonstrate, the most successful premium experiences will be those that combine intelligent design and seamless digital services with exceptional human hospitality, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces the personal touch.
These themes are increasingly relevant across the wider air transport industry, as airlines and their partners explore how next-generation cabin platforms can deliver greater comfort, flexibility and privacy while meeting the demands of operational efficiency and long-term reliability. From modular seating concepts and intuitive passenger interfaces to more connected, end-to-end experiences, there are significant opportunities to rethink how cabin innovation creates value for both passengers and operators. These topics will be explored at APEX FTE EXPO, taking place in Singapore on 18-19 November 2026, where airline leaders, airport representatives and technology partners will come together to share insights, showcase innovations and discuss the future of the passenger experience. Looking ahead, Pelous is keen to be part of these conversations. “I’m looking forward to connecting with the global aviation community and exchanging ideas with airlines, airports, technology leaders and suppliers. It’s a valuable opportunity to see new innovations in action and learn from the solutions shaping the end-to-end passenger experience. I’m also looking forward to turning these conversations into partnerships and sharing our best practices to ensure an optimum premium travel experience across the board.”
What’s next – APEX FTE EXPO, Singapore, 18 to 19 November 2026
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