Air France Premium Economy vs. Business Class: Which is Right for You?

Key takeaways

• Business class offers a lie-flat seat while premium economy offers more recline and personal space than economy class.
• On Air France, premium economy meals are more similar to economy meals than business meals, with some marginal improvements.
• Business class can be more suitable for business travel while premium economy tends to be more suitable for leisure travel. However, you can sometimes find business class deals as a leisure traveler that make the added comfort worth the cost.  
• Business class seats all have aisle access and more dining options, as well as upgraded amenities, but travelers who primarily care about personal space and priority airport handling (but not lounge access) will find more value in premium economy.
• Travelers should ultimately consider their travel needs and budget when deciding between premium economy vs business class features, keeping in mind you can choose different classes of service for each direction in your itinerary. The Going app can help you find the best deal for their flight, whichever you choose.

Air France premium economy vs. business class: The key differences

There are some differences between premium economy (which Air France has rebranded as simply “Premium”) and business class on Air France. Premium economy is almost a true-middle between economy and business, with a more comfortable and spacious seat than economy, with extra touches like appetizers and desserts inspired by the business class menu, noise-cancelling headsets, and better pillows and blankets. 

You can also expect to spend significantly less on Air France premium economy than a business class ticket. However, sometimes business class tickets can creep down into a similar range as premium economy fares, making the significantly-more-comfortable experience worth the slightly-higher cost. 

Seat comfort: What to expect in each class

The difference between Air France business class seating and premium economy is that business class offers a lie-flat seat, and premium economy does not. Premium economy is essentially similar to domestic first class on some US carriers, though sometimes with a bit less space. 

Premium economy on Air France has three seat types: the older generation “shell” seat, newer reclining seats, and the latest reclining seat with privacy “wings” on the headrest. All premium economy seats are a significant upgrade over economy, with additional personal space, a larger entertainment screen, and added amenities throughout the flight. Premium economy can be ideal for couples or families traveling together. 

On 777 and A350 aircraft, seats are in a 2-4-2 configuration (compared to 3-4-3 in economy on the 777 and 3-3-3 in economy on the A350). On 787 and A330 aircraft, seats are in a 2-3-2 configuration (compared to 3-3-3 in economy on the 787 or 2-4-2 in economy on the A330).

Business class is a bigger improvement, primarily due to lie-flat seats and more personal space. All Air France longhaul aircraft (except the A330) have “aisle-access” seating, meaning business class passengers do not have another seat between themselves and the aisle. The 787, A350, and 777 aircraft are configured in a 1-2-1 seating configuration in business. The A330 is configured in a 2-2-2 seating configuration. 

On all aircraft, premium economy seats have 38” of pitch, seven inches more than the economy standard of 31”. Premium economy seats have leg rests and foot rests, and they recline more deeply than economy seats. However, they do not approach lie-flat like in business. 

Both business and premium economy are supplied with plusher pillows and duvet-style blankets, but both are bigger and comfier in the business cabin. Overall, sleep quality should be increasingly better from premium economy to business.

Dining experience: Comparing meals in both classes

The same number of meal services is offered in both premium economy and business. While many airlines provide a premium economy meal service that is akin to domestic US first class, Air France’s premium economy meal service is a bit closer to economy. 

Premium economy meals are served from a cart, and the basic tray setup remains the same. But, there are a few differences. For the first meal service on a longhaul flight, a choice between two hot entrees is offered. These are upgrades over the economy service, as they’re designed by a Michelin-starred chef. There’s typically an offer between a meat or fish and a vegetarian hot entree. 

Appetizers and desserts are also different from the economy meal service—Air France calls them “inspired by the business class menu.” Air France also serves a small packaged snack with the first beverage cart service, and this is also an upgrade in premium economy from the economy offerings. 

Wine (including champagne), beer, and spirits are complimentary in premium economy. Air France has discontinued single-use plastics, so beverages are served in paper cups, like in economy. During the meal service, however, each premium economy tray has a small glass for wine or other beverages. These are collected at the end of the meal service, and beverages requested after the service are once again served in paper cups. 

There’s a self-service bar for premium economy and economy passengers, typically in the closest economy class galley, offering beverages and packaged snacks.

In business, all beverages are served in glassware, and there’s a wider selection of wines and spirits to choose from. The meal service offers a choice of four entrees: one meat, one fish, one poultry, and one vegetarian. Meals begin with a pair of starters, typically premium proteins like smoked salmon, lobster, or foie gras, as well as a green salad. Desserts are a selection of fresh fruit, sorbets, ice creams, or petits fours, and there’s also a cheese course with three cheeses, which can either be served on the meal tray or offered separately. 

Meals end with coffee or tea service, and there’s typically a self-serve bar setup near the galley for business class for drinks and snacks, which are of greater variety and better quality than those in economy and premium economy.

Business class passengers can preorder their entrees before the flight, while this is not possible in premium economy.

Business class passengers also receive a second service on a tray on most flights, usually either a hot breakfast on flights to Europe or a light cold snack on flights from Europe, along with a full beverage service. 

Premium economy passengers receive a snack bag second service for either breakfast or afternoon snack, filled with pastries, yogurt, juice, and a sandwich. Premium economy passengers are usually offered a hot breakfast pastry or sandwich as part of a premium extra; otherwise the snack bag is the same as in economy.

Service and amenities: What’s included in each class?

Air French premium economy benefits include extra space, SkyPriority ground handling, pre-boarding, and discounted lounge access (subject to availability). Premium economy does not have dedicated flight attendants, though Air France does curtain the cabin off from both economy and business, making the mini cabin somewhat more tranquil than economy. 

Premium economy passengers share lavatories and galleys with economy class. Some aircraft even post signage in premium economy indicating they should head toward the back of the aircraft to find lavatories. 

Premium economy passengers, like business class passengers, get SkyPriority benefits at the airport, including dedicated check-in counters and priority security lines. Premium economy passengers also board just after business but before standard economy boarding groups. Priority checked baggage delivery is also part of the SkyPriority package of benefits. 

A pared-down version of the business class amenity kit is handed out to premium economy passengers (economy passengers do not receive amenity kits). The kits include a toothbrush and toothpaste, face mask, socks, and earplugs. Larger business class kits have the same items plus Clarins beauty products, which Air France also stocks in business class lavatories.

Lounge access is only available to business class passengers unless you’re a SkyTeam Elite Plus member, which gives you access regardless of the class of service they’re traveling in. Premium economy passengers without status can inquire at the ticket counter whether lounge passes are available at a discounted rate. 

Air France has a weight restriction for carry-on bags, and the allowance for premium economy passengers is the same as economy: 12 kilos (about 25 lbs). Business class passengers can bring 18 kilos (40 lbs). Checked bag allowances vary by the fare type purchased, but the weight limit for bags in economy and premium economy is 23 kilos (50 lbs); for business it’s 32 kilos (70 lbs).

Entertainment is the same in business and premium economy, but business class passengers have slightly larger entertainment screens. Both cabins have noise-cancelling headphones that are not available in economy.

Pricing: Is premium economy worth the upgrade?

Economy class on Air France is, quite frankly, rather cramped. The airline provides some nice touches in economy, like free-flowing champagne, but the Air France premium economy benefits are pretty substantial, for a slightly higher cost than economy, without paying the significant price difference to access business class amenities. Chief among these is more room onboard the aircraft, particularly on flights you’re hoping to catch some sleep, as the premium economy seats have more recline than those in economy. 

It’s also worth finding out which seat type is used in premium economy for the aircraft type operating your flight. Air France currently has three major seat types deployed in premium economy across the fleet. Boeing 787, Airbus A330, and some Boeing 777 aircraft have the older fixed shell seat that reclines by sliding forward instead of the seatback reclining back, which some passengers find uncomfortable. Airbus A350 and some Boeing 777 aircraft have newer-design reclining seats, while some Boeing 777 aircraft have Air France’s newest premium economy seat, which reclines a few degrees less than older seat variants. 

Try visiting a site like AeroLopa for more info.

Cost comparison: premium economy vs. business class

From the US to Paris, premium economy on Air France will typically run $1,600–$4,500 roundtrip based on the flights, season, and gateway (West Coast cities are at the higher end of the range). With a Going membership, you can find the same flights for about $1,300 roundtrip on average to destinations such as Basel, Cork, Barcelona, and Rome. 

Business class, however, can run from $2,850 to more than $10,000 roundtrip. (Going finds business class deals on Air France for $2,700 roundtrip on average.) 

The narrowest gap between premium economy and business fares tends to be when business demand ebbs the lowest. For Paris, that’s July, August, November, and December, and it can vary slightly for other parts of Europe or Air France connecting destinations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

When to choose premium economy vs. business class

Not all flights are created equal, and sometimes premium economy makes more sense than business class (and vice versa). Bear in mind, of course, that it’s always a matter of personal preference, but here are a few scenarios to consider. 

Because business class seats are lie-flat, it’s worth considering whether you’re actually intending to sleep onboard. If your itinerary plans hinge on you arriving with several solid hours of sleep, it may be worth spending more for the flat bed. But, if you find it takes you a while to get to sleep onboard, or you’re unable to sleep onboard regardless of seating type, it might be worth saving money to travel in premium economy. 

A good example of this is flights from the northeastern United States to Paris. The flights are often as little as six hours, so passengers on flights departing in the early evening have little hope of sleeping unless they rely on sleep aids, but it’s worth considering the majority of the flight will often stay up (and the lights will stay on) for the onboard service. Air France doesn’t “rush” the dinner service on overnight flights until late-evening departures when more of the passengers onboard will want to go straight to sleep, so if you plan to stay up, you might not necessarily need the lie-flat seat. 

Many travelers looking to save will often make the choice simple: business class for overnight flights, premium economy for daytime ones. On Air France, this typically means premium economy for the daylight flights from Europe to the US or from Tahiti to LA.

Which class is best for your travel style?

Premium economy is best for travelers who will pay a modest increase over the economy fare for modest improvements in space, but it’s worth noting that premium economy, like any other airline fare product, is priced based on demand. When economy fares are low, premium economy fares can either be similar or significantly higher, based on how quickly seats in that cabin sell. Similarly, the difference between premium economy and business fares can either be marginal or a wide gulf. 

Because business class offers a flatbed seat, many travelers will splurge on longer or overnight flights. Travelers on a budget can even choose premium economy or business on flights where they prioritize sleep or priority handling (if they need to cut it close to arriving at the airport or need to get off the plane first at their destination). Baggage allowance is also a consideration, though Air France generally segments baggage allowance by fare type rather than class of service. 

Business travelers: Why business class might be ideal

Many business travelers’ corporate travel policies allow for business class travel on flights over a certain length or on overnight flights. Air France’s lie-flat seating, lounge access, priority airport services like fast-track security and customs clearance make for a quicker, lower-hassle experience. 

For business travelers, the lie-flat bed tends to be the most important productivity tool. On overnight flights travelers can get quality sleep and be productive the morning they land. For daytime flights, the extra space can be handy onboard for getting work done.

Leisure travelers: When premium economy is the better option

Outside of periods when business class fares decrease dramatically, when business travel demand dips (think summer and around the holidays), business class is generally a significant increase in fare over premium economy. Leisure travelers—particularly those with large groups needing to buy several tickets—might find more value in premium economy, getting a little bit more space for their group. 

The extra space can also be a bit of a luxury for special occasion travel when you don’t want to splash all the way out for business class. Finally, the longest itineraries, such as those connecting via Paris to other destinations in the Middle East or Africa, can be cost-prohibitive in business but more affordable in premium economy, and the extra space for those marathon journeys certainly makes them more bearable.

Air France premium economy vs. business class: Final thoughts

When choosing between Air France premium economy and business class, consider your priorities: rest, budget, and travel purpose. Premium economy offers meaningful upgrades over economy at a lower cost, while business class is ideal for travelers who value maximum comfort, privacy, and service. No matter your choice, the Going app can help you find excellent fares in both cabins.