Review: Air France Business Class Boeing 777 Paris to Singapore
This review covers my Air France business class flight on the Boeing 777 from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Singapore (SIN).
Flying Air France Boeing 777 business class
After an excellent flight in Air France intra-European business class on the Airbus A320 from Bucharest to Paris, it was time for my connecting flight to Singapore — the one I was perhaps most eager to experience on my trip to Taiwan.
I would be flying on the Air France Boeing 777 from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Singapore, and with a flight time of just under 13 hours, there would be a lot of time to enjoy every aspect of the journey and thoroughly review the airline’s long-haul business class product.
Although I have flown long-haul with the French flag carrier many times before, such as between Paris and Bogotá on an Air France Boeing 787, all those flights were in economy class, and this occasion marked my first time flying long-haul in Air France business class.
As my last proper long-haul business class flight had been over a year ago — in Qatar Airways business class on a Boeing 777 with their excellent Qsuites product — I was all the more excited to be back in a premium cabin.
For my one-way Air France business class flights from Bucharest via Paris to Singapore, I paid 70,000 Flying Blue miles and €219.88 in taxes — miles that were hard-earned by actually flying with SkyTeam airlines, rather than by converting free credit card points.
Air France Terminal 2E business lounges
All of Air France’s long-haul flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport depart from the non-Schengen Terminal 2E, which consists of three separate concourses: Hall K, Hall L, and Hall M.
As I explained before in my Air France business lounge guide, you can only access the lounge in the hall of Terminal 2E from which your flight departs, as airport security guards will scan your boarding pass and deny access to any other hall or terminal.
It depends on your flight destination and the roll of the dice which of the three halls in Terminal 2E your long-haul Air France flight will depart from, and although you can get a rough idea by looking at historic flight data, there is no guarantee this will be the case on the day of your future flight.
When I flew from Paris to Singapore, my flight departed from Hall L, which was certainly good news, as the Air France Terminal 2E Hall L business lounge is the best of the three, closely followed by the one in Hall M, while the Hall K business lounge is a much less pleasant space and usually overcrowded.
Although the lounge amenities and surroundings differ between the halls, the food and beverage options are however exactly the same in all three business lounges.
During the four hours or so I spent in the Air France business lounge before my flight to Singapore, I enjoyed a relaxing sauna and shower, took advantage of the complimentary Clarins facial massage, and had a quality snack along with a drink or two.
Check the links above to read a full review of the Air France business lounges in Hall K and Hall L of Terminal 2E for a complete overview of the food and drinks on offer, as well as all the lounge facilities.
Boarding
I left the Air France lounge early to ensure I would be at the front of the queue at the boarding gate for my upcoming flight to Singapore, as this would give me a couple of seconds to take some decent pictures of the empty business class cabin on the Boeing 777 for this review before the passengers behind me boarded as well.
Boarding for Air France flights is done by zone, with those in zone 1 (business class passengers and Flying Blue Ultimate members) usually grouped together with zone 2 (Flying Blue Platinum and Gold members, plus SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers through other frequent flyer programmes) in a single Sky Priority queue.
The Air France Paris to Singapore flights on the Boeing 777 also have a first class cabin, although those passengers are driven to the plane by private car directly from the first class lounge and don’t have to queue with the rest in the terminal, for what it’s worth.
As you may expect from operations at its hub airport, the boarding process for Air France flights at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is strictly enforced, with a gate agent checking boarding passes to ensure everyone is waiting in the right queue and not hesitating to remove people if this is not the case.
Air France Boeing 777 business class cabin
Air France operates both the Boeing 777-200 and the Boeing 777-300, with one of the latter operating my flight from Paris to Singapore.
The seat configuration and business class hard product on these planes vary depending on the exact configuration of your aircraft, as Air France’s Boeing 777-300 fleet features three different layouts, which you can view in detail on the seat maps available on the excellent Aerolopa website.
My Air France flight from Paris to Singapore was operated by one of the four-class Boeing 777s, which in addition to 58 business class seats has 4 seats in La Première, Air France’s first class product, as well as 28 seats in premium economy and 206 in economy class.
This four-class Boeing 777 is the only type in the Air France fleet with a first class cabin, so if first class is available on your flight, you can be sure this is the exact cabin layout and seat configuration you’ll get in business class.
When taking a closer look at the seat map, you’ll notice a smaller front business class cabin with just 4 rows and 16 seats in total, along with a much larger rear business class cabin containing 42 seats.
Of course, the front business class cabin feels much more private and intimate due to the fewer passengers seated there, so if you can, I’d strongly advise selecting a seat in this section.
Note that depending on the exact business class fare and your frequent flyer status, advance seat selection may be free or only available for a fee, but once online check-in opens, all remaining seats can be assigned freely by all passengers.
Air France Boeing 777 business class seat
Although the reverse herringbone business class seats on this four-class Boeing 777 are the oldest in the Air France long-haul fleet and no longer state-of-the-art, they still offer a highly comfortable way to travel.
With a 1-2-1 seating configuration, all seats in the business class cabin of this Air France Boeing 777 offer direct aisle access and, of course, recline to a fully flat position for a good night’s sleep.
Unlike the newer Air France business class seats, there are no sliding doors at each seat, but these seats remain highly private due to the cocoon-like shell around them.
Couples are best off selecting the seats (E and F) in the middle section, as these offer the best way to interact with each other during the flight, while solo passengers will find the window seats A and L the pick of the bunch.
There is no difference in seat pitch or legroom between the business class seats on this Boeing 777, so it doesn’t matter much in which row you select a seat.
That said, it may be advisable to avoid the seats closest to the galley and lavatories (those in rows 6 and 9), and it’s also worth noting that seats 15A and 15L are both missing a window.
As a Flying Blue Platinum member, I could select any available seat in advance, so I assigned myself seat 3A in the forward business class cabin.
This is the first row of the forward business class cabin, located directly behind the curtains separating it from the first class La Première cabin, making it easily the quietest and most private seats you can select, as there is generally no traffic passing through the aisle here.
A close-up look at the Boeing 777 business class seat
When I arrived at my seat, I found a large pillow, blankets in plastic wrapping, a pair of slippers, and a clothes hanger already placed on it.
These reverse herringbone seats offer plenty of storage options for your personal belongings, including a large compartment next to the screen controller, where the headphones were stored.
Near your feet, you’ll find another storage compartment, which contains a bottle of water, as well as a universal power socket and USB charging port.
The seat controls, which were easy to operate, are located on the side of a console large enough to place some items during the flight.
In front of you is a 16-inch personal in-flight entertainment screen, which can be pulled out from its storage position to fully align with your seat.
The footwell underneath the screen was spacious, and there was ample legroom, whether I was seated upright or had my feet up there.
Sure, the Air France business class seat on this Boeing 777 may not be the most cutting-edge product available, but it’s still highly comfortable and perfectly adequate.
Pre-departure service
As I stored my rucksack in the overhead compartment and took off my jacket, a flight attendant quickly passed by to take my coat and hang it in the wardrobe.
After a while, once I was fully settled in my seat and some other passengers had boarded as well, another flight attendant came by with pre-departure beverages, from which I selected a glass of champagne.
The menu for today’s Air France flight from Paris to Singapore, which we will take a look at a bit later, was also distributed.
Amenity kit
A while later, one of the flight attendants came by again to hand out amenity kits for this evening’s flight from Paris to Singapore.
I found the Air France business class amenity kit to be quite stylish, featuring a navy blue-and-white patterned pouch with the hippocampe emblem — the winged seahorse that is the traditional Air France logo.
The Air France business class amenity kit contained a toothbrush and toothpaste, a pen, eye mask, earplugs, sleep mask, socks, and rejuvenating hand cream and moisturising cooling face gel from Clarins.
Paris (CDG) to Singapore (SIN)
Air France – Flight AF256– Boeing 777-300ER
Plane registration number: F-GSQH
Business class – Seat 3A
Departure: 9.05pm – Arrival: 5.55pm (+1 day)
Flight time: 12h50m – Distance: 6,671 miles
Departure from Paris Charles de Gaulle
It took a while for all passengers to board the plane, and business class seemed to have a healthy occupancy, with at least 90 percent of seats taken, although the La Première cabin in front of me remained empty.
Once boarding was completed, we pushed back from the gate and began taxiing to the runway as the in-flight safety video played.
As it was an evening departure on a rainy November day, I didn’t expect much in terms of views during take-off, but oh boy, was I wrong!
I must have taken off from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport dozens of times before, but none of those departures came close to matching this one in terms of the amazing views.
Through the cloud cover, I could see the bright lights of Paris glowing below, but when a break in the clouds appeared, I realised we were flying directly over the city centre.
From the port side of our Air France Boeing 777, there were clear views of Paris landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs-Élysées.
I was absolutely glued to my window as we climbed out of Paris.
Start of business class in-flight service
Once we reached cruising altitude, the business class in-flight service began with the distribution of refreshing towels.
Immediately afterwards, an appetiser of cashew nuts with garlic cream, yellow beet, and sesame, along with a package of Gavottes crispy crêpes, was served alongside a drink.
I opted for a glass of champagne, which was poured from the bottle at my seat, a detail that always adds a nice touch.
The champagne selection in Air France business class changes frequently, and on my flight from Paris to Singapore, Pommery was served.
Air France business class menu and pre-order
On all long-haul business class flights departing from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, as well as on some flights departing from outstations to Paris, you can preselect your main dish to assure that you always get your preferred option.
This option to pre-order your main dish typically becomes available 1 to 2 weeks before your flight and can be accessed through the ‘manage my booking’ page on the Air France website.
Typically, there is a choice between a red meat dish, a poultry dish, a fish or seafood dish, and a vegetarian option.
To pre-order your dish, you must select it at least 24 hours before your flight’s departure.
This main dish pre-order option should not be confused with ordering special meals such as halal, kosher, or vegan food, which must be arranged separately in advance and does not allow you to preselect a specific dish.
If you’re interested in the full menu and the wine and drinks list from my Air France business class flight from Paris to Singapore, you can find it in the images below.
The menu itself looked classy, with the Air France hippocampe emblem and the flight route printed on it.
Although the food and drinks selection in Air France business class is not as extensive as what you might find with some airlines from Asia or the Middle East, it offers some appealing options along with a high-quality list of French wines, digestifs, and apéritifs.
Air France business class dinner
It took a while for the meal service to start, as we were hit by turbulence right after the appetiser and first drinks were served.
Almost two hours after take-off, while we were flying somewhere over Romania, the flight attendants decided to continue with the dinner service, despite the ongoing turbulence and the fasten seatbelt signs still being on.
The delay was of course perfectly understandable given the circumstances, and I was glad they decided to serve the food rather than wait even longer or cancel the meal service altogether due to the turbulence.
It was well after 11 in the evening when the starter arrived, which included smoked salmon with horseradish and chive cream, sweet potato and butternut squash mousseline topped with pumpkin seeds, and a fresh garden salad.
This was certainly tasty, and I had another glass of champagne to accompany it.
For my main dish, I had preselected the beef chuck with Arabica coffee, gnocchi, and smoked chestnut mousseline.
Before serving, the flight attendant confirmed whether I still wanted to stick with my pre-order or switch to another dish, which again highlighted the quality of service on board.
The beef chuck was tender, and although the Arabica coffee flavour seemed like a hit-or-miss choice beforehand, it turned out to be a really well-executed dish, with all the flavours in perfect harmony.
The Bordeaux Haut-Médoc red wine paired superbly with the dish.
After devouring the cheese course, a highly delicious Yuzu-flavoured dessert was waiting for me, accompanied by some more red wine.
I concluded the lovely meal with an Illy espresso, served with a Valrhona chocolate, and a glass of Calvados Christian Drouin Cœur de Lion Hors d’Age, which is aged for 18 years and tasted absolutely superb.
Air France really strives to make its business class food stand out with more intricate dishes, and it succeeded in executing them well — which is no small feat at 30,000 feet.
Add some quality wines and digestifs to the mix, and you can count me impressed with both the meal service and the food quality on this flight so far.
In-flight entertainment
The Air France in-flight entertainment (IFE) system offers a good selection of films, series, music, games, and more.
Although the Air France in-flight entertainment system can’t compete with the best in the industry, such as Emirates or Qatar Airways, there’s always something worth watching, whether it’s a new release, an old classic, or a boutique film.
In business class on this particular Air France Boeing 777-300 configuration, each seat has a 16 inch HD touchscreen display, which feels a bit outdated compared to the higher resolution screens found in newer business class products, but it’s not all that bad.
The touchscreen is responsive, and you can also use the hand-held controller located next to your seat to operate the in-flight entertainment system.
The noise-cancelling headphones are of decent quality as well.
I decided to watch Amélie, as I have always loved its Yann Tiersen soundtrack but oddly enough had never actually seen this romantic comedy, and although its beginning was oh so French and thus rather weird, the film turned out to be well worth watching.
Wi-Fi internet connectivity
The Air France Boeing 777 is equipped with Gogo satellite Wi-Fi, and passengers in all travel classes have access to a free messaging pass, allowing them to send text messages through apps such as WhatsApp and Messenger.
Paid packages are available for those who want to send and receive pictures, browse the internet, or stream videos, with options including a one-hour Surf package for €8, a Surf pass for the entire flight at €18, and a Stream package for the entire flight at €30.
Unfortunately, business class passengers do not receive complimentary Wi-Fi internet packages, which I found a bit stingy compared to many other airlines that offer a free flight pass or at least one hour of Wi-Fi at no charge.
I decided to buy a Surf pass for the entire flight for €18 and found the speeds to be decent, although there were occasional 10-minute gaps with no connection at all.
It’s worth noting that starting in 2025, Air France will upgrade its Wi-Fi and progressively roll out ultra-high-speed internet connectivity by Starlink across its fleet, which it says will be free of charge in all travel classes.
Service between meals
After the meal service concluded, the cabin lights were dimmed, and the flight attendants retreated to the galley, though they promptly responded to call buttons and discreetly checked on awake passengers to see if they needed anything.
The galley between the two business class sections on the Air France Boeing 777 was also arranged as a bar area, offering snacks, drinks, and a bottle of champagne for passengers to help themselves to.
Time to sleep
Once I finished watching the film, it was time to get a good night’s sleep, so I turned my seat into its fully flat position.
The pillow and quilt provided are of good quality, and although Air France does not offer mattress toppers in business class, I personally didn’t find this to be an issue as the seat was comfortable enough for sleeping.
Although the Air France Boeing 777 lacks individual air nozzles, the cabin temperature remained pleasant and comfortably cool throughout the flight.
Once the seat is converted into its fully flat position, the bed measures 6 feet 7 inches (just over 2 metres) in length, and with the armrest fully lowered, it offers a comfortable width as well.
I managed to get a solid six hours of sleep on my flight and woke up fully refreshed the next morning.
Air France business class breakfast
The next morning, I freshened up in one of the business class lavatories and decided to rewatch the film Argo while waiting for breakfast to be served.
Many hours before departure from Paris, the crew had already asked what I wanted for breakfast and whether I preferred to be woken up for it in case I was still sleeping.
For breakfast, I had opted for the omelette with cheese, celery, spinach and tomato sauce, which like most airline breakfasts from Western carriers turned out to be extremely bland.
That said, I did enjoy the yoghurt with muesli, the fresh fruit, and the breakfast pastries from the bread basket.
Service on board my flight
To fully wake up from the overnight flight, I might have ordered a glass of champagne just before landing to cap off a great flight.
The in-flight service from the Air France flight attendants was polite and highly professional throughout the flight.
It certainly wasn’t the warmest service I’ve encountered on previous Air France flights or in business class in general, but the flight attendants in my part of the cabin had a great eye for detail, worked hard, and were friendly enough —and ultimately, that’s what matters.
Approaching Singapore
It was a lovely morning (or well, actually late afternoon local time!) in Southeast Asia, or at least that’s how it looked behind the two business class windows of my Air France Boeing 777.
As we were flying over the Malacca Strait parallel to the Malaysian coastline, we started our descent towards Singapore.
From the plane window, there were some great views over the Pulai river delta and the slightly murky looking sea water around it.
A short while later, the skyline of Singapore appeared on the port side.
As we circled around the southern tip of the island and over the Singapore Strait, there were the usual views of lots of cargo ships anchored in the waters off the coast.
Landing at Singapore Airport
Eventually, our plane made a turn and headed northward along the eastern coast of Singapore and Johor, only to make another 180-degree turn so we could approach Singapore Changi Airport from the north-east.
Although the weather had looked pleasant from a high altitude just minutes before, dark rain clouds immediately started to appear as we were on final approach to Singapore.
Still, the views over the mangroves of the north-eastern islands of Singapore were impressive.
After we crossed the Johor Strait, some of the outlying buildings and the runway of Singapore Changi Airport finally came into sight, and our Air France Boeing 777 made a smooth landing.
It took a while to taxi to our parking stand at Terminal 1 of Singapore Changi Airport, but I never mind this when flying to or from airports on other continents, as it always offers great planespotting opportunities from the window.
We eventually parked right next to a Scoot Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Terminal 1, having arrived bang on time in Singapore.
Singapore Changi Airport arrivals
After thanking the Air France crew and bidding them farewell, I disembarked the Boeing 777 and walked into the vast concourses of Singapore Changi Airport.
I remembered from my last visit to the country on a short layover between Singapore Airlines flights that I just had to fill in a paper card found at the immigration desks, although it turned out this had changed in recent years.
Foreign visitors now need to fill in and submit an arrival card and health declaration online through the ICA website, the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.
Fortunately for me, this doesn’t necessarily have to be done in advance, as I found out that it can also be completed the moment you arrive using the airport’s free Wi-Fi network.
Once you submit your personal details, you will immediately receive an arrivals card containing a bar code, which you must scan at the automated passport gates.
Although it would have saved me about 10 minutes if I had submitted the form prior to my flight, the entire immigration process was quick and took only around 15 minutes, including the time needed to fill out the form, as the queues moved quickly.
It’s just a pity that with this new entry system in place, foreign visitors no longer receive a Singapore passport stamp on arrival!
As I had no checked bags to reclaim, I could walk straight into the arrivals hall, ready to explore the urban delights of Singapore.
Conclusion
Flying Air France in business class is always a pleasure, with excellent French cuisine, champagne, and wine, complemented by professional on-board service.
On my Air France business class flight from Paris to Singapore, I enjoyed a delicious dinner accompanied by high-quality drinks, even though the breakfast was less impressive.
Although the four-class Boeing 777 has the oldest business class seats in the Air France fleet, these reverse herringbone seats remain highly competitive, offering direct aisle access and converting into fully flat beds.
My 13-hour night flight from Paris to Singapore was certainly comfortable, as I managed to sleep well and enjoy a good film or two from the in-flight entertainment system when awake.
Add quality business lounges at its hub of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, a thoughtful amenity kit, and service that surpasses the average on its short- and mid-haul feeder flights, and Air France offers one of the best all-round business class products in Europe, if not the best.
Trip report index
This article is part of the ‘Trip to Taiwan: Exploring Asia’s Underrated Travel Gem‘ trip report, which consists of the following chapters:
1. Review: Air France Intra-Europe Business Class Bucharest to Paris
2. Review: Air France Business Class Boeing 777 Paris to Singapore (current chapter)
3. One Day in Singapore
** rest of the chapters to follow soon **
