Air France has released images of its B787-9 Dreamliner cabins, ahead of the aircraft’s inaugural flight later today (Friday January 6).
The French flag carrier will operate a special flight from Paris CDG, taking in landmarks including Le Mont-Saint-Michel, the Alps and the Luberon. Business Traveller will be on board this flight and will post a report later today.
The airline has also provided Business Traveller with interior images of the aircraft, showing the new economy, premium economy and business class seating, along with more details of what can be expected.
French companies
The video above shows the aircraft in Boeing’s Everett factory in Washington State, but Air France is keen to emphasise the eight French companies involved (Dassault Systemes, Labinal, Latecoere, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, Michelin, Radiall, Thales and Zodiac Aerospace).
Business
The business class seat converts into a two-metre fully-flat bed, with Air France saying that “Everything has been designed to ensure an impeccable quality of sleep, with soft seat cushions, a silky duvet and an XXL feather pillow”.
There will be a total of 30 business class seats, with a 42-inch pitch, configured 1-2-1.
Premium economy
According to Air France, premium economy on the B787-9 offers “a seat that is 2.5 cm wider, a seat recline of 130 degrees in a fixed shell and more legroom”.
Other features include “Additional storage space and innovative features including an individual reading light, a tray table with a groove for posing a digital tablet or book, an electric socket and a USB port”.
The aircraft is fitted with 21 premium economy seats, configured 2-3-2 and offering 40 inches of seat pitch.
Economy
Economy seats are 44cm in width, and feature “adjustable comfortable headrests, ergonomic seat cushions, a latest-generation individual screen extended to 28 cm, power outlets and headphone holders”.
Economy passengers will be offered a fleece blanket, refreshing towel and eye masks.
There are 225 seats in the economy cabin, configured 3-3-3 and with a seat pitch of 31 inches.
Scheduled service
Following a series of special celebratory services this weekend, Air France will operate the first scheduled passenger flight with the B787-9 on January 9, between Paris CDG and Cairo.
Air France is also rostering the B787-9 onto its flights between London Heathrow and Paris CDG for a limited period, allowing short-haul customers “to discover Air France’s newest long-haul product”.
Montreal will become the first transatlantic route for the carrier’s Dreamliner on May 1.
