Air France Showcases ‘Best & Beyond’

At a special industry event held at Pearson International yesterday, Air France gave travel agents, media and other travel professionals a close-up look at its new Business Class cabin aboard a Boeing 777-200.

Launched last year as part of Air France’s “Best & Beyond” project, the new Business cabin is making a gradual entry into service on long-haul aircraft — and now available to travellers flying out of Toronto to Paris Charles de Gaulle until Oct. 24.

The goal of the Best & Beyond project is to upgrade its long-haul products and services and to provide the best product on the market with seats that “adapt to each individual’s travel experience whether working, playing, eating or sleeping thanks to its 3-F concept.”

• Full Flat — the six-foot, five-inch (196 cm) seat converts to a horizontal bed (180 degrees).
• Full Access — the 1-2-1 configuration ensures direct access to the aisle, regardless of the seatÆs location in the cabin.
• Full Privacy — a protected area through the seat’s enveloping curved design provides true privacy.

A year after its introduction, Air France is already reaping the rewards of its efforts with a significant increase in its customer satisfaction ratings both with SkyTrax and World Airline Awards, and was awarded the world’s most improved airline in 2015.

Passengers travelling in Business Class also have access to SkyPriority services, which include priority check-in, priority baggage and access to Air France KLM’s lounges.

“Toronto’s gradual introduction will continue for the winter season as 50 % of our flights will feature the comfort of the Best cabins,” said Jean-Noel Rault, vice-president and general manager for Air France KLM in Canada.

Air France’s Benedicte Boulet added the airline is very excited about the year ahead.

“We’re going to continue to raise the bar even higher to improve the experience for our customers,” she said.

Pictured at the event are (l-r) Boulet, B2T marketing co-ordinator, Air France KLM, Charles-Olivier Defaud, sales director, central and west for Delta, KLM, Air France and Alitalia, Adeline Piekham-Hsieh, general manager, Sales Canada, Delta, KLM, Air France and Alitalia, Steven Larkin, director sales, Canada, Delta, KLM, Air France and Alitalia.