Air France » Affaires (Business)

Air France's long-haul business class seat is called Affaires. The seat name has remained the same even though the actual product has undergone some improvements as new aircraft are introduced to the fleet.

At its most 'basic', the seat has a pitch of 61 inches (155cm) that extends into a bed length of 74 inches (188cm). Seat angle is 171 degrees, i.e. nine degrees from fully-flat, while entertainment can be individually controlled and passengers have the ability to stop and start films. There is a power source available. The Inflight Entertainment (IFE) differs according to how recently the aircraft has entered service, since Air France has upgraded its IFE to include Audio and Video on Demand (AVOD)

On the newer B777 aircraft, the new Affaires seat is slightly more spacious than the previous version. This new seat can be converted into a bed that is shaped to the contours of your body. The bed extends to two metres (6.5 feet) in length and stretches width-ways from 20-24 inches (50.8 to 61cm), thanks to the armrest that automatically lowers when you adjust the seat to bed position. The seat is 'practically'  horizontal (ie: lie flat, rather than fully flat).

This convertible bed-seat also has a 10.4-inch (26cm) interactive video screen, a PC outlet, an individual telephone and a fibre-optic reading light.

The seat also includes a new storage space and a removable armrest to facilitate access for passengers with reduced mobility.

Air France is progressively installing the new Affaires seat on long-haul aircraft. By summer 2011, it was on 20 aircraft.

Menus are changed every 10 days on flights from Paris and start with an array of amuse-bouches, followed by appetizers and a seasonal salad. There is a choice of four main courses followed by dessert, a fruit selection and sorbet.