Air France premium economy...is it worth the price?

We haven’t traveled on Air France but if it’s comparable to United and American premium economy, in my opinion, it’s well worth it.

I’m going to Paris in February and decided to just take the plunge and get Premium Economy. I’ve never flown Air France, but am hoping it’ll be similar to other airlines’ Premium Economy standards.

What is the marginal difference in price? Probably not that useful for kids -- unless you have 6-2 high school seniors. At 6-2, 230 it is nice to have the extra space -- although business class is far better.

Air France’s Premium Economy has received poor reviews. A major problem is the premium economy seat which is within a plastic shell. It’s apparently uncomfortable for sleeping. That right there would stop me from spending all that money.

Which aircraft are they using? If it’s an A380, I would read the Points Guy’s review: https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/air-france-a380-premium-economy/

Yes do some Google people don't love AF prem econ.

I did LA to Paris on Delta prem econ and it was very nice.

On our last trip, we flew economy but upgraded to seats with more legroom. It made all the difference. We didn't sleep flat, which, admittedly, would be nice but it was great to stretch out.

As I mentioned in the France section, the replacement of the awful old PE seats by better ones is ongoing, but not completed. Since there is no 100% guarantee of aircraft model on a given flight on a given day, I would be wary of booking AF PE (unless we're talking $300 extra or less one way, but that basically never happens).

Lots of leg space and the premium economy section is separated from rest of economy.

Like all airlines economy is a mess. Way too cramped - but air france economy is better than others.

I would fly premium - especially for a super long flight like lax to cdg

I have upgraded to premium economy with AF with points. The extra legroom is nice. The other thing is that you get increased weight limit for carry on baggage. If you are carry on only your combined weight limit is 12kg. Premium economy and above is 18kg. (This size of the bags is the same.). Have a good trip!

Thank you all so much for the input. If nothing changes, the plane will be a Boeing 777-200. I checked seatguru.com, but reviews there are not recent. Time-wise, I may just go with Air France, because their nonstop schedule fits, and more recent reviews elsewhere (and the airline website) give me a little hope that the new seats will be there and the trip worth the extra cost. This is, after all, a one-time trip for all, and we want to splurge somewhat. The seat width and pitch difference from regular economy will probably be worth it.
Gite reserved, now just need to book air tickets, arrange car rental, and book TGV tickets (for some).
Yay!

Bravo Judy. I’ve never flown Air France but over a decade ago gave up on Economy seats and booked Premium Economy on Virgin Airlines to LHR.

Have never looked back.

In fact next sojourn to London booking upper class
(Virgin’s description of first class).

Configuration for premium is 2-4-2 (while economy is mostly 3-4-3). You can find 2-4-2 in economy in the back but it's not a guarantee you'll get it.

For two people I'd say definitely take the premium economy since you will have aisle access and a window. Also, if you're taller than 5'9.

For seven people where there's a mom with two kids, maybe normal economy is better because all three of them can seat in the same area.

For 7 people, even in premium, someone will have to seat next to a stranger (which means aisle is preferred otherwise you have to ask every time to go to the bathroom).

You can find 2-4-2 in economy in the back but it's not a guarantee you'll get it.

Not on AF, but it can be almost a guarantee on Delta, depending upon the run. Specifically avoiding AF on next summer's sojourn because of the 3-4-3 777 seating, looking just at Delta and KLM for the A330 2-4-2 seating.

For 7 people, even in premium, someone will have to sit next to a stranger

Not on a Delta A330, 2 pairs of 2 on the side then 3 in a middle section, in premium economy.

I realize that from CA a person must connect to use Delta to Paris.

AF is rolling out the A350 -3-3-3 for regular economy (some exceptions) and 2-4-2 for Premium.

Specifically avoiding AF on next summer's sojourn because of the 3-3-3 777 seating

I think you meant to say 3-4-3 777 seating in AF Economy and 2-4-2 777 seating in AF Premium Economy, no!

3-4-3 777

Yes that's right, corrected above. I was thinking of the 787 which has 3-3-3. I have done the 777 in 3-4-3 on Air NZ and it is quite the cattle car ambiance with skinny aisles which fit no normal size adult except by walking sideways. I would connect on Delta to avoid this seating arrangement.

I recall sitting in 3-5-3 on a 747 in the old days!

You can find 2-4-2 in economy in the back but it's not a guarantee you'll get it.

Not on AF,

Yes, you can on AF. In the back of AF's 777's there are rows that are 2-4-2, but only because of the narrowing of the fuselage. It's the same skinny seats as in the 3-4-3 rows.

We flew AF Economy on a 777 most recently on 9/8/22 from SFO to CDG and it was a miserable experience. Looked at Premium Economy seats as we de-boarded and they looked so much wider, thicker cushion on seat and back, and much more leg room… looked good to me compared to what we suffered through.

Again, thanks for all the reports of your experiences. Our group are not all traveling together. The mom plus two on one trip from SFO, a couple on another day from SFO, and me and hubby on a separate flight from LAX. Armed with all your helpful info, I will opt for AF premium economy on the SFO flights. The non-stop option weighs in on this decision also. From LAX, I have more options to check out.
Merci mille fois!

We asked the same question several months back - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/air-france-premium-economy We did upgrade to the s seaters exit row but then AF offered us a decent deal from that to business. WE jumped on that and were glad we did.