Air France Boeing 777-300 premium economy PARIS-NEW YORK

BACKGROUND Air France has been upgrading its Boeing 777-300 aircraft with its latest premium economy product, already seen on its A350. The 777-300 features 48 seats in the premium economy cabin, arranged in a slightly staggered 2-4-2 formation.

- Tamsin Cocks

CHECK-IN I stayed in the Pullman Paris Roissy CDG Airport the night before to make the early morning flight. It was easy to hop on the automated people mover and get to Terminal 2E for 0620.

There were seven Sky Priority lanes at Zone 5. I printed a boarding pass and went through the fast-track immigration lines, arriving at the lounge by 0650.

THE LOUNGE We were given SkyTeam priority access for this flight, which meant we could visit the Air France Lounge (Hall L) in Terminal 2E, located just behind the priority security lanes. The lounge is open 5.30am-11.30pm.

The lounge was enormous, with plenty of seating options and accessible power sockets. There were quite a few people for 7am, but it was by no means at capacity.

The food offering by comparison was fairly basic, with a small selection of hot food (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages), some bread rolls, continental meats and cheese, fruit, yoghurt and cereal - however these were refilled regularly. There were two service stations, which offered the same choice. Drinks selections included selfservice coffee machines, Heineken-stocked fridges, plus a bar at the end with a selection of wines and Champagne.

Beyond the main room were some interesting smaller spaces. They included quiet rooms, private meeting areas, a nap zone with sleeping chairs and drawn curtains, a Clarins facial station (for 15-minute treatments), plus showers and even a sauna.

BOARDING Flight AF22 was scheduled to depart at 0830. I left the lounge at 0725 for Gate 34. Priority boarding began at 0740.