Air France Business Class Review from Lima to Paris on the 777

Air France was ranked by Skytrax in 2025 as the 5th best Business Class airline in the world, and the highest-rated in Western Europe. But does the experience really live up to the hype? This flight was the return leg of my round-trip ticket with Air France and KLM. The total price came to about $950 USD one-way, but seat selection added an extra $150 USD. Like many European airlines, Air France/KLM charge extra even in Business Class for advance seat reservations, and lounge access is not always included on the cheapest fares. That said, it was still a very good deal compared to economy class, which often costs the same during peak season to South America.

In this detailed trip report, I’ll take you through every step of my Air France Business Class journey from Lima (LIM) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) aboard the 777, including:

• Chaotic late-night airport experience at Lima Jorge Chávez International
• Access to the Sumaq VIP Lounge
• A full look at the 1–2–1 flatbed Business Class seat
• Onboard dining and drinks
• Amenity kit, entertainment and service experience
• Overnight flight across the Atlantic with morning arrival in Paris

If you’re planning a long-haul trip from South America to Europe and are curious about Air France Business Class, this review will help you decide whether it matches its top-tier reputation.

Flight details

• Flight number: AF583
• Date: January 16, 2025
• Departure: Lima (LIM) – 22:05 local time
• Arrival: Paris (CDG) – 16:30 local time
• Duration: Approx. 11 hours
• Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
• Class: Business Class (World Business Class – La Première cabin layout)
• Seat configuration: 1–2–1 lie-flat
• Lounge: Sumaq VIP Lounge, Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport
• Frequent flyer program: Flying Blue

From the hectic check-in in Lima to a French-style Business Class experience onboard, this trip report shows why Air France remains one of the most stylish options between South America and Europe.

Lima Airport (LIM)

The first thing that must be mentioned when flying out of Lima is the traffic. My 15 km Uber ride from Miraflores to Jorge Chávez International Airport ended up taking an unbelievable 2.5 hours during rush hour. Traffic in Lima is simply chaotic, and I highly recommend allowing plenty of extra time to avoid unnecessary stress before your flight. This delay actually ended up impacting my flight experience later on – more on that soon.

Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) is relatively compact but often overcrowded. Luckily, Business Class check-in with Air France was quick and efficient, though there was no dedicated fast-track for security. It’s worth noting that in July 2025, a brand-new modern terminal opened, significantly improving the passenger experience, including priority security lanes for premium travelers.

For this flight, Air France makes use of the Sumaq VIP Lounge, a shared lounge serving multiple international airlines.

Sumaq VIP Lounge

The Sumaq VIP Lounge in Lima is fairly simple, but perfectly fine for a short stay before boarding. The lounge offers a modest selection of hot and cold dishes, along with fresh drinks and alcoholic options. Comfort is adequate, though the space can become crowded in the evenings when several transatlantic departures take place at the same time.

I opted for a coffee and a light snack, saving my appetite for the Air France Business Class dining experience onboard. While the lounge doesn’t compete with Europe’s premium flagship lounges, it provides a quiet escape from the busy terminal.

Boarding Air France’s 777

Boarding in Lima was delayed with 1 hour, because the Air France crew arrived late after getting stuck in Lima’s infamous traffic. It’s hard to understand how the passengers can all manage to arrive on time, yet the airline crew struggles — but this is Lima!

Once boarding started, the process was well organized, with Business Class passengers given priority access. Tonight’s flight was operated by a Boeing 777-200, a workhorse of the Air France fleet. The cabin clearly showed its age, though the 1–2–1 configuration is a big advantage, offering every passenger direct aisle access. It’s worth noting that Air France has begun rolling out their refreshed Business Class cabin on the 777-300 and A350, which represents a noticeable upgrade.

At my seat, the crew welcomed me warmly with a choice of pre-departure drinks. I went for a glass of champagne while looking over the menu and unpacking the Air France amenity kit, which comes stocked with Clarins skincare products, socks, a toothbrush, and a sleep mask. A classy touch that sets Air France apart from some European competitors.

Air France Business Class Seat and Entertainment System

The Air France 777 Business Class seat is both wide and comfortable, designed with long-haul journeys like Lima to Paris in mind. Each seat converts into a fully lie-flat bed, essential for a proper night’s sleep on an overnight transatlantic flight.

The seat is equipped with a large high-resolution screen offering a wide selection of French and international movies, TV shows, and music. Noise-canceling headphones are provided and work reasonably well, though frequent travelers may still prefer their own for better sound quality. Conveniently placed power outlets and USB ports make it easy to keep all devices charged throughout the flight.

For rest, Air France provides a soft pillow and thick duvet, creating a genuinely cozy bed setup. On this red-eye flight, being able to stretch out and sleep comfortably was a major plus. A thoughtful extra is that Air France also provides slippers in Business Class — something you don’t typically get on flights to Lima, except with LATAM. It’s a small touch, but one that makes a noticeable difference in comfort.

Food onboard

Air France is renowned for bringing the flavors of French cuisine to the sky, and this overnight service from Lima to Paris lived up to that reputation.

The meal began with a light amuse-bouche, followed by a fresh starter of salad and cured ham. For the main course, several options were available, and I chose the salmon, which was perfectly cooked — moist, flavorful, and paired nicely with the side accompaniments.

Dessert was a highlight, with the famous Air France dessert trolley offering a generous selection of French cheeses, cakes, and chocolates. Between meal services, the crew made regular rounds with water, coffee, and small snacks, ensuring passengers stayed comfortable throughout the night.

This blend of classic French dining and attentive service made the onboard catering one of the stronger points of the journey. It’s worth noting that meal standards are usually stronger when departing an airline’s main hub, and return flights often see a slight drop in quality. This was also the case here — while the dining experience was enjoyable, it didn’t quite match the higher standards you often find when flying out of Paris.

Flying from Lima (LIM) to Paris (CDG)

We departed from runway 16L in Lima, with a breathtaking night view of the sprawling city below. Home to more than 10 million people (and likely even more in reality), Lima looks endless when illuminated at night. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft made a right turn out over the Pacific Ocean, gaining altitude before crossing the Andes.

The first hour of the flight brought some turbulence, but dinner service helped pass the time. Once the meal was finished, I reclined my seat into bed mode and quickly fell asleep. I woke up to the smell of breakfast being served as we crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

Thanks to strong tailwinds, the captain managed to recover much of the delay from departure, and after roughly 11 hours in the air, we touched down at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Overnight flights can be exhausting, but with a fully flat bed, a quiet cabin, and attentive crew, the night passed smoothly. Immigration and baggage at CDG can sometimes be slow, but in my case everything went fairly quickly, allowing for an easy connection onwards.

Final Verdict – Is Air France 777 Business Class Worth It?

Air France’s 777 Business Class is a very solid choice for long-haul travel from South America to Europe. The cabin may not be the newest, but the lie-flat seat is comfortable, especially for an overnight flight, and the catering ranks among the best you’ll find on a European airline. Service was classic French – professional, relaxed, and genuinely friendly – though it was surprising that even the crew were delayed to the airport due to Lima’s chaotic traffic.

Overall, this product is definitely worth the miles or ticket price if you want to fly home from Lima in comfort. And if you happen to get one of Air France’s upgraded cabins or the Airbus A350 instead of the 777, the experience only gets better.