The old Air France business class product is legions behind its competitors. It’s similar to American’s old, angled business class that they’re in the process of doing away with.

So it’s about time they do away with it. And they are going to start to do that partially between June 2014 and summer 2016.

It’s very similar to the Cathay Pacific seat.

.. and the new American seat (on their 777-300ER).

Similar seats can also be found on EVA Airways’ 777-300ER and on Delta transpacific flights.

I’d rate it more highly than the British Airways seat — BA pioneered fully flat across the Atlantic — as well as the Air Canada, new Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic seats.

The problem is this, though: so far it’s only be put into about 2/3rds of the 777 fleet and not the entire fleet, nor other aircraft types.

They’ll also – unsurprisingly – be giving up business class seats as they new seats take up more real estate. Each converted plane will have nine fewer seats in the cabin.

Currently I avoid flying Air France business. This product I won’t mind, but I’ll need to be assured of getting it before I change my booking patterns.

Of course, I’m generally redeeming miles — and Delta Skymiles hasn’t had access to the same amount of seats that Air France offers its own members, or even that other partners like Alaska Airlines can access. So I’m not able to burn severely devalued miles for an inferior product, either — and that plays into why I’m looking to avoid Air France; my better miles can yield a better seat than the old angled ones.

(HT: Head for Points)

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