- French boutique airline La Compagnie flies a small fleet of Airbus A321neo jets between the US and Europe.
- The corporate has configured its planes in all-business class — the one airline on the earth to take action.
- I flew on La Compagnie from Paris to Newark, New Jersey, to check out the distinctive product and specialty delicacies.
French boutique airline La Compagnie is the one all-business class provider on the earth with a small fleet of two Airbus A321neos.
Supply: Planespotters
The corporate flies between New Jersey’s Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport and Paris and Milan year-round, in addition to seasonally to Good, France.
I toured La Compagnie, the all-business class airline flying between the US and France. It is the closest factor to flying personal throughout the Atlantic.
A couple of different carriers additionally tried the distinctive configuration, together with Qatar Airways, which flew deep-pocket prospects between Doha and London — and later Doha and Dubai — utilizing an Airbus A319LR.
Qatar Airways Made An All-Enterprise Class Aircraft For Flights To London
In the meantime, British Airways ferried premium vacationers between New York and London on an all-business class Airbus A318. The service led to 2020, with the airline citing falling demand and the pandemic.
British Airways has reportedly despatched its most iconic jet for the reason that Concorde to be scrapped. See contained in the airplane that shuttled VIP flyers between New York and London.
In an interview with Insider in 2019, La Compagnie cofounder and EVP Jean-Charles Perino mentioned the enterprise mannequin is meant to separate the distinction between costly enterprise class seats and cheaper economic system seats.
Startup airline La Compagnie discovered its area of interest as a low-cost business-class-only provider. Now it is nearing profitability after simply 5 years.
As a substitute of promoting roundtrip enterprise for a number of thousand {dollars}, after which charging within the tons of per economic system seat, Perino determined to place 76 lie-flat loungers on a airplane and value it someplace within the center.
It is nearly like crossing the Atlantic on a non-public jet for a fraction of the associated fee, although passengers will not get the added comforts — like a theater or double mattress — onboard.
I flew on a non-public jet and Spirit Airways back-to-back. This is how my $92 flight in comparison with a Bombardier World 7500, which might value $20,000 an hour to constitution.
I have been desirous to attempt the all-business-class airline for years and was lastly in a position to verify it off my bucket checklist in February. This is what it was like from Paris to Newark.
My journey began at Paris’ Orly Airport, which is about 12 miles from town middle. As a result of I made a decision to remain at a lodge southwest of town, it was solely a 20-minute drive.
My flight was scheduled to depart at 10:30 a.m. for a 1:00 p.m. arrival into Newark, and each intuition in me mentioned to reach at Orly by 7:30 a.m. on the newest to make sure there may be sufficient time for check-in, passport management, and safety.
However, due to La Compagnie’s quick observe choices that got here included with my ticket, I used to be inspired to reach round 9:00 a.m. — only one and a half hours early.
I am glad they have been true to their phrase, as a result of I ended up arriving at Orly’s Terminal 4 at 9:15 a.m. attributable to site visitors, however was nonetheless on the gate by 9:45 a.m.
It was speedy for just a few causes. First, I might get my boarding go on-line with out having to first go to the check-in counter to confirm my passport, which isn’t all the time the case on different airways.
I additionally solely had a carry-on, so I might skip the bag drop. Even when there was a line, there have been two attendants aiding with checked baggage, and there are solely a max of 76 folks on the flight.
In the meantime, accessing the secured space was a breeze. With my enterprise class ticket, I might use the “Accès N° 1” precedence line at safety and passport management, so I used to be via in minutes.
Gate F04 was a brief stroll from there.
Sometimes, La Compagnie passengers can use an airport lounge to eat and relaxation earlier than the flight, however it’s present process renovation. So, they supplied a €20 coupon for the close by restaurant, EXK.
I obtained a ham and cheese quiche, fruit, espresso, and orange juice. It was surprisingly good for airport meals, and I appreciated the gesture from the airline.
Sadly, we did get delayed about half-hour attributable to crew relaxation, however began to board round 10:45 am., and I obtained my first take a look at the all-business class airplane.
I used to be instantly impressed by the look of the cabin — the aesthetic was elegant and the infant blue shade scheme was calm and soothing.
The lounger itself did not disappoint both. The A321neo has 19 rows of 4 seats in a 2×2 format. I observed the airplane skipped row quantity 13 — I assume to push back any dangerous luck.
After stowing my baggage — which I had greater than sufficient area for — I explored the seat.
The lounger got here will the entire bells and whistles of most enterprise class merchandise I’ve flown on, together with a big touchscreen TV…
…a distant management…
…a studying gentle and a coat hook…
…an adjustable headrest…
…good high quality headphones…
…a USB port and an influence outlet…
…the choice to have a recliner with a leg relaxation, or a completely lie-flat lounger…
…a privateness divider, which helped create a comfortable area when sleeping…
…free in-flight WiFi, which was quick and dependable…
…plush linens branded with the La Compagnie colours and emblem…
…a big, foldable tray desk sufficiently big for my laptop computer…
…and loads of leg area due to the 62 inches of pitch in most seats. At simply 5’3,” I might stretch my legs all the way in which out, and the lounger is 26 inches broad, so I had a number of wiggle room too.
The exit row seats provide much more area with 72 inches of pitch.
There was additionally a tabletop in between the 2 loungers…
…and some small storage spots, together with the facet pocket…
…to the back-right of the seat the place the headphones plug in…
…and underneath the TV. The slit was slender, so its greatest for issues like books or a laptop computer.
Once I obtained to my seat, I discovered a water bottle and an amenity equipment, which is the norm for enterprise class.
However, the equipment turned out to be my favourite but. Inside have been toiletries, socks, a watch masks, and lotions…
…and the bag itself was huge with two sections — good to make use of on future journeys for my very own toiletries.
Other than the storage slots being smaller than I might like, I’ll be aware window seat passengers should crawl over the aisle when the mattress is fully-flat — a con however not a dealbreaker.
After settling into my seat, the flight attendant got here by with orange juice and champagne. I ended up combining them to make a morning mimosa.
We pushed again from the gate quickly after however ended up going again attributable to a paperwork difficulty. This was a bit irritating as I obtained to Newark one and a half hours late, however I’ve had delays on each airline I’ve flown on.
We have been lastly on our manner at round 12:20 p.m., and I used to be excited to relax and benefit from the experience.
Throughout taxi, a yoga-themed inflight security video got here on to go over emergency procedures. I assumed the stretching and respiratory workout routines have been an attention-grabbing solution to seize folks’s consideration.
Shortly after takeoff, the flight attendants got here via the cabin with drinks and a package deal of nuts. I opted for the purple wine, which was good and easy.
Then, we have been served our first meal. La Compagnie prides itself on its inflight delicacies, which is made in partnership with visitor cooks, like Michelin-starred cooks David Toutain…
…and Franco Sampogna. The collaborations have taken place since 2017 with the assistance of Christophe Langrée, the previous chef on the French prime minister’s residence, Matignon.
Sampogna, who’s from Brazil however has a New York Metropolis restaurant known as Frevo, was onboard my flight to serve his course — blanquette of scallops and cauliflower topped with truffles.
I assumed the meal was unimaginable, and the scallops have been cooked completely. A La Compagnie spokesperson instructed Insider the meals is prepped inside 24 hours of the flights — a lot decrease than the 48-72 hours on most different airways.
Supply: Insider
Along with the principle dish, I used to be additionally given an appetizer, which was a scrumptious salmon salad with sesame, lemon, and trout eggs.
A cheese plate, bread, and a caramelized apple tart have been additionally served. I used to be so full I could not end all of it, however the tart and salmon have been undoubtedly my favorites.
Supply: La Compagnie
I am a sucker for seafood and liked that programs one and two have been fish. However, the airline will swap the principle dish to hen or cod steak in March, in accordance with its on-line menu.
Supply: La Compagnie
I assumed the crew was extraordinarily skilled and attentive in the course of the meal service. As a result of the airline is so small, Perino mentioned flight attendants usually know passengers by title: “That is one thing that the massive guys couldn’t do.”
Supply: Insider
I made a decision to take a nap round three hours into the flight, and I slept nice due to the privateness of the cocoon, the padded lie-flat mattress, and the plush, heat linens.
As somebody who likes to kick a knee out once I sleep, I even had sufficient room to take action by decreasing the window-side armrest. The aisle-side armrest can be adjustable.
Granted, my toes practically reached the top of the foot nook when laying totally flat, and I am solely 5’3.” So, taller passengers would undoubtedly should crunch up a bit extra.
However, I feel there may be nonetheless loads of wiggle room to get comfy, and I used to be completely happy that the tray desk stowed into the facet of the seat and fully out of the way in which of the lounger.
After a nap, I wakened and watched a film till the subsequent meal service. I’ll say that the lineup was fairly random, with motion pictures like Kung Fu Panda 2 and Land of the Misplaced.
La Compagnie did have new motion pictures obtainable too, like Black Adam and Ticket to Paradise, in addition to a meditation course and a flight map.
The second meal was served a bit over an hour from touchdown. We got an possibility of pastries or an eggplant and tomato sandwich — I selected the pastries, which got here with a macaron, pudding, and cookie-like treats.
I am not an enormous fan of chocolate on the whole, however I preferred the crumble and macaron. Subsequent time, I might most likely go along with the sandwich although.
After dessert, I ordered tea after which headed to the bathroom to clean up earlier than touchdown.
I assumed the lavatory was very good and clear, and I preferred the grey accents that made it really feel homier — just like the wood-like finishes in Singapore Airways’ toilets.
The wallpaper was even La Compagnie-branded.
We landed at 2:30 p.m. and needed to be towed into the gate, which a flight attendant mentioned is commonplace process for La Compagnie in Newark.
We parked at gate 51 and everybody deplaned shortly due to the low-capacity airplane. I used to be off the jet and thru customs inside minutes — one more reason I encourage frequent fliers to get World Entry.
Total, I liked my expertise on La Compagnie, and the worth tag is extraordinarily cheap for the product. I feel the provider is especially good for folks seeking to splurge on a honeymoon, household trip, or only a solo getaway.
The flight is extra reasonably priced than touring enterprise on a mainline provider, and the product is considerably similar to rivals like Delta One or United Polaris.
Granted, I’ll say it could possibly’t beat Singapore’s enterprise class, which has a a lot bigger mattress and extra storage…
I flew on the world’s longest flight in enterprise class and thought the 18-hour journey from Singapore to New York was practically flawless
…and United and Delta’s cabins do really feel a bit bit roomier with extra desk area, in my expertise. Furthermore, each have direct-aisle entry for all seats — a perk missing in La Compagnie.
Nonetheless, I would not hesitate to fly La Compagnie once more — they even returned my jacket to me, which I stupidly left on the airplane. One of many perks of it being a small airline.
