Flying on the World’s Only All-Business Class Airline From Paris to US

Leave a Comment / By LCDT / March 5, 2023 March 5, 2023

Instead of selling roundtrip business for several thousand dollars, and then charging in the hundreds per economy seat, Perino decided to put 76 lie-flat loungers on a plane and price it somewhere in the middle.

According to La Compagnie, fares start at $2,000 to Milan, $2,350 to Nice, and $2,400 to Paris — all roundtrip and subject to availability.

Thomas Pallini/Insider

I’ve been wanting to try the all-business-class airline for years and was finally able to check it off my bucket list in February. Here’s what it was like from Paris to Newark.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York.

My journey started at Paris’ Orly Airport, which is about 12 miles from the city center. Because I decided to stay at a hotel southwest of the city, it was only a 20-minute drive.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — outside the airport.

My flight was scheduled to leave at 10:30 a.m. for a 1:00 p.m. arrival into Newark, and every instinct in me said to arrive at Orly by 7:30 a.m. at the latest to ensure there is enough time for check-in, passport control, and security.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — inside Orly Airport.

But, because of La Compagnie’s fast track options that came included with my ticket, I was encouraged to arrive around 9:00 a.m. — just one and a half hours early.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — in the fast track lane at Paris Orly. — Accès N°1 is the priority access lane for security and passport control at Paris airports, including Orly and Charles de Gaulle.

I’m glad they were true to their word, because I ended up arriving at Orly’s Terminal 4 at 9:15 a.m. due to traffic, but was still at the gate by 9:45 a.m.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — at the check-in counter in terminal 4.

It was speedy for a few reasons. First, I could get my boarding pass online without having to first go to the check-in counter to verify my passport, which is not always the case on other airlines.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — Apple Wallet boarding pass. — I was able to add my boarding pass to my Apple Wallet, and “Access N°1” was indicated above the QR code.

I also only had a carry-on, so I could skip the bag drop. Even if there was a line, there were two attendants assisting with checked luggage, and there are only a max of 76 people on the flight.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — at the check-in counter, which was at number 48.

Meanwhile, accessing the secured area was a breeze. With my business class ticket, I could use the “Accès N° 1” priority line at security and passport control, so I was through in minutes.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — in the security lane.

Gate F04 was a short walk from there.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — at Gate F04 in terminal 4.

Typically, La Compagnie passengers can use an airport lounge to eat and rest before the flight, but it is undergoing renovation. So, they provided a €20 coupon for the nearby restaurant, EXK.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — my restaurant voucher.

I got a ham and cheese quiche, fruit, coffee, and orange juice. It was surprisingly good for airport food, and I appreciated the gesture from the airline.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — my meal from EXK.

Unfortunately, we did get delayed about 30 minutes due to crew rest, but started to board around 10:45 am., and I got my first look at the all-business class plane.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — boarding through the main door.

The lounger itself didn’t disappoint either. The A321neo has 19 rows of 4 seats in a 2×2 layout. I noticed the plane skipped row number 13 — I guess to ward off any bad luck.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — a view of the seatback screens.

After stowing my luggage — which I had more than enough space for — I explored the seat.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — my carry-on bag and my backpack in the overhead bin above row number 14.

The lounger came will all of the bells and whistles of most business class products I’ve flown on, including a large touchscreen TV…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the flatscreen TV.

…a reading light and a coat hook…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the coathook.

…an adjustable headrest…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the headrest wing folded in.

…good quality headphones…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the headphones. — There is a hook to hang up the headphones (on the blue wall pictured), but I moved them beside me for better access.

…a USB port and a power outlet…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — two power outlets located on the front of the middle divider.

…the option to have a recliner with a leg rest, or a fully lie-flat lounger…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the seat control buttons on both loungers.

…a privacy divider, which helped create a cozy space when sleeping…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the divider covered half the space between the seats.

…free in-flight WiFi, which was fast and reliable…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — instructions on how to connect to the WiFi on the inflight screen.

…plush linens branded with the La Compagnie colors and logo…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the pillow and comforter.

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a large, foldable tray table big enough for my laptop…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the tray table folded out. — If the tray is folded, there is a cup nook in the top right corner.

…and plenty of leg space thanks to the 62 inches of pitch in most seats. At just 5’3,” I could stretch my legs all the way out, and the lounger is 26 inches wide, so I had a lot of wiggle room too.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — my legs stretched out.

The exit row seats offer even more space with 72 inches of pitch.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the exit row seat. — The trade off for more leg room in the exit row is that the screen is a little further away.

There was also a tabletop in between the two loungers…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — tabletop between the loungers.

…and a few small storage spots, including the side pocket…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the small pocket to the left of the window seat. — The pocket was good for small items, like a water bottle or magazine.

…to the back-right of the seat where the headphones plug in…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York

…and under the TV. The slit was narrow, so its best for things like books or a laptop.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — my purse in the small slit under the TV. — My purse barely fit, and I had to squish it in.

When I got to my seat, I found a water bottle and an amenity kit, which is the norm for business class.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — holding the Evian water bottle and La Compagnie-branded amenity kit.

But, the kit turned out to be my favorite yet. Inside were toiletries, socks, an eye mask, and lotions…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the items in the amenity kit.

…and the bag itself was big with two sections — perfect to use on future trips for my own toiletries.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — me showing the two sections of the amenity bag.

After settling into my seat, the flight attendant came by with orange juice and champagne. I ended up combining them to make a morning mimosa.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — my orange juice and champagne in two glasses before mixing.

We pushed back from the gate soon after but ended up going back due to a paperwork issue. This was a little frustrating as I got to Newark one and a half hours late, but I’ve had delays on every airline I’ve flown on.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — back at the gate.

We were finally on our way at around 12:20 p.m., and I was excited to kick back and enjoy the ride.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — a selfie of the author.

During taxi, a yoga-themed inflight safety video came on to go over emergency procedures. I thought the stretching and breathing exercises were an interesting way to grab people’s attention.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York

Shortly after takeoff, the flight attendants came through the cabin with drinks and a package of nuts. I opted for the red wine, which was nice and smooth.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the wine and nuts.

Then, we were served our first meal. La Compagnie prides itself on its inflight cuisine, which is made in partnership with guest chefs, like Michelin-starred chefs David Toutain…

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — a pigeon dish made at David Toutain's restaurant in Paris. — The pigeon dish made by David Toutain at his restaurant in Paris (not offered on La Compagnie).

…and Franco Sampogna. The collaborations have taken place since 2017 with the help of Christophe Langrée, the former chef at the French prime minister’s residence, Matignon.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the lunch menu. — Flights from New York to Paris, Milan, and Nice will be served a light dinner and a breakfast to provide passengers with the “freedom to rest.”

Sampogna, who is from Brazil but has a New York City restaurant called Frevo, was onboard my flight to serve his course — blanquette of scallops and cauliflower topped with truffles.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the dish with truffles on top. — I am continuously impressed by most airline business class meals, but this dish hit it out of the park.

I thought the meal was incredible, and the scallops were cooked perfectly. A La Compagnie spokesperson told Insider the food is prepped within 24 hours of the flights — much lower than the 48-72 hours on most other airlines.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — meal without the truffles. — The meal without the truffles.

Source: Insider

In addition to the main dish, I was also given an appetizer, which was a delicious salmon salad with sesame, lemon, and trout eggs.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — the salmon salad.

I’m a sucker for seafood and loved that courses one and two were fish. But, the airline will switch the main dish to chicken or cod steak in March, according to its online menu.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — silverware. — I also loved that the meals all came with actual glassware and silverware.

Source: La Compagnie

We parked at gate 51 and everyone deplaned quickly thanks to the low-capacity plane. I was off the jet and through customs within minutes — another reason I encourage frequent fliers to get Global Entry.

Flying on La Compagnie all-business class airline from Paris to New York — United planes at adjacent gates. — A view of Newark airport after parking.

The flight is more affordable than traveling business on a mainline carrier, and the product is comparable to competitors like Delta One or United Polaris.

United Airlines Polaris business class seat.

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