Air France invests in luxury to court wealthy fliers

Air France is spending one billion euros to upgrade its luxury services as high fuel costs squeeze economy travel. Airlines are increasingly targeting affluent passengers to boost revenue despite slowing overall growth.

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An Air France first-class "La Premiere" suite, including a daybed that converts into a flat bed, during a press presentation aboard a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, in Roissy-en-France, near Paris, France October 14, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Alessandro Parodi

AIR FRANCE-KLM is spending €1 billion ($1.12B) to revamp its ultra-luxury first-class cabins as surging fuel costs squeeze economy profit margins. The luxury push mirrors a widening societal wealth gap driven by artificial intelligence stock gains and higher living costs. Airlines are reducing overall seating capacity to chase high-net-worth travelers who remain insulated from economic pressures.