"Hippocampus" (French for "hippocampus"; the character ridden by Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, with a horse's head and a fish's tail) was the emblem of Air Orient, one of Air France's predecessors. Originally without wings, wings, a symbol of an airplane, were added to create the current design. It was also chosen as the icon when Air France was formed in 1933 through the merger of five airlines, and remains so to this day. The head symbolizes power, the wings represent speed, and the fish's tail is a symbol of the sea, recalling the era of early seaplanes.

The design of the "hippocampus" (sea horse) soaring through the sky and gliding across the sea has evolved over the years. At one point, it was replaced by the company logo, but it continues to be fondly referred to as "crevette" (shrimp) by employees, often depicted on aircraft engines. Now, with the evolution of the more luxurious first class, La Première, this historic icon has been reborn in the cabin design. Of the four classes (First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy), La Première is the only one to feature the hippocampus design. "Air France's first class has always used red as an accent, and the hippocampus is featured throughout in a subtle yet elegant way. These two elements symbolize Air France's history and the exquisite service we offer in first class," says Véronique Jeanclair, product manager for La Première. Indeed, the hippocampus, designed with pure lines, appears on the seatbacks, lamps, bedding, and even tableware, like a discreet yet ever-present companion on your journey.

Air France has deliberately called these new first-class seats "suites." They are more than just "seats"; they are truly "cabins."

"The name 'suite' embodies our challenge to create the kind of service you expect from a top-class hotel in a space of three square meters, the size of four windows. The bright, elegant color scheme, ample storage space, and the exceptionally comfortable Sofitel MyBed bed with feather duvet are all equipped with large HD touchscreens, allowing you to relax for long periods of time."

Each suite is separated by a curtain. While most airlines use a wall about tall, Air France opted for curtains. Curtains eliminate the feeling of being closed in and allow each passenger to adjust the degree of separation. When you want to keep the curtains open, you can. On the other hand, the curtains can be extended all the way to the ceiling, allowing you to relax in your own private space without being disturbed. "Freedom may be the greatest luxury," Jean-Clair continues. "Guests can order their meals whenever they want. Fish, meat, vegetables, and sauces are heated separately and meticulously prepared on the spot." Not only are the menus top French chefs, including Guy Martin, Régis Marcon, Anne-Sophie Lepic, and Joël Robuchon, compete in a rotating competition every two months. Guests can also choose their favorite dishes from the menu before boarding. The aircraft is essentially a "flying wine cave." The selection of top-notch wines and champagnes, carefully selected by the world's top sommeliers and renowned wine guide authors, will leave a lasting impression on even the most discerning palate. It's outdated to think of first-class service as limited to typical images like champagne and caviar. La Première beautifully realizes this shift in thinking, where the space on board is no longer a stopover but the purpose of the stay itself.

The free and light flight of the Hippocampus (sea horse) is a symbol of this.