The white ceramic adorning the La Première dining table is made by Bernardaud, while the silverware is made by Christofle. The design was created by internationally renowned designer Jean-Marie Massot. The sharp yet warm lines of the tableware complement the tablecloths of the finest onboard restaurants. "Gourmet cuisine is a French tradition, so of course luxury can be expressed through elaborate decorations using gold and silver. But I wanted to evoke it like a dream seen in the clouds, like a memory. The memory of the finest food you've enjoyed somewhere, the atmosphere, the table setting, the flavor... all of these things resonate together like a symphony, and emerge here as a travel experience..." Massot speaks passionately. Lightness, flowing lines, and ultimate refinement are the polar opposite of gaudy luxury. Isn't this what true luxury is all about?

The Air France emblem, the "hippocampus," also emerges with delicate lines resembling openwork, like a magic lantern running through a dream.

"Of course, the size is limited because it has to fit into the in-flight meal case. But I didn't want it to be just a miniature version. I had many discussions with Air France staff to find the intersection of usability and design. We've taken care of the details to ensure it doesn't feel cramped. For example, the glasses are slightly angled so that you can fully enjoy the aroma of the wine even though they're small. Even the cassoulet, which allows you to serve piping hot food directly, isn't simply made smaller so that it's easier to hold; rather, its functionality is incorporated into the design. We want our customers to have an authentic experience..."

Masso loves white. Because white is light itself.

Living in the sun-filled south of France, he develops his work ideas in a relaxed environment where time flows. An avid aviation fan since childhood, the Concorde's maiden flight in 1969 was awe-inspiring. It captivated the young Maso, like a myth or magic in itself. Initially, he aspired to become an aircraft engineer. However, he changed course after discovering the fascinating world of design, which allows for the integration of various elements, desires, and ideas.

Maso's work extends beyond the design of objects. As an architect, he has produced a number of groundbreaking works that take the global environment into consideration. The stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, is a prime example. His concept for an ecological hotel, where passengers can travel through the air overlooking nature and land wherever they choose for a set period of time, also attracted attention. All of these works explore the role of architecture and humans within the ecosystem.

Maso believes that the era of solely pursuing possessions is over. Humans and society as a whole must shift from luxury that showcases wealth to luxury that pursues the quality of experiences. However, he doesn't believe there's any need to give up desire. Rather than viewing desire and responsibility as opposing forces, Massot's work is driven by the idea that it is possible to carve out the future by balancing the two.

"When you eliminate ego and become more humble, you become lighter and lighter, and get closer to your true essence. That is the kind of design I want to aim for."

The tableware used for La Première banquets could be said to be designed to allow the essence to shine even more brightly precisely because it is set in the sky, far from the hustle and bustle of earth.