Review: The Air France Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Including the La Première Lounge (with Photos!)
Air France packs French dining, cocktails, wellness, and plenty of places to hide away into its LAX lounge. But the most interesting room is the one most passengers will never enter: the private La Première lounge. Writer Dan Latif takes a magnifying glass to every inch of this impressive lounge.
Highs: A clean lounge with attentive, French-speaking staff who make sure to clear and clean your table as soon as you have finished your plate.
Lows: Only two showers, and long queues can form for the toilets as they are unisex.
Verdict: A very good lounge that stands apart through its gastronomic offering and its configuration, particularly the bar, which will make you forget the waiting time before your next flig
Access: Complimentary access is available to eligible Air France Business Class passengers, as well as qualifying Flying Blue Gold, Platinum and Ultimate members and SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers. Eligible status passengers can also bring a guest, depending on their membership level. Passengers without complimentary access can purchase a three-hour lounge visit. The standard rate is $95, while Flying Blue Silver members receive a discounted $60 rate.
Getting In and History: Air France Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Entry to the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
Located around a ten-minute walk after security, near Gate 204, the Air France Lounge requires taking an elevator to the sixth floor, followed by a little more walking before its doors finally open.
Entry to the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
The lounge opened on June 21, 2024, as the first airline lounge in the West Gates section of the Tom Bradley International Terminal. At nearly 12,000 square feet with room for 172 passengers, it also became Air France's largest lounge in North America.
The setting itself is relatively new. Tom Bradley International Terminal itself underwent a $1.9 billion modernization unveiled in 2013, followed in May 2021 by the opening of the $1.73 billion West Gates expansion, a 15-gate concourse extending the terminal westward. It is within this newer section, which includes Gates 201 through 225, that Air France opened its lounge three years later.
Page 108 of Interiors, November 1963, documenting the Air France Lounge at LAX’s International Carriers Terminal. Image: via USModernist.
It was not, however, Air France's first experiment with a lounge in Los Angeles. The airline had its own departure lounge at LAX as early as 1963, inside the airport's International Carriers Terminal. The dramatically different space paired colorful Swan chairs with lighting by Poul Henningsen and a large illuminated glass artwork inspired by an aerial view of Paris. In the years immediately preceding the current lounge, eligible Air France passengers instead relied on other SkyTeam facilities at LAX.
Complimentary access is available to eligible Air France Business Class passengers, as well as qualifying Flying Blue Gold, Platinum and Ultimate members and SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers. Eligible status passengers can also bring a guest, depending on their membership level. Passengers without complimentary access can purchase a three-hour lounge visit. The standard rate is $95, while Flying Blue Silver members receive a discounted $60 rate.
Access to the lounge can be purchased before arriving at the airport when booking, through Air France’s “My Bookings” portal or during online check-in, subject to availability. Same-day access can also be purchased at an Air France kiosk, sales counter or directly at the lounge entrance.
The lounge also participates in DragonPass, with visits limited to three hours. It is not currently part of Priority Pass or the Plaza Premium Lounge Pass network. Access through other card-linked lounge programs can vary by issuer.
Layout of Air France Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Flying Blue Ultimate reserved area at the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
The lounge stretches across two wings. At the far end of the left wing, facing the runways, is a dedicated area reserved for Flying Blue Ultimate members, one of the airline’s most privileged statuses and intended for its most frequent flyers. The space is quiet, secluded and reserved for them at all times.
Seating in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
The furniture functions almost as a small survey of modern French design: Ester chairs by Patrick Jouin, Ribbon armchairs by Pierre Paulin, a coffee table by Charlotte Perriand and lighting creations by Margaux Keller. Shades of Air France blue, white and red run throughout.
View and booths in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
Throughout the lounge, several seating areas offer a broad choice of comfort and configurations. Armchairs, sofas and multiple arrangements are available in such abundance that deciding where to sit becomes a challenge in itself.
Work areas in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
There are also small work areas with individual armchairs reminiscent of Business Class seats and tables where passengers can place a laptop and even a plate, particularly useful for those who do not have much time and still need to work.
Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
The Air France lounge was conceived by Air France with SGK Brandimage, the design agency behind spaces at Paris Charles de Gaulle, Boston Logan, Chicago O’Hare, Washington Dulles, Geneva, San Francisco and Orly.
Dining and buffet area in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
Booths and tables, along with the buffet, define the dining area of the lounge.
Inside La Première Lounge in the Air France Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Door to La Première Lounge within the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
The right wing of the lounge hides another secret. Behind a door is the La Première Lounge, reserved, as its name suggests, for passengers travelling in First Class.
La Première Lounge within the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
These fortunate passengers have even more privacy and their own chef, who can prepare their meals and even create made-to-measure menus.
Dining area in the La Première Lounge within the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
A dining table here is already set with a tablecloth, beautiful tableware and comfortable armchairs with harmonious seats and armrests. Everything is ready for what promises to be a more than perfect dinner. “The sunset is spectacular and you can watch the sun slowly go down, with the water visible in the distance,” says Christiane, the lounge supervisor.
Bar area in the La Première Lounge within the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
In this lounge within a lounge, La Première travelers enjoy a refrigerator stocked with Henriot Champagne and Taittinger Rosé, as well as a minibar with Chartreuse, Bastille Rare Whisky, The Macallan 12 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Guillotine vodka and Martingale cognac from Maison Thomas.
Food at Air France Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): French Classics, Hot Dishes, and Desserts
Buffet in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
Back in the main lounge, from noon, a live cooking station opens, where a chef prepares vol-au-vent to order. The choices are shrimp vol-au-vent, vegetarian vol-au-vent and chicken vol-au-vent.
What is vol-au-vent?
Vol-au-vent is a classic French preparation built around a hollow shell of light, flaky puff pastry. The pastry is filled with a savory mixture, traditionally involving meat, seafood or vegetables in a rich sauce.
Buffet in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
If the live cooking is unavailable, the buffet remains remarkable. Among the dishes is roasted salmon with caper leek creamy sauce, alongside zucchini Gruyère quiche, mushroom and goat cheese tartlet, poulet basquaise, potato gratin and Provençal baked vegetables—a southern French-style vegetable preparation typically baked with olive oil, garlic and herbs.
The mini croque-monsieurs are particularly delicious, made with sourdough bread, Black Forest ham, Swiss Gruyère cheese and béchamel, the classic French white sauce made from butter, flour and milk.
Buffet in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
Overall, the buffet is extremely complete (and obsessively annotated: a thousand placards to indicate each dish), with an exceptional variety of dishes and a notably healthy selection.
Berries and chia pudding in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
The wellness area offers detox waters, gluten-free cookies, chia pudding made with oatmeal, and Greek yogurt with granola, an unusual and surprising offering for a particularly healthy breakfast.
Tea by Palais des Thés in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
For tea (sachets provided by longtime The Interior Review favorite Palais des Thés) there is also an assortment of cakes, including marble cake and lemon and poppy seed cake, the latter being an Air France staple.
Dessert buffet in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
For dessert, the lounge offers an assortment of macarons, brownies and profiteroles in individual portions. This makes them easier to enjoy while also helping to keep the buffet clean, hygienic and well presented.
Meal with a cocktail at the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
Drinks Selection at Air France Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Energy Drinks and Great Champagne
Stock of drinks at BER Lounge Tegel at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). Image: Dan Latif.
The drinks offering is just as extensive. Still and sparkling water dispensers are available throughout the lounge.
Refreshments and energy drinks in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
Inside the refrigerators is a small curiosity: cans of STORM energy drink in original flavors including Harvest Grape, Valencia Orange and Guava Strawberry, alongside Seagram’s Ginger Ale and classics such as Coca-Cola and Fanta. Bottles of Fever-Tree Sicilian Lemonade, Ginger Beer and Pink Grapefruit are also available.
In another thoughtful detail, the opposite wing has its own small refrigerator stocked with drinks and even detox waters.
Bar in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
One of the most notable features of the lounge is its bar, where passengers can enjoy cocktails or even have lunch while sitting at the counter. There is also the good company of Joël, the Air France LA Lounge bartender, who recalls the familiar figure of the bartender seen in films (specifically a fleeting resemblance to Barry Manilow). Warm and charismatic, he also knows how to give good advice when it comes to choosing a cocktail.
Joël, bartender at the bar in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
Among the most visual and original cocktails, the Watermelon Whisper is one to try.
The signature cocktail of the lounge remains the French 75, made with Citadelle Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Champagne.
Amenities and Practical Details at Air France Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Shower cabin in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
Shower cabin in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
Shower cabins are available throughout the day, although there are only two, which can make availability limited at busy times. The toilets are unisex, and queues can also form during peak periods. The shower cabins are stocked with Clarins shower gels and shampoos.
Clarins treatment area in the Air France Lounge at LAX Los Angeles International Airport in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Image: Dan Latif.
The lounge also has a Clarins treatment area where passengers can enjoy a complimentary 20-minute treatment, including a shoulder and head massage as well as a facial. It is an essential ritual for feeling fresh and rested before a long journey.
There is also free Wi-Fi and numerous electrical and USB outlets positioned near the seating.
For reading, local and international newspapers are available digitally through the Air France Press app. The lounge is also accessible to passengers with reduced mobility, while eligibility kiosks at reception help speed up entry.
Air France Lounge is located in Terminal 2E, at the L Gates at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, 95700 Roissy-en-France, France. Opening times and more information here.
Splitting a focus on unusual restorative treatments and strong gastronomic offering, the Air France Lounge at JFK is an elegant escape in Terminal 1.