Some links to products and partners on this website will earn an affiliate commission.

Air France has begun flying its refurbished Embraer E190s, featuring updated cabins in both Business and Economy Class.

The first aircraft with the new interiors entered service this week on the Paris-Hamburg route, with the rest of the fleet due to be completed by next summer.

What’s New on Board?

All 110 seats have been replaced, though the cabin retains its familiar 2–2 layout. Air France says the new Expliseat-built seats are 30% lighter than the old ones, primarily made from recycled materials.

Passengers can now expect:

• Ergonomic leather-upholstered seats with 3 inches (7.6 cm) recline
• 18-inch seat width
• Adjustable headrests and armrests
• Folding table and reading pocket
• A holder for tablets/phones with integrated cup space
• USB-A and USB-C charging ports at every seat

Free high-speed Wi-Fi is now available for all passengers, as long as you log in with a Flying Blue account (sign-up is free, and can even be done onboard).

Business Class Gets More Space

From next month, Air France will also keep the adjacent seat empty in Business Class, creating extra space and privacy. Until now, both seats in the pair could be sold – unlike on larger aircraft where the middle seat is blocked.

The Business Class cabin remains curtained off from Economy, but this small change brings the experience more in line with what travellers expect from a European short-haul business product. It also gives Air France a point of difference against KLM, which still occupies both seats in Business Class on the E190.

Air France HOP! operates 39 Embraer aircraft – a mix of E170s and E190s, with the latter making up the majority. They’re not the youngest fleet, with the E170s averaging over 17 years and the E190s nearly 13 years.

Unlike KLM, Air France has not introduced the new-generation E195-E2. Instead, it seems content to modernise the interiors of its existing Embraers for the time being.

Bottom Line

Air France’s refurbished Embraer E190s are now flying, offering updated seating, USB charging, and free Wi-Fi for Flying Blue members.

For Business Class, the decision to block the neighbouring seat is a simple but welcome change.

By next summer, all Air France E190s should feature the new cabin, so these improvements will quickly become the standard experience across the network.

Photo source: Air France