A comprehensive explanation of Air France fare class I including SkyMiles medallion earnings and upgrade eligibility information.
What is Air France Fare Class I?
Air France Fare Class I or more commonly known as Business Class (I) is a revenue fare/booking class of service on Air France. The I fare class is the second lowest (least expensive) fare classes in the Business Class Cabin and tickets are considered a good value for the benefits, especially SkyMiles medallion earnings on long-haul flights. This fare class is not eligible for complimentary upgrades for SkyMiles members who hold Medallion status.
Below is a human-readable explanation of this fare class and the expectations passengers should have when flying with a I fare class.
Fare Class I booking information
Important information about Fare Class I on Air France.
Operated by: Air France (Core Parner)
Marketed as:
Business
Cabin of service:
Business
Ticket type:
Revenue
Ticket stock: 057
Flight number begins with: AFxxxx
Fare Class I is marketed as business class, and is considered an low-tier fare class with 3 higher fare classes available for purchase. If you’re looking for flights and see Fare Class I showing as the lowest fare class available, it means the flight/route you are booking is fairly empty in the business class cabin.
Tickets purchased in Fare Class I will be cheap’ish. To book a cheaper fare class, you’ll need to adjust your routing or dates.
SkyMiles frequent flyer earnings
Explore what you'll earn as a SkyMiles member flying on Air France with a ticket in Fare Class I.
Medallion Bonus: yes
Minimum MQMs earned:
500
SkyMiles Member
150% MQM
Based on distance flown1. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
1:1 MQS
Based on number of flight segments flown. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
40% MQD earnings based on Distance Flown
Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
SkyMiles earnings
SkyMiles are earned based on a percentage of the distance flown.
100% SkyMiles base +100% Class bonus
SkyMiles are earned and redeemed for travel, upgrades and other eligible purchases. SkyMiles never expire.
Silver Medallion
150% MQM
Based on distance flown1. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
1:1 MQS
Based on number of flight segments flown. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
40% MQD earnings based on Distance Flown
Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
SkyMiles earnings
SkyMiles are earned based on a percentage of the distance flown.
100% SkyMiles base +100% Class bonus +40% Silver Medallion bonus
SkyMiles are earned and redeemed for travel, upgrades and other eligible purchases. SkyMiles never expire.
Gold Medallion
150% MQM
Based on distance flown1. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
1:1 MQS
Based on number of flight segments flown. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
40% MQD earnings based on Distance Flown
Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
SkyMiles earnings
SkyMiles are earned based on a percentage of the distance flown.
100% SkyMiles base +100% Class bonus +60% Gold Medallion bonus
SkyMiles are earned and redeemed for travel, upgrades and other eligible purchases. SkyMiles never expire.
Platinum Medallion
150% MQM
Based on distance flown1. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
1:1 MQS
Based on number of flight segments flown. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
40% MQD earnings based on Distance Flown
Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
SkyMiles earnings
SkyMiles are earned based on a percentage of the distance flown.
100% SkyMiles base +100% Class bonus +80% Platinum Medallion bonus
SkyMiles are earned and redeemed for travel, upgrades and other eligible purchases. SkyMiles never expire.
Diamond Medallion
150% MQM
Based on distance flown1. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
1:1 MQS
Based on number of flight segments flown. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
40% MQD earnings based on Distance Flown
Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.
SkyMiles earnings
SkyMiles are earned based on a percentage of the distance flown.
100% SkyMiles base +100% Class bonus +120% Diamond Medallion bonus
SkyMiles are earned and redeemed for travel, upgrades and other eligible purchases. SkyMiles never expire.
1 Distance calculations are at the sole discretion of Air France; however, calculations generally follow the great circle distance between airports.
Additional SkyMiles earning information on Air France fare class I
Long-haul international only
SkyMiles upgrades with Fare Class I ticket
Important upgrade eligibility and upgrade order information with a Fare Class I ticket on Air France.
Loyalty program linked to PNR: SkyMiles
Complimentary upgrade eligible:
COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADES ON AIR FRANCE
Complimentary upgrades from Air France Business Class to La Premiere are not offered or available.
USING GUC FLYING ON AIR FRANCE
SkyMiles GUC upgrade certificates are available for Diamond Medallion members; however, they cannot be used to upgrade from Air France Business Class to La Premiere.
BUY UP / MILEAGE UPGRADE AWARDS ON AIR FRANCE
Look for emails from Air France with upgrade offers on flights with the La Premiere cabin, they usually arrive within a few days before departure and are typically priced around €1599'ish depending on inventory availability.
Upon check-in (only on the airfrance.com), you may be able to upgrade from Business Class to La Premiere for around €1599'ish depending on inventory availibility.
SkyMiles cannot be used as a payment method for buy ups.
Flying Blue members should be able to use miles as a payment method for buy ups (Unconfirmed).
