Air France: Paris-New York - from 747 to A380
07-Jun-2010 In June 1970, Air France brought its first Boeing 747-100 into service on the Paris-New York JFK route.
Forty years later, it's on that same route that Air France introduced its first Airbus A380 making it the first airline to offer trans-Atlantic flights between Europe and the United States.
The characteristics of the A380 are particularly well-suited to the Paris-New York route. Indeed, to destinations where there is dense passenger traffic, this aircraft has enabled Air France to reduce flight frequencies while maintaining its product offer. This new aircraft has a capacity equivalent to both a Boeing 777-200 and an Airbus A340, yet with 20% lower operating costs.
Between Paris and Johannesburg, also busy routes, Air France has been operating three flights a week since February 2010.
With the introduction of a fourth A380 into its fleet, Air France will operate flights to Tokyo with this type of aircraft at the end of the summer 2010.
On the Paris-New York route, Air France offers 42 weekly frequencies including six in A380.
On the Paris-Johannesburg route, Air France offers 7 weekly frequencies, including 3 in A380.