France's national carrier began its history in 1933 with the merger of four airlines. The Air France company, French Airlines, is the founder of the Sky Team aviation alliance. The first transatlantic route Paris — New York was opened in 1946. By 1950, the airline's fleet consisted of 130 airplanes, becoming the largest in the world. There are four main airports in France: Charles de Gaulle and Orly in Paris, Lyon, and Nice. By 2004, the merger of Air France and KLM — Royal Dutch Airways — was successfully completed, making the alliance the third-largest in the world in terms of passenger traffic.
Air France Fleet
Today's fleet consists of 214 airliners. Every three years, the airline orders dozens of aircraft for fleet renewal. It is convenient to buy a ticket for Air France flights on the website of Planetofhotels.com.
Travel Classes of Air France
Air France has four classes of service onboard: Economy Class, Premium Economy, Business Class, and First Class.
Economy Class
Economy Class passengers are accommodated in adjustable seats with an 80 cm tilt angle, with plenty of legroom, fully retractable armrests, adjustable headrests, and footrests. Customers on long-haul flights have access to an entertainment system on a personal video screen, and passengers are also provided with pillows, blankets, and small travel kits (a sleep mask, refreshing towels, cream).
Premium Economy Class
The Premium Economy cabin is located behind the business class and is available exclusively on long-haul flights. The cabin has a limited number of seats distributed in three rows. The leather armchair has a noise-absorbing effect, an interactive video screen with an onboard entertainment system, a reading lamp, a laptop table, and an electric socket for charging it. It offers up to 20% more legroom than in the Economy Class. There is an additional storage space for your personal belongings in the Premium Economy cabin. During the trip, passengers will receive a pillow, a bottle of water, a blanket, and a travel kit (a moisturizing cream, sleep mask, refreshing napkins). During the flight, flight attendants will offer an individual menu with a selection of hot dishes, appetizers, champagne, wine, mini sandwiches, and ice cream.
Business Class
Business Class on long-haul flights provides leg warm-up and relaxation space. Passengers can turn their seats into a spacious bed up to 2 meters long. The control system makes it easy for you to get into a comfortable position. The business lounge chair is equipped with a flexible armrest, an electric socket for connecting a laptop or other electronic devices, headphones with noise reduction, a personal reading lamp, and a telephone to make calls via satellite. Passengers can enjoy the entertainment onboard using the personal screen functions. A dedicated team of flight attendants, which serves Business Class passengers, offers a restaurant menu of several dishes with wines and liqueurs, as well as pillows, blankets, and travel kits. On short flights, meals with cocktails and a welcome drink will be offered.
First Class
La Première is Air France's First Class cabin on long-haul flights. La Première cabin consists of softly curved, elegant seats in subtle shades that combine style with privacy. Air France offers seats with direct access to the aisle. The passenger seat is transformed into a full 2-m-long bed. A comfortable mattress, a hypoallergenic feather pillow, and a blanket are provided. There is a special spacious drawer for storing things under the seat. Air France has created all the conditions for First Class passengers' comfort: a wide table for work or serving meals. A range of personal accessories is available: slippers, leisurewear, a shoe bag, and a travel kit for body care. Passengers can also enjoy an interactive video screen with an onboard entertainment system. The seat is equipped with an electric socket, a reading lamp, and an automatic massage function. Throughout the flight, First Class customers are offered a varied menu and a wide choice of alcoholic and refreshing drinks.
Baggage and carry-on baggage in Air France
The minimum fare includes only carry-on luggage. The weight, baggage allowance, and amount depends on the length and direction of the flight.
Carry-on baggage:
- Economy Class — 1 piece of hand luggage weighing up to 12 kg is allowed;
- Premium Economy — 2 pieces with a total weight of up to 18 kg can be carried;
- Business Class — 2 pieces allowed with a total weight of up to 18 kg.
Checked-in baggage:
- Economy Class — 1 baggage item up to 23 kg, the sum of the three dimensions not exceeding 158 cm;
- Premium Economy — 2 pieces of baggage up to 32 kg, the sum of three dimensions not more than 158 cm;
- Business Class — 2 pieces of baggage up to 32 kg, the sum of three dimensions not more than 158 cm.
Excess baggage
Excess baggage fares are published on the Air France website. The extra piece's cost depends on the destination, duration of the flight, and fare rules.
Flight Check-in with Air France
Check-in for Air France flights opens 24 hours and closes 40 minutes before a departure. The electronic check-in procedure can be done on the airline's website or by using a special application on your smartphone.
Menus on board of Air France
On flights within France, passengers are offered hot drinks and pastries in the morning, soft drinks, and a variety of snacks at any other time of the day. Passengers with particular meal requirements can pre-order a special menu: vegetarian, Muslim, diabetic, glucose-free, low cholesterol.
Flying with children with Air France
For small passengers, the airline has developed special discounted rates for children. There is a special kid's menu, which is included in the price on long-haul flights. Children's meals require pre-order no later than 24 hours before a departure.
Loyalty Program of Air France
A loyalty program Flying Blue has been developed for Air France's regular customers as part of the Sky Team, a major global airline alliance. By earning miles, passengers discover access to exclusive benefits.