Air France Inaugurates New Medium-haul Cabins

Air France has been introducing its new medium-haul cabins on board its fleet of Airbus A319 this month.

Air France’s new medium-haul cabin seats.

Twenty-four Airbus A319 aircraft will be fitted out in the first half of 2015, and 25 Airbus A320 in the first half of 2016. In total, 7,800 new seats will be installed. They are the result of a survey with a chosen panel, customers or not, and travel influencers. In all, Air France analysed 10,000 different opinions.

The airline has invested 50 million euros to redesign the new cabin and bring it to the best global level, with leather seats for customers in Economy and Business. Inflight services have also been enhanced. Free hot meals will be served in Economy and Business on medium-haul flights lasting over 2 hours.

“We need to be offensive to win the battle on medium-haul routes. With these new cabins, we aim to be among the best in the world“, said Frédéric Gagey, Chairman and CEO of Air France.

“Winning the preference of each customer on departure from Europe is now a strategic priority of our Perform 2020 plan.”

New “Economy Flex” fare

Considering that business travellers represent nearly 30 percent of all passengers and seek efficient service and total flexibility, Air France has introduced a new “Economy Flex” fare , which includes many exclusive benefits including:

– Tickets are refundable and can be modified free of charge in the same booking class
– One piece of baggage weighing no more than 23 kilos is carried free in the hold. In the cabin, one bag and an accessory (handbag, laptop, camera) are allowed for a total weight of 12 kilos.
– Access to SkyPriority channels, ensuring fast service at the airport.
– A guaranteed seat at the front of the Economy cabin,
– Miles of 200 percent are earned as part of the Flying Blue loyalty program.

In Northern Europe, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines currently serve 14 destinations in four countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

For the 2015 summer season, close to 80 daily flights link northern Europe to the rest of the world via the hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol.