Air France (AF)

Air France will operate up to 725 flights a day between November 2026 and April 2027. The airline will serve nearly 170 destinations in 78 countries. It is increasing capacity in several major long-haul and European markets.

North America is up 6%. Air France is maintaining 23 destinations in the region. The Paris-Charles de Gaulle - Las Vegas route will remain in operation with 3 flights per week on an Airbus A350-900. Orlando and Boston are also gaining capacity. The network also includes New York JFK, Newark, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Washington, Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver.

In South America, the increase reaches 3%. Paris - Rio de Janeiro will increase to 2 daily flights starting December 21, 2026. Fortaleza will be served daily during the peak season. Salvador de Bahia will receive 2 additional weekly frequencies starting January 18, 2027.

Air France is also strengthening its services to Asia by 2% and to the Iberian Peninsula by 5%. At the same time, the airline is continuing to roll out its La Première cabin and free high-speed Wi-Fi on board.

Air France conducted this trial on almost 4,300 commercial flights. The airline identified 245 air connections with a high risk of persistent contrails, then rerouted 130 of them.

These adjustments were made with the French start-ups Estuaire and Klima, as part of the European CICONIA programme. The aim was to reduce aviation’s so-called “non-CO2” climate impact.

According to Air France, this operation avoided an impact equivalent to 22,000 tonnes of CO2. The airline used weather data, flight data and dedicated models to propose alternative flight paths to crews and air traffic control.

For passengers, this means flights continue to operate safely, with a lower-impact approach on certain transatlantic routes.

Air France is opening a pop-up restaurant in Marseille this summer. The initiative is taking place at the Cercle des Nageurs, with views over the Mediterranean. The concept recreates the long-haul Business cabin experience, but in a summer setting open to the public.

The menus draw on the hallmarks of in-flight gastronomy. The dishes are created by renowned chefs, including Régis Marcon and pastry chef Nina Métayer. The recipes showcase French produce and regional influences, with a focus on seasonal cuisine and refinement. At the same time, the airline is enhancing its offering in its long-haul lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. A new menu has been introduced, created by chef Yves Camdeborde, a leading figure in French bistronomy.

Travellers discover more accessible and varied dishes, designed to suit the different stages of their time in the lounge. The objective remains the same: to turn waiting time into a fully fledged culinary experience. Through these initiatives, Air France is seeking to create a more consistent customer experience. The experience on the ground becomes a direct extension of the flight. In this way, the airline is showcasing an identity centred on French gastronomy, from departure through to boarding. These new offerings form part of a broader strategy to move upmarket. Air France is strengthening its premium image by making cuisine a central element of the traveller’s journey.

Presented in Paris during a discussion about business messaging, this development shows how WhatsApp is becoming a practical tool for airlines. Air France has been using it since 2022 to send passengers practical information before boarding, such as reminders or useful travel-related messages. The airline is taking things further by integrating this channel into the entire customer journey: before departure, during the trip and after arrival. WhatsApp is also used to secure certain exchanges, for example to access personal data or the Flying Blue loyalty programme. Air France has also begun testing marketing uses of WhatsApp in France, with the customer’s consent. The airline wants to offer more direct messages, more personalised and more tailored to travellers’ expectations. For passengers, this could mean quicker, easier-to-access information.