Air France Launches Inaugural Nonstop 787 Service to Phoenix

Air France is set to bridge Paris and Phoenix with its first-ever nonstop transatlantic service, a significant addition to the U.S. city’s international connectivity. Beginning in May, this route marks the first direct flight operation between France and Phoenix, enhancing the global reach of both cities.

The introduction of this service positions Paris as the third European city to be directly connected to Phoenix, joining existing nonstop routes to Frankfurt and London Heathrow. This new connection is anticipated to have a substantial economic impact on Phoenix, with an estimated $30 million annual boost to the local economy.

Commencing on May 23, the Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) route will operate three times weekly during the summer season. Flights are scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, utilizing a three-class Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The operation will cover a distance of 5,468 miles (4,752 nautical miles), demonstrating Air France’s commitment to expanding its transatlantic presence.

Boaz Hulsman, Air France-KLM group vice president of commercial for North America, highlights this new service as a symbol of the airline’s dedication to enhancing transatlantic travel connections. This initiative underscores Air France’s strategic focus on North America, where Phoenix will emerge as the 22nd gateway for the airline in the summer season.

Phoenix is already home to two nonstop European connections, operated by Oneworld alliance partners American Airlines and British Airways to London Heathrow, with daily flights using Boeing 777-200 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, respectively. Additionally, from May 18, Condor is set to resume its 3X-weekly seasonal flights from Frankfurt using A330-900neos.

For Air France, the Phoenix route represents a continued expansion in the U.S. market, where the airline will serve 17 cities nonstop from Paris CDG, up from 14 in the summer of 2023. Along with the new Phoenix route, Air France is making its Raleigh-Durham service a year-round operation and resuming flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in May, following a suspension in September 2022.

Sabre Market Intelligence’s preliminary figures for 2023 indicate Paris as the third-largest origin and destination (O&D) market in Europe from Phoenix. The route’s launch is in line with passenger traffic trends, indicating strong demand for travel between these two dynamic cities. With this new service, Air France not only broadens its global network but also provides travelers with more options and convenience for transatlantic travel.