Today, Air France took delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 (F-HTYA) “Toulouse” at the Airbus Delivery Centre in TLS. By 2025, the company will welcome a total of 28 A350-900s into its fleet.
The first jet out of a total order of 28 was handed over to Anne Rigail, Air France Chief Executive Officer and Benjamin Smith, Air France-KLM Group Chief Executive Officer, by Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Christian Scherer during a ceremony held in Toulouse. Air France’s Airbus A350 will make its first commercial flight on October 7 to Bamako and Abidjan, and it will be gradually deployed to 6 destinations in 2020.
This latest-generation aircraft is equipped with 324 seats: 34 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy and 266 Economy. Air France has decided to partially power today’s A350 ferry flight between Toulouse and Paris CDG with biofuel. This initiative underlines the importance of biofuel for the aviation sector and Air France’s commitment to contributing to its development. Two more A350s will enter Air France’s fleet by year-end.
Anne Rigail, CEO of Air France: “The arrival of a new aircraft is always a unique and highly emotional occasion in the life of an airline. Along with all Air France staff, we are extremely proud to welcome the Airbus A350, one of the world’s most efficient long-haul aircraft in terms of environmental, economic and operational performance. As from October 7, our customers will be able to discover optimal comfort and service on board these new cabins. The arrival of this first A350 marks a new phase in Air France’s fleet modernization strategy. Within 5 years, more than half of the company’s fleet will be made up of new-generation aircraft!”
Air France’s first A350 XWB is named “Toulouse”
To mark the occasion, Air France is returning to its tradition of naming its aircraft. After consulting its staff, the company has decided to celebrate emblematic French cities. This first Airbus A350 is therefore being named “Toulouse” by Anne-Marie Couderc, Chair of Air France- KLM and Air France and the aircraft’s sponsor. The capital of aviation par excellence, Toulouse is also the birthplace of this new aircraft that is joining the company’s fleet. Moreover, Air France has been serving Toulouse since the company’s creation in 1933.
Three classes and Wi-Fi on-board
In Business (1-2-1), the seat turns into a real 2 metre-long lie-flat bed, guaranteeing you restful sleep. The new 18.5-inch HD touchscreen gives you access to more than 1,400 hours of entertainment including movies, music, podcasts and more. Alone or with a travel companion, the new configuration of this chic and elegant cabin adapts to how passengers wish to travel. They can choose between a shared travel experience or optimum privacy thanks to a removable partition wall.
In Premium Economy (2-4-2), the brand new “Recliner” seat is 48cm wide and reclines to 124°. Customers enjoy a 96cm seat pitch to stretch out their legs and a 13.3-inch HD touchscreen. For optimum relaxation, a pillow and a duvet are available for passengers.
In Economy (3-3-3), the seat has been redesigned for even more comfort, with a reinforced ergonomic seat cushion, a 118° seat recline, as well as a 79-cm seat pitch. The best in- flight entertainment programmes can be found on the 11.6-inch HD touchscreen giving access to more than 1,400 hours of entertainment including movies, music, podcasts and more.
On-board the Airbus A350, customers can stay connected with Air France CONNECT, the inflight Wi-Fi offer. Three different passes are available:
– A free “Message” pass for all, to send and receive messages throughout the flight;
– A “Surf” pass costing between €3 and €18 (6,000 Miles) to surf the Internet, consult and send
emails;
– A €30 (10,000 Miles) “Stream” pass to enjoy high-speed Internet, streaming and downloads.
First destinations served by the Airbus A350
The Air France Airbus A350 will gradually start operating to 6 destinations on 4 continents as from October 7 on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle:
Abidjan (Ivory Coast): from October 7, 2019 to December 8, 2019, and as from February 10, 2020 for the 2020 summer season
Bamako (Mali): from October 7, 2019 to December 8, 2019, and as from February 10, 2020 for the 2020 summer season
Toronto (Canada): as from October 27, 2019
Cairo (Egypt): as from December 9, 2019
Seoul (South Korea): as from December 9, 2019
Bangkok (Thailand): 2020 summer season
