Air France

Corporate brand

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France’s flag carrier, offering scheduled passenger and cargo services through a worldwide network centered on Paris.

Last updated October 24, 2026

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Overview

Air France is the flag carrier of France and the principal airline brand of the Air France-KLM group. Its headquarters are located at Roissypôle in Tremblay-en-France, near Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which serves as its main global hub. The airline also operates from Paris-Orly and maintains a network linking metropolitan France with European, intercontinental and French overseas markets. The brand was created on 30 August 1933 through the consolidation of five French airlines: Air Orient, Compagnie Générale Aéropostale, Société Générale des Transports Aériens, Air Union and Compagnie Internationale de Navigation Aérienne. These predecessor businesses had already developed passenger and airmail routes across Europe, North Africa and other overseas destinations. After the Second World War, the French state reorganized and nationalized the country’s air transport sector, and Air France became the central operator of the national network. Air France expanded substantially during the post-war growth of commercial aviation. It introduced increasingly capable piston aircraft, turboprops and jetliners, connecting France with North and South America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. The arrival of aircraft such as the Sud Aviation Caravelle, Boeing 707, Airbus A300 and Boeing 747 shortened journey times and increased the scale of international operations. From 1976, the airline also operated Concorde on scheduled supersonic routes, including services to Washington, D.C., and New York, until the Concorde programme ended in 2003. The company’s structure changed as European aviation markets became more competitive. In 1990, Air France’s operations were combined with those of Air Inter and UTA, creating a larger French airline group. Air France was partially privatized in 1999 and merged with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in 2004 to form Air France-KLM. The two airlines retained separate brands, fleets and operating organizations while cooperating through the group. Air France is also a founding member of SkyTeam and participates with KLM in the Flying Blue loyalty programme. Today, Air France provides full-service passenger travel in Economy, Premium Economy, Business and selected long-haul La Première cabins. It also offers cargo transportation, ancillary travel services, airport connections and loyalty benefits. Its commercial identity combines French national heritage, Paris-based global connectivity, premium hospitality and a broad alliance and codeshare network. The airline’s performance is influenced by fuel prices, aircraft availability, airport capacity, labor relations, regulation, geopolitical conditions and fluctuations in international travel demand. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a severe interruption to its passenger business, followed by a gradual rebuilding of capacity as travel restrictions eased.

History

Air France’s lineage reaches back to early French commercial aviation. Compagnie générale transaérienne was established in 1909 and operated scheduled fixed-wing passenger flights within France by 1913. Other predecessor companies developed international passenger and airmail routes after the First World War, including Société Générale des Transports Aériens, Air Union, Air Orient, CIDNA and Compagnie Générale Aéropostale. On 30 August 1933, five of these businesses were consolidated to form Air France. Before the Second World War, the new airline operated routes across Europe, North Africa and overseas territories, using aircraft such as the Potez 62. During the war, its activities were relocated to Casablanca. After liberation, the French government nationalized the country’s air transport companies. Société Nationale Air France was established on 1 January 1946, and a decree later that year gave it responsibility for managing the national air transport network. The post-war airline rapidly expanded. Douglas DC-3 and DC-4 aircraft supported European and transatlantic services, including a Paris–New York route introduced in 1946 with intermediate refueling stops. Lockheed Constellations subsequently enabled longer-range passenger and cargo operations. By the late 1940s, Air France had one of the world’s larger airline fleets and a network extending from the Americas to Asia. The jet era began in the 1950s. Air France moved its operations and engineering base to Orly, introduced the de Havilland Comet and Vickers Viscount, and later operated the Sud Aviation Caravelle and Boeing 707. Government route-allocation policies divided some international and domestic markets among Air France and private competitors. The airline nevertheless became a major long-haul operator and an early Airbus customer. It introduced the Airbus A300 in 1974 and later built a large Boeing 747 fleet. In 1974, Air France began transferring much of its operation to the newly developed Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which became the center of its international connecting system. Concorde services began in 1976, making Air France one of only two airlines to operate regular supersonic passenger flights. The airline continued to modernize its short-haul fleet and was an early operator of the Airbus A320. Structural consolidation accelerated in the 1990s. Air France acquired or absorbed the operations of Air Inter and UTA in 1990, creating a larger national carrier intended to compete in a liberalizing European market. A holding structure was established in 1994, and Air France underwent partial privatization in 1999. The airline also helped establish major commercial and technology partnerships, including SkyTeam and the Amadeus travel distribution system. Air France and KLM announced their combination in 2003, and the merger was completed in 2004. Air France-KLM became the parent group, while Air France and KLM continued as separate operating brands. In the following years Air France renewed its fleet, developed premium cabin products, expanded codeshare and alliance relationships and continued to use Paris as its principal hub. The COVID-19 pandemic sharply reduced international flying and disrupted the airline’s network. Air France subsequently restored capacity as border restrictions were lifted and demand returned. Its continuing strategy combines long-haul connectivity, European feeder traffic, premium services, cargo activity, fleet modernization and cooperation within Air France-KLM and SkyTeam.

2009
Airbus A380 service begins
[1]Air Franceen.wikipedia.org
Air France introduces the Airbus A380 on a Paris–New York route.
2004
Air France-KLM is created
[2]Air France-KLM historyairfranceklm.com
The Air France and KLM merger is completed, with both airlines continuing under their own brands.
2000
SkyTeam expands into a global alliance
[1]Air Franceen.wikipedia.org
Air France, Delta and other partners establish SkyTeam as a global airline alliance.
1999
Partial privatization
[1]Air Franceen.wikipedia.org
Air France shares are listed on the Paris stock exchange.
1990
Air Inter and UTA operations are consolidated
[1]Air Franceen.wikipedia.org
The operations of Air Inter and UTA are combined with Air France as part of French airline-sector consolidation.
1976
Concorde enters scheduled service
[1]Air Franceen.wikipedia.org
Air France launches scheduled supersonic service from Paris.
1974
Charles de Gaulle becomes the main hub
[1]Air Franceen.wikipedia.org
The airline begins shifting the bulk of its operations to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
1953
Jet operations begin
[1]Air Franceen.wikipedia.org
Air France enters the jet age with de Havilland Comet service.
1946
Post-war national carrier established
[1]Air Franceen.wikipedia.org
Société Nationale Air France is established after the nationalization of French air transport operations.
1933
Air France is formed
[1]Air Franceen.wikipedia.org
Five French airlines are combined to create Air France on 30 August.

Products and positioning

A French flag-carrier and full-service international airline positioned around Paris connectivity, French hospitality, premium cabins and a worldwide network.

Air transport
Passenger flights
Air France’s principal offering comprises scheduled domestic, European and intercontinental passenger services. The network is organized around Paris Charles de Gaulle, with additional Paris-Orly operations and connections provided through alliance, codeshare and group partnerships. Cabin classes include Economy, Premium Economy, Business and selected long-haul First Class services.
Air cargo
Air France Cargo
The cargo business transports freight using aircraft belly capacity and other cargo resources across the airline’s international network. It serves commercial shippers and logistics customers, with available routes and capacity changing according to fleet deployment and passenger schedules.
First Class
La Première
La Première is Air France’s top-tier long-haul cabin offering on selected routes. It is designed around enhanced privacy, dedicated airport treatment, elevated dining and a more personalized onboard experience. Availability is limited to particular aircraft, routes and travel dates.
Loyalty programme
Flying Blue
Flying Blue is the joint frequent-flyer programme associated with Air France and KLM. Members can earn and redeem miles through qualifying flights and partner activity, while status levels provide additional benefits subject to programme rules.
Supersonic passenger service · 1976
Concorde service
Air France operated scheduled Concorde services from 1976 until 2003. The service connected Paris with selected destinations including Washington, D.C., New York and, during earlier periods, Rio de Janeiro and other cities.

Controversies

2026
U.S. fines Air France and KLM over flights in prohibited Iraqi airspace
The U.S. Transportation Department said it was fining Air France and KLM a total of $425,000 for flights below the required minimum altitude in FAA-prohibited Iraqi airspace. The airlines said air traffic controllers had instructed crews to descend or refused to allow them to ascend, and argued the flights should qualify for the emergency-situations exemption.
Source

2003
Combine with KLMM&A
Background
European airline liberalization and competitive pressure encouraged consolidation between major network carriers.
Action taken
Air France and KLM announced a combination under a new Air France-KLM group while preserving separate airline brands.
Aftermath
The merger was completed in 2004 and created a group whose two principal operating airlines continued to run distinct networks and customer brands.
Source
1976
Introduce scheduled Concorde serviceProduct launch
Background
The development of supersonic commercial aviation created an opportunity to reduce transatlantic journey times substantially.
Action taken
Air France began scheduled Concorde operations from Paris, later maintaining a regular Paris–New York service.
Aftermath
The service became a distinctive part of the airline’s premium international identity until its termination in 2003.
Source

Recent events

Unconfirmed
U.S. fines Air France and KLM over flights in prohibited Iraqi airspace[3]U.S. fines Air France and KLM over flights in prohibited Iraqi airspaceksl.com
The U.S. Transportation Department said it was fining Air France and KLM a total of $425,000 for flights below the required minimum altitude in FAA-prohibited Iraqi airspace. The airlines said air traffic controllers had instructed crews to descend or refused to allow them to ascend, and argued the flights should qualify for the emergency-situations exemption.
2026-08-14
Air France launches new La Première first class cabin on Paris–San Francisco flights[4]法航在巴黎至旧金山航线上推出全新La Première头等舱travelwires.com
Reported: 2026-08-15
Air France introduced its redesigned La Première first class cabin on flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and San Francisco, making the suites available daily on the route from August 14, 2026 on selected Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. San Francisco becomes the latest U.S. destination to receive the flagship premium product, which is now offered on Air France services to and from seven U.S. cities.
2021-02-17
EU General Court rejected Ryanair’s challenges to airline state aid[5]欧盟普通法院驳回Ryanair对航空公司国家援助的挑战urdupoint.com
Reported: 2021-02-17
The EU General Court ruled against Ryanair in two cases challenging state aid measures involving Air France and Swedish airlines, mainly SAS. Ryanair argued that the aid gave rival airlines an unfair advantage.
2020-07-30
Air France Hop workers protest planned job cuts[6]Air France Hop员工抗议计划中的裁员turkishpress.com
Reported: 2020-07-30
Air France Hop employees demonstrated at the company’s headquarters in Nantes against planned job cuts. The article says 1,000 cuts were planned at Air France Hop as part of a wider Air France reduction.
Unconfirmed
Air France and Hop announce job cuts[7]法航与Hop宣布裁员ksl.com
Air France and its regional subsidiary Hop announced plans to cut about 6,500 of Air France's 41,000 jobs and 1,000 of Hop's 2,400 jobs by 2022. The company said most cuts would come through not replacing departing workers, voluntary departures and early retirements before imposing layoffs.
2020-07-03
Air France and Hop plan job cuts[8]法航及奥普航空计划裁员tech.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2020-07-06
Air France and its subsidiary Hop announced plans to cut 7,580 jobs by the end of 2022, including 6,560 at Air France and 1,020 at Hop. The report says the plan was announced on July 3, 2020.
2020-06-17
Air France prepares voluntary cuts of 8,300 jobs[9]Air France 准备通过自愿离职削减 8,300 个岗位ibtimes.com
Reported: 2020-06-17
Air France was reported to be preparing to cut 8,300 jobs by offering employees incentives to leave voluntarily. The report describes the cuts as planned, not completed.
Unconfirmed
Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic announce joint venture[10]法航、荷航、达美航空与维珍大西洋航空宣布成立合资企业travelmarketreport.com
Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic announced a joint venture to expand travel options, including trans-Atlantic routes and customer benefits.
2020-02-03
Delta and airline partners launch expanded joint venture[11]达美航空及航空合作伙伴推出扩大的合资合作ajc.com
Reported: 2020-02-03
Delta Air Lines announced the launch of an expanded joint venture partnership with Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, linking Delta's previous transatlantic airline deals.
2019-12-09
Air France-KLM announces planned codeshare with Jetstar airlines[12]Air France-KLM announces planned codeshare with Jetstar airlinesbusinesstraveller.com
Reported: 2019-12-09
Air France and KLM announced that they planned to launch a codeshare with Jetstar Airways and Jetstar Asia Airways by the end of the month, offering onward connections from Paris and Amsterdam via Denpasar and Singapore. The announcement also said Air France and KLM would place their codes on flights to destinations in Asia and Australia.

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