French Bee
French Bee is a French low-cost, long-haul airline operating Airbus A350 services from Paris Orly to leisure and overseas destinations.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
French Bee is a French low-cost long-haul airline established by Groupe Dubreuil, the family-owned French group that also controls Air Caraïbes. The carrier was conceived after Groupe Dubreuil abandoned an attempted acquisition of Corsair International from TUI Group. Rather than acquire an existing airline, the group chose to create a new operator focused on long-distance leisure routes and a lower-cost operating model. The project was initially known as Sunline and was publicly introduced in 2016 as French Blue. French Blue began commercial operations in September 2016 with a Paris Orly–Punta Cana service. Before its own scheduled launch, its first Airbus A330-300 had also operated selected flights on behalf of Air Caraïbes. The airline subsequently expanded toward France's overseas territories and international leisure markets, beginning service to Réunion in June 2017 and later developing routes linking Paris with French Polynesia and the United States. The carrier's original strategy combined competitive fares with long-haul aircraft, direct connectivity from Paris, and a largely unbundled product in which passengers could pay separately for services such as baggage, seat selection, food, lounge access, and priority airport processing. The airline changed its name after encountering objections in the United States to the use of the word “Blue” in its former name. During its application for U.S. operating authority, JetBlue challenged the similarity between the names. The carrier briefly used “French” before announcing the French Bee name in January 2018. Under the new identity, it inaugurated Paris–Papeete service via San Francisco in May 2018. The route was significant because it connected metropolitan France with French Polynesia while also enabling certain local Paris–San Francisco and San Francisco–Papeete traffic under applicable traffic rights. Groupe Dubreuil progressively shifted the airline toward an all-Airbus A350 fleet. Additional A350-900 aircraft were assigned to the carrier from 2018 onward, replacing the original A330-300 and supporting expansion to North America. A planned Newark route was announced in 2019 and eventually launched in July 2021 after pandemic-related delays. French Bee later added Los Angeles and Miami, while receiving Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to support its larger-scale transatlantic operation. It also obtained traffic rights for São Paulo, although the proposed Brazilian service was not established in the reference material. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a broad suspension of French Bee's scheduled passenger network in 2020. The airline continued selected charter and cargo missions, including a medical-supply flight between Paris and Papeete that became notable for its exceptional distance. Passenger services to Réunion resumed from Paris Charles de Gaulle while Orly was closed, and operations returned to Orly after that airport reopened. Services to the United States were restored progressively in 2021, with Newark returning first and the San Francisco stopover for Papeete following later that year. After the pandemic, French Bee pursued digital distribution and network connectivity. It joined Dohop's virtual-interlining platform in 2023 and launched its own integrated connection platform in 2024 with partners including Avianca, Pegasus Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Volotea. In 2024 it announced its first scheduled Canadian route, Paris Orly–Montreal, which was scheduled to begin in April 2025. The airline remains a subsidiary of Groupe Dubreuil, headquartered in the group's offices in Bellevigny, and markets itself as a value-oriented long-haul carrier with Economy and Premium cabins, Airbus A350 aircraft, onboard entertainment, paid Wi-Fi, and separately priced ancillary services.
History
French Bee emerged from Groupe Dubreuil's effort to expand its aviation activities beyond Air Caraïbes. In 2014, airline executive Marc Rochet and Groupe Dubreuil chairman Jean-Paul Dubreuil discussed possible growth options, including the acquisition of Corsair International. When that transaction failed in March 2015, the group decided to establish a new airline instead. Groupe Dubreuil announced the project in June 2015 under the provisional name Sunline, describing it as a French low-cost carrier designed for long-haul leisure markets. The project was publicly presented as French Blue in March 2016. Its business plan called for service from Paris to Punta Cana, followed by routes to Réunion and Mauritius, and a fleet built around Airbus A330-300 and A350-900 aircraft. The airline received an A330-300 before its independent launch and used it on selected Air Caraïbes operations from July 2016. Its first own scheduled flight departed Paris Orly for Punta Cana on 10 September 2016. In October of that year it announced a Réunion route, which began in June 2017. French Blue received its first A350-900 in August 2017 and subsequently selected Papeete and San Francisco for its next major expansion. The brand's first name became problematic during its application for permission to serve the United States. JetBlue objected to another airline using “Blue” in its name, and the carrier temporarily adopted the shortened name French. On 30 January 2018 it announced the French Bee identity. U.S. regulatory approval followed, and reservations opened for a Paris Orly–Papeete service stopping in San Francisco. The route launched on 11 May 2018 and gave the airline a distinctive role connecting metropolitan France, the U.S. West Coast, and French Polynesia. Groupe Dubreuil then increased French Bee's fleet allocation. A third A350-900 was announced in 2018 for delivery in 2019, and the existing A330 was intended for transfer to Air Caraïbes. A fourth A350-900 was allocated in 2019, together with plans for A350-1000 aircraft. This produced an increasingly homogeneous widebody fleet and supported the airline's strategy of serving long-distance leisure markets from Paris. French Bee announced Newark service in 2019 and received French traffic rights for a possible Paris–São Paulo route in January 2020. It also established an interline arrangement with Alaska Airlines in February 2020. The pandemic interrupted this expansion. U.S. travel restrictions affected planned North American flights, and French Polynesia services were first considered for rerouting through Pointe-à-Pitre before commercial flights were suspended. By late March 2020, the remaining scheduled network, including Réunion, had also been suspended. Paris Orly closed to commercial passenger traffic on 1 April. French Bee continued certain charter and cargo missions, including a medical-supply flight associated with an exceptionally long Paris–Papeete journey. While Orly remained closed, Réunion passenger service resumed from Paris Charles de Gaulle on 12 June. After Orly reopened on 26 June, French Bee moved operations back there on 13 July and resumed French Polynesia flights on 15 July. Newark service was postponed repeatedly and finally began on 14 July 2021. The San Francisco stopover for the Papeete route returned in November 2021. French Bee announced Los Angeles service in November 2021 and later announced Miami, while its first A350-1000 arrived in December 2021. Los Angeles began in 2022, and Miami was planned for December of that year. These additions strengthened the carrier's North American presence and complemented its overseas-France network. In the post-pandemic period, French Bee added digital connectivity to its network strategy. It joined Dohop's virtual-interlining platform in 2023 and launched its own integrated platform on 19 June 2024, listing connections with Avianca, Pegasus Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Volotea. In July 2024 it announced a first scheduled Canadian route between Paris Orly and Montreal, later setting 30 April 2025 for the inaugural service. Corporate leadership also changed: Christine Ourmières-Widener became chief executive in August 2023 after Marc Rochet, and in January 2025 Paul-Henri Dubreuil became interim president while Marc-Antoine Blondeau was appointed chairman. French Bee continues to operate as a Groupe Dubreuil subsidiary with an Airbus A350-centered, low-cost long-haul model.
- 2025
Montreal service scheduled to begin
[1]French Bee scheduled its first Canadian route, Paris Orly–Montreal, for 30 April.
- 2024
Integrated virtual-interlining platform launched
[1]The airline introduced a platform linking its bookings with selected partner airlines.
- 2022
Los Angeles and Miami expansion
[1]French Bee launched Los Angeles and announced Miami while introducing A350-1000 aircraft.
- 2021
North American network resumes
[1]Newark service began in July and San Francisco service resumed in November after pandemic delays.
- 2020
Pandemic operating disruption
[1]Scheduled passenger operations were broadly suspended, with limited charter and cargo activity continuing.
- 2018
French Blue becomes French Bee
[1]The carrier adopted the French Bee name and launched its Paris–Papeete service via San Francisco.
- 2017
Réunion service begins
[1]The airline expanded to Réunion from Paris and received its first Airbus A350-900.
- 2016
French Blue is publicly launched
[1]The Sunline project was presented under the French Blue name, with Paris-based long-haul leisure operations planned.
- 2016
First scheduled flight
[1]French Blue began its own scheduled operations with a Paris Orly–Punta Cana flight on 10 September.
- 2015
Groupe Dubreuil decides to create a new airline
[1]After the proposed acquisition of Corsair International failed, Groupe Dubreuil chose to establish a new low-cost long-haul carrier.
Products and positioning
A French low-cost, long-haul airline emphasizing comparatively accessible fares, Airbus A350 efficiency, direct service from Paris, and an unbundled product for leisure and visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic.
Passenger cabin · 2016
Economy
French Bee's Economy product is designed around a low-cost long-haul structure. Fare families range from more restricted options to flexible tiers, with passengers able to add baggage, seat selection, meals, comfort items, and other services. Seats are generally arranged in a high-density Airbus A350 configuration, with onboard entertainment available through individual screens and paid Wi-Fi options.
Passenger cabin · 2016
Premium
Premium is French Bee's higher-tier cabin. On the A350-900 it uses a 2-3-2 layout, while the A350-1000 uses a 2-4-2 layout. Seats provide greater space than Economy, including approximately 36 inches of pitch, leg and foot rests, head rests, and power access. The product is sold through fare tiers that progressively include additional services and flexibility.
Aircraft and route offering · 2017
Airbus A350 long-haul network
French Bee's principal operating platform is the Airbus A350 family. The fleet transition from the original A330-300 to A350-900 aircraft was followed by the introduction of larger A350-1000 aircraft. The standardized widebody fleet supports routes from Paris Orly to overseas French territories, French Polynesia, and North American destinations.
Digital travel service · 2024
Virtual-interlining connections
French Bee uses virtual interlining to present connecting itineraries involving airlines that do not necessarily operate as a traditional alliance or through-ticket partnership. Its integrated platform launched in 2024 with listed partners including Avianca, Pegasus Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Volotea.
Brand decisions
2024
Launch an integrated virtual-interlining platformStrategyBackground
French Bee had joined Dohop's virtual-interlining platform in 2023 and sought to extend digitally enabled connections.
Action taken
On 19 June 2024, the airline launched its own integrated platform with several external airline partners.
Aftermath
The platform expanded the range of bookable connecting journeys beyond French Bee's own routes.
2024
Announce first Canadian routeProduct launchBackground
French Bee sought to extend its Paris-based long-haul leisure network into Canada.
Action taken
The airline announced Paris Orly–Montreal service, later setting 30 April 2025 as the inauguration date.
Aftermath
Montreal was positioned as the carrier's first scheduled Canadian destination.
2022
Expand the U.S. networkProduct launchBackground
After restoring its U.S. network, French Bee sought additional destinations and received larger A350-1000 aircraft.
Action taken
The carrier launched Los Angeles and announced a Paris Orly–Miami route.
Aftermath
The move broadened French Bee's U.S. coverage beyond Newark and the San Francisco stopover.
2021
Launch Newark serviceProduct launchBackground
A route announced before the pandemic had been repeatedly postponed because of restrictions on travel between France and the United States.
Action taken
French Bee inaugurated Paris Orly–Newark flights on 14 July.
Aftermath
Newark became the carrier's direct U.S. East Coast destination and complemented the San Francisco stopover.
2020
Suspend and relocate operations during COVID-19StrategyBackground
Travel restrictions, closed overseas borders, and the temporary closure of Paris Orly made the scheduled network impractical.
Action taken
French Bee suspended commercial services, operated selected cargo and charter flights, temporarily used Charles de Gaulle for resumed Réunion services, and adjusted some French Polynesia routings.
Aftermath
Passenger operations gradually returned in mid-2020, while U.S. services remained delayed until 2021.
2018
Rename the airline French BeeStrategyBackground
JetBlue objected to the former French Blue name during the carrier's application for U.S. operating authority.
Action taken
The airline briefly used French before formally adopting French Bee.
Aftermath
The rebranded airline obtained approval for U.S. service and proceeded with its planned North American expansion.
- JetBlue — JetBlue raised objections to the use of a name containing “Blue” because of its similarity to JetBlue.
2018
Move toward an all-A350 fleetGeneration changeBackground
Groupe Dubreuil allocated additional A350 aircraft to support the carrier's long-haul growth.
Action taken
The airline added A350-900 aircraft and planned to transfer its original A330-300 to Air Caraïbes after fleet renewal.
Aftermath
French Bee's fleet became centered on Airbus A350 aircraft, supporting later North American expansion.
2015
Create a new low-cost long-haul airlineStrategyBackground
Groupe Dubreuil's planned acquisition of Corsair International from TUI Group did not proceed, leading the group to pursue organic expansion in aviation.
Action taken
The group approved a new carrier project, initially called Sunline and later launched as French Blue.
Aftermath
The decision created a second airline platform within Groupe Dubreuil alongside Air Caraïbes.
Recent events
Airbus partners with SAS and Frenchbee on fello’fly project[2]
Reported:
Airbus announced a project with SAS and Frenchbee, along with air navigation service providers, to develop a safe and realistic concept of operations for fello’fly, an aircraft formation concept intended to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
C. Mondavi & Family acquires French Blue[3]
Reported:
C. Mondavi & Family acquired Bordeaux-based wine brand French Blue. The article describes the agreement as a strategic alliance with Flying Blue Imports, which produces the wines in Bordeaux.
Sources3 sources
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