French elegance in the sky — La Première and strong African network
Air France is France's flag carrier and part of the Air France-KLM Group. The airline is known for its French-inspired gastronomy, La Première first class product, and extensive network to Africa and the French overseas territories. CDG serves as a major European connecting hub, though the airport's layout can be challenging for tight connections. Air France has been modernizing its fleet with A350s and 787s, significantly improving the onboard product.
Economy offers 31-32 inch pitch on long-haul. Complimentary meals and drinks (including wine) on intercontinental flights — the wine selection is better than most. European economy is basic with buy-on-board. Personal screens on widebody aircraft.
Business class on A350s and 787s features a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout with fully flat beds and direct aisle access. The product is modern and competitive. French gastronomy is the highlight — multi-course meals with champagne and a curated wine list. Older 777s may have a less ideal 2-3-2 layout.
La Première is available on select 777 routes and features individual suites with curtains, 79-inch flat beds, and Michelin-star-level dining on porcelain from Christofle. Passengers get access to the La Première lounge at CDG with a private car transfer to the aircraft. Only 4 seats per plane make it truly exclusive.
Economy: 1 × 23 kg (long-haul). Business: 2 × 32 kg. La Première: 3 × 32 kg. European light fares: hand baggage only. Carry-on: 12 kg.
Personal screens on all widebody flights with French and international movies, TV, and music. A good selection of French cinema alongside Hollywood. Wi-Fi available on most long-haul flights (paid, with a messaging option).
French gastronomy is Air France's strongest selling point. Economy long-haul includes complimentary French wine with meals. Business features menus designed by Michelin-starred chefs with cheese courses and paired wines. La Première dining is essentially a fine-dining restaurant at 35,000 feet. The cheese cart in business class is a highlight.
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Search Air France flights →Air France achieves an on-time performance of approximately 76-79%. Operations at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) — one of Europe's busiest and most complex airports — can contribute to delays, particularly during peak summer season. French air traffic control strikes occasionally cause broader disruptions. Air France holds a 7/7 safety rating. The airline's fleet numbers approximately 210 aircraft with an average age of about 13 years, with new Airbus A350-900 and A220-300 aircraft entering the fleet to replace aging A340s and A318s.
Air France operates primarily from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), with secondary operations at Paris Orly (ORY) for domestic and short-haul flights. As a member of SkyTeam and the Air France-KLM Group, the airline provides global reach through partners and joint ventures. Air France is particularly strong on routes to Africa — serving more African destinations than any other European carrier — as well as the Caribbean and French overseas territories. Key routes include Paris–New York, Paris–Tokyo, Paris–Shanghai, and Paris–Johannesburg. The transatlantic joint venture with Delta and Virgin Atlantic provides extensive connectivity to North America. Air France's domestic and regional network through subsidiary HOP! connects dozens of French cities to the Paris hub.
Air France fares are generally competitive within Europe and on transatlantic routes, though peak-season pricing to French vacation destinations can spike significantly. The Flying Blue loyalty program (shared with KLM) offers good value, particularly for redemptions within Europe — economy awards start from 12,500 miles one-way. Air France regularly runs 'Vol en Promotion' sales with discounts of 20-40% on select routes, typically released on Tuesday mornings. For the cheapest standard fares, book 5-8 weeks ahead for European flights and 8-12 weeks for long-haul. Consider flying into Paris CDG and connecting onward via Air France's extensive network rather than booking point-to-point — the hub fare can be cheaper than direct pricing on smaller carriers.
Flying Blue (shared with KLM) — same program, same tiers. Miles earned across SkyTeam and 100+ partners. Promo Rewards for discounted awards. Paris-based travelers benefit from strong earn rates on domestic and European flights.
Fly Air France if: Travelers connecting through Paris, especially to Africa and the Caribbean, and those who appreciate French gastronomy onboard.
Consider alternatives if: Those who dislike connecting at CDG — Paris Charles de Gaulle is notoriously confusing and can require long terminal transfers.
Air France receives a 3.9/5 rating in our review. It offers solid service based on cabins, baggage, entertainment, food, and loyalty program.
Air France is based at Paris (CDG). It is a member of SkyTeam.
Economy: 1 × 23 kg (long-haul). Business: 2 × 32 kg. La Première: 3 × 32 kg. European light fares: hand baggage only. Carry-on: 12 kg.
Use our flight comparison tool to compare Air France prices across booking platforms including Kiwi.com. Booking 6-8 weeks in advance and flying mid-week typically yields the cheapest fares.
Air France uses both Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY) airports. CDG handles nearly all international long-haul flights and most European routes, while Orly serves domestic French routes and some European/Mediterranean destinations. Check your booking carefully, as the two airports are 80+ km apart.
Yes. Air France and KLM merged in 2004 to form the Air France-KLM Group, though both airlines maintain separate brands, crews, and operating certificates. They share the Flying Blue loyalty program and coordinate schedules, particularly on routes between Paris and Amsterdam — where they operate a shuttle-like service throughout the day.
La Première is Air France's ultra-premium first class product, available on select Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on a limited number of routes including Paris–New York, Paris–Los Angeles, Paris–Tokyo, and Paris–São Paulo. La Première features private suites with a seat that converts to a 2-meter bed, chef-designed menus, and exclusive ground services including a private limousine transfer at CDG.
Air France La Première is extremely hard to book with miles but occasionally releases last-minute availability 48-72 hours before departure. Check Flying Blue regularly if you're flexible.