Saturday, July 20, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutesAs an official partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Air France has proudly named its newest long-haul aircraft ‘Paris’, in tribute to the host city of the 33rd Olympiad.
Freshly assembled in Toulouse, this state-of-the-art aircraft, registered as F-HUVJ, features the name ‘Paris’ along with the official logo of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games prominently displayed on its fuselage. The aircraft will join the Air France hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle today, embarking on its inaugural commercial flight to Hong Kong this evening.
Reviving a tradition from 2019, Air France has been naming its aircraft after French cities to promote the country’s regions globally. Following Lyon, Saint-Denis de la Réunion, and Grasse, ‘Paris’ is the latest addition to the fleet.
Naming this aircraft ‘Paris’ pays homage to the French capital, which is both Air France’s primary base and a major destination. Air France operates nearly 1,000 flights daily from Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, connecting to almost 200 destinations worldwide with its fleet of 256 aircraft. The airline is also the largest private employer in the Paris region.
Air France’s decision to name this aircraft shortly before the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Games underscores the pride felt by its 39,000 employees, who have played a crucial role in organizing this historic event. The airline plans to transport more than one in five athletes, including 15% of Olympic athletes, 35% of Paralympic athletes, and 13% of the “Olympic and Paralympic family”, expecting up to 125,000 customers per day this summer.
In 2016, Air France had already showcased its support for Paris’s bid to host the 2024 Games by decorating aircraft with a logo featuring a stylized Eiffel Tower and the number 24. Following the Tokyo 2020 Games, the Olympic flag was flown back to Paris on an Air France flight, marking the start of the countdown to the Paris 2024 Games.
The new ‘Paris’ aircraft integrates the latest technological innovations, offering 48 Business seats, 32 Premium Economy seats, and 212 Economy seats. It will serve destinations across Air France’s extensive long-haul network, including New York, Santiago de Chile, Hong Kong, and Antananarivo (Madagascar).
Belonging to a new generation of long-haul aircraft, ‘Paris’ boasts improved economic and environmental performance, with 25% lower CO2 emissions and a 40% reduced noise footprint compared to its predecessors. By 2030, Air France aims for 70% of its fleet to consist of latest-generation aircraft, thanks to an ambitious investment plan of one billion euros per year.
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, from July 27 to August 11, Air France will host a dedicated exhibition space at the Palais de Tokyo. Visitors can explore an 850-square-meter area featuring a virtual reality tour of the ‘Paris’ aircraft cockpit, the latest Business cabin with enhanced comfort and privacy, and the iconic red dress from Air France’s brand video.
Additionally, large information screens will educate visitors about Air France’s sustainable development efforts, including the use of sustainable aviation fuel, fleet renewal, eco-piloting practices, and intermodality.
The Air France exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo, located at 13 avenue du Président Wilson, 75016 Paris, offers free admission from 10:30 am to 6 pm, from July 27 to August 11, 2024.