4th February 2020, the 350th Airbus A350 (F-HTYD) left the aircraft manufacturer’s assembly line in Toulouse and joined the Air France fleet.
In returning to its tradition of naming their aircraft, Air France has called it Nice; in tribute to the iconic city on the French Riviera and gateway to the Mediterranean.
Nice joins the other 3 A350s already delivered to the company – Toulouse, Lyon and St. Denis de la Réunion. By 2025 Air France will take delivery of 38 Airbus A350s, the latest member in its long-haul fleet.
The A350 consumes 25% less fuel (i.e. 2.5 litres per passenger per 100 kilometres) thanks to the use of 67% lighter materials: 53% composites and 14% titanium. Its noise footprint is also reduced by 40%.
Cabin:
Air France’s Airbus A350 has 324 seats, with 34 in Business Class with a 1-2-1 configuration, 24 in Premium Economy Class with a 2-4-2 configuration and 266 in the Economy Class with a 3-3-3 configuration.
Passengers on board the aircraft also have access to the inflight WiFi service, Air France CONNECT.
New Destinations:
For the 2020 summer season, 29th March to 25th October 2020, Air France will serve 6 long-haul destinations with the Airbus A350; including Paris-Charles de Gaulle – Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Bamako (Mali), Bangkok (Thailand), Atlanta, Boston and Washington (USA).
- Bamako – Abidjan: 1 daily flight
- Bangkok: 3 weekly flights (outbound flight on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; return on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
- Atlanta: 1 daily flight
- Boston: 1 daily flight until 4th May and subsequently 2 daily flights
- Washington: 1 daily flight as from 5th June 2020
Check out Sam’s report below on the delivery of the first Air France Airbus A350: