AIR FRANCE inaugurated its Abu Dhabi-Paris non-stop route earlier this year highlighting the importance of the region to the Air France KLM global network.
With the addition of the new route, the total combined number of Air France KLM flights from the UAE increased to 30 per week (based on the 2010 summer programme). The new Air France service, alongside the existing five weekly nonstop flights operated by KLM between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam, provides access for the Abu Dhabi traveller to 100 destinations in Europe and the Americas.
According to Pierre Descazeaux, senior vice president for Africa and Middle East: “The Middle East routes currently contribute close to seven per cent of our total revenue. The region continues to remain competitive and while the Dubai sector did see a drop in passengers last year, it has been very encouraging this year.”
Air France and KLM offer flights from all Gulf cities (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait, Muscat) to their respective hubs of Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Amsterdam, Schiphol (AMS) connecting to their worldwide networks, in particular to Europe, the Americas and to Africa. Routes can be combined with flights to and from the UAE. “Looking ahead, we see a lot of potential in new markets like Iraq and hopefully can announce routes there in the near future,” he added.
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Onboard, Air France has added a the new ‘Premium Voyageur’ private cabin, positioned between business and economy Classes, offering 40 per cent more space, seats with recline, with a fixed shell to preserve the intimacy of each passenger and a 26cm (10.4inch) video screen, at very competitive fares.
Premium Voyager will be available on the Dubai – Paris route (Boeing 777-300) and the Abu Dhabi – Paris route (Airbus A330).
“The Premium Voyageur has been a great success with our business and leisure customers, who are looking for comfort on long-haul flights but at better value,” said Descazeaux.
The launch of the new cabin is part of an ongoing innovation programme by Air France which has also introduced a new short-haul seat, launched in February 2010 (5 to 7.5 cm additional legroom and the seat is 40 per cent lighter, weighing 5.4 kg less than a traditional seat), and a new version of the long-haul business-class seat was revealed in September 2010 and being gradually installed on Air France’s long-haul fleet from this month including the A330 and B777-300 which operates from the UAE. The new seat structure will offer a seat bed more than two metres long, a new fixed footrest, seat controls which are easier to use, new storage space and a 38-cm-wide screen.
True to its name, the Air France La Première service is designed to be a completely unique experience. From the moment travellers arrive at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, they are escorted in a privileged experience ensuring their comfort.
The La Première lounge (pictured left) offers a stunning and exclusive setting to relax, enjoy meals, read or work peacefully or even indulge in a little spa treatment. All the food has been conceived by Alain Ducasse for Air France and for those looking to simply refresh, the in house bar boasts an original menu created by the head bartender of the Plaza Athénée.
For travellers seeking spa time, Biologique Recherche offers a range of exceptional personalised treatments from facials to body treatments and massages.
And from the comfort of the La Première lounge, passengers can skim through a catalogue of exclusive, limited-edition products available only to them. The items purchased are then delivered in the lounge on arrival.
Dedicated La Première staff accompany every guests directly to their aircraft in an individual chauffeured vehicle.
Once on board, La Premiere passengers are introduced to the crew in the cabin which has just eight lie-flat seats (pictured top) which convert to real beds, measuring 2 m long. Guy Martin, the Michelin-starred chef of the Grand Vefour restaurant in Paris, has been commissioned as a style consultant to create the menus for first-class passengers while the beverages are selected by Olivier Poussier.
“At Air France, we are constantly looking at new ways to renovate our onboard product and upgrade our seats every two years. We also enhanced our customer experience with new technology including iPod and Blackberry applications, barcode check-ins and advanced entertainment systems,” added Descazeaux.