Air France has taken delivery of its first Airbus A220-300, the latest addition to its short- and medium-haul network.

This marks the first aircraft in Air France’s 2019 purchase order of 60 A220-300s, the largest made by a European customer. All 60 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by the year 2025, replacing the airline’s A318s and A319s as well as several Airbus A320s. The order also includes an additional mix of 30 options and 30 purchase rights.

Named ‘Le Bourget’ in homage to the town north of Paris that’s deeply linked to the aviation industry, the new aircraft sports the emblematic Air France livery and also features the winged seahorse on the front of its fuselage and wingtips, the symbol embodying the company’s founding myth.

Starting October 31, 0221, the Airbus A220-300 will fly to Berlin, Barcelona, Madrid, Milan-Linate and Venice from Air France’s hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. During the 2021-2022 winter season, it will gradually extend its network to Bologna, Rome, Lisbon and Copenhagen.

“This new aircraft with an unparalleled energy performance represents a major asset for Air France,” said Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM. “To date, fleet renewal is the main source of reducing CO2 emissions and this is why we are continuing to invest in latest-generation aircraft. We are also activating all the levers at our disposal such as sustainable fuels or eco-piloting, as part of our contribution to promoting a carbon-neutral air transport industry and positioning ourselves as a leading player of a more sustainable aviation.”

The Airbus A220-300 provides a cost reduction per seat of 10% compared to the Airbus A318 and A319, and stands out for its energy efficiency, consuming 20% less fuel than the aircraft it replaces and featuring a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions. Its noise footprint is also 34% lower.

By 2030, Air France will have reduced its overall CO2 emissions per passenger/km by 50% compared to 2005, or 15% in absolute terms. The Airline remains committed to achieve the climate target of zero net CO2 emissions by 2050.

Onboard the aircraft there are 148 seats in a 3-2 seat configuration, offering a window or aisle seat to 80% of passengers. There are two travel cabins – Business and Economy – as well as access to Air France Connect, the airline’s inflight Wi-Fi service. Seats are the widest on the market at 48 cm, reclining to 118 degrees and featuring an adjustable headrest, leather upholstery and an ergonomic seat cushion.

The cabin, the most spacious and brightest in its category, is decorated in Air France’s signature shades of blue. Large panoramic windows provide natural light for the duration of the trip, while specially-adapted cabin mood lighting settings create dynamic lighting during welcome and disembarkation, and a relaxed atmosphere during the flight.

In addition, as on the entire Air France fleet, the air in the cabin is renewed every three minutes thanks to a HEPA- (High Efficiency Particulate Air) type filter air recycling system that eliminates 99.9% of particles and viruses.

Source: Travelweek