The first Air France A220 arrived at the airline’s home base in Paris this week, offering an opportunity for the carrier to show off its new short/mid-haul flagship.
This new aircraft with an unparalleled energy performance represents a major asset for Air France. 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.
– Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM
Inside the Air France A220 cabin
Air France will operate the larger A220-300 model, with 148 seats on board in a 3-2 configuration. This reduces the number of middle seats compared to the A318 and A319 fleet it will replace, while increasing the average number of seats per flight.
Air France will sell both economy and business class fares on the A220s, with business class tickets blocking the adjacent seat, as with the A320 family planes today.
In addition to a lower number of middle seats on board, the A220 features the widest seat in the fleet, an adjustable headrest, leather upholstery and an ergonomic seat cushion for enhanced comfort.
The seat also includes a full size tray table, cup holder, and literature pocket.
Full connectivity, and some entertainment support
As first reported in June, the Air France A220 fleet will carry the Intelsat 2Ku in-flight connectivity platform on board.
The rest of the Air France single-aisle fleet carries the Anuvu (f/k/a Global Eagle) solution. KLM recently activated its first Viasat install on the European/short-haul fleet. The 2Ku offering’s availability line-fit at the factory likely contributed significantly to the airline’s selection of the kit.
Gogo and Airbus committed to that for Delta’s very first A220 and that investment may be paying off for Intelsat today. Viasat‘s Ka-band solution is the only other connectivity offering in service on the A220, flying with JetBlue. That kit is not line-fit offerable. At least not yet.
As for in-flight entertainment, the Air France portal can deliver digital options streaming to passenger devices. The seats include individual USB A and C ports and a tablet or smartphone holder integrated into the backrest to support this approach. This is the first Air France aircraft to add USB-C power ports at the seat.
The arrival of a new aircraft is always a special occasion for an airline. All the Air France teams have spent over two years preparing for this moment and we are excited to see our customers discover the optimal comfort offered by this aircraft. The cabin is more spacious, brighter, and offers full Wi-Fi-connectivity, further contributing to the upmarket positioning of our offer.
– Anne Rigail, CEO of Air France.
Where will the Air France A220 fly?
Air France expects the A220 to enter service from 31 October 2021. The plane is scheduled to initially serve Berlin (Germany), Barcelona, Madrid (Spain), Milan-Linate and Venice (Italy) from the Air France hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
During the 2021-2022 winter season, the aircraft will gradually extend its network to Bologna, Rome (Italy), Lisbon (Portugal) and Copenhagen (Denmark).
Air France currently holds firm orders for 60 A220s, with delivery anticipated through 2025. The carrier also holds an additional 30 options and 30 purchase rights.
A favor to ask while you're here...
Did you enjoy the content? Or learn something useful? Or generally just think this is the type of story you'd like to see more of? Consider supporting the site through a donation (any amount helps). It helps keep me independent and avoiding the credit card schlock.
Leave a Reply