Good news for travellers on the key London Heathrow to Paris CDG route. Two additional flights are being added this winter when Air France boosts flight frequency from seven to nine daily services.
The flight increase, which comes despite competition from high-speed train firm Eurostar, takes effect from October 25.
The new flights fill gaps in the carrier’s schedules. They are specifically timed for the needs of business travellers flying to Paris itself and for all passengers making worldwide connections onto the Air France network at its CDG hub.
According to an airline spokeswoman, “Air France wants to improve its product by offering a more frequent service. We believe that better schedules stimulate demand.”
Interestingly both daily flights are being operated by 48-seater ATR turbo-prop planes which are being leased from Airlinair. Air France’s other seven daily flights on this route are operated by regular A319s or A321s.
Although Air France has and continues to operate these turbo-prop craft on UK regional routes, it’s unusual for them to be rostered for the prime Heathrow-Paris CDG route which, for decades past, has featured jet planes.
The new flights are:
AF2081 depart Heathrow 0820 to arrive CDG at 1050
AF1581 depart Heathrow 1710 to arrive CDG at 1935
AF1580 depart CDG at 1440 to arrive Heathrow at 1505
AF2080 depart CDG at 2050 to arrive Heathrow at 2115
In other news, the airline has announced it is continuing to expand the number of routes featuring its Premier Voyageur (otherwise known as premium economy) cabin.
The upgraded economy product will feature on flights between Paris CDG, Beirut and Singapore from December 28 followed by Hong Kong and Beijing on January 18.
Air France says it will also offer two daily flights with Premier Voyageur on the Tokyo and New York routes with effect from December 7. By the end of next year, Premier Voyeur will be offered across the entire long-haul network served by B777s, A340s and A330s.
For more information go to airfrance.co.uk.
Report by Alex McWhirter
