Air France has announced a revamp of its economy offering, to include a low-cost “Mini” fare which does not include seat selection, checked luggage or frequent flyer miles.
The new fare will initially launch on domestic flights from Paris-Orly, as well as “most medium-haul flights on departure from the regional bases in Marseille, Nice and Toulouse”.
According to this PDF released by Air France, the offering is also set to be extended to six Cityjet-operated routes from London City to Brest, Nantes, Pau, Avignon, Toulon and Paris Orly (see page 6), although specific details on this have not been given.
Business Traveller's sister French website attended the launch of the new economy offering, and has published a report (in French) here.
The Mini fare will be available from €49, with Air France stating that the fare is “aimed particularly at the 60 per cent of customers whose main priority is to find the cheapest fare”.
The fare type will not allow ticket changes, will prevent passengers from assigning their seat until they arrive at the airport, and will not include the opportunity to earn Flying Blue miles. Checked luggage will be charged at €15 when purchased online, or €30 at the airport.
Customers will however continue to receive a free onboard newspaper, snack and drink.
A “all-inclusive” Classic fare will continue to be available on these flights from €69, offering seat selection, checked luggage, Flying Blue miles, free snack, drink and newspaper, and flight changes for a €70 charge.
The new fares are available for booking made from today, for travel from February 6.
The move follows German carrier Lufthansa’s decision to spin off its domestic and European non-hib services to its low-cost subsidiary Germanwings (click here for more details).
In recent years Air France’s short-haul network has suffered at the hands of growing low-cost carriers, in particular Easyjet which is now France’s second largest airline.
For more information visit airfrance.co.uk.
Report by Mark Caswell
