Air France receives Europe's first A380
Air France took delivery of its first A380 on 30-Oct-2009. Three of the twelve Air France A380s on order will be delivered by Spring 2010, to be closely followed by a fourth. Starting 23-Nov-2009, the Air France A380 will be operated on daily Paris Charles de Gaulle-New York JFK services, followed by Paris-Johannesburg during Winter 2009-2010. Air France is the first European carrier to operate the A380 and the first airline worldwide to offer transatlantic services between Europe and the USA with the aircraft. Air France's A380 is configured in three classes: nine La Première-First seats on the main deck, 80 Affaires-Business seats on the upper deck and 449 Voyageur-Economy seats spread over the two decks. [more]
Air France: "Each A380 will enable Air France to save 12 to 15 million euros a year, which, in today's depressed economic climate, provides the Company with the means to withstand the crisis. Air France will therefore be able to offer its customers even greater comfort, while keeping its costs under control. Furthermore, the performance of the A380 is in line with the Company's environmental commitments," Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO. Source: Company Statement, 30-Oct-2009.