For more than 90 years, Air France (IATA: AF, ICAO: AFR) has been one of the world’s most recognizable airlines. As the flag carrier of France, it has played a major role in connecting Europe with destinations across every inhabited continent. Together with KLM, Air France forms the Air France–KLM Group, one of Europe’s largest airline groups and a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance.
Operating primarily from its hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), the airline serves over 200 destinations worldwide. Whether flying to major global cities or overseas French territories, Air France has built a reputation for combining extensive connectivity with French hospitality.
A Rich Aviation History
Air France was founded on 7 October 1933 following the merger of several French airlines. Throughout the decades, it became one of the pioneers of international aviation, introducing long-haul routes across Africa, Asia, North America and South America.
The airline has operated some of aviation’s most iconic aircraft, including:
- Douglas DC-4 and Lockheed Constellation
- Sud Aviation Caravelle
- Boeing 707 and Boeing 747
- Concorde (until 2003)
- Airbus A340
- Airbus A380
- Boeing 777
- Airbus A350
- Airbus A220
Air France retired its last Boeing 747-400 in 2016 and permanently retired its Airbus A380 fleet in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, its long-haul operations rely mainly on the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350, while short- and medium-haul flights are increasingly operated by the modern Airbus A220.
Fleet
Air France operates one of Europe’s youngest and most modern fleets, including:
- Airbus A220-300
- Airbus A318 (being phased out)
- Airbus A319
- Airbus A320
- Airbus A321
- Airbus A350-900
- Boeing 777-200ER
- Boeing 777-300ER
- Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
The airline continues investing in newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft as part of its sustainability strategy.
The Charles de Gaulle Hub
Most international flights operate through Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs. The airport offers convenient connections between Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, making Air France a popular choice for connecting passengers.
My Personal Experience with Air France
Air France has accompanied me on eight flights over a span of almost fifteen years, giving me the opportunity to experience several different aircraft types and eras of the airline.
One of my most memorable experiences came in August 2010, when I flew the Airbus A380 between Paris Charles de Gaulle and London Heathrow in both directions. Flying on the world’s largest passenger aircraft was a remarkable experience and remains one of the highlights of my aviation journey.
In December 2011, I flew an Airbus A318 from Frankfurt to Paris, experiencing one of the smallest aircraft in the Airbus family that Air France operated.
Another unforgettable flight followed in October 2014, when I crossed the Atlantic from Paris to Montréal aboard the legendary Boeing 747-400. Flying the “Queen of the Skies” with Air France before its retirement was a true privilege and remains one of the standout flights in my logbook.
My Air France journeys have also introduced me to several regional and narrow-body aircraft:
- BAE Systems Avro RJ85 from Düsseldorf to Paris (2015)
- Airbus A320 from Toulouse to Paris-Orly (2019)
- Airbus A220-300 (formerly Bombardier CS300) from Warsaw to Paris (2023)
- Airbus A220-300 from Barcelona to Paris (2025)
These flights illustrate the diversity of Air France’s fleet, from regional jets and classic Airbus aircraft to modern next-generation airliners.
Aircraft I’ve Flown with Air France
| Aircraft | Flights |
|---|---|
| Airbus A380 | 2 |
| Airbus A318 | 1 |
| Boeing 747-400 | 1 |
| Avro RJ85 | 1 |
| Airbus A320 | 1 |
| Airbus A220-300 (CS300) | 2 |
Final Thoughts
Air France has been an important part of my aviation journey. Over the years, I’ve experienced everything from the iconic Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-400 to the airline’s newest Airbus A220 fleet. These flights have allowed me to witness the evolution of one of Europe’s great airlines firsthand.
For aviation enthusiasts, Air France offers more than just transportation—it represents decades of aviation history, technological innovation, and the continuing evolution of commercial air travel. For me, every Air France flight has added another memorable chapter to my growing flight log.