Air France took the delivery of its first Airbus A220-300 on 29SEP, with commercial flights within EU destinations beginning on 31OCT.
The new A220-300 is part of the airline's efforts to renew its fleet as it is in the process of gradually replacing its Airbus A318s and A319s as well as several Airbus A320s. By 2025, Air France is set to have integrated its 60 A220-300s ordered in 2019, the largest order from a European customer, to join the Airbus A350 on its long-haul network.
The new A220-300, intended for Air France's short and medium-haul network, is named "Le Bourget" in homage to the town north of Paris which is deeply linked to the aviation industry. The aircraft sports the Air France livery with the winged seahorse on the front of its fuselage and on its wingtips.
Beginning 31OCT 2021, Air France's Airbus A220-300 will fly to Berlin, Barcelona, Madrid, Milan-Linate and Venice from the Air France hub at CDG. During the 2021-2022 winter season, the aircraft will gradually extend its network to Bologna, Rome, Lisbon, and Copenhagen.
According to Air France, the A220-300 provides a cost reduction per seat of 10 per cent, 20 per cent less fuel consumed, and reduces its CO2 emissions by 20 per cent compared to the Airbus A318 and A319s it is replacing. Its noise footprint is also 34 per cent lower. This will assist in reducing Air France's environmental footprint and achieving its sustainable development objectives. By 2030, the airline intends to reduce its overall CO2 emissions per passenger/km by 50 per cent compared to 2005, or 15 per cent overall. Air France is also committed to working with all its stakeholders and the public authorities to achieve the climate target of zero net CO2 emissions by 2050.
The Air France Airbus A220-300 has 148 seats, in a 3-2 seat configuration (5 seats across) offering 80 per cent of customers a window or aisle seat. It offers two travel cabins, Business and Economy, and access to Air France Connect, the airline's inflight Wi-Fi service.
The seat is 48 cm wide, reclines to 118 degrees and has an adjustable headrest, leather upholstery and an ergonomic seat cushion for comfort. Seats are integrated with a wide solid tray table, cup holder, a pouch for storing magazines and books, individual USB A and C ports and tablet or smartphone holder.
Air France notes that the A220-300 will feature a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air)-type filter which will renew the air every 3 minutes, which is also present on the rest of its fleet.
For more information, visit Air France's web site.
