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Eastern Airways to launch three UK-Paris routes

Eastern Airways has announced a cooperation with Air France and the launch of three UK to Paris services to starting in April 2023.

Daily services to Paris Orly will operate from East Midlands, Cardiff and Southampton airports.

The East Midlands and Southampton daily services commence on Friday 14 April, with Cardiff starting one week later, offering a year-round travel to the capital city plus onward Air France connections.

The new schedule sees Eastern Airways return to East Midlands as a base carrier, adding around 25 crew and engineering roles.

Roger Hage, Commercial Director of Eastern Airways said,

We are delighted to be entering into this cooperation with Air France and opening up connectivity to Europe’s second biggest city for both business and leisure travellers and restoring direct access year-round to France.

These first three new UK-France services from East-Midlands, Southampton and Cardiff will initiate the new Eastern Airways and Air France cooperation, developing into a codeshare partnership in the course of this year.

Each ensures a sustainable capacity development whereby not only direct access to Paris is offered, but onward connections to a myriad of destinations allowing business users much improved options.

The new Paris Orly service will be available with fares from £69.99 each-way including taxes and charges, operating on a low-emission 72-seat ATR aircraft, the first to be based at East-Midlands Airport for Eastern Airways.

This will complement the Newquay-Cornwall service which launches on Friday, 31 March and will act as a catalyst to further new services from the East Midlands hub.

Air France will sell seats via an interline agreement developing into full codeshare with Eastern Airways by the end of the year.


Air France launches a new baggage range in collaboration with Delesy

Air France and Delsey have renewed their collaboration and launched a new range of luggage called Allure, combining French know-how and elegance.

The two French travel specialists have reinterpreted the codes that made their previous range New Envol successful to offer a completely revised version.

With a more ‘assertive’ design, Allure combines strength and lightness for an elegant journey.

Available in black and navy blue, the range is also available for the first time in ivory, recalling the soft tones of Air France’s most exclusive cabin, La Première.

Each suitcase has a ’twill’ finish reminiscent of the fashion world and allowing the luggage to be more resistant to scratches. And with a view to demonstrating a more sustainable approach, the suitcase lining is made of recycled fabric.

The Allure collection is available in three sizes, including one specially designed for cabin travel, weighing just 2.7kg.

Each suitcase is also equipped with Delsey’s latest technology: 100% polycarbonate construction, four silent multidirectional double wheels, a patented SECURITECH Zip opening, and an integrated combination lock with TSA accessibility.

This new line is available from Air France.

Characteristics:

  • 5-year warranty;
  • Three colours: black, navy blue and ivory;
  • Three sizes: small, medium and large;
  • Prices: €229, €269 and €299.
  • A system allowing the suitcase to be locked with a personal code while allowing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to inspect the contents using its TSA key.

Air France Shopping at BHV MARAIS

From March 27 to April 30, 2023, Air France Shopping will exhibit its new collection of Allure luggage as well as other elegant and practical objects from its collections related to travel on the 2nd floor of BHV Marais in Paris.

Air France announce Michelin-starred chefs and a New York Clarins spa

Air France has opened a new spa treatment lounge and announced Michelin-starred dishes on flights.

Air France has inaugurated a new spa in partnership with the French beauty and skincare specialist Clarins in the New York-JFK lounge. This new space, spanning 30sq m is reserved for La Première, Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus customers who wish to relax before their flight or during transit.

La Première, Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus customers have access to the Air France lounge located in terminal 1 at New York-JFK.

The Clarins team welcomes Air France customers in two cozy private beauty booths where they can choose from a selection of three complimentary face treatments lasting 20 minutes: ‘Jet Lag Relief’, ‘Detox time’ and ‘Eye-Must’ treatments. These beauty rituals, designed to relieve tension and promote relaxation, are increased to 30 minutes for La Première customers exclusively, who can also enjoy a ‘Relax and reset’ treatment designed by Clarins for Air France.

The airline explained ‘Clarins professionals transport passengers into a world of intense well-being by providing expert care combined with high-end products rich in plant extracts’.

The new Clarins Spa is open daily from 2pm to 10pm. Reservations can be made at the Clarins reception area in the Air France lounge.  La Première customers can also book this treatment by calling their dedicated phone line.

Air France will operate up to nine flights a day between the two cities this winter. The airline will offer a “shuttle” service available between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and New York-John F. Kennedy with 6 daily flights operated by Air France, four of which will offer the La Première cabin, and 2 daily flights operated by its partner Delta Air Lines. Air France will also launch a daily non-stop service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and New York-Newark Liberty Airport.


From November 2022 to February 2023, Air France will be offering new Michelin-starred dishes by top French chefs Arnaud Lallement and Michel Roth in its La Première and Business long-haul cabins.

Working with carefully selected seasonal produce, vegetarian compositions, red and white meats from France and fish from sustainable fisheries, the renowned Michelin-starred chefs have created refined flavours for the airline’s customers to enjoy over the coming months.

With this new exceptional meal service, Air France is continuing to offer the best of fine French dining on board.

Arnaud Lallement in the La Première cabin

In the La Première cabin, triple Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Lallement offers contemporary, gourmet cuisine bursting with flavour. As a guest of the Servair Culinary Studio, he has prepared an appetizer, two starters and eight dishes that are gradually being unveiled on the menu of the airline’s most exclusive cabin.

For Air France, I wanted to promote seasonal cuisine, do what comes completely naturally to me, as if I was hypnotized, and offer dishes passed down to me by my father.

Arnaud Lallement

On the La Première menu:

Champagne-based Arnaud Lallement was awarded three Michelin stars before the age of 40.
  • French Sturia caviar, smoked haddock, chive cream (appetiser);
  • Langoustine, lemon caviar, creamy court-bouillon (starter);
  • Scallops, green cabbage, coteaux Champenois sauce (starter);
  • Tortellini, spinach, mushrooms, parmesan sauce;
  • Celery, potato and comté pie, truffle cream;
  • Black halibut, artichokes, yellow wine sauce;
  • Lobster in homage to my dad, lobster jus;
  • Free-range chicken, candied turnips, reduced jus;
  • Pigeon pie, spinach, balsamic poultry jus;
  • Beef confit, leek vinaigrette;
  • Lamb, garden vegetables, lamb jus.

The La Première cabin is available this winter on selected flights to Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, San Francisco, Washington-DC (United States), Mexico City (Mexico), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Johannesburg (South Africa), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Singapore.

Michel Roth in the Business cabin

In the Business cabin, Michel Roth, Michelin-starred chef, Bocuse d’Or and Meilleur Ouvrier de France, offers a new series of refined dishes. Produced in collaboration with Servair, eight tasty dishes will be gradually unveiled for optimum culinary pleasure on board.

My cuisine – authentic, simple and attentive – is, like Air France, deep-rooted in its heritage and shows great respect for the flavours of the produce

Michel Roth

On the Business menu:

Michel Roth is one of the most successful chefs in France, with one of the most prestigious records in French gastronomy: Bocuse d’or and Meilleur ouvrier de France in 1991, he was named Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2006, he has been awarded several Michelin stars and in 2016 achieved the coveted title of Romand de l’année with a score of 18/20 in Gault et Millau.
  • Royale with wild mushrooms and hazelnuts, chestnut cream with lovage;
  • Fillet of cod, shellfish juice with coriander, caramelized fennel;
  • Chicken fillet with corn several ways and cranberry juice;
  • Beef tenderloin, rare pepper sauce, vanilla celery and asparagus mousseline with almonds;
  • Cod and salmon brandade, parsley coulis, leeks and buckwheat;
  • Chicken supreme, spinach and wild mushroom fondue, crayfish coulis;
  • Royale and cauliflower heads, Dubary tartuffon cream (pumpkin seeds with spices);
  • Beef cheek with rosemary, mushrooms and figs, butternut purée with mustard.

As part of the fight against food waste, Air France customers can now pre-select a hot meal in the Business cabin before their trip.

This service combines the guarantee of availability of the customer’s choice with fairer consumption on board.

Air France is also committed to offering 100% French meat, dairy products and eggs on all its flights departing from Paris, as well as fish from sustainable fisheries, starting now in the La Première and Business cabins and in all its cabins by the end of the year.

Spectacular new gourmet dishes in Air France lounges at Paris Charles de Gaulle

Air France is offering new culinary delights in its lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.

The Ducasse Paris teams have developed new dishes to be enjoyed in the long-haul lounges in terminal 2E. For the short and medium-haul lounge in Terminal 2F, Servair corporate chef François Adamski, Bocuse d’Or and Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF), has teamed up with the young and talented chef Chloé Charles to create gourmet dishes with a summer flavour.

Ducasse Paris in the long-haul lounges

In the long-haul lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle located in terminal 2E, halls K, L and M, customers can now enjoy the new “Burgal” signed by Ducasse Paris, a fully veggie and healthy alternative to the traditional hamburger made from locally produced French cereals and vegetables. It is composed of a vegan brioche bun, a vegetable and legume patty, a spicy vegan mayonnaise with pickles and an aubergine caviar condiment, and the recipe is compatible with all dietary needs.

Ducasse Paris also offers a salad and a signature condiment featuring unrefined produce and seasonings with no added fat or sugar. For dessert, a chocolate praline finger from the Manufacture Ducasse is offered, prepared exclusively for the company’s customers.

Ducasse Paris burgal
Ducasse Paris dessert

François Adamski and Chloé Charles in the short and medium-haul lounge at terminal 2F

In the short and medium-haul lounge in terminal 2F, Air France has teamed up with Servair corporate chef François Adamski, an undisputed emblematic name in French cuisine (winner of the Bocuse d’or and Meilleur Ouvrier de France), and the young and talented chef Chloé Charles at the forefront of responsible catering. Through this alliance, Air France is both illustrating its determination to take inspiration from the very roots of French haute cuisine, which it has supported since the company’s beginnings, and its ambition to promote the promising young talent behind today’s inventive cuisine with a view to transferring and sharing know-how. The two chefs are presenting new hot dishes, including a vegetarian offer, which will be unveiled progressively over the coming months for lunch or dinner.

Chloé Charles (left) and François Adamski

On the menu in September 2022 –

  • Smoked shrimp, tangy sauce and seasonal vegetables by François Adamski;
  • Shoulder of lamb with spices, reduced juice, semolina with candied vegetables by François Adamski;
  • Camargue rice sautéed and flavoured with West Indian spices and spring vegetable brunoise by Chloé Charles.

Before a flight or while waiting for a connecting flight, Air France welcomes its Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus customers in spacious and quiet lounges where they can relax and rest, eat or work in peace. In these privileged spaces, gastronomy is in the spotlight with a rich and varied catering offer, highlighting French cuisine. The culinary offer available in the lounges changes throughout the day.

In the spirit of French bistros, a large choice of hot and cold dishes is available at all times, with cocktails, simmered casseroles, pancakes for breakfast, etc.

Special culinary events are regularly organised.

A wine and champagne list presented by Paolo Basso, world’s best sommelier in 2013, is also available in the lounges.

A more responsible catering offer

Since 1 June, 2022 in its lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle – and by the end of 2022 on all its flights departing from Paris – Air France has committed to offering 100% French meat, dairy products and eggs, bread and pastries, as well as fish from sustainable fisheries. The airline offers a selection of fresh, local and seasonal products. A vegetarian offer is also available.

The company is also committed to recycling and eliminating 90% of single-use plastic on board its aircraft by early 2023. It also pays particular attention to the selective sorting and recycling of catering items. In accordance with French regulations, it also provides its customers with water fountains in its lounges to limit the consumption of single-use plastic.


Air France to introduce new La Première cabin

Air France has announced it is working on the design of a completely new La Première cabin.

The airline states this ‘confirms the airline’s commitment to continue to offer its most exclusive and elegant service, regularly rewarded for its quality and excellence’.

Now in the design phase, the new concept will be unveiled during the 2023/2024 winter season.

The future cabin will be the longest on the market and will offer up to three modular configurations that can be fully privatized for an even more exceptional journey: a seat, a sofa and a fully flat bed.

The new cabin will equip a larger number of aircraft than at present.

Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM said

La Première represents the highest level of French excellence and is an intrinsic part of Air France’s DNA. Even at the height of the Covid crisis, we could see the attractiveness of such an offer for our customers, particularly on the North Atlantic route, where load factors in the La Première cabin are currently higher than they were back in 2019. We look forward to unveiling this new cabin, which is set to meet the highest global standards.

The large-scale project is part of Air France’s strategy to ‘move upmarket’, which also covers fleet renewal, lounge renovation and the development of a more sustainable catering offer, signed by Michelin-starred chefs in the airline’s Business and La Première cabins. 

Introduced in 2014, Air France’s La Première suites are currently available on board select Boeing 777-300s serving top destinations in North America, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

The introduction of the new La Première cabin comes just days after Air France announced its new long-haul Business seat. The airline’s completely redesigned iconic seat features even more enveloping curves and extra comfort.

New Business seat: Rolled out on 12 Boeing 777-300s from September 2022, each aircraft will be equipped with 48 seats in Business class

This seat’s design is based on ‘the three Fs’

  • Full Flat, meaning that the seat transforms into a real bed almost two metres long,
  • Full Access, providing all passengers direct access to the aisle,
  • Full Privacy, ensuring optimal privacy.

A new sliding door allows passengers to create a totally private space, out of sight from the other passengers in the cabin. To create a greater sense of privacy for passengers travelling together, the seats located in the centre of the cabin are now equipped with a central panel that can be lowered by pressing it down, creating a convivial space in which to make the most of the flight together.

The seat also features a wide 17.3-inch 4K High-Definition anti-glare screen with a noise-reducing headset, a new Bluetooth connection allowing passengers to use their own headphones and several electric sockets.

As passengers board the aircraft, they are greeted by a backlit winged seahorse, ’embodying the company’s founding myth and rich history’.

The seat’s padding adds softness and a feeling of cosiness. Wool, brushed aluminium, full-grain French leather are the ‘noble, soft and natural materials’ chosen by Air France for the manufacture of its seats. Each seat is also embroidered with the company’s trademark red accent.


Air France-KLM and IndiGo codeshare takes off

Air France-KLM and IndiGo, India’s leading carrier, have implemented the extensive codeshare agreement announced in December 2021.

IndiGo: Air France and KLM customers now have access to 30 destinations in India

With this partnership, Air France and KLM will ultimately offer their customers access to 30 new Indian destinations and a large number of round-trip combinations for both business and leisure purposes.

Customers will be able to fly to the destination of their choice with one single booking. Flying Blue members will also be able to earn miles on all routes covered by this agreement.

On departure from their respective hubs in Paris and Amsterdam, Air France and KLM already serve four destinations in India: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.

On departure from the multiple points in India, Air France and KLM will open up their global network of over 300 destinations to IndiGo customers, with more than 120 destinations in Europe and about 50 in the Americas.

Henri de Peyrelongue, EVP Commercial Sales Air France-KLM said:

We are very proud at Air France-KLM to be the first major European airline group to initiate cooperation with IndiGo. This codeshare agreement will allow us to increase our local footprint and to improve connectivity between India – one of the fastest growing markets – and the rest of the world, via our Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol hubs. For our customers this means an enhanced network with as many as 30 new destinations in India, as well as increased roundtrip possibilities for both business and leisure travel.

Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy & Revenue Officer, IndiGo said,

We are pleased to commence the partnership with one of the strongest European airline groups, Air France-KLM. This codeshare is in line with our mission to provide air connectivity and affordable fares across India and to international destinations. As this summer sees a huge interest in international travel after a hiatus of two years, the codeshare will extend our on-time, affordable, courteous and hassle-free travel experience across 30 incredible Indian destinations to Air France-KLM customers.

Codeshare flights are now available to book through Global Travel Management.

A new Air France La Première comfort kit

Air France is offering a new comfort kit to each of its La Première customers.

Inspired by a writing set, this elegant and timeless gift box is available in two colours that are characteristic of this prestigious travel suite – Air France red and pearl grey. The topstitching and embossed winged seahorse emblem, the company’s historic symbol, are a discreet nod to the designer codes of the La Première suites.

To create this kit, Air France has teamed up with the French beauty brand Sisley, already present in the company’s La Première lounge, to offer guests a genuine moment of well-being during the flight. Intended as a customised and tailor-made offer for guests, the kit encloses a range of five products carefully selected by the pioneering phyto-cosmetology company to offer a choice of two beauty care rituals –

  • an anti-age replenishing beauty care ritual;
  • an anti-age moisturising beauty care ritual.

The kit contains the following beauty products (sample size) –

  • A black rose cream mask;
  • A hydrating booster serum;
  • An anti-age hydration booster moisturising serum;
  • A black rose water balm;
  • An All day, All year anti-age day cream.

This kit also containing a La Première pen, a wooden comb, earplugs and a night mask can be taken home after the flight.


Air France-KLM launches “Flying Blue Family”

Flying Blue, the Air France-KLM Group’s frequent flyer programme, has launched “Flying Blue Family”.

With this new online free of charge service, any Flying Blue member over 18 years old can now create a “Flying Blue Family” and invite up to 7 other members.

The leader of the Flying Blue Family can transfer Miles from the other members’ accounts to his or her own at any time.

Miles shared in this way provide faster access to the programme’s rewards and offers, so everyone benefits!

“Flying Blue Family” can group up to 8 relatives, with a maximum of 2 adults and 6 children. This service is now available on members’ online profiles on the Air France and KLM websites..

A film directed by Ugo Mangin humorously depicts the members of a family having trouble agreeing on their next destination. When you share your Miles with your family, you have to agree on your dream destination. Shot in slow motion, this 60-second film by the agency Isobar highlights the difficult choice family members may face.

Flying Blue Family

To spend even more time together, Flying Blue also offers additional benefits dedicated to kids and teens. The frequent flyer programme offers a 25% discount on award tickets for children aged 2 to 11, travelling with an adult.

In addition, Miles do not expire for members under 18. And Flying Blue allows its members on parental leave to extend their current status.

Flying Blue is the Air France-KLM Group’s frequent flyer programme. Created in 2005, it now has 17 million members worldwide, who have access to a multitude of awards and benefits, and can earn and spend miles with a wide selection of airline, retail and financial partners.

Air France releases details of Michelin-starred chefs’ menus

Air France continues to promote French dining throughout the world.

The airline is to team up with two Michelin-starred chefs to enhance the menus on its long-haul La Première and Business services.

The chefs have created what the airline describe as ‘refined dishes’ for Air France passengers from Paris, including vegetarian, fish, poultry and meat courses.

La Première

Three Michelin-starred chef Régis Marcon

Three Michelin-starred chef Régis Marcon is president of the Servair Culinary Studio, the group of culinary ambassadors who meet to reflect the evolution of culinary technologies, explore new trends, identify innovative products and meet the specific needs of customers of Servair, the leading French airline catering company.

Marcon has created six new, seasonal dishes.

  • Vegetable lasagna, with tangy chive cream;
  • Braised veal shank, sage sauce, potato gratin with porcini mushrooms;
  • Beef tenderloin in red wine, sautéed potato and morel cake;
  • Pike and shrimp cake with lobster sauce,  sautéed girolle mushrooms with tarragon, spinach;
  • Mixed scallops and scampi with truffles, reduced jus and julienne vegetables;
  • Confit pigeon, apricot sauce, lemon bulgur, mushrooms and butternut.

Business

Two Michelin-starred chef Matthieu Viannay was the winner of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France award in 2004 and has restaurants in France and Japan.

In the Business cabin, Air France has entrusted its menu to two Michelin-starred chef Mathieu Viannay.

There are eight original dishes combining delicate flavours and local produce.

  • Penne pasta, arugula and spinach gratin, ricotta cream with lovage
  • Risotto verde, vegetable Bolognese
  • Beef tenderloin, macaire potato patties, roasted beet and smoked meat juices
  • Poultry fillet with morel mushrooms, spelt and butternut squash risotto
  • Poached cod fillet with baby vegetables and taggiasca olives
  • Pike perch fillet, armorican sauce, yellow carrots and herb semolina
  • Braised veal shank with sweet spices, split pea puree, mange tout and hazelnuts
  • Roasted guineafowl in coffee, celery confit and stewed autumn vegetables.
The Business Class menus created by Mathieu Viannay include a fillet of poultry, served with morel mushrooms on a spelt and butternut squash risotto (left); roasted guineafowl, with a coffee jus, celery confit and ‘autumn vegetables’ (centre); and cod fillet, poached, and served with baby vegetables and Italian, purple taggiasta olives (right).

The menus will be available on long-haul flights from Paris from November 2021 to February 2022.


One strike ends, another begins…again!

First the good news: Air France’s main pilots’ union has announced the end of a crippling two-week strike, held over the airline’s plans for a low-cost subsidiary.

The SNPL’s spokesman told AFP that pilots were ending their protest – which has cost Air France more than 200 million euros ($A270.49 million) – so that negotiations over its low-cost subsidiary, Transavia, can go ahead “in a calmer climate”.

The pilots are fighting for a “single contract” across Air France-KLM, and its subsidiaries, to avoid being forced to accept less attractive working conditions at Transavia, which serves holiday destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean.

Now the less good news: pilots with Germany’s flag carrier, Lufthansa, will stage yet another strike, this time affecting long-haul flights tomorrow, Tuesday 30th September; their latest walkout in the ongoing dispute with the company’s management over early retirement provisions.

The pilots’ union, Vereinigung Cockpit, called on its members to strike on long-haul flights departing from Frankfurt between 0600 and 2100 tomorrow. The strike would affect services on Airbus A380, A330 and A340 and Boeing 747 aircraft, the union said.

This is the fourth time that Lufthansa’s pilots have ‘downed tools’ in recent weeks. The first strike at the end of August hit Lufthansa’s low-cost subsidiary Germanwings. The second walkout a week later affected domestic and regional services, landing at or taking off from Frankfurt, and the third stoppage targeted Munich airport, Germany’s second-busiest air hub.

Lufthansa pilots can currently take paid early retirement from the age of 55. They are fighting a plan by the airline to raise the minimum age and to involve pilots in the financing of their pensions.