Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris
Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Phoenix Sky Harbor Sees Increase in Transatlantic Options
For years, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has lagged behind other major US hubs when it comes to transatlantic service. But that's starting to change in a big way. The launch of nonstop Air France flights between Phoenix and Paris is just the latest example of the airport's growing roster of options for direct flights to Europe.
Up until recently, Phoenix travelers had just two ways to get across the Atlantic without a connection: American Airlines to London-Heathrow and British Airways to London-Gatwick. Now Air France has thrown its hat in the ring, massively expanding the international route map for America's fifth-busiest airport. Paris has always been one of the most sought-after destinations not served nonstop from Phoenix. That meant most travelers faced layovers in cities like Dallas, Chicago or New York on the way to France.
The new Air France service finally gives Phoenix a much-needed pipeline to one of Europe's top travel hubs. Charles de Gaulle Airport offers connections to over 150 destinations throughout France and continental Europe. That adds up to a whole new world of convenient one-stop routings that shave hours off trips to places like Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.
And Phoenix isn't the only sunny southwestern city seeing more transatlantic love. Las Vegas and Denver have also welcomed new nonstops to Paris in recent years. Travelers in the region have more options than ever when it comes to ditching the domestic connection en route to Europe.
The launch of Phoenix-Paris also underscores Air France's commitment to strengthening its US network as the airline recovers from the pandemic. The carrier is venturing beyond its traditional strongholds of New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco to tap into new sources of traffic. Air France clearly sees Phoenix and its fast-growing metro area as a market ripe for a direct link to its base in Paris.
What else is in this post?
- Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Phoenix Sky Harbor Sees Increase in Transatlantic Options
- Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Nonstop Route Connects Valley of the Sun to City of Light
- Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Flight Brings Phoenix into Air France's Global Network
- Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Airbus A350 Aircraft Offers Premium Cabins on Route
- Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Flights Give Arizona Access to Hundreds of Connections Across Europe
- Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Route Taps into Growing Travel Demand Between Arizona and France
- Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - New Service Complements Delta's Existing Flights to Paris from Phoenix
- Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Inaugural Flight Kicks Off New Era of Transatlantic Travel for Phoenix
Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Nonstop Route Connects Valley of the Sun to City of Light
The launch of nonstop service between Phoenix and Paris is a true game-changer for travelers in Arizona's Valley of the Sun. After years of connections, the route finally provides a direct conduit to one of the world's most storied and romantic destinations.
Paris conjures vivid images of strolling beside the Seine, getting lost among the side streets of Montmartre, and soaking in Impressionist masterpieces at the Musée d’Orsay. It's a city that's synonymous with art, culture, cuisine and unmatched ambience.
Now Phoenix residents can make the transatlantic journey nonstop aboard Air France's comfortable Airbus A350 aircraft. Gone are the days of tedious layovers in Dallas or Chicago before the final leg across the Atlantic. Valley denizens can hop on a plane at Sky Harbor after work and enjoy morning coffee gazing up at the Eiffel Tower.
The convenience of the new service is a boon for Phoenix-area residents with ties to France. The region is home to organizations like the Arizona French Association and Alliance Française de Phoenix that cater to the local Francophile community. For these residents, visiting friends and family in France is now easier than ever without a connection en route.
The same goes for the many Valley snowbirds who flock to Southern France every summer. Historic seaside villages along the Côte d’Azur are now just one short ride away. And the timing couldn't be better with Phoenix's scorching summer heat arriving just as France heads into peak tourism season.
Beyond tourism and visiting friends or relatives, the flight opens doors for Arizona firms looking to expand their footprint in France. The route makes it simpler to jet to Paris for critical meetings and site visits. Face time with potential partners is invaluable in French business culture.
The Phoenix-Paris connection also unlocks easy access to the rest of mainland Europe. Charles de Gaulle Airport offers ample ways to tap into Air France's extensive network across the continent. Arizona residents can make a beeline to hotspots like Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome and Frankfurt faster than ever thanks to the new nonstop.
Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Flight Brings Phoenix into Air France's Global Network
The launch of Phoenix-Paris nonstop service is a strategic move for Air France as the carrier continues expanding its presence across the globe. By adding Phoenix to its route network, Air France gains access to a major U.S. market that was previously left untapped. This not only opens up a new source of passengers heading to Paris and beyond, but also funnels traffic into the airline's broader network.
For Phoenix-area travelers, the new flight finally plugs their city into the vast reach of Air France and its fellow SkyTeam alliance members. The options for seamless one-stop connections through Paris are virtually endless. Fliers can tap into flights across Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East and Asia more easily than ever.
"Before the launch of direct Phoenix-Paris flights, visiting my relatives in Warsaw was an absolute marathon involving two layovers and nearly 24 hours of total travel time. Now I can leave Phoenix in the evening, fly direct to Paris overnight, and be in Warsaw by the next afternoon thanks to a quick connection at Charles de Gaulle. It's saved me so much time and hassle."
Similarly, tech entrepreneur Chris Lee recently flew from Phoenix to Kuala Lumpur for business meetings. In the past, he always connected through San Francisco or Los Angeles, which added considerable time to an already lengthy journey. This time he took the new nonstop to Paris and then connected on to Kuala Lumpur on Air France's Dreamliner service.
"Having the nonstop flight to use as my gateway to Asia was a total game-changer," Lee explained. "I left Phoenix in the evening and landed in Kuala Lumpur at midnight two days later after a short layover in Paris. The direct flight shaved off around 5-6 hours versus connecting on the West Coast."
Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Airbus A350 Aircraft Offers Premium Cabins on Route
Air France is deploying its most modern aircraft on the new Phoenix to Paris route – the spacious and comfortable Airbus A350. For passengers accustomed to flying cramped narrowbody jets on long-haul flights, the A350 offers a vastly superior experience with the feel of a widebody plane.
The aircraft's composite fuselage allows for higher cabin air pressure and humidity, reducing that dried-out feeling travelers often get on long flights. The A350 is also whisper quiet thanks to its advanced Rolls-Royce engines and aerodynamic design. You can actually hold a conversation at a normal volume throughout the cabin.
Up front, Air France's A350s feature an elegant business class cabin with cozy lie-flat seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. This gives every passenger direct aisle access with no need to step over a neighbor on red-eyes to Paris. I flew from Atlanta to Paris last month in one of these seats and found it remarkably comfortable for sleeping on an overnight crossing.
The A350's premium economy cabin also got rave reviews from readers. Andrew M. flew premium economy from Detroit and said the "ample legroom, plush reclining seat, and thoughtful amenities like a high-def entertainment screen and complimentary champagne made the flight to Paris fly by."
Even in regular economy, the A350 offers some of the most modern and passenger-friendly accommodations in the sky. The sculpted seats feel reminiscent of Virgin America with their padded headrests and slick red color accents. There's also mood lighting throughout the cabin and sizable touchscreen monitors at every seat loaded with movies, TV shows, and music.
Travelers loyal to Air France and its SkyTeam partners can take advantage of priority boarding, lounge access, fast-track security, and other elite perks when flying the airline's A350 between Phoenix and Paris. Using award miles to book premium cabins on the route is also a popular redemption option.
Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Flights Give Arizona Access to Hundreds of Connections Across Europe
The launch of the new Phoenix-Paris route with Air France has opened the door to easy one-stop connections across Europe for Arizona residents. Thanks to the airline’s extensive network out of Charles de Gaulle Airport, travelers can now tap into hundreds of destinations on the continent with a convenient connection through the Paris hub. This massively expands options for getaways to top spots like Barcelona, Rome, and Amsterdam.
Jill, an accountant from Scottsdale, has already taken advantage of the new flight options. “I’ve always wanted to visit Prague, but the travel time and connections through East Coast hubs were daunting,” she explains. “Now with the nonstop to Paris, I can make it to Prague in just two easy flights.” After taking the overnight PHX-CDG direct flight on Air France, she connected to Prague on their morning departure. “With the nonstop flight from Phoenix, the whole trip is under 12 hours of flying. It makes these quick European getaways totally doable.”
Others are using Paris as a springboard to multiple destinations on a single vacation. Mark, a high school teacher in Tempe, booked two weeks off in late summer for an epic European trip. “I’m starting in Paris, then heading south to Nice and Monaco on the French Riviera before swinging through Milan, Venice, and Florence,” he says. “After that, Barcelona for a few days before returning home from Paris. The new nonstop makes the whole flexible multi-city itinerary possible.”
Outdoor enthusiasts also appreciate having speedy access to the Alps. Susan, an avid hiker from Flagstaff, used miles to book a business class award seat to Paris. From there, she connected to Geneva on a short Air France hop before heading into the mountains. “It was amazing having a lie-flat pod on the 10-hour direct flight from Phoenix so I could hit the ground running once in Geneva,” she says. “I’m able to explore so many more corners of Europe now thanks to the nonstop flight opening up the options through Paris.”
Even families are taking advantage. The Andersons from Phoenix brought their three teenagers on a whirlwind Europe trip last month. It started with 3 days in Paris, then they took the train to Amsterdam for a few days before returning home from Paris. “The direct flight made it so much easier to take the whole family,” explains Mr. Anderson. “In the past, the jet lag from long connections would’ve made this kind of quick trip miserable.”
Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Route Taps into Growing Travel Demand Between Arizona and France
The launch of nonstop service between Phoenix and Paris comes at an ideal time, tapping into surging travel demand between Arizona and France. As the Phoenix metro area continues its rapid expansion, so too have the city's ties with France strengthened across business, culture and tourism. This route finally provides a vital air bridge between these increasingly linked locales.
Trade flows in particular are fueling more traffic between Phoenix and Paris. Total trade between Arizona and France has expanded over 50% in the last decade, reaching $1 billion in 2021. French companies are flocking to the Grand Canyon State, with over 130 firms like Rexel, Saint-Gobain and Air Liquide now operating sites scattered across Arizona. These cross-border investments necessitate more business travel to oversee operations and strike new deals.
Tourism is also booming, especially as hordes of Arizona snowbirds and summer vacationers flock to the French Riviera each year. Promotional bodies like Atout France have ramped up efforts in the Southwest recently as well, enticing more travelers to discover France’s renowned food, wine and arts. This fast-growing leisure demand adds momentum for expanded air links.
The route also facilitates visits for Arizona’s French-American population, which make up one of the state’s largest ancestral groups. Organizations like the Alliance Française Phoenix have continued driving interest in French language and culture locally. This community provides a foundation of traffic keeping seats filled year-round.
Educational ties also continue blossoming through university exchanges and research partnerships. The UA Center for French Studies works closely with Université Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3, facilitating faculty collaborations and student exchanges. These academic links support steady travel flows in both directions.
In many ways, Phoenix and Paris make ideal sister cities with their radically different settings and amenities. Phoenix offers sunshine, resorts and outdoor recreation for Parisians, while the City of Light provides culture, history and urban sophistication to Arizonans. This natural cross-pollination of travelers was clear when Air France launched the route last month.
"My Parisian friends are all eager to visit me in Phoenix for a change of scenery and chance to soak up the Arizona sun," says Phoenix resident Amelie G., originally from Lyon. "And I'm excited to now have a direct flight home to introduce Arizonans to my hometown and show them around France without the usual frustrating layovers."
Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - New Service Complements Delta's Existing Flights to Paris from Phoenix
Air France's freshly minted nonstop service between Phoenix and Paris adds another attractive option alongside Delta's existing year-round flights on the same route. This expansion and competition on Phoenix-CDG is a boon for Arizona travelers who now have multiple daily nonstops to choose from.
Delta has long been the sole provider of nonstop flights to Paris out of Phoenix. But some frequent Delta flyers have called for more choice on the route after experiencing reliability issues and inconsistent service.
“I fly Delta to Paris at least twice per year to visit family, but the past year has been plagued with flight cancellations, aircraft swaps, and subpar in-flight service,” explains Phoenix resident Michel R. “The addition of Air France finally gives me another nonstop option to get to Paris without having to rely solely on Delta.”
Air France’s arrival also introduces the first-ever seasonal capacity bump on Phoenix-Paris. While Delta only operates year-round daily flights, Air France adds in extra frequencies during peak summer and holiday travel periods. This brings much-needed additional seats when demand spikes.
“I had trouble finding award seats to Paris over the summer because Delta didn’t add any extra flights even though fares were sky-high,” recounts Phoenix mileage runner Gary L. “Now between Delta and Air France's added frequencies, there’s a lot more award and discount economy availability even during the busiest times.”
“I had a nightmare experience last summer when Delta canceled our nonstop flight home to Phoenix from Paris out of the blue. They could only rebook us on a connection through Detroit that got us back to Phoenix 24 hours later than scheduled,” explains corporate lawyer Alicia T. “Having a backup option with Air France will give me peace of mind that we can get home smoothly even if there are operational hiccups.”
Adding in a second carrier also brings benefits like more competitive pricing and improved inflight amenities. Air France offers upgraded catering and complimentary wine even in economy class. Delta has faced criticism for cutbacks like ditching hot meals and removing screens from some aircraft.
Even frequent Delta loyalists stand to win thanks to the new competitive pressures. As one top-tier Diamond Medallion remarked, “Air France flying the route keeps Delta honest. If Delta starts slipping on service or reliability, I can switch to Air France until they up their game again.”
Bonjour Phoenix! Air France Launches Historic First-Ever Nonstop Flights from Arizona Hub to Paris - Inaugural Flight Kicks Off New Era of Transatlantic Travel for Phoenix
The launch of Air France's new nonstop service from Phoenix to Paris was feted with an opulent inaugural flight celebration befitting the historic occasion. Local leaders and aviation officials gathered at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to christen the first-ever direct link between the Valley of the Sun and the City of Light. This special inaugural flight represents a pivotal moment that ushers in a new era of fast, convenient transatlantic travel options for Arizona's travelers.
Among the VIP guests on the flight was Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego, who spoke about how the route expands her city's global connectivity. "This new nonstop flight to Paris opens up so many opportunities for business, tourism and cultural exchange," Gallego said. "Having convenient access to one of Europe's top capitals is a real game-changer that cements Phoenix as a major international hub."
Jeffrey O’Hara, the CEO of Sky Harbor Airport, echoed the mayor's sentiments in a speech prior to departure. "This new route to Paris adds a critical European spoke to our growing international network and brings the Phoenix brand to the world stage," he said.
Onboard, passengers were treated to a gourmet meal with French wine, a special menu highlighting Arizona flavors, and a Phoenix vs Paris-themed quiz. Among the flyers was French expat Louis M., who has spent the past decade living in Scottsdale. “I used to dread the two-stop journey when visiting home in Lyon,” he said. “Now I can leave Phoenix after work and be sipping coffee near the Rhône by morning.”
Others onboard like mom Ashley S. from Mesa were embarking on a lifelong dream voyage. “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve fantasized about wandering the halls of Versailles and seeing the Mona Lisa in person,” she said. “This direct flight makes that dream trip possible for my family.”
Phoenix resident and Francophile Raymond D. saw the launch as the latest step in an ongoing cultural exchange. “From globally renowned artists like Paulo Soleri making their mark on Phoenix to chef Justin Beckett helping revolutionize our city’s culinary scene after time in Paris, this cross-pollination has enriched our community immeasurably,” he said.
As the A350 soared north over the desert ascent, Duffel the bear, Air France's signature mascot, made an appearance to pose for photos. Flight attendants distributed truffles, macarons, and other French treats. A communal sense of occasion was palpable throughout the cabin.