Air France Names New Aircraft 'Paris' Ahead of 2024 Olympic Games

In a move to honor the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Air France has named its latest long-haul aircraft ‘Paris’. This announcement comes just days before the opening ceremony, underscoring the airline's role as an official partner of the event.

A Tribute to Paris

Fresh from the assembly lines in Toulouse, the new aircraft, registered F-HUVJ, proudly displays the name ‘Paris’ and the official logo of the Paris 2024 Games on its fuselage. This aircraft joins the Air France hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and is set to operate its first commercial flight to Hong Kong this evening.

David Morgan, Chief Operating Officer of easyJet, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative: “Hydrogen is going to play an important role in decarbonizing aviation, so we need to lay the groundwork now. The Gatwick hub is a positive signal of the industry’s intent to adapt and work together towards decarbonization. With support from regulators and policymakers, projects like this will prepare UK airports for a hydrogen transition, critical to achieving our net zero ambitions.”

Reviving a Tradition

Since 2019, Air France has been naming its aircraft after French cities to promote France’s regions globally. Following in the footsteps of Lyon, Saint-Denis de la Réunion, and Grasse, 'Paris' is the latest addition to this tradition. This naming also celebrates Paris as the airline's main base and leading destination.

Preparing for the Games

Air France's decision to name the aircraft ahead of the Paris 2024 Games reflects the pride and contribution of the airline’s 39,000 employees. The airline plans to carry more than one in five athletes, including 15% of Olympic athletes and 35% of Paralympic athletes, during the event.

Enhanced Travel Experience

The newly named aircraft is equipped with 48 Business seats, 32 Premium Economy seats, and 212 Economy seats. It will serve long-haul destinations such as New York, Santiago de Chile, Hong Kong, and Antananarivo. This new-generation aircraft boasts a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions and a 40% decrease in noise footprint compared to previous models.

Commitment to Sustainability

By 2030, Air France aims to have 70% of its fleet composed of latest-generation aircraft, supported by an annual investment plan of one billion euros. This commitment includes increased use of sustainable aviation fuel, fleet renewal, eco-piloting practices, and intermodality.

Interactive Exhibition at Palais de Tokyo

During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Air France will host an exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo from 27 July to 11 August 2024. Visitors can explore the cockpit of the 'Paris' aircraft through a virtual reality experience, try out the latest Business cabin, and learn about the airline’s sustainable development efforts.

A Legacy of Support

In 2016, Air France supported Paris’s bid to host the 2024 Games by decorating aircraft with a stylized Eiffel Tower logo. Following the Tokyo 2020 Games, the Olympic flag was flown back to Paris on an Air France flight, marking the countdown to the 2024 Games.