Air France Welcomes 41st Airbus A220 with New Regional Aircraft Name

On December 29, 2024, Air France welcomed its 41st Airbus A220, a 148-seater aircraft, taking off for its inaugural flight from the Airbus assembly plant in Mirabel, Canada, to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. This latest addition to the airline's fleet will serve short and medium-haul routes, with its first commercial flight to Barcelona on December 31, 2024.

Honoring France's Heritage with 'Bergerac'

The new aircraft is named ‘Bergerac’, paying tribute to the town of art and history in the Dordogne region of France. Air France’s tradition of naming its aircraft after French towns and cities highlights its commitment to honoring local cultural heritage and connecting different regions of the country.

A Tradition with Roots in Aviation and Shipping

Air France has been naming its aircraft since the 1930s, a tradition inherited from the shipping industry. Over the years, aircraft names have evolved, incorporating provinces (Gascogne, Guyenne), adjectives (Actif, Agile), constellations (Cassiopée), birds (Albatross, Cigogne), and castles (Blois, Fontainebleau). In 2019, Air France modernized this tradition by exclusively using names of towns and cities, emphasizing the airline’s role in connecting regions and promoting France globally.

Sustainability and Excellence with New Aircraft

The A220 and A350 models in the Air France fleet are part of a broader initiative to reduce environmental impact. These aircraft consume up to 25% less fuel and cut CO2 emissions by the same amount, while also reducing noise by up to 50%. With 22 new aircraft names in 2024 alone, Air France continues to push towards its sustainability goals.

A €2 Billion Annual Investment in Modern Aircraft

The Air France-KLM group invests nearly €2 billion annually in acquiring state-of-the-art aircraft. By 2030, the group aims to have 80% of its fleet composed of the latest-generation aircraft, up from 26% in 2024. This shift underscores the group's commitment to sustainability, excellence, and providing a superior travel experience.