Air France will expand its long-haul network with new flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Phuket, Thailand, starting 27 November 2025, and a seasonal service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, beginning 13 January 2026.
The announcement was made during the 47th edition of IFTM Top Resa, the international travel trade fair held in Paris from 23 to 25 September.
The new routes highlight Air France’s efforts to strengthen its global presence while also enhancing its services both in the air and on the ground. The airline is targeting growing demand for leisure travel while reinforcing Paris-Charles de Gaulle as a key European hub.
In addition to the new routes, Air France emphasized the growth of its long-haul network in 2025. Over the summer, the carrier launched flights to Orlando in the United States and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The airline also signed new agreements with several tourism boards to boost destination visibility, including Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, and the Dominican Republic, which served as the official partner of IFTM 2025.
Henri Hourcade, General Manager France at Air France-KLM, highlighted the airline’s strong operational performance during the peak season. “Up to 140,000 customers and as many bags were transported each day across nearly 900 daily flights, thanks to the mobilization of more than 3,000 airport staff in France,” said Hourcade.
Service Enhancements and Onboard Innovations
Air France is investing in its fleet and customer experience. Since 1 September 2025, its Embraer 190 aircraft have been progressively equipped with lighter, more comfortable seats and high-speed Wi-Fi. The carrier became the first major European airline to offer free Wi-Fi to all passengers, regardless of cabin class, accessible via Flying Blue accounts. By the end of 2025, 30% of the fleet will be equipped, with full coverage expected by 2026.
The airline also presented upgrades to its premium cabins. Its new La Première suites are already available on flights to New York-JFK and Singapore and will soon be introduced on services to Los Angeles and Tokyo-Haneda. New Business Class seats with Sofitel My Bed mattress toppers are being rolled out, and inflight entertainment has been enhanced through a partnership with Canal+, offering access to films, series, and documentaries.
Strengthening Paris-Charles de Gaulle as a Hub
Air France is reinforcing Paris-Charles de Gaulle as a key European hub through improved connectivity and customer services. A major step came with the launch of the “Short Connection Pass” on 4 August 2025, developed under the Connect France partnership with Groupe ADP. This initiative provides automatic priority access at security and border checks for passengers with short connection times, aiming to streamline transfers and enhance hub competitiveness.
The airline has also invested in airport lounges. It reopened its lounge at Terminal 2E in Paris in April, relaunched its Boston lounge in August, and announced plans for a dedicated lounge in Chicago by the end of the year.
The airline also underlined its decarbonization strategy. On 25 August 2025, Air France received its 46th Airbus A220-300 in Paris after a delivery flight powered by 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Air France-KLM is currently the world’s second-largest user of SAF and continues to expand its commitment to sustainable operations.
Recruitment and Careers
At IFTM 2025, Air France also showcased career opportunities, hosting presentations on pilot, ground staff, and cabin crew roles. With around 100 positions currently open, the company confirmed plans to expand recruitment into 2026, focusing on mechanics, aeronautical technicians, ground staff, and managerial roles.
Through new destinations, upgraded products, and a focus on sustainability, Air France is positioning itself to meet rising demand in both leisure and business markets, while strengthening its role as a global airline and a leading European hub carrier.
