If you live in Colorado and want to visit Paris, France, your travel plans are about to get easier. And if you live in Denver, they’re about to become a snap.
That’s because Air France just announced that Denver will be its newest U.S. gateway, and flights between the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris and the Denver International Airport will begin July 2.
“We know people everywhere are eager to travel safely, and Air France is just as eager to provide them the opportunity to travel the world,” Stephane Ormand, Air France KLM VP and General Manager, USA said, a 9 News (Denver) article reports. “We look forward to connecting Denver to our global network and providing passengers the opportunity to benefit from our commitment to exceptional service and the health and safety of everyone on board.”
Growing Demand
Currently, a travel restriction bans non-essential travel between the U.S. and Europe. The new service is scheduled to run from July 2 to October 29. Assuming the restrictions are lifted in time, operations during that time frame are expected to generate between $12 million and $20 million in annual revenue for the Denver airport while creating as many as 150 new jobs.
“The establishment by Air France of a brand-new transatlantic route during the most challenging time in aviation history is a remarkable endorsement of the resiliency of demand for travel to Denver,” Denver International Airport CEO Kim Day told 9 News. “We are confident Air France will find success in Denver and we have no doubt that travelers will embrace these new nonstop flights to Paris over the long term.”
The Flight Schedule
Adding Denver to its service means Air France will offer flights to and from 12 U.S. cities. In addition to Denver, there are flights to Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.
For Denver, Air France will operate three flights each week — on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The airline plans to use a Boeing 787-9 with 279 seats. Of those seats, 30 will be in the Business Cabin, 21 will be in Premium Economy, and 228 will be in Economy, according to Air France.
Know Before You Go
Currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only citizens from the European Union, Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the UK, and people who meet the French government’s exemption criteria are allowed to enter France.
As restrictions ease and travel resumes, Air France encourages customers to check current travel conditions and learn which documents will be required upon arrival in France before they travel. That information may be found here. For your fill of vacation-planning inspiration, consider all our Paris content, plus our best France, Belgium, and Switzerland travel recommendations.
