At 9 am on Friday 2 December, Air France welcomed its very first Boeing 787. On this occasion, and as is our custom, firefighters at Paris-Charles de Gaulle gave the aircraft the traditional water salute.
Franck Terner, Air France CEO stated: “It is with great pride and honour today that Air France takes delivery of its first Boeing 787, the 9th in the Air France-KLM Group. The Boeing 787 marks a new step in the modernization of our fleet and will offer our customers the best Air France products”.
On board the Boeing 787 – the best of Air France
For Air France customers, the Boeing 787 has many assets –
– the latest Air France cabins – a cocoon in the sky in the Business cabin (30 seats) and comfort for all in the new Premium Economy cabin (21 seats) and in Economy (225 seats);
– a Wi-Fi connection on board adapted to the requirements and habits of customers (from 20MB to 200MB for a price ranging between €5 and €30);
– additional comfort and space with the new Premium Economy seats;
– windows that are approximately 30% larger than on similar aircraft;
– a lower cabin altitude and enhanced in-flight humidity levels for greater travel comfort.
Many operational assets
This new-generation aircraft has many operational assets including –
– fuel consumption reduced by about 20% compared with previous-generation aircraft, an asset that reduces the effects of a new increase in the price of fuel;
– a significant reduction in CO2 emissions (around 20%) and noise emissions.
Maintenance support by AFI KLM E&M
A major player on the aeronautical maintenance market, Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) provides maintenance support for the Air France KLM Group’s Boeing 787 fleet.
AFI KLM E&M offers the most comprehensive technical support for airlines on the market, particularly for new-generation aircraft fleets, ranging from engineering and line maintenance to engine overhaul and aero structure support (high composite capability with the new Hélios facility at Paris-CDG), modification capability (design and production certification), APUs, training (innovative digital tools), etc.
A major player for 787 maintenance, AFI KLM E&M has successfully developed a maintenance capability for the GEnx-1B powerplant, making it the first MRO present on this market, excluding engine manufacturer. A first customer has already signed up with AFI KLM E&M: Xiamen Air (China). AFI KLM E&M has extensive experience in Boeing 787 maintenance and since 2012 has carried out the 787 component support for several customer airlines (12 to date).
Air France and the Boeing 787: a series of discovery flights
In line with its passion for aircraft, Air France invites its customers and aviation lovers to come and discover the Boeing 787 on four inaugural flights around France on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 January 2017:
- 7 January at 8:30 am: Corsica and the Mediterranean, flight AF787.
- 7 January at 1:30 pm: Southwest – Gascony, flight AF789.
- 8 January at 8:30 am: Brittany, flight AF787.
- 8 January at 1:30 pm: Tour of France, flight AF789.
Air France’s Boeing 787 will make its first commercial flight to Cairo on 9 January 2017.
The Company will take delivery of a second aircraft in April 2017, which will serve Montreal starting 1 May 2017.
Aero 