One of the world’s top airlines has a spiffy new plane flying in and out of Toronto.
Air France’s first Airbus A350, named “Toulouse,” flew into Toronto this week for the first time and will be flying daily throughout the winter season.
Air France/KLM put on a breakfast in downtown Toronto on Monday after flying in on the new aircraft on Sunday.
“Canada is a very important market for us,” said Air France CEO Anne Rigail. “We’re very happy to be in Toronto to celebrate the A350.”
The new aircraft is a big step forward in aviation as it consumes 25% less fuel, emit 25% less CO2 and is 40% quieter than other planes in its class. It also offers more spacious cabins, windows that are 30% larger, in-flight lighting changes that match the time of day and better air-pressure systems so passengers – and crew – arrive feeling more refreshed and relaxed, she said.
All customers, including those in economy class, get champagne on board all long-haul flights.
Business Class features lie-flat seats, fine wines, an 18.5 inch TV monitor, French gastronomy that’s offered in conjunction with top chefs and many other benefits, Rigail said. Premium economy seats offer plenty of space and great reclining features, while economy customers enjoy ergonomic seats and the same 1,400 hours of entertainment that passengers at the front of the plane get to enjoy.
Vincent Etchebehere, General Manager, Air France KLM Canada, said Air France has boosted its capacity to Toronto by 20% over the past three years. They’re also quite involved as sponsors of the Toronto International Film Festival, he noted.
The A350 will be flown on the Toronto-Paris route from now until March.
For 2020, Air France plans on adding four more flights a week, which means they’ll have two daily flights between the biggest cities in Canada and France from June to August. The summer flights next year will use Boeing 777-200 aircraft, but the airline hopes to add more A350’s as they come on line.
Rigail said Air France is adding six more of the planes next year and 10 more in 2021; part of a one billion Euro per year investment program.
As well as offering a great ride and outstanding service, Rigail said Air France has been rated the second most punctual airline flying between Canada and Europe, edged out only by their friends at KLM.
She also said Air France KLM is working more closely with WestJet, another airline partner…
