Air France Introduces Nonstop Flights from a Major U.S. Airport to Paris for the First Time

In an exciting development ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Phoenix will soon enjoy direct flights to Paris for the very first time.

This week, Air France announced it will begin operating three weekly nonstop flights from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to its Paris hub, Charles de Gaulle International Airport, starting May 23.

The flights will be scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, departing Paris at 10:10 a.m. (local time) and landing in Phoenix at 12:10 p.m. (local time). The return journey will leave Phoenix at 2:10 p.m. (local time) and reach Paris the next day at 9:15 a.m. (local time). The estimated flight duration to Paris is approximately 10 hours and five minutes, while the return trip is expected to take around 11 hours. As of the latest update, round-trip fares between Phoenix and Paris start at $1,655 for economy and $5,460 for business class.

All flights will be operated using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, equipped with 30 lie-flat business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 228 economy class seats. Unfortunately, these planes do not feature the airline’s new business class cabin with pod-like lie-flat seats, 4K high-definition screens, and wines curated by sommeliers.

This new route represents the fourth direct connection and third European destination from Arizona's capital. The other direct flights are offered by American Airlines and British Airways to London’s Heathrow Airport, along with low-cost carrier Condor Airlines to Frankfurt, Germany.

At a press conference announcing this expansion, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego stated, “The introduction of nonstop service to Paris is a significant milestone that reflects our dedication to providing accessible and efficient travel options for Phoenix. As our city continues to thrive and attract growing industries, I believe that direct flights to Paris will open up exciting opportunities for both exploration and new business ventures.”

In addition to Phoenix, Air France has announced the return of daily flights to and from Minneapolis starting May 13. The airline previously serviced the route for over a decade before pausing last summer, allowing its SkyTeam partner, Delta Air Lines, to take over. Furthermore, Air France will enhance its Raleigh-Durham service beginning June 3, increasing to seven flights per week from the current three.

These new routes and adjustments will expand Air France’s presence in the U.S. to a total of 17 cities this summer: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York City (JFK), Newark, Phoenix, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.