French Bee Introduces Los Angeles–Paris Flights Starting at $321

After resuming its San Francisco–Paris flights last fall, French Bee, the budget airline from Paris’s Orly Airport, is now launching a new route from Los Angeles to Paris with fares beginning at $321 each way (or $642 for a round trip).

Beginning April 30, French Bee will operate nonstop flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Paris–Orly International Airport (ORY) three times a week on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. This frequency will increase to five times weekly in June and six times weekly in July. Flights will leave LAX at 7:45 p.m. PT, arriving at Orly the next day at 3:35 p.m. local time. Return flights will depart Orly at 2:50 p.m. local time, landing at LAX at 5:15 p.m. PT the same day.

The introductory fares apply to French Bee’s Basic Economy class, which includes one 26-pound carry-on but no meals—you’ll need to either bring your own food or pay extra for the lengthy journey (the flight from L.A. to Paris lasts nearly 11 hours). The charge for checking a first bag is $45, while the second bag costs $90.

However, the airline also offers a substantial Premium Economy class, which provides two 50-pound checked bags, two meals, complimentary drinks, and priority boarding. Premium Economy tickets from Los Angeles to Paris start at $679 one-way.

There is also a mid-tier option known as “Smart” class, which includes one 50-pound checked bag and an in-flight meal. This seems like the most “intelligent” choice among the three fare classes.

The Los Angeles flight benefits more than just those departing from L.A. French Bee has teamed up with Alaska Airlines to enable travelers to book a single ticket when connecting from any destination served by Alaska across the United States. Alongside San Francisco and Los Angeles, French Bee also operates direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Paris-Orly starting at $162 each way.

French Bee flights are operated on modern Airbus A350s featuring 411 seats. All seats come equipped with adjustable headrests, USB and electrical outlets, headphone jacks, and in-flight entertainment on seatback screens. There are four Wi-Fi packages available for purchase: a Hello package for texting ($4); a Social package for scrolling ($9); a Geek plan for emails and web browsing ($17); and an Addicted package for staying connected throughout the flight ($29).

For an additional $37, travelers can gain access to the new French Bee Prime Lounge located near the boarding gate at Paris–Orly 4. The lounge offers complimentary Wi-Fi, international newspapers and magazines, along with a variety of beverages and snacks.

Passengers can change their French Bee flight to a different date at no extra cost, provided the fare remains the same; otherwise, they will need to cover the fare difference. If a flight is canceled by the traveler, they will receive a credit for future travel to be used within one year.

COVID Travel Guidelines for France

In mid-March, France placed the United States on its “green list” of countries, allowing fully vaccinated U.S. travelers to enter without needing a prearrival COVID test. Unvaccinated U.S. leisure travelers may also enter as long as they provide proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours prior to departure (for PCR tests) or within 48 hours (for antigen tests). According to the U.S. Embassy in France, a positive COVID test result obtained at least 11 days, but no more than six months before arrival, can be presented instead of a negative test result.

U.S. travelers are no longer required to complete an online health declaration form before arriving.

As of February 1, 2022, to be deemed fully vaccinated by the French government, individuals aged 18 and older must have received their vaccination no more than nine months before entry or have received a booster COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Unvaccinated children under 12 are exempt from testing requirements, while those aged 12 and older must adhere to the same testing rules as unvaccinated adults.

As of March 14, France has also discontinued the use of its Pass Vaccinal (or Vaccine Pass), which served as official proof of full vaccination required for entry into various venues, including museums, cafés, restaurants, public transport, and entertainment facilities. Additionally, France lifted its indoor mask mandate in March, though individual businesses can establish their own mask policies, and travelers and locals can still choose to wear masks if they prefer.

For those returning to the United States from France, as of December 6, all international arrivals, regardless of vaccination status, must undergo COVID testing no more than one calendar day before their flight back to the U.S. This requirement is still in effect as of the latest update. Furthermore, all foreign arrivals into the U.S. must be vaccinated.