With the launch ofAir France holidaysWith this new offer, the national airline hopes to win back some of the travellers who book via online travel agencies. Will it succeed in attracting this clientele with this offer?
Open in a test phase from summer 2024, Air France holidays offers a complete range of holidayswhich is constantly being enhanced. The site offers flexible "dynamic packages" for holidays to hundreds of destinations, available all year round.
From relaxing breaks to customised tours, the site caters for all travel desires, with the addition of on-site activities. The site also allows you to pay for your trips in several instalments (in two or four instalments). However, a minimum of 30% of the package must be paid at the time of booking.
Watch out for flight algorithms!
While it is aimed primarily at leisure travellers, Air France holidays allows you to book a package for just one personThis is more in line with the demands of business travellers.
Nevertheless, it is important to check flight offer details. The automatic choice of the return flight, selected by the site's algorithm, is based on maximising the aircraft's load factor.
For example, for a weekend in Vienna in mid-February, the basic Air France holidays fare is Paris-Amsterdam-Vienna with KLM, landing in the Austrian capital in the late afternoon. A far from ideal time for less than 72 hours in Vienna!
For a stay in Stockholm from Paris, also in mid-February, the return flight is on Transavia. It is nevertheless possible to change and adjust the flight, with or without a supplement. The site also offers the option of adding a piece of hold baggage and an airport transfer.
Hotels, the offer is generally centred on the sale of the room without a meal supplement. However, Air France holidays offers an additional breakfast service.
Gaps" in the destinations catalogue
The site is also criticised for temporarily forego a number of destinations. Perhaps because they are not considered as leisure destinations. In the United States, while there are packages to Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco, there is nothing for example to Boston or Chicago. In Europe, there are surprisingly no offers for Bergen in Norway, Genoa or Manchester.
Flying Blue membersAir France-KLM's loyalty programme, can also earn Miles for each reservation of holidays, including flights, hotels and activities. This benefit is exclusive to Air France holidays.
The site also offers benefits for future Air France holidays members. By registering free of charge, visitors to the site can take advantage of special offers. Members have access to special flight + hotel sales of up to -70%. They can also be sure of receiving the latest news by email every week.
For its launch, new members will receive 100 euros in credits deductible from their purchases until 31 January.
