While Paris was putting pressure on Beijing to grant Air France-KLM the same number of flights between China and France as Chinese airlines, i.e. three weekly routes, the French airline was notified yesterday of authorisation for a second flight between Paris and ShanghaiThe new weekly service is due to start next week. For its part, KLM will be able to offer a weekly service between Amsterdam and the Chinese megalopolis.
This development is part of the strengthening the company's flight schedule for the 2020 summer season. At the end of last week, Air France announced a gradual increase in the number of frequencies and destinations to reach 50 % at the end of September and 60 % at the end of October of the programme initially planned. Nearly 170 destinations will be served by the end of the summer 2020 season, representing 85 % of the carrier's usual network. Domestic services from Paris-CDG, for example, will be operating at almost full capacity.
At the same time, Air France improves its catering offer with the reintroduction of certain services that it had been forced to limit during the Covid-19 crisis. In the Economy cabin, on all flights of less than 2.5 hours, including domestic flights, a drinks service - water, coffee, tea, juices and spirits - is offered, supplemented on certain destinations by a sweet or savoury snack. Snacks are also offered on flights lasting more than 2.5 hours. In the Business cabin, in addition to its catering offer, Air France is reintroducing its wine and champagne list.
While these changes were put in place at the end of June, long-haul services are also seeing the emergence of a more generous service since 10 July. In Economy and Premium Economy cabins, in addition to the full meal service maintained even at the height of the pandemic, Air France is adding breakfast on flights between 6.30am and 8.30am. In the Business cabin, passengers will see the return of the welcome drink - water, juice or champagne - served just after take-off. If the catering offer, with "Signature" dishes designed by Michelin-starred chefsA second gourmet meal, either hot or cold, is once again available on a tray depending on the length of the journey.
