To support the gradual recovery in travel expected over the summer period, Air France is increasing services to leisure destinations. Following the planned lifting of the UK government’s ban on international travel in May, the airline will begin to operate a summer route from London Heathrow to Nice (pictured above). 

This will be a seasonal route starting from 28 June, running for 10 weeks until 5 September. The flight will operate four times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. An additional Saturday flight will operate between 19 July and 29 August.

Apart from flights to Paris, this new route represents the first direct Air France flight to mainland France and aims to link the UK with popular tourist destinations in the country’s southern region.

According to the airline, the new route will give passengers both traveling to and from London a greater choice when booking flights and will complement the existing London Heathrow to Paris-Charles de Gaulle service.

14 new routes across Europe and North Africa

During the summer season, the airline will operate 80 seasonal routes – including 22 new ones – to France, Europe and North Africa from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and the French regions. 

This summer, the airline is adding 14 new routes to its network:

• From 31 May: Paris-Orly to/from Bari (Italy) 
• From 26 June: Marseille-Provence to/from Catania (Italy) 
• From 28 June: Nice-Côte d’Azur to/from London (UK), plus Tunis (Tunisia), Ibiza (Spain) and Algiers (Algeria) 
• from 5 July: Rhodes (Greece) 
• From 19 July: Corfu (Greece) 

Air France will also accompany its customers on their travels in France, with 41 seasonal routes available; details of its long-haul flight schedule for the 2021 summer season will soon be published. Information on all flight schedules and fares are available to view online.

Air France’s health commitment

The health and well-being of Air France customers and staff are “at the heart of the company’s concerns.” On board the aircraft and throughout the duration of the trip, it is compulsory to wear a surgical mask. The air in the cabin is renewed every three minutes. 

The air recycling system on board Air France aircraft is equipped with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, identical to those used in hospital operating theatres. The carrier has also reinforced aircraft cleaning procedures, notably with the disinfection of all surfaces in contact with customers, such as armrests, tables and screens, before each flight.

In February, Air France unveiled its  new in-flight safety video, describing it as “an elegant, lively and fast-moving showcase of French culture”.