After suspending service for over a decade, Air France will be returning to Newark Airport.
In this post:
Air France launches Newark flights in December 2022
As of December 12, 2022, Air France will launch daily flights between Paris (CDG) and Newark (EWR). The flight will operate with the following schedule:
AF62 Paris to Newark departing 12:30PM arriving 3:00PM
AF63 Newark to Paris departing 5:05PM arriving 6:05AM (+1 day)
The 3,649-mile flight is blocked at 8hr30min westbound and 7hr eastbound. Air France will use a Boeing 777-200 for the route, featuring a total of 280 seats. This includes 40 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 216 economy seats.
Newark will be Air France’s 18th destination in North America for this winter, in addition to existing destinations across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Air France faces quite a bit of competition between Paris and Newark, as this is a market that’s also served by by United, French Bee, and La Compagnie.
This complements Air France’s New York JFK service
Air France’s once daily service between Paris and Newark complements Air France’s presence at New York JFK. The airline operates six daily flights between the two airports, plus joint venture partner Delta operates two daily flights, for a total of eight daily flights between the two airports for the partnership. That’s quite a presence.
So, why expand to EWR when there’s such a large presence at JFK? Well clearly there’s enough overall demand between the New York area and Europe (and beyond), and Air France has decided that it’s worth adding even more capacity.
Furthermore, as much as some airlines have tried to suggest otherwise, EWR and JFK are still different markets. Many people (especially those living outside Manhattan) have a strong preference for one airport over another. So while some people may be billing to go to their non-preferred airport, there would have to be a major reason to consider doing so.
United has a huge hub at Newark, so the airport is most popular with Star Alliance airlines. Nonetheless, the joint venture of Air France-KLM, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic, will no doubt be able to sustain this service, especially with connectivity beyond Paris.
Conversely, keep in mind that United had at one point pulled out of JFK, but ended up regretting that. The airline has since returned, but seems to be struggling somewhat with its strategy.
Bottom line
Air France will be bringing back its Paris to Newark flight after a roughly decade-long suspension. The route will be operated daily by a Boeing 777 as of December 2022. It’s great to see Air France return to Newark, because many consumers have a strong preference for one NYC-area airport over the other.
What do you make of Air France returning to Newark?
If I fly business on Air France from EWR to CDG, what lounge would I have access to at EWR?
Pourquoi pas un vol direct Marignane (Marseille) - New York?
Why not a direct flight Marignane (Marseilles) - New York?
Membre de AF Flying Blue
Nice to see Air France add another US destination in the New York area.
Would adding PHL be a better choice than EWR?
no because PHL to Europe and are about double the price
Would love to know where my missing suitcase is which was lost by Air france
Travelled on the 2nd July from Manchester to Charles De Gaul and then to Barcelona
Ref number BARNAF51382
Flight AF1269/AF1348 2ND July 2022
Black with beige trim Timberland soft sided
Suitcase tag number AF062096
I have tried to track the suitcase on Air France Site but a message flags up saying Access to this...
Would love to know where my missing suitcase is which was lost by Air france
Travelled on the 2nd July from Manchester to Charles De Gaul and then to Barcelona
Ref number BARNAF51382
Flight AF1269/AF1348 2ND July 2022
Black with beige trim Timberland soft sided
Suitcase tag number AF062096
I have tried to track the suitcase on Air France Site but a message flags up saying Access to this file no longer available please contact your airline which I have been unable to do and just sent round in circles
This has caused both my wife and myself a considerable amount of stress and I would appreciate some help in this matter
Mob 0775 3608438 0774 0435830
David Lauremce Shiffman
Sir, this is a Wendy’s.
I'm really excited about this! Generally speaking you can get lower Flying Blue/Skymiles redemptions on AF/KLM out of non-Delta hub airports like ORD or IAH. The biggest downsides for me for EWR are the short flight time (less sleep) and the lounge situation.
DLPTATL: You are absolutely correct! I currently have ORD-CDG-BCN flight in business in January on AF for only 104K Skymiles.
The significance of this flight is 1. it is starting in the winter which is rare for transatlantic flights and 2. it returns the Delta and buddies joint venture (Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic) to EWR. Most of the partners have served EWR at one time but DL most recently served LHR, AMS and CDG. AF is going back in and it will be worth watching if any other routes from the JV are...
The significance of this flight is 1. it is starting in the winter which is rare for transatlantic flights and 2. it returns the Delta and buddies joint venture (Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic) to EWR. Most of the partners have served EWR at one time but DL most recently served LHR, AMS and CDG. AF is going back in and it will be worth watching if any other routes from the JV are starting. 3. It is on a 777 which is more capacity than DL offered when it flew it.
This route might also be a shot at the bow of UA which has been fairly aggressive in expanding its international route system. DL and friends might be drawing the line and making it clear they can and will do the same.
I thought it was Virgin Atlantic, rather than Delta, that served LHR from EWR. I believe it ended with Covid-19.
both have flown it. DL used a 757 at one time
The EWR departure way too early for me, a frequent leisure traveler, even for connecting within Europe. I live in NJ and will still go with a 9pm-12am AF departure from JFK. Arriving in Europe before hotel check-in the worst.
Very very true. Nothing worse than schlepping around Europe from around 6a/7a until check-in at 3.
I live in NYC, in Staten Island, which means EWR is 22 minutes, compared to JFK over an hour when there's traffic, which is just about all day all the time. Having more options to Paris out of EWR is a good thing.
What catches my eye is that this is a daytime flight! It's often hard to find daytime transatlantic options from any of the northeast airports.
No it's not. The USA to Paris is overnight. All flights to the USA are by day
My bad. You are correct!
previously aeroplan allowed you to fly Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta on points direct. Now with the new Aeroplan you have to fly Vancouver-Toronto-Puerto Vallarta. Crazy fly 4 hours east to fly south! However, If you pay cash it's direct Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta. Nice the New Aeroplan.
“Many people have a strong preference for one airport over the other.” Absolutely. Given the heavy traffic in New York and the choke points crossing the Hudson and East Rivers, where you live in the tri-state area can make a huge difference in access to which airport. I live just across the Hudson River from downtown Manhattan, but having that river crossing means its only 25 minutes to EWR vs. 1-2hrs to JFK. Great to...
“Many people have a strong preference for one airport over the other.” Absolutely. Given the heavy traffic in New York and the choke points crossing the Hudson and East Rivers, where you live in the tri-state area can make a huge difference in access to which airport. I live just across the Hudson River from downtown Manhattan, but having that river crossing means its only 25 minutes to EWR vs. 1-2hrs to JFK. Great to see non-Star Alliance international carriers come to EWR.
Yes you live across the Hudson. You're in Jersey. EWR is for NJ not tri-state. No one in CT would go to EWR. Likewise, many in NJ would avoid JFK.
I blame it on the North Jersey marketing wanted to be NY.
I guess NJ Giants doesn't sell, LOL. They moved to NJ for like 50 years now? Long before NJ Devils.
People from Connecticut are absolutely willing to go to EWR. Particularly if they're price-sensitive. Depending on time of day and traffic getting there vs. JFK often isn't a really significant difference. You have to cross the GWB instead of the Whitestone or Throgs Neck - traffic/tolls involved no matter what.
Newark also gets a ton of usage by Eastern Pennsylvania and is often used as a secondary airport for the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys so on that angle this makes sense too. Also since the renovations Newark is a much better place to fly out of than Kennedy so has that going for it to
There is also the direct train connection to NY Penn Station, which is much more convenient then a $75 Uber from JFK
Direct?
Or do you still have to take the AirTrain?
@Klaus yes you have to take the Airtrain from the terminal to the station but that is just few minutes. I always schedule my flights into EWR due to the train, it saves me a lot of money ($15 one way, otherwise I would be paying $75-100 on Uber) and since the hotels I usually stay are at Chelsea, which is only a few blocks away from NY Penn Station, it is very convenient
Taking NJ transit from Penn Station to Newark airport and then the airtrain to the terminal is almost the same as taking LIRR from Penn Station to Jamaica station and then the airtrain to the terminal. Why would you need a $75 Uber only for JFK?
From Manhattan it's super easy to get to either JFK and EWR from by train from Penn. LIRR to Jamaica + AirTrain vs NJTransit to EWR. Uber/Lyft are only necessary if you're too lazy to figure out the rail logistics -the train saves lot of money and time.
When I'm traveling with my elderly parents I am not subjecting them to airtrain, nj transit, horse and buggy and hang glider. I think for people who are traveling to nyc for the first time and want public transportation, reading up on how to get from ewr to Manhattan would seem very frustrating especially when most major cities outside of the usa have direct trains into airports. While we like to encourage people to stay away from mass transit.
EWR and JFK are equidistant for me (Brooklyn) so I use them both semiregularly... I'd have a hard time calling one much better than the other. Uber/Taxi times leaving either airport is usually a mess. They have similiar food/cleanliness. TSA Precheck often ends up closed when I fly (evening) at either airport due to current staffing shortages. While driving traffic to either airport varries wildly, I'd say the traffic AT the airport (circling between terminals)...
EWR and JFK are equidistant for me (Brooklyn) so I use them both semiregularly... I'd have a hard time calling one much better than the other. Uber/Taxi times leaving either airport is usually a mess. They have similiar food/cleanliness. TSA Precheck often ends up closed when I fly (evening) at either airport due to current staffing shortages. While driving traffic to either airport varries wildly, I'd say the traffic AT the airport (circling between terminals) tends to have worse delays at Newark (last mile can take 20 minutes), but the walk to most gates at JFK after security can be a lot longer so it basically evens out.
Somehow laguardia snuck up on us and became cleaner than either JFK/EWR but more limited destinations from LGA.
I agree with this assessment. Being able to go to EWR instead of JFK allows you to avoid going to one lousy airport by going to a different, equally lousy, airport.
I haven't been in the AF lounge in JFK T1 since before the pandemic but it used to be pretty good. Not sure about the Skyteam lounge situation at Newark.
LGA is my local and, by far, the best of the three. I'd...
I agree with this assessment. Being able to go to EWR instead of JFK allows you to avoid going to one lousy airport by going to a different, equally lousy, airport.
I haven't been in the AF lounge in JFK T1 since before the pandemic but it used to be pretty good. Not sure about the Skyteam lounge situation at Newark.
LGA is my local and, by far, the best of the three. I'd seriously consider a connecting flight rather than direct to fly from LGA (and, for Europe, to get a longer overnight flight if I can connect in the west).