Air France announced yesterday that they’ll be launching daily Airbus A380 service between Paris Charles de Gaulle and San Francisco starting March 30, 2014. The service replaces the 777 currently on the route, and should last throughout the 2014 summer season. This is an addition to their other A380 destinations in the United States, including Los Angeles, New York, and Washington.
The service will operate with the following schedule:
AF84 Paris to San Francisco departing 10:40AM arriving 1:00PM
AF83 San Francisco to Paris departing 3:50PM arriving 11:25AM (+1 day)
Air France’s A380s are equipped with nine first class seats, 80 business class seats, 38 premium economy seats, and 389 economy class seats.
Air France business class
Unfortunately best I can tell they haven’t released substantially more award space as a result of the equipment change. Award availability actually isn’t horrible on the route (at least compared to what other airlines are releasing to the west coast in business class over summer), and some days there are anywhere from one to seven business class award seats.
Business class award space
This is of course a great use of Delta SkyMiles, given that SkyMiles members now seem to have access to all the same Air France business class award availability as Flying Blue members.
SkyMiles award ticket on Air France A380 service
If I notice a substantial increase in award availability on the route — which I’m not ruling out since the equipment change was just announced — I’ll be sure to post again.
(Tip of the hat to Mac)
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