Air France’s recent decision to retire all of its A380s means the airline suddenly has
less capacity available. While this won’t be a problem in the short term, it makes Air
France’s future fleet plans important. So, what does the future hold for the Air France
fleet?
Air France already has a number of orders on the books with both Airbus and Boeing.
For widebodies, the airline completed its 787-9 order just this summer, while around
30 more A350s are set to join the fleet.
Last year Air France announced that is was swapping orders with partner KLM. The swap
would see Air France’s remaining 787-9 order of six planes, go to KLM, and KLM’s order
of seven A350s would go to Air France. This brings Air France’s total A350 order to
38 aircraft. The change is order allows for both airlines to have a more uniform fleet,
eliminating additional training requirements (mainly KLM training for the A350).
When it comes to narrowbody aircraft, which it uses extensively within Europe, Air France
is set to shake up its fleet. Currently, Air France operates an all-Airbus fleet of A318s,
A319s, A320s, and A321s. However, from late 2021, Air France will begin
retiring both the A318 and A319 in favor of the new A220. The airline has an order for
60 A220-300 aircraft, which will eventually replace the 51 A318s and A319s.
The A220’s extensive range will allow Air France to use this aircraft on many medium-haul
routes to the Middle East and Africa, in addition to European routes. Although unlikely, the
plane could even do some long-haul journeys across the Atlantic.
With Air France looking to reduce its carbon footprint as part of its bailout conditions,
it will scale back domestic services and instead allow trains to take over on shorter routes,
such as Paris to Lyon.
With Air France’s A380 now gone, the airline will need to look at planes to supplement
capacity on many of its routes. As expected, Air France used its A380s on high-demand destinations,
mostly in North America.
With the low demand we are currently seeing, this means the airline could just stick to
using A350s and 777s on most of these routes, adding a second service if needed.
The most prominent aircraft in the Air France fleet is the 777, with 68 of the type in the
fleet. However, the 777-200ERs are starting to show their age, averaging over 20 years.
These planes are set to be replaced by the A350, which could also replace some of the
older 777-300ERs. For now, Air France is unlikely to look for
an A380 successor like the A350-1000 or 777-9. Especially with an anticipated 2-3 year recovery
period. While it’s impossible to make an accurate
prediction of what any airline’s fleet will look like in five years nowadays, we can still
try...
In terms of long-haul aircraft, Air France will likely reduce its diversity to just having
the A330, A350-900, and 777-300ERs. We may also see a few 787s if they aren’t all transferred
to KLM at some point.
It’s quite clear that the fleet won’t have the A340 or A380 any longer but we think
the 777-200s will soon be gone as well.
For narrowbodies, the A220-300 is well placed to take the role of the entire Air France
short-haul fleet. While the plane will replace the A318 and A319, it could also replace some
older A320s and A321s. The plane’s long range could also help Air France eliminate
older A330s on some low-demand, medium-haul routes.
Air France also holds 60 options on the A220, allowing it to increase its order in the future.
The airline is committed to its fall 2021 delivery dates, for now, ensuring it will
join the fleet soon. There also remains a clear push toward Airbus
aircraft in the coming years, with the 777 likely to be the last Boeing aircraft in the
fleet. This is also a stipulation of the recent bailout, which needs Air France to be a “good
customer” to Airbus.... How do you think Air France’s future fleet
will look? Let us know in the comments!