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| DC4 "Ciel Ile de France" F-BBDJ the first scheduled flight between Paris - New York. Photo collection du musée Air France |
New York has always been a top city destination for Air France, which has connected the Big Apple with Paris for the last 75 years.....
The story began on June 24, 1946, when a DC4 called “Ciel d’île de France” took off from Paris-Orly at 7:00 p.m. After 23 hours and 45 minutes, at an average speed of 305 km/h and two stopovers, one in Ireland and the other in Terre Neuve /Newfoundland, the first scheduled Air France service landed in New York. Pictured above the crew of that first flight Robert BONNET, second CDB, Jean ROUSSEAU, navigateur, Madeleine THIPLOUSE, hôtesse, Roger LOUBRY, CDB et chef pilote Atlantique Nord, Georges PLANTIVE et Marien CHAPY, radios.
A few months later, in January 1947, the introduction of the oddly shaped yet utterly beautiful Lockheed Constellation - Connie made it possible to cut out one of those outbound stopovers and make the return trip direct. Onboard, Air France teams invented a modular cabin (with up to 46 seats on a day flight and 22 berths at night) with a service, then called the “Golden Comet”, which is said to have forged the airline’s reputation for top class service for decades to come.
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| Lockheed L.1049 Super Constellation "Parisien spécial" Photo collection Musée Air France |
On November 19, 1953, an improved version of the Lockheed Constellation known as the “Constellation Super G” enabled Air France to offer even more comfort, with a lounge bar, private cabins and real beds on board. The New York route became legendary with the “Parisian Special” on the outward journey and the “Golden Parisian” on the return. These were considered to be perhaps the most romantic days of aviation when air travel was a luxury, an experience and a joy. Indeed for many, the journey was far more important than arriving!
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| Lockheed L.1049 Super Constellation " Parisien Spécial " Photo collection Musée Air France |
On January 31, 1960, the propeller age made way for the jet era, with the “Château de Versailles”, a brand new Boeing 707 jet, flew from Paris to New York in half the time it used to take, at a cruising speed of 900 km/h, all in unparalleled luxury and comfort. Oh, the wonder of these incredible four-engined beasts of the sky, that opened up direct flights to almost every continent.
The Boeing 707s days on the route were limited, for it was only ten years later, on June 3, 1970, that Air France saw the first commercial flight of the Boeing 747 jumbo jet rushed in the era of mass air travel. It was new, it was bigger than most could even comprehend, yet despite its size, the 747 didn't deviate from the Air France tradition of luxury and the pleasure of travel.
Another revolution in transatlantic travel took place on November 22, 1977, as Air France assigned its most spectacular aircraft to this now legendary route. At 2,200 km/h, and with a flight time of three hours and thirty minutes, Concorde freed itself from space and time and allowed Air France to fly faster than the sun. The service was a little different, the seats not as big, but the speed and the prestige of travelling Concorde meant the service was popular in the early years - despite the price tag.
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| Big bird |
2014 marked a new milestone in the route’s history. On flights to this flagship destination, Air France chose to reinvent itself by unveiling, onboard a B777, the move upmarket of all its products and services, in particular, the new La Première suite.
In 2020, Air France, like most airlines around the world drastically cut down services due to the horrible pandemic that swept the globe. However, the airline has maintained a regular service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and New York-JFK, with an air bridge enabling many French and American citizens to be repatriated to their respective countries. Air France has also maintained an important cargo activity to this destination by transporting freight across the Atlantic.
These days, Air France is constantly adapting its flight schedule to changes in the global health context. With the gradual reopening of borders, this summer the airline is offering up to 3 daily frequencies between Paris and New York-JFK and more than 100 weekly departures from 12 American cities, with connections to Europe via its Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub.
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