Starting on December 7, 2024, Air France will officially link Manila to its global hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. This new service will operate three times a week, offering direct flights from Paris to Manila on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The airline will use the Airbus A350-900 for these routes, which features a total of 324 seats across Business, Premium, and Economy classes.
The flight schedules for the new route have been designed to provide optimal travel convenience. Flight AF208 will depart from Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 11:20 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, arriving in Manila at 7:30 p.m. the following day. For the return leg, flight AF209 will depart Manila at 9:50 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, landing in Paris at 5:50 a.m. the next day. All times are in local time.
While this schedule is subject to final approval from the relevant government authorities, it marks a significant development in Air France’s ongoing expansion into the Asian market.
In addition to Air France’s new service, Manila remains a key destination for KLM, which operates four flights per week from Amsterdam Schiphol airport via Taipei. KLM’s Manila service operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The collaboration between Air France and KLM ensures a daily connection to Manila from Europe, providing travelers with more flexibility and convenience.
This coordination between the two airlines reflects their joint commitment to enhancing travel options and creating a seamless experience for passengers flying between Europe and the Philippines.
Expanding Presence in Asia
The introduction of direct flights to Manila is just one part of Air France’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Asia. During the winter 2024-2025 season, Air France will also operate flights to several major Asian destinations, including Tokyo Haneda, Osaka, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh City. These routes will see a varied frequency, with up to 15 weekly flights to Tokyo Haneda and up to 13 to Bangkok.
The addition of the Manila route brings Air France’s total number of Asian destinations to 10 for the upcoming season. This expanded network provides travelers with a wealth of options for exploring some of the region’s most dynamic and culturally rich cities.
In addition to its expansion in Asia, Air France is also introducing several other new routes for the winter season. The airline will launch flights to Salvador de Bahia in Brazil starting October 28, 2024, with three flights per week. On November 18, Air France will begin a three-times-weekly service to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, which will extend from Zanzibar. For those seeking a tropical escape, the airline will offer up to two flights per week to Malé in the Maldives starting December 20. Lastly, Air France will introduce a weekly flight to Kiruna in Sweden from December 21, catering to travelers looking to experience the Arctic region.
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