Europe-U.S. scheduled service with the A380 to be introduced by Air France in November

Air France’s inauguration of A380 flights between Paris and New York in November will mark the first scheduled transatlantic service with Airbus’ 21^st century flagship jetliner from Europe to the U.S.

The French flag carrier is planning two daily flights between Paris and New York (except on Wednesdays), using A380s configured to carry 538 passengers in three cabin classes.

To mark the A380’s service entry, Air France will conduct a worldwide Internet auction of 380 seats on each of its two inaugural A380 flights, operating from Paris to New York on 20 November, and from New York to Paris the following day.  In addition to being on the historic A380 transatlantic voyages, auction winners will tour New York and Paris.  Profits from the auction – to be held in October – will be used to fund three humanitarian projects supported by the Air France Foundation for children in distress.

Air France has ordered 12 A380s, four of which will go into service during the winter of 2009 and spring of 2010.  In addition to the start-up of Paris-New York operations in November, follow-on A380 flights will be instituted in the coming months from Paris to Dubai, Johannesburg and Tokyo.

The Air France A380s are being equipped with nine seats in Première (First class) and 343 in Voyageur (Economy) on the main deck, while the upper deck will seat 80 in Business and 106 in Voyageur (Economy).