Check out Air France's new cleaner, quieter Airbus A220-300
Air France has taken delivery of the first of its new Airbus A220-300 aircraft that is part of the carrier's refresh of its fleet.
The airline has ordered 60 A220s from Airbus that will gradually replace the A318, A319 and some A320 aircraft between now and 2025, as it looks to make its fleet faster, more efficient and more environmentally responsible.
The A220-300 is considered the most innovative and efficient single-aisle aircraft in its class.
The order includes agreements for an additional 30 options and 30 purchase rights.
The A220-300 is a much more efficient aircraft that Air France estimates will provide its operations with better financial and environmental performance, including:
- A cost reduction per seat of 10%
- Consuming 20% less fuel than the aircraft it replaces
- A 20% reduction in CO2 emissions
- A 34% noise footprint reduction
The aircraft will join Air France's short- and medium-haul network almost immediately. It will be used on flights from the Air France hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to the following cities from Oct. 31:
- Berlin (BER)
- Barcelona (BCN)
- Madrid (MAD)
- Milan (MXP)
The aircraft will then add flights to Bologna, Rome, Lisbon and Copenhagen during the winter.
The first airplane is named Le Bourget as a tribute to the town north of Paris where Charles Lindbergh landed the Spirit of Saint Louis after he made his legendary flight across the Atlantic. The aircraft sports the emblematic Air France livery as well as the winged seahorse on the front of its fuselage and on its wingtips, symbolic of Air France's founding myth.
The airline has spent the past few years revamping its fleet, beginning with the addition of the A350 to its long-haul network. The company ordered nearly 40 of the planes, which bring a 25% reduction in fuel burn, to replace the A380s and A340s in the Air France lineup. The airline's CEO said the new A220-300 was part of Air France's commitment to invest in smarter aircraft with state-of-the-art energy performance.
"To date, fleet renewal is the main source of reducing CO2 emissions, and this is why we are continuing to invest in latest-generation aircraft," Benjamin Smith, head of Air France-KLM, said in a statement. "We are also activating all the levers at our disposal such as sustainable fuels or eco-piloting, as part of our contribution to promoting a carbon-neutral air transport industry and positioning ourselves as a leading player of a more sustainable aviation."
Air France also says passengers will enjoy the comfort of the new single-aisle planes, thanks to the more spacious cabin and brighter lights, as well as full Wi-Fi connectivity via Air France Connect, the airline's inflight Wi-Fi service. It also offers USB ports as well as a tablet or smartphone holder in the seatback, and a cupholder smartly located beneath the tray table.
The seat is the widest on the market at 48 centimeters. It reclines to 118 degrees and features an adjustable headrest, leather upholstery and an ergonomic seat cushion.
The blue-and-white cabin is said to be the most spacious and brightest in its category. With regards to the lighting, specially adapted cabin mood lighting settings create bright, dynamic lighting from boarding to disembarkation. There are also softer lighting options to create a more relaxed atmosphere while in flight.
Related: First glimpse inside Air France's A350 aircraft
According to Air France, overhauling its fleet will help reduce its overall CO2 emissions per passenger/kilometer by 50% by 2030. Air France also remains committed to achieving the climate target of zero-net CO2 emissions by 2050.
The Airbus A220-300 has 148 seats, in a 3-2 seat configuration. This configuration will give 80% of customers a window or aisle seat. It will offer business- and economy-class seating.
The air in the cabin is also renewed every three minutes thanks to a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air)-type filter air recycling system that eliminates 99.9% of particles and viruses. This is now standard on Air France planes.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees