Air France gives Phoenix a coveted nonstop route to Paris
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is getting a major new connection to Europe just in time for summer.
Starting May 23, Air France will launch nonstop service from Phoenix to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). The service includes three weekly round trips during the summer months.
The new route is now available in Air France's booking channels.
Phoenix city leaders announced the new route alongside executives from the French flag carrier Monday, calling it a "big win" for the city.
"I know that so many in our community are excited to take full advantage of this service, whether you had your honeymoon in Paris and need to return, or you love the arts and culture and cuisine," Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said at a news conference Monday.
It's also a route that's seen as a long time coming. Before the pandemic, Gallego said, Paris was Phoenix's largest unserved market in Europe. And, she added, the number of passengers traveling on itineraries between the two cities in 2023 grew 40% over 2019 levels.
Phoenix route to Paris
According to booking options on its website, Air France will fly its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the route.
The Air France Dreamliner offers 30 lie-flat seats in business class, 21 premium economy seats and 228 seats in economy.
The first flight departing from Phoenix, en route to Paris, is scheduled to push back at 2:10 p.m. on May 23, arriving in Paris at 9:15 a.m. the next day.
The westbound flight departs midmorning, Paris time, and arrives just after noon, Phoenix time.
A much-needed European expansion
Though Phoenix is a hub for two of the four largest U.S. airlines — American Airlines and Southwest Airlines — the airport currently has few options for getting travelers to Europe nonstop.
Both American and British Airways offer nonstop service to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR). And German leisure carrier Condor flies to Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
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