The history of Air France is intertwined with the history of aviation itself. In 1933, the French government created the Société Nationale Air France (SNACF) to operate domestic and international flights. Air France was born.
Air France operated its first flight in 1933, a Paris-London route. In the same year, it began its first international flight to Prague (now the Czech Republic). The airline soon began to expand its network, with flights to Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria in the 1930s. By the mid-1940s, Air France had a fleet of over 160 aircraft and was flying to five continents.
The 1950s saw the airline’s growth continue, with the launch of its first jet aircraft, the Caravelle. This was followed by the introduction of the Boeing 707 in 1960, allowing Air France to make transatlantic flights. During this decade, Air France also developed its luxury service, called “Le Voyageur”.
In the 1960s, Air France began to expand its fleet, purchasing the Concorde in 1965. The Concorde was the first supersonic jet and could travel from Paris to New York in just three hours. This allowed Air France to become the first airline to offer supersonic flights between Europe and America.
In the 1970s, Air France began to expand its network to include flights to the Far East. In 1971, Air France opened its first route to Beijing and Tokyo. In the same year, Air France became a pioneer in the development of the Airbus A300, the world’s first wide-body jet.
The 1980s saw Air France become the first airline to offer non-stop flights to Africa. In 1982, the airline opened its first route to Dakar, Senegal. In 1985, Air France opened its first route to Johannesburg, South Africa.
In the 1990s, Air France continued to expand, adding routes to South America and the Caribbean. In 1997, the airline opened its first route to Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the same year, Air France opened its first route to Cuba.
The 2000s have seen Air France become one of the largest airlines in the world, with a fleet of over 500 aircraft. In 2004, the airline opened its first route to India, and in 2009, it opened its first route to China.
Air France has also been involved in some tragic events. In 2000, the airline was involved in the crash of Air France Flight 4590, killing all 109 people on board. In 2009, Air France was involved in the crash of Air France Flight 447, killing 228 people on board.
In addition to these tragedies, Air France has also been the subject of several federal investigations. In 2013, the airline was investigated for alleged price fixing on flights between the US and Europe. In 2016, the airline was again investigated for alleged price fixing on flights to the Caribbean.
Air France has come a long way since its creation in 1933. Despite some tragic events, the airline is still one of the largest in the world, with a fleet of over 500 aircraft. As Air France continues to grow and evolve, it is sure to remain a major player in the world of aviation.
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