May 23, 2025

One Year of French Elegance

PHOENIX – Today marks one year since Air France began its historic Phoenix to Paris route.

The new nonstop service between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris, France launched May 23, 2024. This marked the first time there was nonstop service between Phoenix and France.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport celebrated with passengers today to thank Air France for connecting the City of Light with the Valley of the Sun. Departing passengers on today’s flight were greeted with decorations, giveaways and of course, macarons.

Recently awarded “Sexiest New Long-haul Route,” by consumer air travel blog Cranky Flier, the Phoenix to Paris service now operates five times weekly.

Industry expert and Cranky Flier President Brett Snyder explained the route was given the award because it connects the beauty of the Sonoran Desert with the glamour of Paris. “The route also gives Phoenix passengers more one stop options beyond Paris that were not possible before.”

The service originally launched with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft that had 279 seats. The route is now served with an Airbus 350-900 that has a larger business class (34 seats) and a total seat capacity of 324 seats.

Many prominent Valley businesspeople have praised the route. Christine Mackay, Director City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development boasted: “I have never heard such buzz from our business community about a new route. This connection strengthens our global competitiveness, expands opportunities for international business, and reinforces Phoenix as a world-class destination.”

“France has long been one of our largest overseas tourism feeder markets,” said Arizona Office of Tourism Interim Director Alix Skelpsa Ridgway. “International travelers stay longer and spend more so this service has had a huge positive impact on the tourism industry in Arizona.”

Honorary Consul of France and Valley lawyer Nathan Fidel said, “I have long advocated for this service as I know the French love all the natural beauty and opportunities that Arizona has to offer. The same is true for Arizonans appreciation of France.”

“Since the launch of their Paris service just under a year ago, Air France has almost doubled the capacity of the Phoenix-Paris route,” said City of Phoenix Aviation Director Chad Makovsky. “The airline has been a fantastic addition to our airport, and we are grateful for their partnership and commitment to growing this route.”

For summer service through October, the flight leaves Paris at 10:45 a.m., arriving in Phoenix at 12:50 p.m., and then departs Phoenix at 3:05 p.m., arriving in Paris the next day at 10:10 a.m.

Phoenix international flights add more than $3 billion to the local economy each year per the Airport’s most recent economic impact study. The year-round, three times weekly service was estimated to have a $70 million annual economic impact. With the now five-time weekly frequency and larger aircraft that began serving the route in May, the route now has an estimated $103 million annual statewide economic impact.

For more information on all the destinations available to travel to from Phoenix, visit https://www.skyharbor.com/flights/where-we-fly/

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Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, America’s Friendliest Airport^®, has an annual economic impact of more than $44 billion. On an average day, approximately 1,000 aircraft and more than 130,000 passengers arrive at and depart from Phoenix Sky Harbor every day. PHX Sky Harbor is funded with airport revenue. No tax dollars are used to support the airport.

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