Air France's first flight to New York. Photo: Air France French flag carrier Air France is marking the 80th anniversary of the launch of its first commercial flight between Paris and New York this week, one of the most iconic routes in the history of civil aviation. For the company, it was also the year that a new profession was born in France: flight attendants.
On June 24, 1946, the company took off on its first flight on the route, which symbolized not only the beginning of the company's era of transatlantic flights, but also France's return to the international aviation scene after World War II.
The historic flight was made on a Douglas DC-4 aircraft named “Ciel d'Île-de-France”. The journey took 23 hours and 45 minutes and included two stopovers, in Shannon, Ireland, and Gander, Canada, before arriving in New York. A few days later, on July 1, 1946, regular service was launched.
In eight decades, the route between Paris and New York has changed beyond recognition. While in 1946 it took almost a full day to cross the Atlantic, today direct flights complete the route in just seven or eight hours, depending on road conditions. Over the years, the route has served as a stage for the introduction of new generations of aircraft, improvements in cabin design, service innovations and technological advances that have influenced the entire world of aviation.
Photo: Air FranceAir France emphasizes that the Paris-New York route is much more than a flight route. According to them, it tells the story of the company, from its post-war revival to its transformation into one of the world's leading airlines.
For 80 years, the line accompanied all the major revolutions the company underwent, from four-engine piston aircraft to modern wide-body jets.
The historic milestone represents an opportunity for Air France to look back on a rich heritage, but also forward towards the continued development of the flight experience, innovation and sustainability, while maintaining one of the routes most identified with the company and with international aviation.