Air France celebrates 75 years of flights from Hamburg

Air France looks back on 75 years of outstanding flight connections to and from Hamburg. From its first flights in 1950 with the Languedoc to today’s modern fleet, the airline has consistently offered northern Germans access to a global route network and celebrates this ongoing partnership.

A long history in Hamburg

In 1950, Air France made its debut in Hamburg with a Languedoc flight returning from Berlin to Paris. The following years saw an expansion of connections with DC 3, DC 4, and Vickers Viscount aircraft. A significant milestone was reached in 1959, when Air France introduced the first long-haul service from Paris via Hamburg to Tokyo with the introduction of the Boeing 707. These developments testify to a deep-rooted relationship between the airline and the Hanseatic city.

Significant developments and innovations

The airline continuously expanded its network and opened a sales office in Hamburg in 1954. The gradual introduction of aircraft models such as the Caravelle on the Paris-Hamburg route underpinned this. By 1966, Air France was flying daily nonstop between Hamburg and Paris, and by 1973, even twice daily. The route network continued to expand, and connections to Marseille and Toulouse were added in 2012.

Influence and partnerships

In 1961, Geert Schäfer-Surén became the first German director to take over Air France’s representation in Northern Germany. He played a key role in the founding of the „Friendship of Franco-German Businessmen“ and strengthened Franco-German relations. The collaboration between Air France and KLM further expanded the route network, providing travelers with access to more than 190 destinations worldwide via Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

Modern connection and future prospects

Today, the airline is one of the five largest airlines at Hamburg Airport and offers up to five daily connections to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Air France relies on a modern fleet with aircraft such as the Airbus A220-300. The ongoing partnership with Hamburg Airport is just as much a part of this success story as the continuous expansion of its offerings, ensuring passengers from Hamburg have easy access to global destinations.

Air France and its sister company KLM are among the world’s leading airlines. Both offer a comprehensive network of destinations and strive to provide their passengers with an outstanding travel experience. The 75th anniversary celebrations in Hamburg are a testament to the continued success and continuation of this partnership.