Air France premiere in Hamburg with a Languedoc
Air France premiere in Hamburg with a Languedoc (Source: Air France)

This site is also available on: Deutsch

Estimated reading time: 4 Minuten

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

A long history in Hamburg

In 1950, Air made its debut in with a Languedoc flight returning from 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 introduced the first long-haul service from Paris via to Tokyo with the introduction of the 707. These developments testify to a deep-rooted relationship between the and the Hanseatic city.

Significant developments and innovations

The 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 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 at Hamburg and up to five daily connections to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Air France relies on a modern fleet with aircraft such as the A220-300. The ongoing partnership with Hamburg 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 are among the world’s leading . Both offer a comprehensive network of destinations and strive to provide their passengers with an outstanding experience. The 75th anniversary celebrations in Hamburg are a testament to the continued success and continuation of this partnership.