On March 30, Air France took delivery of its 20th Airbus A220-300, the newest aircraft in the airline’s short-haul fleet. These latest-generation aircraft are more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly compared to the models it will replace.
The new aircraft, registered F-HZUU, took off from Airbus‘ Montreal – Mirabel assembly plant and landed at Paris – Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG), from where it will operate the airline’s short- and medium-haul flights.
The first service of the F-HZUU will be to Geneva (GVA) on April 1. This aircraft has been named «Grasse«, in homage to the town in the Alpes-Maritimes, renowned for its perfume and fragrance industry.
Since 2019, Air France revived the tradition of naming its aircraft after French cities, a way of commemorating France’s most emblematic regions. Before the arrival of «Grasse«, the airline christened its previous Airbus A220s as the names of «Le Bourget», «Collioure», «Belle-Ile en Mer», «Senlis» or even «Arcachon».
By the end of 2024, 60 Airbus A220-300s will join the company’s short/medium-haul fleet. With up to 15 deliveries planned each year, this is the fastest fleet renewal in the company’s history.
The A220 offers a seat cost reduction of 10% compared to the Airbus A318 and A319, and stands out for its energy efficiency: it consumes 20% less fuel than the aircraft it will replace and also decreases its carbon dioxide emissions by 20%. Its noise footprint is also 34% lower.
The company is targeting a 30% reduction in its carbon dioxide emissions per passenger-kilometer by 2030, compared to 2019, excluding any offsetting measures.
Air France’s Airbus A220-300 has a seating capacity of 148, in a 3-2 configuration. The seat is the widest compared to the aircraft it replaces, has an adjustable headrest, USB charging sockets and a smartphone or tablet holder.
