Quebec City, May 17, 2022 – Air France today launched its new non-stop service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Quebec City. Flight AF352 left Paris at 13:47 and landed at Jean-Lesage International Airport at 14:50, with Caroline Proulx, Quebec's Minister of Tourism, and Henri Hourcade, SVP France, Air France-KLM, on board.
This new destination is Air France's fourth in Canada after Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. It will support Quebec City's economic and tourist activity and connect the residents of the national capital and eastern Quebec to Paris and to Air France's global network of close to 200 destinations on all continents.
Air France will operate three weekly flights between Quebec City (YQB) and Paris (CDG) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until October 27, 2022.
Flight schedules:
- AF353 Quebec City to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Leaves at 17:00 and arrives at 5:45 the following day.
- AF352 Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Quebec City. Leaves at 13:25 and arrives at 14:55 the same day.
This new direct service is in addition to the daily Air France bus service linking Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport to Quebec City, which is accessible free of charge to all customers connecting from an Air France flight.
Flights are operated by Airbus A330-200 equipped with the new travel cabins and a Wi-Fi connection available throughout the flight. This aircraft offers:
- In the Business cabin: a seat that transforms into a fully flat, 2 metre-long bed.
- In the Premium Economy cabin: a fixed shell seat that reclines to 130° and which offers one of the widest seats on the market as well as lumbar support.
- In the Economy cabin: a seat which reclines to 118° with ergonomic seat foam.
All seats are equipped with Air France's latest-generation entertainment system, offering more than 1,000 hours of films, series and other programmes on large HD touch screens. Individual USB sockets are also available to allow passengers to recharge their electronic devices.
Business Class passengers and Flying Blue Elite customers will have access to the V.I.P Lounge by Club Med at Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB).
“I am delighted to be officially launching our fourth direct route in Canada and the second in Quebec province” said Henri Hourcade, SVP France, Air France-KLM. “The strong historical ties between France and Quebec are the basis of many cultural, economic and tourist exchanges, which this new route will strengthen. Canada is the second most important long-haul market for our airline and we are delighted to be extending our offer here, which this summer will be 15% higher than pre-pandemic levels.”
“We are very happy to welcome Air France to YQB. The arrival of one of the largest airlines in the world in Québec City is a boon for the socio-economic development of the greater region. This new route connects us to Air France's global network and aligns with our goal to offer more options to local travellers and to be a direct gateway for tourists to the magnificent Québec City area,” said Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB).
“My government has supported the Québec City Jean-Lesage International Airport in its efforts to obtain new air links. What a joy to see that these efforts have borne fruit, Minister of Tourism Caroline Proulx said. Internationally, the French market is the second most important for Québec. This new link is great news for our tourism industry. I wish to thank Air France for its confidence in our destination. We are eager to help our French friends discover Québec, whether on vacation or on a business trip!”
"Air France’s Paris-Québec City direct flight is significant for the tens of thousands of French nationals who live in and visit the provincial capital. One more remarkable addition to the excellent relations France and Québec already enjoy!" said Frédéric Sanchez, Consul General of France in Quebec.
Air France and Quebec
The Airbus A330-200 operating flight AF352 is not the first aircraft in Air France colours to land at Quebec City's Jean Lesage International Airport. On July 14, 1984, the Concorde attracted several thousand admirers. The legendary aircraft was taking part in activities proposed as part of Quebec 84, celebrating the 450th anniversary of Jacques Cartier's arrival in Canada.
Air France: Europe's leading airline in terms of capacity between Europe and Canada
Present in Canada since 1950, Air France will offer 15% more seats this summer than in summer 2019, becoming the leading European airline between Europe and Canada, with:
- up to 21 weekly flights between Montreal and Paris-Charles de Gaulle,
- up to 12 weekly flights between Toronto and Paris-Charles de Gaulle,
- up to 5 weekly flights between Vancouver and Paris-Charles de Gaulle,
- 3 weekly flights between Quebec City and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
In addition, KLM operates flights to five Canadian destinations from its hub at Amsterdam Schiphol: Toronto (up to 11 weekly flights), Calgary (7 weekly flights), Vancouver (7 weekly flights), Montreal (5 weekly flights) and Edmonton (3 weekly flights).
About Air France
Since 1933, Air France has been promoting and highlighting France throughout the world. With an activity divided between passenger transport, cargo transport and aeronautical maintenance, Air France is a major air transport player. More than 40,000 staff that make up its workforce are committed on a daily basis to offering each customer a unique travel experience.
Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Transavia make up the Air France-KLM Group, which relies on its powerful hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol to offer a vast international network. Its Flying Blue frequent flyer programme has over 17 million members. Air France and KLM are members of the SkyTeam alliance, which groups together a total of 19 airlines.
Information:
Diane Audet - Air France KLM Communications Canada - [email protected]
corporate.airfrance.com @AFNewsroom