Starting April 1, 2010, Air France is offering a new service on its medium-haul network, aimed at better meeting the changing expectations of travelers seeking greater simplicity and clarity, and more affordable fares. The essentials of the Air France service will remain, and the airline will continue to offer two clearly separate cabins, the “Voyageur” cabin and the “Premium” cabin. The Air France service will not be that of a low-cost carrier. The Voyageur offering is designed for customers looking for a simple, inexpensive product, with all the essentials of the Air France service. It includes carriage of hold baggage up to 50 pounds, choice of seat at check-in, wide choice of newspapers, catering adapted to the flight time and designated counters for customers requiring assistance. When they make their reservation, customers can specify their preference for a window or aisle seat free of charge, and have their boarding pass sent to them by email. For just $15, Air France also proposes a “grace period,” so that customers can keep their reservation and the fare they have found for several days. Air France is the only airline to offer this service online. Fares have been reduced and the simplified price range makes it easier to find the lowest price: the price displayed on the same Web page combines the cheapest available fare for the outbound flight and the cheapest available fare for the return flight. Tickets are sold for round trips, but promotional fares are now available one-way. These tickets are not refundable but can be modified for an additional $75. For more information, visit www.airfrance.com.
