Just this past week, French flag carrier Air France
inaugurated a new nonstop service from its principal hub at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris to Orlando International Airport (MCO). This flight currently operates four times per week, and it uses the carrier’s dynamic fleet of premium-configured Airbus A350-900 jets, some of the most capable in its inventory. This allows the airline to offer a high-volume, high-capacity direct service to one of the most important leisure destinations in the United States.
The decision to use this high-capacity model on such a new service is interesting in itself, and it did undoubtedly raise some eyebrows from industry analysts when it first launched. Nonetheless, this route has quickly proven its worth, and it is an excellent addition to the network of a SkyTeam alliance looking to expand its connectivity to and from Orlando. This route has been so successful so far that Air France has even decided to add more frequencies to the service next year.
What Exactly Is This Route, And Why Was It Launched?
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On May 21, 2025, Air France launched new flights from Orlando to Paris, services which would operate four times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. This schedule caters primarily to leisure travelers looking to make Orlando their next destination. Boaz Hulsman, Air France-KLM’s Commercial Vice President for North America, had the following words to share in a statement regarding the new route’s launch:
“We look forward to providing passengers from Florida a seamless, direct journey to Paris, or beyond, where they can enjoy the French elegance and award-winning service that Air France is known for.”
Officials at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority were also quick to commend the route. Air France had previously operated nonstop services between the two cities, and Kevin J. Thibault, the CEO of the Aviation Authority, was quick to hail the service resumption as a major win for the airport.
These services will be operated by Air France’s fleet of Airbus A350-900 jets, serving passengers in business, premium economy and economy-class cabins. This allows the carrier to serve leisure travelers and business travelers effectively.
Related
Almost 1,800 Flights: Inside Air France’s US Operations This May
The French flag carrier has a significant presence in the United States.
The Airline Is Going To Add Frequencies To This Route
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Air France-KLM’s route strategy team must have liked what they saw from this route in terms of early ticket sales, because they have already made the decision to begin adding frequencies next winter. According to Ishrion Aviation, the carrier will soon expand its capacity by adding multiple new weekly flights.
Starting on February 12, 2026, the airline will add a fifth weekly service to this route, one which will operate on Thursdays. Following that, daily services will begin to operate on March 29, 2026, making this route an everyday option for those looking to take advantage of its connectivity.
During April 2026, the carrier will reach its full operating capacity on this route, with 30 flights throughout the month. According to data provided to Simple Flying by aviation analytics company Cirium, the airline will offer more than 9,700 seats between these two cities over the month, seats which will generate more than 43 million available seat miles (ASMs) for the carrier.
Air France Is Continuing To Expand Its US Connectivity
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The relaunch of this new service marks Air France’s first nonstop connection to Orlando since it abandoned this route back in 2012. This service now makes Orlando International Air France’s 18th passenger gateway.
This service will continue to expand access to SkyTeam passengers traveling to and from Orlando, with other carriers like Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico offering connections to destinations across the United States and beyond. The route is also a win for local stakeholders, including those looking to continue to improve Orlando’s appeal to international tourists.
At the end of the day, this route falls in line with SkyTeam’s efforts to begin trying to corner the international market in and out of Orlando International. This is curious, however, as Delta Air Lines, the largest SkyTeam carrier in North America, doesn’t exactly have a hub at the airport.