Air France recently marked its return to the Philippines after a hiatus of two decades, making a grand entrance with the launch of its inaugural non-stop flight to Manila International Airport (MNL) on December 8, 2024. The much-anticipated Flight AF 208 took off from Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at 23:30 local time on December 7, 2024, arriving in Manila at 19:26 local time the following day after less than 13 hours of flight time. Welcoming the arrival were esteemed officials including French Ambassador to the Philippines and Micronesia, Marie Fontanel, and the Philippines' Department of Transportation Secretary, Jaime Bautista.

The thrice-weekly flights were announced back in September 2024 and have generated significant buzz. The A350-900 aircraft offers a comfortable onboard experience with 34 seats in business class, 24 seats in premium economy, and 266 seats in economy. This development comes as a revival of the Paris to Manila route, discontinued in 2004 following the amalgamation of Air France and KLM. Since then, Air France maintained its presence in the Philippines through a codeshare agreement with KLM.

The Embassy of France underscored the significance of these revived flights in strengthening the bonds between France and the Philippines across various fronts such as transport, science, tourism, and culture. The resumption of direct flights between the two countries not only facilitates convenient travel but also signals enhanced cooperation and connectivity. The Embassy's social media post encapsulated the excitement, inviting travelers to embark on a journey to explore the diverse wonders of the 7,000-island archipelago. Ready to embark on this adventure? Book your flight now and delve into the enchanting beauty of the Philippines!