Air France expands intra-Latin American network

Air France is expanding its network of services within Latin America. The carrier was created on October 7, 1933, through a government-led merger of several French airlines, including Air Orient, Air Union, Compagnie Générale Aéropostale, CIDNA and SGTA, and was formally inaugurated that day at Le Bourget Airport.

After the Second World War, the French government nationalised its air transport sector, forming the Compagnie Nationale Air France. The fleet was renewed with American types such as the Douglas DC-3 for regional services, alongside long-range aircraft including the Douglas DC-4 and the Lockheed Constellation. International routes followed, starting with Paris-New York, which routed through Shannon and Gander.

In 1946, Air France shifted its main commercial operations from Le Bourget to Paris-Orly Airport. At Orly, the airline entered the jet age with the French-built Sud Aviation Caravelle in 1959. By the end of that decade, it connected Paris with almost every continent.

Air France is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, which it joined in 2000. It now bases its operations at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport after moving its primary services from Orly in March 2026. Narrow-body aircraft operate most of its European flights, though the carrier also uses these models on other markets.