Air France has bolstered its long-haul leisure schedule this summer, adding up to 98 flights per week to the French Caribbean, Reunion Island, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Saint-Martin, the Dominican Republic and the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Flights will be served by the airline's fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A330, offering business, premium economy and economy cabins.

Air France ups leisure schedule out of Paris

In anticipation of a busy summer for leisure, Air France has boosted its long-haul leisure routes. The carrier will add up to 98 flights per week to destinations across the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and French Overseas Territories.

The upcoming summer schedule so far:

From Paris-Charles de Gaulle

  • Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), Fort-de-France (Martinique), Saint-Denis de La Réunion: Up to seven weekly flights to each destination
  • Cayenne (French Guiana): Up to three weekly flights
  • Papeete (French Polynesia): Up to three weekly flights
  • Saint Martin: Up to seven weekly flights
  • Punta Cana (Dominican Republic): Up to seven weekly flights
  • Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic): Up to three weekly flights
  • Cancun (Mexico): Up to five weekly flights

From Paris-Orly

  • Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), Fort-de-France (Martinique), Saint-Denis de La Réunion: Up to 14 weekly flights to each destination
  • Cayenne (French Guiana): Up to 7 weekly flights
Air France Boeing 777-300
Passengers were shuttled from the aircraft to Beijing International Airport's transfer area. Photo: Air France

Fares are available to purchase through the Air France website. All fares are fully modifiable and refundable according to Air France policy until December 31st, 2021. This allows passengers to change their booking free of charge, or request a refund in the form of a credit voucher. Tickets canceled by Air France will be eligible for a full refund, or travelers can postpone their journey instead.

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More connections to the Air France network

Over the summer, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana and Reunion Island will benefit from direct connections to both Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, enabling access to the entire Air France network.

Air France Airbus A330 Getty
Further flights to Cuba, Madagascar and Mauritius are on the cards, depending on travel restrictions. Photo: Getty Images

Additionally, Air France has plans to operate flights to Havana (Cuba), Antananarivo (Madagascar) and Port-Louis (Mauritius) out of Paris-Charles de Gaulle. However, travel restrictions prevent a firm announcement from being made at the present time. Should restrictions be lifted as anticipated, travelers will be able to fly to these destinations direct from Paris.

France will adopt a traffic light system

After promising to open up France to travelers earlier this month, France is set to introduce a new tricolore traffic light system, following the steps of other EU countries. Despite banning short-haul domestic flights, the country is eager to welcome much-needed tourists to kickstart its economy.

France's travel and tourism sector dropped by an estimated 48% in 2020, causing its GDP to shrink by €103 billion ($125 billion). It is hoped a new traffic light system will help to simplify travel restrictions, especially for travel within the EU. Currently, restrictions differ from country to country within the EU - for example, travelers from Germany still need to isolate for 10 days upon arrival.

Air France, Safety Video, French Landmarks
France will hope its 'tricolore' system will boost its flailing economy. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, said,

Regarding countries that are outside the European area [EU and Schengen zone countries], we will work on lists and colorsThere will be the green countries, orange countries and red countries.

The new traffic light system is set to begin on June 9th. Travelers from Green list countries won't need to quarantine, but proof of vaccination or a negative test may be required. Any visitors from Amber list countries must be fully vaccinated with one of four EU-approved jabs - Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson. Travel from Red list countries will be almost entirely banned, even for those who are fully vaccinated.

Will you be jetting off to any of Air France's leisure destinations this summer? Let us know your plans in the comments.