08 March 2015
Air France KLM has marked the launch of its new Business Class Cabins on Middle East routes, at an event hosted at the One & Only Royal Mirage Dubai. The launch was attended by Flying Blue members, business class travelers and partners of both airlines. Guests included His Excellency Mr Michel Miraillet, Ambassador of France to the United Arab Emirates, and His Excellency Jennes de Mol, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Arab Emirates.

In January 2015, KLM started offering its new Business Class cabin on the Dubai-Amsterdam route; Air France launched its stylish new Business Class seat to Dubai, the third destination in the world after New York and Singapore, in February 2015.

KLM's new World Business Class is being transformed through cutting edge Dutch design, with new, super comfortable, full-flat seats, in-seat power and privacy canopy, and a personal entertainment system with a 17-inch screen.

In Air France's new Business Class Cabin, the seat design cocoons the passenger and adapts to the shape of each individual, from seating position to a true bed, close to two metres long. The seat is designed to offer impeccable quality of sleep and suggests a warm, contemporary room, a signature feature of Air France seats. A soft duvet and XXL-sized feather-down pillow offers optimum sleeping comfort.

The new Air France and KLM Business Class cabins have been designed in collaboration with customers, world renowned designers, ergonomists and the group's own experienced teams. The aim is to become a global reference in onboard comfort, service, and culinary experience, for business and leisure passengers

Speaking at the launch, Welmer Blom, Area Manager Middle East, Gulf and India for AIR FRANCE KLM, said: "Over the last 40 years, Air France and KLM have flown millions of passengers to and from the UAE, bringing the French 'l'Art de Vivre' and Dutch 'Original coolness'. Both of these new business class cabins are particularly well adapted to the business traveler of small-medium enterprises as well as larger companies in the Gulf, who are looking for excellence in comfort and service on long-haul flights, and exceptional value."

Air France KLM connects customers to a wide range of flight options through the global hubs of Paris and Amsterdam, and onwards into the group's extensive global networks.

"Our investment goes beyond our aircraft and we also focus on the UAE in many other ways," adds Welmer Blom. "We continue to innovate to meet customer needs, with on-ground support such as a Limousine Service for First and Business Class passengers, and a 24/7 Call Center. Other innovations in 2015 include the opening of a brand new and exclusive SkyTeam customer lounge in Dubai International Airport, together with our SkyTeam partners. Our Flying Blue program has added a special feature called Flying Blue Petroleum Club, dedicated to the many oil and gas industry professionals who work in this region."

ABOUT AIR FRANCE
Air France, with its regional subsidiary HOP!, operates 1,500 daily flights in France, Europe and worldwide. Its fleet comprises 350 aircraft in operation. Since 2004, Air France and KLM have formed a major player in the air transport industry. The two airlines operate the leading long-haul network on departure from Europe.  In 2013, Air France and KLM carried 77.3 million passengers. The two airlines currently offer their customers access to a network covering 231 destinations in 103 countries from their hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol. Their Flying Blue frequent flyer programme is leader in Europe and has over 24.5 million members. Air France and KLM and their partners Delta and Alitalia operate the biggest trans-Atlantic joint-venture with over 250 daily flights. Air France and KLM are members of the SkyTeam alliance which has 20 member airlines, offering customers access to a global network of 16,323 daily flights to 1,052 destinations in 177 countries.



Internet: corporate.airfrance.com



Twitter: @AFNewsroom

Media contact:
Yasaman Milleret
Air France KLM marketing and communication manager
Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan
yamilleret@airfrance.fr

© Press Release 2015