Air France will expand its reach in the Asia-Pacific region by relaunching direct flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), France, to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, Philippines from December 7, 2024.
The route marks the first direct flight from Manila to the French capital in two decades.
The thrice-weekly flights will operate on Air France’s Airbus A350-900 fleet, offering 34 seats in business class, 24 seats in premium economy and 266 in economy.
The 14-hour direct flights are scheduled to operate on the following times:
AF208 departing Paris 23:20 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, arriving in Manila at 19:30 the following day
AF209 departing Manila at 21:50 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, arriving in Paris at 05:50 the following day
Air France said the flight schedules are still subject to government approval.
Manila is the gateway to reaching white-sand beaches and island destinations that the Philippines is known for. According to Statista, tourist arrivals to the Philippines slowly picked up after significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19. From roughly 1.48 million tourists in 2020, international visitor numbers rose to around 5.45 million in 2023.
In addition to Manila, Air France will also serve the following Asian destinations this winter:
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City up to three flights a week
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) up to 15 flights a week
- Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka up to three flights a week
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) up to seven flights a week
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) up to seven flights a week
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) up to seven flights a week
- Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) up to seven flights a week
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) up to 13 flights a week
- Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN) up to 10 flights a week