Air France (Paris) and Boeing celebrated on Wednesday (December 8, 2010) the 200th direct delivery of a Boeing jetliner – a 777-328 ER (Extended Range) registered F-GZNH (msn 35544) to the French carrier.

Air France’s new 777-300 ER has 383 seats including 42 business class lie-flat seat beds measuring over 78.74 inches (2 m) in length, plus an in-seat entertainment system with 15-inch (38 cm) wide screens in 16:9 format. Air France is a member of Sky Team, and will operate this 777-300 ER between Paris and Montreal. In January 2011, it will be operated on the new direct route between Paris and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The first Boeing jet, a 707, was delivered to Air France in 1959. The airline also has operated 727s, 737s and 767s and ordered its first 747s in 1966. Air France first ordered 777-200 ERs in 1996 and was a launch customer for the 777-300 ER in 2000 and for the 777 Freighter in 2005.

For the 2011 summer season, Air France will be operating a total of 61 777s making it one of the largest 777 passenger fleets in the world. The airline also operates two 777 Freighters and 12 747-400s. Boeing is scheduled to deliver to Air France one 777 Freighter in 2011 and 11 additional 777-300 ERs through 2015. In addition to their direct purchase of Boeing airplanes, Air France has successfully operated many other Boeing airplanes on lease for many years.