Air France (Paris) has announced a special milestone event in January with the last revenue flight for its Boeing 747 after a long career with the Jumbo type:
On January 14, 2016, Air France is offering customers a unique experience on a special tribute flight over France, with views of the country’s legendary landmarks.
More than 45 years after the first Boeing 747 flight from Paris to New York on June 3, 1970 – on the aircraft that became widely known as the Jumbo Jet – Air France salutes the last flight of this legendary and distinct aircraft on flight AF747.
Flight AF747 will take off on January 14, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. The experience will include a Business class lunch and champagne for all passengers, with special inflight commentary and tour of France’s history and legendary landmarks.
Upon arrival at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, the passengers will be invited to discover the airline’s aircraft maintenance workshops and share a tribute drink at the foot of the aircraft. One can also follow the event on Twitter with #AF747.
As of December 7, 2015, customers can book their tickets on flight AF747 by calling +33 1 56 93 70 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Paris time, Monday through Friday. The fare for the entire cabin is fixed at €220 plus tax.
Air France’s 747: a showcase of modern innovations
Since the early 70s, the Boeing 747 has been a showcase of modern innovations. It revolutionized air travel in an era of mass tourism and global transit. For cargo, the Boeing 747 had pressurized holds, which were ventilated and protected against fire. Four times larger than the previous generation of Boeing, the 707s, the Boeing 747 could carry 122 tons of cargo!
As one of the first airlines to operate this aircraft, Air France made it the flagship of its long-haul fleet. Most of the airline’s destinations – including New York, Montreal, the French West Indies, and Reunion – have been served by the Jumbo.
In the early 70s, Air France also began reinventing its service to better satisfy its customers. The role of chief purser was created to coordinate the service and attention paid to customers, as the new aircraft could carry up to 500 passengers. Inflight cuisine was a major element of the flight experience, with menus designed by great French chefs such as Paul Bocuse, Gaston Lenôtre and Pierre Troisgros, who forged exclusive partnerships with Air France. Finally, the cabin interior was designed by Pierre Gautier-Delaye, who paid particular attention to the comfort of the seat cushions and seatbacks.
Today, the duties behind the Air France flight experience are being handed over to the 65 Boeing 777, equipped with the airline’s new long-haul cabins: designer suites in the La Première cabin, a cocoon in the sky in the Business cabin, and new redesigned seats in Premium Economy and Economy for optimal travel comfort.
Air France La Saga: the benchmark historical website
To celebrate this event and this chapter of Air France’s history, the airline is unveiling its new-look benchmark historical website: http://airfrancelasaga.com
To give everyone a chance to explore Air France’s rich heritage, the airline’s website has had a complete makeover. With vintage videos and photos, Air France is reliving its history, with particular attention to its professionals, fleet, network, and the attention it has always paid to its customers.
Top Copyright Photo: Manuel Negrerie/AirlinersGallery.com.
Air France aircraft slide show: 
Airline Airline Aircraft Endangered Species List:
Bottom Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Air France introduced the Boeing 747-128 on June 3, 1970 on the Paris – New York route. Boeing 747-128 F-BPVD (msn 19752) taxies to the gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
