New start of an old tradition
Air France starts naming its aircraft again
The French national carrier was not naming its aircraft until now. But it is starting a new tradition.
Airbus A350: It is named after its birthplace Toulouse.
Airbus A350: It is named after its birthplace Toulouse.
In April 1959, Air France named its first Sud Aviation Caravelle «Alsace». The Boeing 707 of the French national airline were named after famous castles, and the first Airbus A320s were named after European cities. Then the airline ceased the traditionat some point.
Now Air France is reviving it. In the future, the airline’s aircraft will be baptized again, airline boss Anne Rigail announced on Friday (27 September). Air France had announced an internal competition and asked which theme to choose for the names.
A350 ist the first to be named
The theme will now be important French cities. The first aircraft to be named is Air France’s first Airbus A350, called «Toulouse» – just like its birthplace, where it underwent final assembly at Airbus.