Air France Adds Las Vegas Route & Expands Winter 2025 Schedule
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Air France announced major route expansions for 2025-2026, including a new Paris-Las Vegas service starting April 2026 and immediate additions of Phuket and Punta Cana routes. The airline is also rolling out premium cabin upgrades and high-speed Wi-Fi across its fleet.
When does Air France start flying to Las Vegas?
Air France will launch direct flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Las Vegas on April 15, 2026. The route operates three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays using Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
Flight Schedule (local time):
- AF56: Departs Paris-CDG at 1:40 p.m., arrives Las Vegas at 3:35 p.m.
- AF57: Departs Las Vegas at 5:50 p.m., arrives Paris-CDG at 1:05 p.m. (+1 day)
Las Vegas becomes Air France’s 19th U.S. destination and 26th in North America. KLM already serves Las Vegas year-round with up to 7 weekly flights from Amsterdam, providing Air France-KLM customers multiple routing options.
What new routes is Air France adding for Winter 2025?
Air France is launching two new direct routes during Winter 2025-2026 season:
Paris-Phuket (Thailand)
- Start date: November 27, 2025
- Frequency: Up to 3 weekly flights
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Paris-Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
- Operating period: January 13 – March 28, 2026
- Frequency: 3 weekly flights
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Which North American routes are getting frequency increases?
Air France is significantly expanding its North American capacity during Winter 2025:
- Orlando: Continues with 5 weekly A350-900 flights (Summer 2025 launch)
- Raleigh-Durham: Increases to daily flights (up from 5 weekly)
- Cancún, Mexico: Up to 7 weekly flights (from 5 weekly)
- Papeete via Los Angeles: Up to 7 weekly flights
This expansion is particularly valuable for Canadian travelers, who can connect through Paris-CDG to reach these destinations with Air France’s expanded network.
How is Air France upgrading its premium experience?
Air France continues rolling out significant premium cabin improvements:
New La Première Suite Expansion
Air France’s redesigned First Class suite, featuring a modular seat-to-bed design spanning five windows, is now available on select routes:
- Currently operating: New York-JFK, Singapore, Los Angeles
- Coming soon: Miami (December 2025), Tokyo Haneda (March 2026)
At Los Angeles International Airport, Air France introduced dedicated La Première ground services including private check-in, TSA escort, and tarmac car transfers to their premium lounge.
High-Speed Wi-Fi Rollout
Air France became the first major European airline to offer high-speed Wi-Fi across its entire fleet, including regional aircraft:
- Current status: 30% of fleet equipped by end of 2025
- Target: 100% fleet coverage by end of 2026
- Service: Free, stable, secure connection for all passengers
What’s new with Air France’s global route network?
During Winter 2025-2026, Air France operates nearly 800 daily flights to close to 170 destinations across 73 countries, with long-haul capacity up 3%.
South America & Caribbean Expansion
- Brazil: Up to 12 weekly Rio de Janeiro flights, 5 weekly Salvador de Bahia
- Costa Rica: San José increases to 10 weekly flights (from 7)
Africa & Indian Ocean Growth
- Cape Town: Up to 7 weekly A350-900 flights
- Tanzania: Zanzibar-Kilimanjaro increases to 5 weekly (from 3)
- Mauritius: Now served by A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER
Asia & Middle East Enhancements
- Bangkok: Now twice daily from Paris-CDG
- Riyadh: Continues winter service with 3 weekly flights
- Dubai: 16 weekly flights (up from 14)
Air France opens new Chicago O’Hare lounge
On October 17, 2025, Air France inaugurated its first dedicated lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport in Terminal 5.
Lounge Features
- Size: 470 square meters with 105 seats
- Hours: Daily 5:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Access: Business class passengers, Flying Blue Elite Plus, eligible KLM travelers
- Special area: Dedicated Flying Blue Ultimate space with 4 seats
Dining and Services
The lounge emphasizes French culinary excellence with changing menus throughout the day, featuring dishes like beef bourguignon and chocolate mousse. A Parisian hotel-inspired bar serves French wines, champagne, and spirits.
Air France operates up to 7 weekly flights between Paris-CDG and Chicago O’Hare using Airbus A350 aircraft.
How to book and maximize value on these routes
For travelers between North America and Europe, these Air France expansions create new redemption opportunities:
Award Booking Strategies
- Flying Blue: Air France’s own program often offers the best value
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: 1:1 transfer to Flying Blue for premium redemptions
- American Express Membership Rewards: Real-time transfers to Flying Blue for last-minute bookings
- Delta SkyMiles: Partner awards available on Air France routes
Cross-Border Value
Canadian travelers can particularly benefit from:
- Connecting through Paris-CDG to reach new destinations like Phuket and Punta Cana
- Alternative routing to Las Vegas starting April 2026 (vs. direct flights from Canada)
- Premium cabin access on expanded routes with La Première suite availability
Bottom line
Air France’s aggressive expansion continues with the Las Vegas route announcement for April 2026 and immediate Winter 2025 additions of Phuket and Punta Cana. Combined with premium cabin upgrades and the new Chicago lounge, Air France is positioning itself as a stronger competitor for transatlantic and connecting traffic.
For North American travelers, especially those managing cross-border travel between the U.S. and Canada, these expansions provide valuable new routing options through Paris-CDG. The increased frequencies on existing routes also improve schedule flexibility for both paid and award travelers.
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Sources: Air France Press Releases, October-November 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Air France start flying to Las Vegas?
Air France launches Paris-Las Vegas flights on April 15, 2026, with 3 weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays using A350-900 aircraft.
What new routes is Air France adding for Winter 2025?
Air France is adding Paris-Phuket (starting November 27, 2025) with up to 3 weekly flights, and seasonal Paris-Punta Cana service (January 13-March 28, 2026) with 3 weekly flights.
Which Air France routes are getting La Première suites?
The new La Première suite is currently available on select flights to New York-JFK, Singapore, and Los Angeles. Miami service starts December 2025, followed by Tokyo Haneda in March 2026.
Does Air France have high-speed Wi-Fi on all flights?
Air France is rolling out free high-speed Wi-Fi across its entire fleet. About 30% of aircraft are equipped by end of 2025, with 100% coverage planned by end of 2026.
Where is Air France’s new Chicago lounge located?
The new Air France lounge opened October 17, 2025, in Terminal 5 at Chicago O’Hare. It’s 470 square meters with 105 seats, open daily 5:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Can I use points to book these new Air France routes?
Yes, all new routes are bookable with Flying Blue miles or partner program points. Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards transfer 1:1 to Flying Blue for award bookings.
