Air France low-cost subsidiary Joon launched from Paris Charles de Gaulle today and unveiled plans to operate a mix of short, medium and long-haul routes from March.
Joon began operations with services to Barcelona, Berlin, Lisbon and Porto on December 1.
It will add seven destinations from Paris-CDG from March 25 – Rome, Naples, Oslo, Istanbul, Cairo, Cape Town and Tehran, with the cheapest flights available from €39 one way.
Flights to Mahe in the Seychelles and Fortaleza, Brazil, will follow in summer 2018.
Frequencies will vary – with services three times a week to Cape Town and Tehran from early April, daily to Cairo and Istanbul, twice daily to Naples, 18 times a week to Oslo, and an average seven flights a day to Rome.
Air France confirmed plans for Joon in July following an agreement with pilots of the parent group, allowing Joon’s crew to be employed on different contracts to Air France staff.
It describes Joon as “a lifestyle brand”, aimed at “a young working clientele whose lifestyles revolve around digital technology”.
Air France insisted: “Joon will not be a low-cost airline. It will offer original products and services that reflect those of Air France.”
However, Air France chief executive Franck Terner confirmed the aim is to cut costs, saying: “Joon’s creation will improve the profitability of the Air France Group, enabling it to reduce costs.”
Joon will operate six aircraft, a mix of Airbus A320s and A321s on shorter routes, and an A340 on long-haul – with economy and business seats on short-haul and a premium economy as well as business class on long-haul.
It promises long-haul passengers the latest touch-screen entertainment in flight and “gourmet” meals in business class.
Short-haul flights offer snacks and free streaming in economy and a meal in business.