5 New Ways Air France Is Creating a Smoother Travel Experience

Every day, Air France carries up to 140,000 passengers around the world. To provide an ever-smoother travel experience, the airline continues to innovate and embrace digital transformation. From booking to arrival, Air France is deploying new solutions to anticipate customer needs and make every step of the journey seamless.

Here are five recent innovations enhancing passenger comfort and convenience:

1. Priority Service for Short Connections at Paris-Charles de Gaulle

Air France-KLM and Groupe ADP introduced a priority system for passengers with short connection times at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. If a transfer time falls below a set threshold, customers automatically receive priority access at security and border control. Notifications are sent via SMS, email, the Air France app, and soon, WhatsApp. This “Short Connection Pass” ensures passengers reach their gates on time without stress.

2. Easier Connections via WhatsApp Notifications

Since February 2025, Air France provides step-by-step guidance for connecting flights at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol through WhatsApp. Passengers receive personalised messages with gate information, estimated transfer times, walking directions, and airport instructions. Nearly 2,000 passengers benefit from this feature each month during the testing phase.

3. Dedicated Assistance for Passengers with Reduced Mobility

Committed to accessibility, Air France’s SAPHIR service assists passengers with reduced mobility throughout their journey. Since March 2025, passengers using manual wheelchairs can remain with their wheelchair until boarding and retrieve it immediately after disembarking, enhancing independence and comfort. The service will extend to electric wheelchairs by the end of the year, with special tags indicating lifting points for careful handling.

4. New Tool for Online Document Submission

Passengers can now scan passports or ID cards using their smartphones during online check-in. The information is automatically added to their booking, saving time and reducing errors. Introduced in March 2025, this tool has already processed over 3 million documents, and customers can save their details for future trips.

5. Real-Time Flight Tracking on iOS

Since December 2024, iOS users can view flight details directly on the iPhone lock screen or Apple Watch starting four hours before departure. Information such as boarding gate, departure time, and countdown to arrival is continuously visible—even without an internet connection—until one hour after arrival. Between 70,000 and 90,000 passengers use this feature daily.

Air France continues to lead in innovation, making every journey smoother and more enjoyable.

For more information or to book your ticket, visit www.airfrance.co.za.