“Gaillac” is the new name of Air France’s newest Airbus A220 300. Gaillac was received from Canada on July 13, 2023 and operated its first commercial flight “Paris-Athens” on July 15.

Air France’s new Airbus A220 300 has already been flying for a few hours. The French airline is reviving an old, symbolic tradition: it is naming its planes after the names of French cities.

Received new on July 13, 2023 from Canada, this Airbus A220 300 christened “Gaillac” after the town of Tarn, made its first commercial destination “Paris-Athens” on July 15th.

“His calling will be to fly short and medium-haul flights” states Sébastien Champion, Sales Manager for the Southwest Region of Air France / KLM.

Gaillac is a town in Occitanie and Occitanie is the cradle of aviation with Airbus and its numerous subcontractors.

Sébastien Champion, Sales Manager for the Southwest Region Air France / KLM

“Gaillac was chosen for its strong culture, know-how, gastronomy and vineyard. These are great values ​​of French heritage,” emphasizes the sales manager.

According to Air France, this latest generation aircraft plays a crucial role in reducing its environmental footprint.

“These christenings take place as part of the renewal of the fleet to decarbonize the group”specifies Sébastien Champion.

Less consumption, less CO2 and less noise emissions

Designed from lighter materials, equipped with new engines and an optimized wing, this new Airbus A220 300 should consume:

• 20% less fuel,
• 20% less CO2,
• 34% less noise emissions.

Air France has ordered 60 A220 300s and the “Gaillac” is the twenty-sixth.

After “Saumur”, “Sauternes” and “Gaillac”, the next two names are “Porto-Vechio” and “Agen”.