From the Hub of the Southeast to the Hub of Europe:Air France Announces Plans for Daily,...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 1998--Air France plans to launch service from the heart of the Southeast to the heart of Europe with daily, non-stop flights to Paris starting June 19.

The new announcement of the new service, which is subject to government approval and exemption

Air France will serve the Atlanta market with a Boeing 767-300 configured with 25 L'Espace 127 business class and 184 Tempo economy class seats.

Eastbound, flight AF 043 will depart from Atlanta at 9:10 p.m. daily and arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 11:35 a.m. the next morning. Westbound service, flight AF 042, will leave Paris at 4:05 p.m. daily and arrive in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m.

The airline also has appointed Christian Escudie as district manager Atlanta. He will be based in the airline's new sales office. Escudie, a 28-year veteran of Air France, is relocating from Houston to head up the airline's sales in Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and South Carolina.

"Atlanta is the leading hub city on the Atlantic seaboard and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the leading hub in Europe," said des Fontaines. "We're especially pleased to be providing an important link between these two hubs, opening a new world of travel experiences for the Atlanta market."

For the international business traveler, the Charles de Gaulle hub offers unrivaled benefits including fast connections on medium- and long-haul flights.

Travelers will find convenient connecting flights to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia as well as unparalleled service throughout France. Since every Air France agent speaks English, language is not a barrier, making CDG the airport of choice for business and leisure.

For the business traveler, Air France offers its unrivaled L'Espace 127 business class with critically acclaimed seats, gourmet cuisine, vintage wines and world-famous service. Tempo economy class passengers can take advantage of a choice of entrees, French wines, a complimentary bar and in-flight movies, including newly released French films.

Air France's Frequence Plus frequent flyer program gives travelers the opportunity to earn and redeem miles on Air France, Delta or Continental Airlines. The airline also offers a wide range of vacation packages in Paris and other European capitals with its Air France Holidays program.

Air France flies to 189 cities worldwide. In the United States, Air France currently offers daily service to Paris from New York (JFK), Newark, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Connecting service is provided to cities throughout France, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Information on Air France flights and service is available from any travel agent or from Air France at 800/AF-PARIS. Information on Air France Holidays vacation packages is available by calling 800-2-FRANCE.

CONTACT: Roundhouse Public Relations

Deborah Bernstein/Tara McNally, 914/328-1906

DebRhouse@aol.com or McNally@Rhouse.com