Aircraft

Air France has rolled out its first Airbus A380 in the French flag-carrier's new colour scheme.

The twin-deck aircraft, which has been undergoing final preparation at Airbus' Hamburg plant, is to be deployed on the daily Paris Charles de Gaulle-New York JFK route in November this year.

Air France has configured the jet for 538 passengers, which will make it the highest-density layout of any A380 so far put into service.

The airline has a mix of 80 business-class and 106 economy-class seats on the upper deck. The lower deck will feature nine first-class and 343 economy-class seats.

© Air France

Air France chief Pierre-Henri Gourgeon says: "The A380, particularly well-suited to the current economic context, will enable Air France to offer its customers an even better quality of service while at the same time limiting costs."

The airline has 12 of the type on order and will introduce four to service over winter 2009 and spring 2010.

Air France's first A380 is MSN33. The airline is fitting all 12 with Engine Alliance GP7200 powerplants.