The name San Francisco conjures up many memories and responses in people, from architecture to art to music; but it is always positive. Even the infamous quote by Mark Twain, “The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco,” is held with nostalgia rather than being true criticism. And actually that sounds fantastic right now with the heat that is currently smothering New York.

Both Air France and KLM have quite a storied history with the sister city of Paris – Air France has been flying to San Francisco since September of 1986 while KLM service began a short while afterwards in 1993. And as of June 22nd, just a few days ago, Air France is bringing even more of the French touch to the Bay Area skies for the Summer. As hopefully many of you have already heard, we have added three additional flights each week. With a later departure time (6:25 pm), passengers can have both a full day at work before leaving, and ample time to shop upon arrival in Paris. Something that can be enjoyed relatively guilt-free with the exchange rate between the dollar and the Euro being so agreeable at the moment.

In addition, we’re also upgrading the capacity on our regular daily flight by introducing the original double-decker: the Boeing 747. This means we’ll be able to pamper 3,800 passengers a week! We’re particularly delighted because in a time where most carriers are cutting back on their capacity, we’re continuing to meet demand by adding to ours in San Francisco. I’m confident it will be a success, and hope that it will be so successful that we’ll be able to add it to the schedule year-round. Something that my entire team is working hard to ensure.

In fact, earlier this month, in celebration of the additional flight as well as to show our dedication to the local community we threw a joint cocktail party with the French Consul General. For us, it was a perfect opportunity to speak directly with our biggest clients, customers, and broader Bay Area community. As well, of course, as being a perfect occasion to catch up with local co-workers, with the direct benefit being that it was an opportunity to visit. During my graduate studies I worked as a sales intern for French companies to build their businesses locally in the Berkeley area for 6 months so I relish any chance that I get to return to the Bay Area, for business or pleasure. The event was a fantastic success; we were even able to surprise the French General Consul with a cake, in recognition for his birthday which was that day, as well as the fact that he was leaving the next day for his new post.

As June 21st traditionally says, Summer is now in full swing, and I hope that all the readers in the Bay Area are planning to try either of our Air France flights this Summer or our daily KLM flight (to buy your tickets, just click either tab on the left). It may seem like we’re just trying to make the airspace over the Bay Area as French or Dutch as possible (which we are) because our heart is definitely in San Francisco.