Air France has operated its first Airbus A350-900 on the Paris–Charles de Gaulle–Sint Maarten route, with flight AF446 landing at Princess Juliana International Airport on 3 November. The flight, operated by aircraft F-HUVA, was an evaluation ahead of the A350’s planned introduction on the route from 1 February 2027, when it is due to replace the A330-200 in regular service.
Further A350 flights are planned on the route through 6 November, before the A330-200 returns temporarily the following day. The evaluation gives the airline and airport an opportunity to practise handling and turnaround procedures for the larger aircraft. Princess Juliana has no full-length parallel taxiway, so aircraft must use a turning manoeuvre at the end of the runway.
Air France plans to operate up to 14 weekly A350 flights to Sint Maarten. The aircraft is configured for 292 passengers in three classes: 48 in Business, 32 in Premium Economy and 212 in Economy. The route change is part of the airline’s planned withdrawal of its remaining A330-200s, with five aircraft scheduled for retirement next year.