Air France today revealed it is revamping its European fleet to offer two-class rather than three-class cabins and cut published fares by up to 35%.

The changes, due to come into force from April 1 next year, will see Air France replacing its economy, premium economy and business cabins with a Voyageur economy cabin and Premium cabin.

However, passengers will be able to choose between two options in the Premium cabin – premium eco and premium business – with passengers in the latter guaranteed to have no one sitting next to them.

The move is aimed at increasing Air France’s market share by capturing more leisure passengers, and more business travellers from small and medium-sized companies who need to keep costs down.

It aims to take passengers from competitor legacy airlines, no-frills carriers and Eurostar.

Air France will also start charging for second hold bags, but insisted it was not moving towards a no-frills model.

It also insisted it was not downgrading its full business-class offering, saying the only difference from the previous business-class cabin would be that customers would not be given free champagne on boarding.

It will provide a dedicated check-in area and security lane for premium business and eco passengers at Charles de Gaulle, and intends to offer the same service at a third of its European airports. 

However, it could not say when those dedicated areas would be available at Heathrow, where the airline is moving from Terminal 2 to Terminal 4 this month.

Premium customers will be able to pick a seat free of charge – setting Air France apart from British Airways, which has started charging for the service.

Premium eco fares will fall by an average of 20-25% on the London-Paris route. Air France claimed they would be cheaper than BA’s economy fare.

Economy passengers will be expected to check in online or by mobile phone, and Air France intends to save costs by reducing the number of check-in desks as a result. 

Economy passengers booking online will be able to reserve a seat at a set price for several days for a €10 charge. Travel agents will not be charged for the same service.

Air France will also start charging for second hold bags, but has increased the weight allowance for the first from 20kg to 23kg. 

Economy-class passengers will continue to be offered free snacks and drinks.

The airline said the new fares would be available on all booking channels including GDSs. However, a spokesman could not guarantee the same percentage falls would be reflected in net fares to UK travel agents.

He said adjustments would have to be made for each market in the six months before the new system came in.

The new system is not being introduced on KLM, part of the Air France-KLM group, although that has not been ruled out.

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