On 18 February 2010, Air France's Airbus A380 landed for the first time in Johannesburg after departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 23.30 the night before. This makes Air France the first airline to operate the world's largest passenger aircraft to the African continent.

As from today, the Airbus A380, equipped with 538 seats in three cabin classes - La Premiere (First), Affaires (Business) and Voyageur (Economy) - will operate three of the ten weekly. Air France services between Paris and Johannesburg up to 28 March 2010. As from 28 March, Air France will operate seven weekly frequencies between Paris and Johannesburg including 3 by A380 until the third A380 is put into service, scheduled for the end of April. The route will then be entirely operated by A380.

The A380 is the most environment-friendly aircraft ever - with less than 75 grammes of CO2 emitted per passenger per kilometre - and the quietest of its generation. Its wide cabin offers passengers additional comfort and space.

Air France is therefore the first European carrier to operate this Superjumbo, and the first airline worldwide to offer transatlantic flights between Europe and the USA with this aircraft. Air France ordered twelve A380s, two of which have already been delivered. Following New York in November 2009 and Johannesburg in February 2010, Air France will also start operating the A380 to Tokyo in 2010.