For summer 2027, Air France will expand its network with two new U.S. routes. Starting in May 2027, it will fly for the first time to Nashville, Tennessee, and San Diego, California, from Paris-Charles de Gaulle.[1] Tickets go on sale on October 14, 2026.[1]
The news comes at a busy moment for transatlantic planning. Below is what’s confirmed so far, from start dates and schedules to the network changes behind the announcement.
The Announcement at a Glance
Both new routes will use Airbus A350-900 aircraft, with three weekly flights each.[1] San Diego service starts on May 3, 2027, and Nashville follows on May 14.[2] The staggered launch gives the airline about two weeks to settle in before the second route begins.
Air France says it will be the only airline in the world offering nonstop flights from Paris to Nashville and San Diego, and the only one serving Nashville from continental Europe.[3] That’s the airline’s own claim. Still, it matches what trade outlets reported after the announcement.
San Diego: Schedule and Timing
San Diego service starts on May 3, 2027, and runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.[3] Flight AF58 is listed to leave Paris at 10:10 a.m. and arrive at 12:50 p.m. The return, AF59, leaves San Diego at 3:10 p.m. and lands in Paris at 11:05 a.m. the next day.[4]
That timing suits both directions. Travelers from France reach California by early afternoon. Passengers heading home leave in the afternoon and arrive in Paris in the morning, in time to connect onward in Europe.
Nashville: Schedule and Timing
AF046 leaves Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 2:10 p.m. and reaches Nashville at 4:40 p.m. the same day. AF047 leaves Nashville at 6:55 p.m. and arrives in Paris at 10:15 a.m. the next day.[1] Nashville service begins on May 14.[3]
One detail has drawn attention. InsideFlyer notes that the flight number AF46 honors Dolly Parton’s birth year.[5] It’s a fitting touch for a city so closely tied to country music, which Air France’s own announcement also highlights.
The Aircraft and Cabins
Both routes will use A350-900s with four cabin classes.[5] The A350 is a modern twin-engine widebody, and it suits routes that may be strong but not huge in demand. Using it on thrice-weekly flights lets the airline test a market without committing a lot of capacity.
Air France hasn’t, in the sources reviewed here, published detailed seat counts for these specific flights. Passengers who care about cabin layout should check the airline’s seat maps once schedules load into booking. Details can change between announcement and launch.
The Denver Factor
The announcement coincides with a withdrawal. Aviation Week reports the additions come as Air France plans to leave Denver International Airport. The carrier hasn’t said Nashville and San Diego are direct replacements, but it has closed reservations for Paris-Denver flights in summer 2027.[2]
InsideFlyer reports that Air France drops Denver service after October 2026, and that United will begin daily Denver-Paris flights on May 27, 2027.[5] Travel Binger describes the changes as a reallocation of aircraft capacity rather than an overall cut in service to the region.[6] So the picture is a reshuffle, not a retreat.
What It Means for Travelers
For travelers in either city, the biggest benefit is nonstop access to Paris, without connecting through another U.S. or European airport.[4] From Paris, passengers can also connect across Europe and beyond on Air France’s network.[4] For Nashville in particular, that could simplify trips to destinations that previously needed a stop.
There’s a trade-off. The new services are planned for only three days a week, so some flexibility will be required.[4] Anyone planning around specific dates should check the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday pattern before building an itinerary.
Air France’s U.S. Network in Summer 2027
With these routes, Air France will serve 20 U.S. destinations in summer 2027, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle and Washington, D.C.[1] The full list also includes Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis, Orlando, Phoenix, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco and both New York airports.
Not every source frames San Diego the same way. Upgraded Points notes that Air France operated the Paris-San Diego route in previous years, though only seasonally.[4] Air France describes the new service as a first, while the other reports point to a move toward more regular service. The difference likely comes down to how “first” is defined, so it’s best not to overstate either side.
Partners and the Wider Competitive Picture
Air France’s U.S. expansion aligns with its joint venture partners Delta, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, though only Delta has announced new 2027 routes, including Austin-Paris, Boston-Venice and Detroit-Athens.[5] That context matters because these carriers coordinate on transatlantic schedules and sales. Nashville and San Diego fit a broader push into secondary U.S. gateways.
Commentators see logic in the choice of cities. One Mile at a Time argues the additions probably make more competitive sense than Denver, where United has a huge advantage.[7] That’s an opinion, not a forecast. Actual demand will only become clear once the flights are on sale and operating.
Final Thoughts
Air France’s 2027 plan adds two U.S. cities, swaps out a seasonal Denver route, and keeps the A350 on thrice-weekly schedules. San Diego starts May 3, Nashville follows on May 14, and tickets open October 14, 2026. Schedules can shift before launch, so check airfrance.com for the latest times.
Two mid-sized U.S. cities will soon have a nonstop line to Paris, and May 2027 is when we’ll find out how many travelers want to use it.
