We had the privilege of speaking with Marc-Antoine Blondeau, the General Manager of French Bee, and his colleague João Correia Silva, who oversees cargo operations.
Defined by the A350
The aircraft model that defines the airline’s identity is the A350 – for those familiar with French Bee, you may already know that they are 100% A350 operators. This unique position has evolved, though it is important to note that the airline began its journey with a single A330. However, that aircraft has since been retired from the fleet, paving the way for the A350.
Blondeau elaborated on the choice of the A350, stating that “it’s the most efficient among all aircraft,” and emphasizing its operational efficacy and suitability for long-haul routes.
French Bee’s fleet includes both the A350-900 model and two of the larger -1000 variant, with new unit of the latter model on order and anticipated to be delivered by 2025 to the Group’s fleet. It is to be shared by French Bee and sister company Air Caraïbes. Enhancing operations with these aircraft will bolster French Bee’s service capabilities and synergize with its sister airline, Air Caraïbes, which predominantly covers the French Overseas territories in the Caribbean.
Expansion on the Horizon
As we explored the airline’s future, Blondeau highlighted that French Bee’s primary market is now the USA, but expansion plans are firmly in place to broaden its reach across North America. He confirmed that the airline will soon launch service to Montréal in Quebec, Canada, with operations slated to commence on 31 April 2025, pending government approvals.
Additionally, French Bee is set to enhance its service to Newark/New York, with plans to increase capacity significantly. The General Manager noted, “The airline will be sending the A350-1000 during the summer season,” recognizing that while New York City draws visitors year-round, the summer months bring an uptick in travel.
How could the industry be reshaped further?
With the recent A321XLR’s first commercial flight, we were eager to hear Blondeau’s view on the type, seeing as the airline is an LCC specializing in long-haul flights.
He made it clear that the aircraft was not the right fit for French Bee, stating that: “The analysis is not exactly the same model we have in French Bee. We are too big and need the biggest aircraft. We have 480 passengers [onboard]. So, this is not exactly our model. So for sure, it will change the market. But we think that if we go from Paris to our destinations, we will have the best aircraft to do what we are doing.”
He did however recognize how the aircraft could create new markets, noting that it could open up potential routes between the US and secondary French cities like Bordeaux, suggesting that in the future the market may allow for low-fares transatlantic operations from a more diverse range of airports in both France and around the EU.
French Bee: a cargo operator, too
Shifting the focus to cargo operations, Correia Silva discussed the logistical aspects that support passenger and freight needs. He explained the airline’s strategic use of aircraft based on demand fluctuations, stating, “As Marc-Antoine [Blondeau] said, we are using the aircraft on the correct route, also for cargo, and we have the flexibility to adjust depending on market needs. On certain days, we may require additional space for cargo, while other times, we might need more seating for passengers.” This adaptability allows French Bee to effectively manage operational capacity, compensating for any downturn in passenger numbers with an increase in cargo space and vice versa.
The primary distinction between the passenger and cargo divisions lies in their business models. Correia Silva clarified, “We are not a low-cost company regarding cargo. While our pricing strategy is very competitive and aggressive, we do not categorize ourselves as a low-cost operator.” This approach reflects a commitment to providing quality service in cargo operations while maintaining a robust competitive edge.
He explained that the airline also offered unique intermodality by constructing relationships with ground transportation companies, allowing goods to reach destinations beyond French Bees, like Atlanta or Chicago.
What to take home from this interview
Our conversation with Marc-Antoine Blondeau and João Correia Silva highlighted how the airline actively responds to the market by adjusting their cargo and passenger offerings to demand across the transatlantic market. We also saw in greater depth how having both A350 types helps maintain a smoother and more versatile operation.
Joined Fresh Aviation in September 2024 as an experienced aviation journalist.