Air France - Official carrier of Pope Benedict XVI

On 13 and 15 September 2008, Air France will be transporting Pope Benedict XVI to Lourdes and will also be flying him home to Rome. Following on from Jean-Paul II, Benedict XVI is the second Pope Air France has had the honour of welcoming aboard its aircraft.

On this occasion, an Airbus A321 has been specially configured with 3 cabins to welcome the Pope and his delegations from both the Vatican and France and more than 70 journalists from the written and audiovisual media. In all, 111 passengers will be on board this aircraft.

On Saturday 13 September, the aircraft will take off from Paris-Orly at 4.30pm and land at Lourdes-Tarbes at 5.50pm. On Monday 15 September, the aircraft will depart from Lourdes at 1pm to reach Rome-Ciampino 1 hour and 50 minutes later.

The crew comprising voluntary members – two pilots and eight flight attendants – will change on each flight, so that the largest number of staff have the honour of travelling with His Holiness the Pope.

The cabin crew will provide a specific in-flight service designed by Air France in cooperation with the Vatican.

Jean Paul II had taken two flights on an Air France Airbus A310. In September 1996, he travelled from Reims to Rome, after commemorating the 1,500th anniversary of the baptism of Clovis, and from Paris to Rome in August 1997, after the World Youth Day held in France.