Air France Debuts First-Ever Fragrance to Bring French Elegance to the Skies
The French flag carrier is adding a new dimension to its brand experience—scent
by George Gomez
January 31, 2025

Photo: Courtesy of Air France
Airlines have long appealed to travelers’ senses—sight, touch, taste, and sound—but now, Air France is taking things a step further. With the debut of its first-ever signature fragrance, AF001, the French carrier is embracing the power of scent to create a distinctive and immersive brand experience.
Developed by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, the fragrance is set to transform the airline’s lounges and premium spaces, reinforcing its commitment to elegance, sophistication, and the art of French living.
A Scent That Embodies Air France
Launched in January 2025, AF001 will first be introduced in select Air France lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, including La Première suites and lounges in terminals 2E (halls L and M), 2F, and 2G.
Over the coming months, Air France plans to gradually expand its new scent to other lounges in Paris and worldwide.
Francis Kurkdjian, the artistic director of Maison Francis Kurkdjian, crafted AF001 to evoke a sense of calm, space, and light, perfectly aligning with the ambiance of air travel.
The musky scent, enriched with mimosa from the south of France, creates a warm, sunlit aura, while delicate floral notes of jasmine and rose add a refined touch.
“I’m very proud to have created Air France’s first signature home fragrance,” said Kurkdjian. “It was the illusion of a ray of sunshine on the wings of an aircraft that inspired me to create this light, fresh, and comforting home fragrance.”
Why a Signature Scent?
Air France’s decision to introduce a signature fragrance goes beyond branding—it’s backed by scientific research demonstrating scent’s powerful influence on customer perceptions, memory, and loyalty.
A study by Morrin and Ratneshwar (2000) titled “The Impact of Ambient Scent on Evaluation, Attention, and Memory for Familiar and Unfamiliar Brands” found that ambient scents can increase customer loyalty and the intention to revisit or repurchase, particularly when the scent is associated with positive experiences or memories.

Photo: New La Premiere Suites. Courtesy of Air France
This suggests that by introducing AF001 in its lounges and premium spaces, Air France is elevating the passenger experience and strengthening its brand connection with travelers, making them more likely to choose the airline again.
Additionally, research by Krishna, Lwin, and Morrin (2010) on “Product Scent and Memory” showed that scented products are more easily remembered than unscented ones, reinforcing brand recall. By associating a distinctive fragrance with its lounges and La Première suites, Air France is ensuring that passengers don’t just experience the airline—they remember it.
A Name Inspired by Aviation History
The name AF001 is a nod to Air France’s legendary Concorde flights, which once linked Paris and New York at supersonic speeds. It also symbolizes the excitement of a first journey, making it a fitting title for a fragrance designed to accompany travelers at the start of their trip.
A luminary in the world of perfumery, Kurkdjian has crafted some of the world’s most iconic scents. His career took off in 1995 with the creation of Le Mâle for Jean Paul Gaultier, which remains one of the best-selling fragrances of all time. Over the years, he has designed perfumes for Guerlain, Dior, Armani, Narciso Rodriguez, Acqua di Parma, Versace, and Burberry, among others.

Photo: Courtesy of Air France
In 2009, Kurkdjian co-founded Maison Francis Kurkdjian alongside Marc Chaya, establishing a new benchmark for contemporary perfumery. Their brand, now part of the LVMH Group, has gained global recognition, with products sold in over 800 high-end outlets across 60 countries.
Joining a Growing Trend
While Air France is introducing its first signature fragrance, it is far from the only airline to recognize the power of scent in branding.
Many airlines have crafted their own signature fragrances to elevate the sensory journey for their passengers. For example, United has introduced its Landing scent, designed to evoke the soothing essence of a gentle arrival. Delta aims to embrace tranquility with its Calm fragrance, while Alaska Airlines offers a refreshing blast of citrus with Ocean Citron, reminiscent of a breezy coastal escape.

Photo: Courtesy of Singapore Airlines
On board, Singapore Airlines pampers travelers with Stefan Floridian Waters in their luxurious hot towels, enveloping them in a refreshing, tropical aroma. Turkish Airlines presents TK 1933, a scent that embodies their home country’s rich culture and history.

Photo: Courtesy of TheDesignAir / Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic, likewise, collaborated with British scent designer Rachel Vosper to develop Air, a fragrance infused with warm and exotic notes inspired by the airline’s top destinations. The scent is diffused throughout check-in areas, airport gates, Clubhouses, and onboard cabins. Virgin even sells the fragrance as part of its retail lineup, allowing passengers to take the experience home.
Similarly, Cathay Pacific’s signature scent is diffused in its first class lounges, designed to reflect the airline’s identity through a blend of subtle woods, white florals, and fresh green tea notes.
The Growing Importance of Scent in Travel
Extensive research confirms that scent plays a crucial role in brand recognition and emotional connection. Studies show that smell is the sense most closely linked to memory, meaning a signature fragrance can reinforce positive brand associations long after a passenger leaves the airport.
For Air France, AF001 is a statement. By incorporating an olfactory identity into its lounges, the airline further cements its reputation for luxury, elegance, and the French art of living.
As the rollout of AF001 continues across Air France’s global network, passengers can expect an even more refined and immersive journey—one that doesn’t just look, feel, and sound exceptional but smells like it, too.