Air France has begun the first nonstop service connecting Phoenix with France and has decided to make it a year-round route.
The carrier flew its inaugural flight between the Arizona desert and Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris on Thursday.
The thrice-weekly route, operated with a three-cabin Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner, had originally been scheduled for summer seasonal service. However, Air France has opted to make it a year-round route.
The airline also is extending its summer seasonal Denver-Paris service to an all-year operation.
Phoenix is Air France's 17th U.S. gateway.