Millennial magnet Joon goes long-haul

Air France’s funky blue bid to attract millennials, Joon, has launched the first of several long-haul routes to be rolled out this year with a  Paris-Cairo service using a refurbished Airbus A340. The first flight to Cairo of the hipster-focused subsidiary took place on March 25 and will be joined in coming months by long-haul destinations such as India’s Mumbai, South Africa’s Cape Town (from April 3), Iran’s Tehran, Brazil’s Fortaleza (May 3) and Mahe (May 5), in the Seychelles. Pricing on Joon is set between traditional and low-cost carriers with the airline advertising on its website one-way flights to Cairo from 149 euros to Cape Town from 279 euros and to Mahe from 299 euros. The airline already operates short-haul services to Oslo, Rome, Naples, Barcelona, Porto and Lisbon. The three-class A340 is replete with options, offering business, premium economy and an economy cabin with a mix of standard and extra legroom seats. Business includes a two-metre lie flat seat in a 2-2-2 configuration. There’s a 15.6-inch high-definition touch screen offering 1200 hours of on-demand entertainment and noise reduction headphones. There’s a welcome kit with slippers, socks and a shoe bag and comfort kit with various products, including a toothbrush and toothpaste. The pointy end also offers a choice of six meals and cocktails designed by the trendy Paris-based Experimental Cocktail Club. Premium economy is located in the cabin immediately behind business and features a comfortable 39-inches of legroom and a seat that’s 19.3  inches wide in a 2-42 configuration. There’s a 10.1-inch HD touch screen, a USB port to charge devices, an adjustable headrest and perks such as a comfort kit, a welcome drink as well as starters and deserts “inspired by business class”. The economy cabin as 227 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration with a tad under 31-inches of legroom, a 10.1-inch touch screen and USB port and comes with a free meal. Premium economy and economy customers can also opt to order prior to departure from “a la carte menus” costing between 12 and 28 euros. An additional 50 euros flights of less than nine hours or 70 euros on longer flights will also get passengers an extra three inches of legroom (34 inches) on 70 Seat Plus seats at the front of the cabin. People who want to sit together and enjoy some privacy can also pay an extra 30 euros for the two window seats. This is in keeping with research suggesting millennials are more open to paying for extra legroom and other extras than their older counterparts.