One for the road: my final trip to ORY with Air France

[Critical Aviator]

Hi all,
By now Air France has ceased all of its operations from Paris Orly airport (ORY/LFPO) with the exception of flights to Corsica (Ajaccio, Bastia and Calvi). Otherwise, all other short to medium haul flights are now operated by Transavia. Only Air France’s long haul flights have truly disappeared (but ORY still has ling haul flights with Air Caraïbes, Azul, Corsair and Frenchbee) Earlier this month, I took a final round trip with them from TLS to ORY and I would like to share this experience with you.
But first, let me share a story so you understand why this matters to me. I grew up flying the Air France shuttle service to ORY. I flew with all members of the A320ceo family (I have yet to fly on a neo), from the A318 to the A321, with Air France. So when I found out that I had the opportunity to fly to ORY with them one last time, I did, for old time’s sake.

 

[Critical Aviator]

My journey starts at Toulouse Blagnac airport, and here is my ride to ORY: F-GUGN, a 2006-built Airbus A318-111 in the 2009 Barcode livery. You can see Airbus facilities in the background

 

[Critical Aviator]

Some aircraft on the Airbus side: A300-600ST Belugas, A330-743L Beluga XL, the first A380, the second A350, and the A330-900 prototype as well as some factory fresh A330s and A350s undergoing testing before delivery.

 

[Critical Aviator]

Pushing back. You can see a Air France HOP! Embraer E190 and a Ryanair Boeing 737-800

 

[Critical Aviator]

F-GTAZ, the Air France A321 that was just announced by Herpa in 500 scale.

 

[Critical Aviator]

Airborne. The smallest Airbus (at least a part of it) and the biggest Airbus in the same picture…

Looks like F-WTTO (A330-800 prototype) being broken up…

 

[Critical Aviator]

Landing at ORY.

 

[Critical Aviator]

Transavia A320neos and Corsair A330-900

 

[Critical Aviator]

The Baby Bus (Air France A318) and the heir (Transavia A320neo)

 

[Critical Aviator]

A very special aircraft to me, F-GUGP in the sunset.

 

[Critical Aviator]

F-GUGP the day of my return to TLS.

 

[Critical Aviator]

F-GSQS, my final sight of an Air France 777-300ER at Orly…

 

[Critical Aviator]

Air Corsica A320

 

[Critical Aviator]

Air France A320

 

[Critical Aviator]

EC-LVU, a Vueling A320-214 in the French Rugby Federation livery

 

[Critical Aviator]

Air Algérie 737-800

 

[Critical Aviator]

Wizz Air A321neo

 

[Critical Aviator]

EasyJet Europe A320 OE-IVA with the ‘Austria’ sticker

 

[Critical Aviator]

Air Corsica A320neo

 

[Critical Aviator]

Transavia France A320neo