As of 30 March AF will stop the flight CDG-SXM (ST MARTEEN)-SDQ-CDG that was flown with a B747.

There will be 2 different, direct flights from CDG to SXM and SDQ. And unfortunately the plane to SXM will be a A343. Does A340 have enough thrust to make a TKOF from SXM for an non-stop flight to CDG ?  

Seriously I doubt that a 343 laden with holiday makers could get off a 7,000 odd foot runway let alone a 13,000 foot one!!

However !

Air France
AF 3668 Charles De Gaulle (CDG), Paris, France 10:20
St Maarten (SXM), St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles 13:05
Non-stop 343
8h45min

Air France
AF 3661 St Maarten (SXM), St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles 16:20
Charles De Gaulle (CDG), Paris, France 06:25 + 1 day(s)
Non-stop 343
8h05min


Too Low

Well at least it's not a 777.  

That A340 will make for some nice photos.

GREAT !!! A340 !!!!
Does this mean that AF is going to improve the service to Carribean ???

Uf, A340??? Yes, how is it going to make the takeoff? With an extra four rocket engines and additional 10 tonnes of fuel. Takeoff will probably look like a takeoff from Düsseldorf. Full throtle and brakes. When N1=TO release the brakes and wait 40s to reach Vr. Then rotate it at the last 100 feet of the runway.

If A340 takes of over the beach of the SXM, the visitors and spotters will be grilled like meat on the grill by the engine blast.

Nejc

We've seen so many 747 pics from SXM, I think it's a nice change, and the A340 will surely look very sexy on approach to SXM (maybe even more than the beach babes)!

Konstantin

It will definately be sad to see the AF B747's not flying over the famous Mahe (I think thats how you spell it) beach, on final approach to SXM. However, the choice to replace the flight with a A-340 seems to stem from the fact that the SDQ flight will be operated with a B747.

which airlines are now over operating a 747 into SXM?? only KLM?? or more airlines??

KL713.........Crossair uses the 747 into SXM

Dragon-Wings - I belive you mean Corsair? A Crossair 747, now that would be a nice one!  

Thanks for the correction RoyalDutch........yes I ment Corsair  

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Photo © Brian Stevenson - Orlando/Tampa Aviation Photography

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Photo © Chris Kilroy

You guys seriously think an airline like AF (or any airline for that matter) would use an A340 if it wasnt able to make the take-off?

AFC_ajax00

Don't forget the airliners.net "experts" know far more about the A340 and it's performance capabilities out of St Maarten than it's operator, Air France.

It's more than likely Air France haven't even considered performance restrictions on the A340 at SXM, and when the flights begin they will be forced to make technical stops or leave passengers and cargon behind.

Red faces all round for Air France because of their poor planning and lack of knowledge, but the airliners.net "experts" will have been proved correct!

Large airlines have entire route planning and performance departments to check that a particular aircraft is capable of operating a particular route, profitably. Give them some credit.

Regards
CROSSWIND

The word around AF is that no one is sure whether the 340 will be able to take off. But they've decided to test the outer limits of the aircraft with a full load of pax and cargo. It's refreshing to see a little risk being taken in this industry and I for one applaud the daring nature of the French. Bravo mon amis!

Crosswinds, you think that AF will put +/- 300 pax lives on the line everytime they fly to SXM with the A340? I really have a hard time believing that

I've yet to see a more ridiculous post on this board. Do you really believe that Air France would change to an aircraft that is unsafe for the runway? The A340-300 is a slow climber, but that doesn't say anything about takeoff distance. The Bae 146 is a very slow climber but has a short takeoff roll.

Can't wait to see a pic of an AF 340 at SXM! If anyone takes one, please upload asap!

The best would be if AF would use all they have on that route: A330, A340, 747, 767 and 777... Then I guess everybody would be happy since that would offer many nice pictures to be taken...

I wanna go there once!

Regards,
Max
http://www.IntAviation.de.vu

Bravo Wingman,

You have failed to even realise that a flight of less than 9 hrs is nothing even approaching a long haul for an A340. Someone who protests to being as old as you do, should have some more sence, and not post such utter rubbish.

There should be some nice approach shots! Is this a new aircraft to SXM,not just from AF? Of all the SXM pic's in here,I don't remember seeing a A340 or A330. Someday I'll go there!

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Photo © Joe Pries

Please forgive me for this, but i've gotta say it:

You know there was all the people on the beach who got blown into the sea (theres a video somewhere), well when AF uses the 343 on this route, that wont happen anymore, i bet they're all gonna be really annoyed about that, bcoz thats all the go there for  

Well, thats only why i'd go  

BA777  

The KLM and Corsair 747 departures will give us more than ample opportunities to dodge the flying rocks/sand on the beach. 

Also note that the runway at SXM is so close to the beach area that it doesn't take a 747 to feel the full effects of the jetblast. I couldn't get up the nerve to stand behind a 747, but I did stand behind an AA 757 on departure and the experience was exhilirating!