Round-the-World Flights

Air France & TAI make a "Tour du Monde"

Page 5gg (rev: 1000)

Flown Cover-Paris	Flown Cover-Papeete	Route Map	Flight Card	Plane DC-8-33

	Compagnie de Transport Aeriens Intercontinentaux (TAI) began as a charter 
airline in June 1946 in association with the Messagenes Maritime Shipping Company.  
Its first flights began in July of that year.  Douglas DC-3s were used early on 
and remained part of the TAI  fleet until it merged with UAT in 1963. With the 
introduction of  the Douglas DC-8 at the beginning of the 1960's, jet transportation 
expanded its long-haul routes to Los Angeles via Honolulu and New Polynesia with a 
route to New Zealand.  
	While Air France was the official French state-owned airline, the two smaller 
private airlines, TAI and UAT continued to flourish into the 1960's.  The French 
government distributed routes all over the world between Air France, TAI and UAT but 
Air France retained its dominant position, eventually acquiring TAI and UAT's routes.  
In the 7 years between Air France's formation and the start of WW-II, Air France 
created a wide route network to Europe and North Africa and to France's colonies 
around the world. 
	Pan American Airways had set the standards for service in the new jet era. Air 
France was not far behind.  On January 14, 1961 Air France flew round-the-world in 
its B-707.  Shortly thereafter in May 1961, Air France and TAI combined resources 
with a "tour du monde" flying TAI's Douglas DC-8-33 round-the-world beginning and 
ending in Paris.

Itinerary:

Departed Paris, France                      05/01/61
     Athens, Greece
     Teheran, Iran
     Karachi, Pakistan
     Bangkok, Thailand	
     Saigon, South Viet Nam
     Darwin, Australia
     Sydney, Australia	
     Noumea, New Caledonia
     Nandi, Fiji
     Papeete, Tahiti                        05/03/61
     Honolulu, HI
     Los Angeles, CA		
     Montreal, Canada
Arrived Paris, France                       05/05/61          

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