SGTA, which later became part of Air France, was the first commercial airline in France, originally founded as Lignes Aériennes Farman in 1919. It played a significant role in the development of aviation in the country.

Air France has been celebrating the French art of living for 90 years by collaborating with significant creators, designers, architects, chefs, and artists. The airline proudly displays its emblem, the winged seahorse, which is a unique artistic combination of Pegasus and the Annam dragon.

In the 1930s, Air France, inspired by practices in the United States, started seeking to feminize its sales staff. The first stewardesses had specific requirements like age, height, and marital status.

On May 17, 1933, four airlines merged and negotiated with the French government to form a national system, leading to the creation of Air France. It developed one of the most extensive networks in Europe before World War II.

On August 30, 1933, five main French airlines, Air Orient, Air Union, Lignes Farman, CIDNA, and Aéropostale, merged to form a single national airline at the instigation of the Minister for Air Transport, Pierre Cot. The name 'Air France' was suggested by a journalist named George Raffalovitch.

Air France was founded on October 7, 1933 at Le Bourget airport by merging several aviation companies. This marked a new era in air travel, making the world more accessible with routes to various destinations like Algiers, Dakar, and Hanoi.

In December 1935, Popular Mechanics published an article 'Wings Over Four Continents' detailing Air France's extensive route expansion, notably the introduction of a trans-Atlantic route, marking a significant milestone in aviation history.

In 1936, Air France added the French-built twin-engine Potez 62 aircraft to its fleet, which featured a two-compartment cabin and was used on routes in Europe, South America, and the Far East. The Potez 62 was known for its robustness and reliability, remaining in service until the Second World War.

On the eve of the Second World War, Air France had established itself as a major airline with a network of 85 destinations by 1938, with London being the most popular destination. This marked the beginning of the golden age of propeller-driven aviation.

On June 26, 1945, the French civil aviation industry was nationalized, leading to the transformation of the former private company Air France into a state-owned entity. This move positioned Air France among the major airlines globally.

After being nearly devastated by World War II, Air France resumed its Paris-to-London service on October 11, 1945. This marked a significant step in the company's post-war recovery.

A decree of the French Government on 29 December 1945 granted Air France the management of the entire French air transport network, marking a pivotal moment in the airline's history.

Between January 1st, 1946 and January 1st, 1949, Air France significantly increased its workforce by more than doubling it, alongside enhancing its fleet with Douglas and Lockheed aircraft.

On June 25, 1946, Air France operated its first transatlantic flight from Paris to New York City. This marked a milestone in the airline's expansion and global reach.

On 1 July 1946, Air France started direct flights between Paris and New York, marking a significant milestone in transatlantic air travel.

On July 2, 1946, an Air France Douglas DC-4 conducted the airline's first transatlantic flight from Paris to New York, marking a significant milestone in its history.

On June 16, 1948, a new entity, Compagnie Nationale Air France, was incorporated by act of parliament, with majority ownership by the French government. This restructuring marked a pivotal moment for Air France.

On 4 August 1948, Max Hymans was appointed the president of Air France, initiating a period of modernization and growth for the airline.

With effective leadership, Air France rose to prominence in Europe and ranked among the top 10 airlines globally in terms of passenger traffic, positioning just behind major American carriers.

Air France introduced the Sud Aviation Caravelle and Boeing 707, which significantly boosted their business by doubling passenger traffic within ten years, connecting Europe with the Caravelle and long-haul routes with the 707.

In 1952, Air France moved its operations and engineering base to the new Orly Airport South terminal, signifying a shift towards modern facilities and infrastructure. This relocation marked a significant milestone in the airline's development.

In September 1953, the government directed Air France to collaborate with new private airlines in sharing long-distance routes, impacting the airline's operations and market presence.

On August 28, 1959, Air France opened a ticket and information agency in the former air terminal in Invalides, targeting transit passengers and customers from offices and companies in the Invalides area.

In February 1960, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport transferred Air France's domestic monopoly to Air Inter, leading to changes in the domestic aviation sector and Air France's involvement with Air Inter.

On February 1, 1963, the government formalized the division of routes between Air France and its private sector rivals, leading to the reallocation of various routes to Union de Transports Aériens (UTA) and impacting Air France's network.

Transavia was initially established in the Netherlands in 1965 as Transavia Limburg, later expanding its fleet and route network to offer low-cost flights to various European destinations.

In 1966, Boeing 707 aircrafts were equipped with the capability to screen color films on large screens, marking the beginning of mid-air cinema experience for passengers.

The Concorde, a supersonic jet aircraft, made its first successful flight on March 2, 1969. This marked a technological advancement in aviation, showcasing Air France's innovation in air travel.

Air France began operating the Boeing 747 on June 3, 1970, with the delivery of a 747-100. Over the years, they operated various variants of the 747 until retiring the last Boeing 747-400 in January 2016.

In 1974, Air France achieved a milestone by becoming the world's first operator of the Airbus A300, Airbus Industrie's inaugural commercial airliner, showcasing the airline's commitment to technological advancements in aviation.

In 1975, Air France moved its headquarters within central Paris.

On January 21, 1976, Air France turned supersonic with the first Concorde flight from Paris to Rio de Janeiro, showcasing the airline's technological advancement.

Air France started supersonic services from Paris to Washington Dulles International Airport on May 24, 1976, using the Concorde aircraft. This route provided high-speed travel between the two cities.

On November 22, 1977, Air France began its Concorde service to New York, offering a fast transatlantic flight that took only 3 hours and 23 minutes. This route was one of the last Concorde services operated by the airline.

In 1980, an Air France Caravelle was being turned around at Manchester Airport towards the end of its operational life, alongside other popular rear-engined jets like the Soviet Tupolev Tu134 and a British built BAC One Eleven.

In 1982, Air France shifted to the CDG 2 terminal, further expanding its operations at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.

By 1983, Air France had over 34,000 employees, a large fleet of jets, and a vast network serving numerous destinations worldwide, solidifying its position as a major player in the aviation industry.

In 1986, Air France faced policy changes that allowed rival airlines to compete on lucrative routes that were previously exclusive to Air France. This led to increased competition and challenges for the airline.

In 1987, Air France, along with other airlines, established Amadeus, an IT company that revolutionized travel agency systems. This move aimed to streamline ticket sales and distribution for airlines.

In 1988, Air France became a launch customer for the Airbus A320, a fly-by-wire narrowbody twin aircraft. This marked a milestone in the airline's fleet modernization and operational efficiency.

On January 12, 1990, the operations of government-owned Air France, semi-public Air Inter, and wholly private Union de Transports Aériens (UTA) were combined to form an expanded Air France. This merger was part of a government initiative to create a unified national air carrier with increased efficiency and global competitiveness.

By 1991, Air France had planned to relocate its headquarters to Roissypôle at Charles de Gaulle Airport. The move was part of a larger development project that included a hotel, office, and shopping complex.

In 1993, Air France established a subsidiary called Air France Asie due to the disputed status of Taiwan, allowing the airline to operate flights between Paris and Taipei via Hong Kong.

A new holding company, Groupe Air France, was established on July 25, 1994, through a decree. It became operational on September 1, 1994, acquiring majority shareholdings in Air France and Air Inter. This move aimed to streamline operations and strengthen the position of Air France in the aviation industry.

On August 31, 1994, Air France appointed a new adviser, signifying a notable development within the airline's management structure.

The 130,000-square-metre complex was finished in December 1995 at Roissypôle. The project was managed by the French firm Groupement d'Etudes et de Méthodes d'Ordonnancement (GEMO), with Valode & Pistre as the architects.

In 1997, a thesis titled 'The Changing Nature of French Dirigisme – A Case Study of Air France' was submitted at Trinity College, shedding light on the evolution of Air France within the context of French dirigisme.

On June 3, 1998, Air France was officially renamed Société Air France. This rebranding reflected a new era for the airline, emphasizing its identity and presence in the aviation industry.

On February 19, 1999, the French Prime Minister's government approved the partial privatization of Air France. This decision led to the listing of Air France's shares on the Paris stock exchange on February 22, 1999, marking a significant shift in the airline's ownership structure.

On July 25, 2000, Air France Flight 4590, a Concorde supersonic aircraft, crashed into a hotel in Gonesse, France, killing all 109 people on board and four on the ground. This tragic event contributed to the retirement of the Concorde fleet.

During June 2001, Air France confirmed a substantial order for the A380 aircraft, showcasing a strategic move in the airline's fleet expansion.

On May 31, 2003, all five Air France Concordes were retired due to low demand following the crash of AF Concorde F-BTSC in July 2000. The retirement was also influenced by high fuel and maintenance costs.

On September 30, 2003, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced their merger, forming the new entity Air France-KLM. The merger was aimed at creating a stronger airline with a global presence, and it officially took place on May 5, 2004, solidifying their position in the aviation industry.

On May 5, 2004, the merger between Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was finalized, creating one of the largest airline groups globally.

The Air France Cité PN crew base at Charles de Gaulle Airport was opened in February 2006. Developed by Valode & Pistre, the building provided space for crew operations and parking.

In 2007, Air France-KLM divided an order for jets, indicating a significant decision in the aviation industry.

To commemorate its 75th anniversary, Air France unveiled an Airbus A320 painted in the airline's original 1946 livery. The special heritage aircraft was in service until early 2010.

On January 7, 2009, Air France officially changed its logo to a red stripe, replacing the previous hippocampe ailé logo. The red stripe became the new symbol of the airline.

On January 13, 2009, Air France agreed to acquire a 25% stake in the recently privatized Alitalia, marking a strategic move in the European aviation market.

On June 1, 2009, Air France Flight 447, an Airbus A330-203, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the tragic loss of all 228 passengers and crew on board.

In 2010, Air France migrated from an internally managed Passenger service system (Alpha3) to an external system (Altéa) managed by Amadeus.

On 16 September 2011, Air France-KLM announced orders for 50 Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s with 60 options, to be operated by both Air France and KLM.

KLM and Air France initiated a pilot project to test inflight Wi-Fi by equipping one Boeing 777-300ER from each fleet with Wi-Fi. Passengers can access Wi-Fi on their smartphones, laptops, or tablets once the flight reaches 20,000 feet.

On 4 February 2014, Air France introduced a new business product featuring a fully flat bed from Zodiac Aerospace, which was installed on Boeing 777 aircraft from June 2014 onwards.

Starting from April 2015, Air France began revamping the seats on 24 Airbus A319s to enhance passenger comfort. This initiative was part of the airline's efforts to improve the travel experience for its customers.

In December 2015, Air France bid farewell to its final Boeing 747-400 with a special scenic flight, marking the retirement of the aircraft that had been in operation in various versions since 1970.

In January 2016, Air France retired its last Boeing 747-400 and replaced them with Airbus A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs. The freighter versions were also replaced by Boeing 777Fs.

In March 2016, Air France enhanced passenger experience by equipping 30 Boeing 777s with new cabins. The upgrades included luxurious features in La Première, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes, showcasing the airline's commitment to providing top-notch services.

In April 2016, Air France expanded its fleet by adding a new Boeing 777-300, increasing its total capacity and enhancing its long-haul operations.

In the first half of 2016, Air France revamped the seats on 25 Airbus A320s, totaling 7,800 seats. This upgrade was aimed at providing passengers with a more comfortable and modern flying experience.

In January 2017, Air France took delivery of its first Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner, featuring advanced cabins and improved passenger comfort.

In July 2017, Air France-KLM entered into a strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines, China Eastern Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic, solidifying their collaboration. The agreement involved share acquisitions among the airlines.

In August 2018, Benjamin Smith was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM.

In September 2018, Air France announced the discontinuation of flights to Iran due to concerns over the commercial viability of the route amidst revised US sanctions.

In December 2018, Anne Rigail was appointed as the new CEO of Air France, becoming the first woman to lead the French carrier.

Since December 17, 2018, Anne Rigail has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Air France.

On September 27, 2019, the first Airbus A350-900, named Toulouse, was delivered to Air France. This marked a milestone in the fleet modernization and operational strategy of the airline.

In 2020, Air France receives its first Airbus A350-900, a next-generation aircraft with significant fuel efficiency and noise reduction features. This marks a milestone in the airline's fleet modernization.

In 2021, Air France continued its operations during the global health crisis, adjusting to travel restrictions and planning for the expected recovery in air travel.

Air France has included the Airbus A350 as a significant part of its fleet renewal program, aiming to modernize its aircraft fleet.

On October 7, 2023, Air France celebrated its 90th anniversary.