French low-cost airline French bee launching Montreal-Paris route

French bee executive vice-president Gregory Jamet speaks at a press conference in Montreal on Wednesday Jan. 29, 2025. French bee, a French airline specialising in affordable long-haul flights, has announced that it will make its official entry into Quebec April 30, 2025. (The Canadian Press /Christinne Muschi)

A French airline specializing in long-haul, low-cost flights is making its way to Quebec with a direct Montreal-Paris route starting April 30.

French bee is expanding its North American network after establishing routes between the French capital and several U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco.

To launch its Montreal-Trudeau–Paris-Orly service, the airline, which has been operating since 2016, is offering a limited-time round-trip base fare of $449 in economy class, which includes a carry-on bag.

Fares can increase depending on options selected by passengers, such as checked baggage, seat selection, priority boarding, or in-flight meals.

French bee plans to operate four weekly flights between the two cities. A fifth frequency will be added in July and August to meet higher summer demand.

The airline has already sold 15,000 tickets “without any marketing in the Quebec market,” said Gregory Jamet, French bee’s executive vice-president.“

This is beyond our expectations,” he said at a press conference Wednesday, officially announcing French bee’s arrival in Montreal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 29, 2025.