Saphir, a bespoke programme

With the SAPHIR programme, Air France offers special services on all its flights to facilitate travel for people with reduced mobility due to disability. 

With SAPHIR, an information and booking assistance service for people with disabilities, customers are taken care of throughout the entire client journey, both before and after their flight. SAPHIR assists them with booking, and ticket issuing and transport service. The service is available in France and 20 other countries. 

Requests for assistance must be made during booking, at least 48 hours before departure, directly on the Air France website or via a dedicated phone number. Sales advisors at the customer relations centre are trained in handling disability-related issues by medical specialists, and are equipped to respond to questions related to motor and sensory difficulties. 

In 2001, Air France was the first airline in the world to offer a free travel assistance service to passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility. For more than 20 years, Air France has carried nearly 600,000 customers annualy with this specific assistance. Customers can request the SAPHIR card, which, thanks to the passenger profiles created, makes it possible to keep a record of  their assistance needs and their medical equipment carried on board or in the hold.