Air France-MSC partnership takes off with Dominican Republic charterAir France-MSC partnership takes off with Dominican Republic charter

Before partnering with MSC Cruises, Air France KLM had never flown the route, but introduced it because of the high passenger volumes that MSC could guarantee for the French flag carrier.

As is traditional when an airline inaugurates a new flight, the Air France Boeing 747-400 received a ceremonial water salute before take-off, passing under plumes of water expelled by airport fire fighting vehicles.

Setting sail from La Romana, the seven-night cruise aboard MSC Musica calls at the British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Guadeloupe and St. Maarten.

Until early April, MSC Musica will embark MSC travelers at La Romana, as well as Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, and Fort de France, La Martinique, since Air France and MSC Cruises also collaborate on routes between Paris Orly and Pointe-a-Pitre and Fort de France.

In December 2013 MSC Cruises and Air France KLM signed an agreement to cooperate on mutually relevant business areas. The inaugural flight, which left Paris Dec. 7, marks the first fruit of that partnership.