Google And Air France Announce New Partnership To Deploy AI Technology

Google Cloud—Google’s suite of cloud computing services—announced today a new partnership with the airline Air France-KLM to deploy generative AI technology to optimize and power the travel company’s services.

According to the press release, with a generative AI-powered system provided by Google Cloud, the Franco-Dutch airline group will be able to optimize travel experiences for its customers and for its own operations.

“Our collaboration with Google Cloud is a significant step forward in our data strategy,” said Pierre-Olivier Bandet, Air France-KLM Group EVP and group CIO. “By leveraging Google Cloud’s advanced data technology with a real partnership approach, we intend to accelerate our innovation capacities with security in mind, and with generative AI, build the future of travel.”

Air France-KLM operates 551 aircraft and over 93 million passengers used their services in 2023. The company is now moving from its legacy data centers to a multi-cloud approach and making the most of Google Cloud’s services like BigQuery to process data safely.

The airline expects to gain a better understanding of its customers’ behavior, travel patterns, and preferences to enhance operations during flights, at the airport, and through its services to develop analyses, create more accurate predictions, and reduce maintenance time and environmental impact for its aircraft.

Google Cloud will also provide training and support sessions for Air France-KLM’s teams. Through events, online learning experiences, and on-site experiences, the companies expect to help workers gain knowledge and new capabilities in AI, engineering, data science, and safety to manage the new technologies.

“Airlines generate massive amounts of data, much of which can be incredibly valuable in helping drive operational insights, build better customer experiences, and – with the power of gen AI – create entirely new services and offerings,” said Matt Renner, President, Global Revenue at Google Cloud. “We’re proud to support Air France-KLM in its innovation journey and to help the group define the future of the airline industry.”

Other European airlines have also been working with tech companies this year to improve services and provide customers with better experiences. A few weeks ago, Starlink partnered with Air France to provide free wifi in all aircraft starting next year.