Hello,


I don’t think any commercial aircraft in the world is equipped with a fragrance diffuser system directly installed on the ECS (Environmental Control System), CACTCS (Cabin Air Conditioning and Temperature Control System), at any point from the Upper Recirculation Fans to Air Cycle Machine or on any valve.

Even airlines who have fragrances like Singapore Airlines or Turkish Airlines only spray the fragrance in the lavatories, or use stick diffusers and bottled sprays.

Air France and KLM both have a very specific smell onboard. But it’s only due to the fragrance contained in products installed in the lavatories. For example, KLM soap has a very unique smell of Dutch tulips and Japanese yuzu.

I personally find that Air France cabins smell like something between a very light Chanel No5 and sanitary pads. But that’s only due to the products you will find in the lavatories once again.

Sanitary products such as soaps and disinfectants onboard Air France are produced near Disneyland Paris, in Collégien, by a company called PSA Paris. (Part of the massive Callington Group.)

I think those who fly Air France a lot will easily recognise the products they often see onboard like these wipes :





Or this anti bacterial spray.






Funny but, Ki Ose sounds like the French « Qui ose ? » as if the product asked who dared to turn the cabin stinky or dirty ? « Mais qui a osé ? »

PSA also makes soap, anti-odor sprays, the sickness bags and many many many many many products you find onboard. (Next time you’re onboard a flight, just pay attention to the sanitary products, turn the bottle and you’ll probably see “PSA” or “Callington” written on the bottle.)

As far as I’m aware, PSA produces one interior perfume designed for airlines (called l’envolée 108) but I am not sure if Air France uses it and if they do, I think they would only use it as a spray in case « something happened » but not before boarding, or randomly during the flight. You can find the detailed info about this fragrance by clicking here. But once again, I am not sure AF uses it at all. I can’t confirm anything.


The business class lavatories are also equipped with Clarins product that are opened before departure and remain open the entire flight. Most notably a big bottle of « Eau Dynamisante » and a smaller bottle of hydrating toning lotion.

These products contain perfume. The smell is : bitter orange, mandarin, petit grain, lavandin, eucalyptus, tarragon, nutmeg and patchouli.


If you are flying onboard on aircraft equipped with a La Premiere cabin, so any aircraft registered F-GSQ(then last letter of registration from A to C, F to M, V and Y) or F-GZN(A to E), the front cabin will be equipped with Sisley products. They also contain a very specific perfume. If anyone wants to know what a La Premiere experience smells like, you can also head to a department store near you and try the « Eau de campagne» phytogel by Sisley.



So, if it’s impossible to say if an allergic reaction will ever happen, I am sure you will be fine. While aircraft have products onboard that contain fragrances, such as the different soaps and sprays, no perfume is directly sprayed through the AC on you.

I’d be more worried about the dust and dry air than synthetic smell onboard an aircraft. The passenger next to you could be wearing the latest billboard 100 superstar department store cheap perfume anyway.

The only step of your journey that is for sure full of synthetic fragrance, is Changi. The only airport in the world that has it’s own perfume. It’s diffused within all the airport.


You may contact AF through customer service (by email) and ask for reassurance before departure. I’d be curious to know what’s their answer, but I think they would confirm there’s nothing to worry about.

Enjoy your flight !