For the first time, Air France’s new-version of the Boeing 777-300ER has gone into service from Vietnam to Paris, France.

The new Boeing 777 took off on January 4 for the first time from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The latest version of the Boeing 777-300ER seats up to 383 passengers, in a 3-cabin configuration, which includes 42 seats in business class, 24 seats in the premium Voyageur class and 317 seats in the Voyageur class.

Air France’s first aircraft is equipped with the new Business Class seats. It also offers other innovations, including an inflight entertainment system (IFE), which was developed exclusively for Air France, and new bar areas in each cabin.

“With the deployment of this new aircraft, which offers further improvement and in-flight product, Air France aims to bolster its position in Vietnam. This is a further step forward in our development strategy, following the agreement, signed with Vietnam Airlines last July and the launch a non-stop service in November,” said Thierry Beragnes, Country Manager Vietnam Air France KLM.

Air France flies non-stop between Ho Chi Minh City and Paris five times a week at the end of 2010, with three flights by Air France Boeing 777-300ER and two flights operated by Vietnam Airlines.

In addition, under the terms of the company’s code-share agreement with Vietnam Airlines, Air France now offers its customers a non-stop flight from Hanoi to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport five times a week.