Pierre Gautier Delaye and Air France | Pioneering International Design Excellence

Air France’s Fifth Avenue ticket office in Midtown Manhattan, opened in 1971, exemplifies the early commercial airline storefronts in large cities. Designed by Pierre Gautier-Delaye, the office featured dimensional signage carved into the stone façade, supported by thin rods. Inside, a model of the Concorde, which began test flights in 1969, greeted visitors. Air France’s visual identity during this era was shaped by Roger Excoffon, who created the wordmark used until 2009, based on his Antique Olive Nord.

Pierre Gautier Delaye, born on April 16, 1923, in Paris, initially pursued medical studies but turned to architecture due to health issues. He started working with René Faublée in Haute-Savoie, leading him to enroll in the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD) in 1946. He later apprenticed with Henry Jacques Le Même, an architect renowned for chalet designs, who profoundly influenced him.

Graduating from ENSAD in 1951, Gautier Delaye joined Raymond Loewy’s Compagnie d’Esthétique Industrielle (C.E.I) in Paris, eventually leading the interior architecture department. His tenure at C.E.I included projects for BHV and Air France, lasting seven years.

In 1958, Gautier Delaye established his own industrial design agency, which grew to a team of twenty and was divided into Interior Architecture, Graphics, and Industrial Design. His work for Air France included over seventy offices worldwide and the interior decoration of the airline’s fleet, including first-class cabins and lounges, lasting until the early 1990s.

Gautier Delaye also contributed to the French fast-food and hotel industries, designing interiors for Jacques Borel’s restaurants and highway service stations, as well as Sofitel hotels in France, Iran, Morocco, and Egypt. His agency’s projects extended to banking, storage, insurance, and various public buildings, including the Ministry of Agriculture in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Known for innovative material use and lighting, Gautier Delaye was one of the first to employ stainless steel bands for façades and integrate regional materials into his designs. His furniture, particularly the “Week-End” range created with Lucien Vergnère, became popular for its practical designs suited for young households and secondary residences.

The rediscovery of Gautier Delaye’s work was facilitated by a donation of his archives to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2021. This collection provides comprehensive insight into his extensive career, encompassing his personal documents and professional projects.

Collaboration Between Pierre Gautier Delaye and Air France

The collaboration between Pierre Gautier Delaye and Air France began in the late 1950s, marking the start of a partnership that would significantly impact the airline’s visual and functional identity. Gautier Delaye’s design approach aligned perfectly with Air France’s vision of modernity and sophistication. His initial projects for the airline included the design of ticket offices and counters, which soon expanded to encompass the interior decoration of their aircraft and airport lounges.

Gautier Delaye’s designs for Air France offices were notable for their use of high-quality materials and innovative lighting solutions. His choice of materials often reflected the local context of the office locations. For instance, he used Portuguese pink marble for the Air France office in Lisbon and more luxurious materials for the Geneva office than the Istanbul office. This attention to context and detail helped create a cohesive yet locally adapted brand identity for Air France.

His innovative use of lighting, such as installing luminous plinths to highlight level changes and using reflective surfaces to create the illusion of infinite light points, set a new standard for commercial interiors. These elements enhanced the aesthetic appeal of Air France’s spaces and improved their functionality and user experience.

Beyond offices, Gautier Delaye’s work for Air France extended to the design of aircraft interiors. He was responsible for the layout and decoration of first-class cabins, creating comfortable and luxurious travel environments. He also designed practical yet elegant items like seating and tableware, further reinforcing the airline’s reputation for quality and sophistication.

The collaboration peaked in the 1990s with the creation of the “Le Club” first-class lounges, which showcased Gautier Delaye’s ability to blend luxury with functionality. These lounges were designed to provide a seamless and comfortable experience for high-end travelers, reflecting the airline’s commitment to excellence.

Gautier Delaye’s work for Air France was a testament to his versatility and ability to adapt his designs to various contexts and functions. His contributions helped shape the airline’s brand identity and set new standards in the industry. The collaboration between Air France and Pierre Gautier Delaye remains a significant chapter in the history of commercial aviation design, illustrating the powerful impact of thoughtful and innovative design on brand perception and customer experience.

Air France’s Design Legacy

Air France’s commitment to design excellence spans 90 years, involving collaborations with prominent architects and designers who have elevated the airline’s aesthetics and passenger experience. In the 1950s, Jean Prouvé and Charlotte Perriand were commissioned to design the Air France staff building in Brazzaville. Perriand continued to work with Air France, refurbishing ticket offices in Paris, Tokyo, Rio, London, and Brazzaville, promoting French culture through modern, uncluttered designs.

In 1952, industrial designer Raymond Loewy collaborated with Air France to design the interiors of their Super Constellation aircraft, enhancing the travel experience with prestigious “Parisien special” service. Throughout the 1960s, Air France introduced woven tapestries in their Boeing 707s, created by artists like Sonia Delaunay and Pierre Soulages, adding modernity and elegance to the aircraft interiors.

The iconic Concorde project in 1976 saw Air France partner with Le Corbusier to design the luxurious interior, featuring colorful seats and curated lighting. Andrée Putman further transformed the Concorde’s interior in 1994, incorporating modern design trends with black and white geometric patterns and redesigned meal trays.

In the 1970s, Air France adorned Boeing 747 coat closet doors with artwork by artists like Hans Hartung and Zao Wou-Ki, blending art with aviation. The introduction of the Airbus A380 in the early 2000s showcased new technologies, including a three-screen projection gallery featuring works from renowned museums and photographers.

Air France’s Modern Lounge and Cabin Interiors

Air France’s collaboration with SGK Brandimage for the latest cabin interiors captures the elegance of French design. The Boeing 777-300 ER retrofit program launched in January 2023, introducing new Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins with enhanced comfort and amenities.

The Business class features fully flat beds, sliding doors for privacy, and luxurious materials. Premium Economy offers redesigned recliner seats with more legroom and enhanced comfort, while the Economy cabin provides wider seats and advanced in-flight entertainment.

Air France continues to prioritize passenger comfort in their lounge designs. Notable collaborations include the La Première Lounge by Didier Lefort in 2010, the Hall M Lounge by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance in 2012, and “Le Balcon” by Mathieu Lehanneur in 2018. The latest lounge in Terminal 2F, designed by Sanjit Manku and Patrick Jouin, offers a serene and elegant environment, enhancing the travel experience with French refinement.

Pierre Gautier Delaye passed away in 2006, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence the fields of architecture and design. His work, alongside other renowned designers, has cemented Air France’s reputation for innovation and excellence in design.