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Air France strikes and French air raids
Depending on your country of origin, arriving by air may be your only choice to visitFrance. Among the numerous airlines flying to/fromFrench airports, There areAir France, the French national airline.
There are many reasons to chooseAir Francefor your next trip to France. Air France operates several flights to Paris and beyond in France every week - even every day - so you are free to choose the best flight time. Air France international flights are also comfortable, especially if you book upper classes. Finally, we love Air France food, which is usually served with French wines and cheese.
However, transport strikes are not uncommon in France and travelers flying to/from France on Air France or other French airlines could be affected by a strike.
Are you flying to France soon? Continue reading this article on Air France Strikes 2023 for upcoming Air France strike dates and our top survival tips. This article includes any other strikes or disruptions that may affect Air France flights – French airport strikes, French air traffic control strikes.
Last updated: February 6, 2023
GOOD TO KNOW:Air France shares with the Dutch KLMFlying BlueLoyalty program with many flights in common code. Air France is also a membersky team, along with major international airlines such as Korean Air, Aero Mexico, KLM and Delta.
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Air France flights are directly affected by Air France strikes. In addition, other French strikes could also cause disruption to Air France flights:
- Air France strikes: Strikes by Air France pilots, Air France flight attendants or Air France ground staff.
- French air traffic control strikes
- Strikes at French airports
- France general strikes
This article does not cover information on KLM strikes, Transavia strikes, other French airstrike dates or strikes by airlines sharing a code with Air France.
1. Airstrikes in France and Air France strike dates 2023
Is Air France on strike today? Are there air or airport strikes in France?
»Air France strike dates 2023:
Awaiting information about the National General Strike on February 7, 2023.
Strike on January 19, 2023 as part of the National General Strike.Depending on the mobilization of pilots, stewards and hostesses within the airline, disruptions are to be expected.
Since the air traffic controllers (some unions) are also on strike, disruptions and delays in the flight plan can at least be expected in the event of a conflict, despite the usual “preventive measures”.
Air France passengers whose flights are canceled are usually notified in advance by SMS. Otherwise you can generally check thoseParis Airports websiteand search for your flight using the search engine.
»French air traffic control strike dates 2023:
blow overair regulatoris onFebruary 7, 2023. All union federations, including the CGT, have called on private and public workers to strike on February 7, 2023 to protest the pension reform project. Waiting for more information.
The Directorate-General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) has asked airlines to preemptively cancel one in five flights at Paris Orly Airport (ORY). Irrespective of the extent of the strike, disruptions and delays in the flight plan can at least be expected in the event of a conflict, despite the usual "preventive measures".
A friendly reminder that the last air traffic controllers strike on 31st January 2023 meant the impression of 20% of flights at Orly airport.Flights to France Overseas departing from Orly Airport will not be affected in the name of "territorial continuity".
Airlines should issue individual warnings to travelers whose flight is affected by the social movement. You can also check the status of your flight on the company's website. Check out Chapter 3.
Please note that the strikes by air traffic controllers in France are also affecting flights crossingFrench airspace even if they do not fly to/from France. Due to the reduced number of aircraft that could be handled by the limited French air traffic controllers, any flight crossing French airspace could be delayed or diverted.
»French Airport Strike Dates 2023:
Expect disruption on February 7, 2023 as part of the National General Strike.
If you have a flight to/from one of the Paris airports, check the flight status on your airline's website and arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight for long-haul flights and 2 hours before your flight for domestic flights.
2. What to do if Air France is on strike?
GOOD TO KNOW:Many Air France flights operate on a Share code with KLM, Delta, etc.). Air France flights operated by a different aircraft and crew than Air France may not be affected by this Air France strike.
On the other hand,if one of these other companies (KLM,Delta…) operates under a common code with Air France and uses an Air France crew or an Air France aircraft, these flights could be affected. We recommend checking their websites and considering the rebooking options they offer if your flight is affected.
When there is a strike at Air France, the first thing you should do is check who is operating your flight. You can find all this information (flight operated by XX) on your e-ticket.
A. You have not yet booked your flight to France with Air France
" Be flexiblewith your travel dates. If you've thought about flying to Paris with Air France but haven't booked your flights yet, avoid traveling to Paris during the Air France strike dates.
» Consider other airlines,French companies or companies of other nationalities to avoid possible delays or cancellations –Click here to search for other airlines flying to France
» Consider other means of transport (if possible).Are you traveling to France from a neighboring country? Consider other transportation options like trains, buses, or shared cars.
For example, the train is the best way to get around France and there are many good international train connections with countries such as Germany, UK, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain –Click here to see train companies for travel to France
B. You booked your flight to France with Air France
When there is an issue that could affect Air France flights, an alert is usually posted at the top of the Air France website (Flash News). Click on this Air France News to learn more about the Air France strike.
» Check your Air France flight status.Take your e-ticket and look for your flight number (e.g. AF1234). To see if your Air France flight is affected by the Air France strike or not, enter your flight number and travel dateon this pageand click Search. The system will notify you immediately if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
» Various options.During Air France strikes or Air France strikes followed by Air France, you can easily predict, reschedule and cancel your trip online. With Air France, you can even change your departure or destination city, and if you choose to do so, you'll receive a 1-year voucher to be used on Air France or KLM flights. Check all possible options during an Air France strikeHere.
C. Air France Flight Cancellation Compensation
Flight delays happen, but that doesn't mean you have to accept them. If your flight to/from France is delayed more than three hours, you may be eligible for up to US$700 if your flight has been delayed, canceled or overbooked within the last three years.
TOP:Click here to check your rights and if you are entitled to compensation
3. What to do in the event of a strike by French air traffic control?
France is the country with the highest number of air traffic control strikes in the last five years, with 95 days of strikes between 2010 and 2015. These are the worst transport strikes in France as hundreds of flights to/from France were delayed or cancelled. Air France flights to/from France are affected by a strike by French air traffic control.
A. You haven't booked your flight to France yet
» Consider other means of transport (if possible).Are you traveling to France from a neighboring country when French air raids are planned? Consider other transportation options like trains, buses, or shared cars.
B. You have booked your flight to France
» Follow strike updates.We recommend following this post on Air France strikes and airstrikes in France in general. You can also check your Air France flight status on the website and consider the proposed options to change/refund your tickets.
4. What to do if there is a strike at French airport?
In the event of a strike at the French airport, flight schedules could be disrupted depending on the strike service - airport employees, customs officials or baggage handlers. In general, you should expect disruptions or longer delays with everything.
If there is a strike at your departure French airport, we recommend that you arrive at the airport early. Check in online at home or at the hotel and only travel with hand luggage if possible.
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