Air France Strikes 2023 & Other French Air Strikes: Dates, Info & Best Tips

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1. France Air Strikes & Air France Strike Dates 2023

Is Air France on strike today? Are there any air strikes or airport strikes in France?

» Air France Strike Dates 2023:

Waiting for information about the National General Strike on 7 February 2023.

Strike on 19 January 2023 as part of the National General Strike. Disruptions can be expected depending on the mobilization of pilots, stewards, and hostesses, within the airline.

Being the air controllers also on strike (some unions), expect at least disruptions and delays on the flight schedule despite the usual “preventive measures” in the event of a conflict.

Air France passengers whose flights are canceled are normally notified in advance by SMS. Otherwise, in general, you can check the Aéroports de Paris website and search for your flight using the search engine.

» French Air Traffic Control Strike Dates 2023:

Strike by air controllers on 7 February 2023. All trade union confederations, including the CGT, have called on private and public employees to strike on 7 February 2023 to protest against the pension reform project. Waiting for more information.

The General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) has asked airlines to preventively cancel one flight out of 5 at Paris Orly Airport (ORY). Whatever the scale of the strike, expect at least disruptions and delays on the flight schedule despite the usual “preventive measures” in the event of a conflict.

A kind reminder that the last strike by air traffic controllers on 31 January 2023 meant the impression of 20% of flights at Orly Airport. Flights to France Overseas departing from Orly Airport won’t be concerned, in the name of “territorial continuity.”

Airlines should individually warn travelers whose flight is impacted 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 Air Controllers’ strikes in France also affect flights crossing French airspace even if they are not flying from /to France. Due to the reduced number of planes that could be handled by the limited French air traffic controllers, any flight crossing French airspace might be delayed or re-routed.

» French Airports Strike Dates 2023:

Expect disruptions on 7 February 2023 as part of the National General Strike.

If you have a flight from /to any of the Paris airports, check out the flight status on the website of your air company and arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight for long-haul flights and 2 hours before a domestic flight.

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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,…). Air France flights operated by an aircraft and a crew other than that of Air France might not be affected by this strike Air France.

On the other hand, if one of these other companies (KLM, Delta…) is operating on a share code with Air France and they are using an Air France crew or an Air France aircraft, these flights could be impacted. We recommend checking their websites and considering the re-booking options they offer if your flight is affected.

If there’s an Air France Strike, the first thing that you should check is who operates your flight. You will find all this information (flight operated by XX) on your e-ticket.

a. You have not booked your flight to France with Air France yet

» Be flexible with your travel dates. If you were thinking about flying to Paris with Air France but you did not book your flights yet, avoid traveling to Paris during the Air France strike dates.

» Consider other air companies, French companies, or companies from other nationalities, to avoid eventual delays or cancellations – Click here to browse other air companies flying to France

» Consider other means of transportation (if possible). Are you traveling to France from a neighboring country? Consider other transportation options like trains, buses, or shared cars.

The train, for example, is the best way to get around France and there are many good international train connections with countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain – Click here to browse train companies traveling to France

b. You have booked your flight to France with Air France

When there’s an issue that could affect Air France’s flights, usually there is a warning on the top of the Air France website (Flash news). Click on this ‘Air France news’ to read 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, introduce your flight number and travel date on this page and click on “Search”. The system will tell you immediately if your flight is delayed or canceled.

» Different options. During Air France strikes or France air strikes followed by Air France, you can anticipate, postpone and cancel your trip easily online. With Air France, you can even change your origin or destination, and if you decide to do this, you will get a voucher valid for 1 year that can be used on Air France, or KLM flights. Check all the possible options during Air France strikes here.

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 entitled to as much as $700 if your flight has been delayed, canceled, or overbooked within the last three years.

TIP: Click here to check your rights and if you are eligible for compensation 

3. What to Do if there’s a French Air Traffic Control Strike?

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 transportation strikes in France, with hundreds of flights from /to France delayed or canceled. Air France’s flights from /to France will be affected if there’s a French Air Traffic Control strike.

a. You have not booked your flight to France yet

» Consider other means of transportation (if possible). Are you traveling to France from a neighboring country when there are French air strikes planned? Consider other transportation options like trains, buses, or shared cars.

b. You have booked your flight to France

» Follow the strike updates. We recommend following this post on Air France strikes and Air strikes in France in general. You can also check your Air France flight status on the website, and consider their proposed options to change /refund your tickets.

4. What to Do if there’s a French Airport Strike?

In case of a French Airport strike, flight schedules could be affected depending on the service on strike –airport workers, customs agents, or luggage handlers. As a general rule, you should expect disruptions or longer delays on everything.

If there is a strike at the French airport of your departure, we recommend arriving at the airport well in advance. Do the check-in online at home or in the hotel and, if possible, travel only by hand luggage.

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