Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG)
EU AirportCDG / LFPG · FR · Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG): Passenger Guide & Your Rights
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the largest airport in France and one of the busiest in Europe, handling over 70 million passengers annually. Located 25 kilometres northeast of central Paris in Roissy-en-France, CDG serves as the primary hub for Air France and the wider Air France-KLM group. It is also a significant base for Transavia France, easyJet, and numerous long-haul carriers.
EC261 Legal Status - Paris CDG
All flights departing from Paris Charles de Gaulle are fully covered by EU Regulation EC261/2004, regardless of the airline or destination. For flights arriving at CDG from outside the EU, coverage applies only if the operating airline is EU-registered. In France, the limitation period for EC261 claims is 5 years from the date of the disrupted flight - one of the longest in Europe. The French National Enforcement Body is the DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile).
€250 - €600
Compensation depends on flight distance: under 1,500 km qualifies for €250, between 1,500 km and 3,500 km qualifies for €400, and over 3,500 km qualifies for €600 per passenger.
- CDG → LHR (London Heathrow, ~340 km): €250
- CDG → BCN (Barcelona, ~830 km): €250
- CDG → IST (Istanbul, ~2,240 km): €400
- CDG → JFK (New York, ~5,840 km): €600
- CDG → NRT (Tokyo Narita, ~9,720 km): €600
CDG is spread across three terminals. Terminal 1 is the circular building primarily used by Star Alliance carriers. Terminal 2 is the largest and most complex, divided into sub-terminals 2A through 2G, and is the main Air France hub. Terminal 3 (formerly T9) serves low-cost and charter carriers. The distance between terminals is significant - transferring from T1 to T2F can take 30 minutes or more by the free CDGVAL automated train. Passengers should always verify which terminal their flight departs from, as mistakes are common and costly.
CDG is well connected to Paris by the RER B regional express train (approximately 35 minutes to Gare du Nord), Roissybus to Opéra, and multiple bus routes. Taxis to central Paris take 45-75 minutes depending on traffic and cost around €55 (fixed fare to Right Bank).
Not every disruption qualifies for compensation. Understanding the most common causes of delays at this airport can help you assess your claim.
Disruption Causes
Common Disruptions at Paris CDG
- French ATC strikes are among the most frequent in Europe and can ground hundreds of flights at CDG with little warning
- ATC congestion over French airspace causes widespread flow-control delays, especially during summer peak season
- Terminal complexity means passengers frequently arrive at the wrong terminal or underestimate transfer times, leading to missed flights
- Staff strikes affecting ground handling, security, and airline personnel cause periodic large-scale cancellations
- Thunderstorms in the Île-de-France region during summer months regularly disrupt approach and departure patterns
What to Do When Disrupted at Paris CDG
If your flight is disrupted at CDG, finding your airline's service desk quickly is critical. Air France's main customer service area is in Terminal 2E/2F (Hall L), but the airline also has desks in other T2 sub-terminals. For flights in Terminal 1, airline desks are located on the departures level. In Terminal 3, options are more limited - you may need to call your airline directly. During strikes, service desks are overwhelmed, so use your airline's app to rebook while waiting in line.
Step-by-Step
Your Action Plan at CDG
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1
Document everything - photograph departure boards, screenshot airline app notifications, and note the exact delay duration
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2
Visit your airline's service desk and request a written statement of the disruption cause - insist on specifics, not just 'operational reasons'
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3
Exercise your right to care - demand meal vouchers after 2 hours and hotel accommodation for overnight delays
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4
Keep all receipts for out-of-pocket expenses including meals, transport, and accommodation
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5
File your EC261 claim - France's 5-year limitation period gives you time, but earlier filing means faster resolution
Document the disruption thoroughly. Photograph the departure boards showing your flight's status, save all SMS and email notifications from the airline, and request a written confirmation of the delay or cancellation reason at the service desk. French courts are well-versed in EC261 cases, but having documentary evidence significantly strengthens your position.
Your right to care applies from the moment the delay begins. For short-haul flights, airlines must provide meals and refreshments after a 2-hour delay. For overnight delays, hotel accommodation and transport must be provided. If the airline fails to offer this, pay for reasonable expenses yourself and keep all receipts. CDG has hotels within the airport complex (Sheraton, ibis, Hilton), and the RER B runs to central Paris until approximately midnight. Night buses (Noctilien N140 and N143) connect CDG to Paris throughout the night.
Claiming Tip - France
France offers one of the most passenger-friendly EC261 environments in Europe. If your airline rejects your claim, you can escalate to the DGAC or use the French small-claims court (tribunal de proximité) for claims up to €5,000 without a lawyer. The 5-year limitation period means you can also claim for older disruptions. French courts consistently rule in favour of passengers when airlines fail to prove extraordinary circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about claiming EC261 compensation for flights at this airport.
Can I claim compensation for a strike-related delay at CDG?
It depends on the type of strike. Internal airline strikes (airline's own staff) are generally not considered extraordinary circumstances under EC261, and you are entitled to full compensation. ATC strikes and airport staff strikes organised by third parties may qualify as extraordinary circumstances, but the airline must still prove it took all reasonable measures to minimise the delay. Many strike-related claims at CDG do succeed.
I missed my connection at CDG because of the terminal layout. Can I claim?
If you missed your connection because your inbound flight arrived late (not because you got lost), you can claim based on the delay at your final destination. If you were booked on a single ticket and the airline scheduled an unrealistically short connection time at CDG, you may also have grounds for a claim. Airlines are expected to know the minimum connection times at airports they operate from.
Airport Information
Check Your Compensation
Enter your flight details to see if you qualify for up to €600 per person.