Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)
EU AirportORY / LFPO · FR · Paris (Orly, Val-de-Marne)
Paris Orly Airport (ORY): Passenger Guide & Your Rights
Paris Orly Airport is France's second-busiest airport, handling approximately 33 million passengers per year. Located 13 kilometres south of Paris, Orly primarily serves domestic French routes, European short-haul flights, and connections to North Africa, the French overseas territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion), and sub-Saharan Africa. Transavia France (Air France's low-cost subsidiary) is the airport's largest operator, alongside Vueling, easyJet, TAP Air Portugal, and numerous other European and North African carriers.
EC261 Legal Status - Paris Orly Airport
All flights departing from Paris Orly are fully covered by EU Regulation EC261/2004, regardless of airline or destination. For flights arriving at ORY from outside the EU, coverage applies only if the operating airline is EU-registered. France has a 5-year limitation period for EC261 claims - 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.
- ORY → TLS (Toulouse, ~590 km): €250
- ORY → LIS (Lisbon, ~1,450 km): €250
- ORY → RAK (Marrakech, ~1,890 km): €400
- ORY → PTP (Pointe-à-Pitre, ~6,760 km): €600
- ORY → FDF (Fort-de-France, ~6,850 km): €600
The airport has four terminal areas: Orly 1, 2, 3, and 4 (the former South Terminal, recently renumbered). Orly 1 and 2 primarily handle domestic and Schengen flights, while Orly 3 and 4 serve international destinations. The terminals are connected by the OrlyVal automated people mover and walkways. The airport underwent significant renovation and modernisation in recent years, with improved shopping, dining, and passenger flow.
Orly is connected to Paris by the OrlyVal shuttle to Antony station (connecting to RER B, approximately 35 minutes total to central Paris), Tramway T7 to Villejuif (connecting to Metro Line 7), OrlyBus to Denfert-Rochereau, and various bus services. Taxis to central Paris cost approximately €35-40 (fixed fare to Left Bank). The airport is subject to a night curfew (23:30 to 06:00), and French ATC strikes regularly impact operations.
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 Orly Airport
- French ATC strikes are among Europe's most frequent, causing widespread cancellations - Orly is particularly affected as it handles dense domestic traffic
- The night curfew (23:30-06:00) means late delays cannot be recovered overnight, often resulting in cancellations rather than late departures
- Transavia's high-frequency turnaround operation means delays on inbound aircraft cascade across the schedule, particularly during peak periods
- Security and check-in congestion at peak hours, especially for North African and overseas territory flights with heavy baggage loads
- Winter fog and low visibility in the Île-de-France region can cause instrument approach delays and temporary ground stops
What to Do When Disrupted at Paris Orly Airport
If your flight is disrupted at ORY, find your airline's service desk. Transavia's customer service is in Terminal 1. Vueling and easyJet have desks in their respective terminal areas. Air France (for connections to CDG or code-share flights) has a presence in Terminal 4. During major disruptions (particularly ATC strikes, which are announced in advance), check your airline's app and the Orly website for updates before travelling to the airport.
Step-by-Step
Your Action Plan at Orly
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1
Document the disruption - photograph departure boards, save notifications, and note exact delay times
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2
Visit the airline's service desk and request a written statement of the disruption cause
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3
Claim your right to care - meals after the delay threshold, hotel and transport for overnight delays
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4
Keep all receipts for food, transport, and accommodation expenses
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5
File your EC261 claim - France's 5-year limitation period is generous, but prompt filing speeds resolution
Document the disruption from the start. Photograph departure boards, save airline notifications, and request a written statement of the cause. France has a generous 5-year limitation period and well-established EC261 case law. French courts are generally passenger-friendly, and the Médiateur du Tourisme et du Voyage provides free mediation for aviation disputes.
Under EC261, your airline must provide care: meals and refreshments after the applicable delay threshold, and hotel accommodation with transport for overnight disruptions. Orly has nearby hotels (Hilton Paris Orly, Mercure) and good connections to Paris city hotels via OrlyVal and bus services. Keep all receipts for expenses the airline fails to cover.
Claiming Tip - France (Orly)
France's 5-year limitation period is among the longest in Europe. The Médiateur du Tourisme et du Voyage provides free mediation for flight compensation disputes - use this before going to court. For claims, the Tribunal de Proximité (proximity court) handles small civil cases quickly and affordably. Transavia France processes claims through its website. For ATC strike disruptions, note that while the strike itself may be extraordinary circumstances, the airline must still prove it took all reasonable measures including rebooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about claiming EC261 compensation for flights at this airport.
Does the Orly night curfew affect my EC261 rights?
The night curfew itself is not extraordinary circumstances - it is a permanent, well-known restriction that airlines must account for when scheduling. If your flight is cancelled because a delay pushed it past the 23:30 curfew, the airline is still liable for compensation (unless the original delay was caused by genuine extraordinary circumstances). Airlines operating from Orly are expected to build sufficient buffer into their schedules.
Can I claim for a French ATC strike at Orly?
ATC strikes are generally considered extraordinary circumstances. However, French ATC strikes are often announced several days in advance, and the DGAC typically requires airlines to pre-cancel a percentage of flights. If your airline failed to inform you in advance (when the strike was already announced), failed to offer rebooking, or did not provide care, you may still have valid claims for those specific failures. Always file a claim - the airline must prove it took all reasonable measures even during a strike.
Airport Information
Check Your Compensation
Enter your flight details to see if you qualify for up to €600 per person.