France — Flight Compensation Rights
EC261 in France — passenger rights at CDG, ORY, and beyond
France is Europe's second-busiest aviation market. If your flight departed from a French airport — or you flew into France on an EU carrier — you are protected by EC261. Delays of 3+ hours, cancellations under 14 days' notice, and denied boarding entitle you to up to €600.
Maximum compensation
€600
per passenger, per flight
Compensation amounts in France
EC261 applies to all flights departing a French airport regardless of airline nationality, and to flights arriving into France on an EU/EEA-licensed carrier. France was one of the original EC261 framers and French courts have delivered several landmark rulings expanding consumer rights, including broader readings of what qualifies as 'extraordinary circumstances'.
Tier 1
Up to 1,500 km
Short-haul
€250
Tier 2
1,500–3,500 km
Medium-haul
€400
Tier 3
Over 3,500 km
Long-haul
€600
Claim time limit: 5 years
French civil law (Code Civil Art. 2224) gives a general 5-year prescription period for contractual claims from the date of the disruption. This is longer than the 3-year limit in Germany or Spain, giving French-departing passengers more time to act.
Who enforces your rights in France
National enforcement authority
Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC)
The DGAC handles regulatory oversight but consumer claims are primarily resolved through the Médiateur du Tourisme et du Voyage (MTV) — France's free travel ADR scheme — or through French courts. The MTV process takes 90 days on average and is binding on member airlines.
Key airports in France
All flights departing these airports are covered by EC261.
Airlines covered in France
These carriers operate EC261-covered flights from France's airports.
What makes France different
Country-specific legal nuances that affect how you claim.
Médiateur du Tourisme et du Voyage (MTV)
France has the MTV — a free, independent mediator covering travel disputes including flight compensation. Member airlines must accept the MTV's decision. The MTV process takes up to 90 days. Check if your airline is a member before filing; if not, proceed to the courts.
DGAC ATC strikes — the grey area
French DGAC (air traffic control) strikes happen periodically and are often claimed as extraordinary circumstances by airlines. However, if the airline could have rerouted or rescheduled with reasonable advance warning, French courts have ruled the disruption may still trigger compensation. The airline bears the burden of proof.
Air France internal strikes are NOT extraordinary
The European Court of Justice ruled in Krüsemann (2018) that strikes by an airline's own employees — including cabin crew and ground staff — do not constitute extraordinary circumstances. Air France has historically cited internal strikes as a defence, but this argument fails under current ECJ case law.
Paris CDG — slot-related cascade delays
CDG is one of Europe's most complex hubs. Slot restrictions during peak periods create cascade delays where an early morning technical issue ripples across the day. Airlines often claim these are ATC-driven extraordinary circumstances — scrutinise the stated reason carefully, as many cascade delays originate from within the airline's own network.
How to claim in France
French EC261 claims have a well-established pathway via the MTV mediator. Start with the airline, escalate to MTV if rejected, and use the courts as a final step. French courts are generally claimant-friendly.
Submit your claim
Tell us your flight details and we'll assess your entitlement under EC261 — no upfront cost.
Escalate if needed
If the airline rejects your claim within 6 weeks, lodge a complaint with the Médiateur du Tourisme et du Voyage (MTV) at mtv.travel — free and binding on member airlines. For non-members, file a claim in the Tribunal de proximité (small claims court) for amounts up to €10,000.
Receive your compensation
You can also report the airline to the DGAC, but this does not directly recover your compensation. The DGAC may investigate systemic non-compliance across the airline's French operations.
Frequently asked questions — France
Does EC261 apply to all flights from French airports?
Yes — all flights departing a French airport, regardless of airline nationality, are covered. Arriving flights are only covered if the airline is an EU-licensed carrier.
Air France cancelled my flight citing a strike. Can I still claim?
It depends on the type of strike. An Air France internal staff strike is NOT extraordinary circumstances under the ECJ Krüsemann ruling — you are entitled to compensation. A DGAC (ATC) strike is more complex — the airline must show it couldn't reasonably avoid the disruption.
What is the MTV and how do I use it?
The Médiateur du Tourisme et du Voyage is a free French travel mediator. If your airline rejects your claim, check if they're an MTV member at mtv.travel. File your case online with your flight details and the airline's rejection. The process takes up to 90 days and the decision is binding on member airlines.
How long do I have to claim from France?
5 years under French civil law (Code Civil Art. 2224), running from the date of the disrupted flight. This is more generous than Germany or Spain.
Can I claim in French courts if I'm not French?
Yes. You can bring a claim in the French courts if your flight departed France, regardless of where you live. Online platforms like the Tribunal judiciaire accept claims in French; an interpreter may be needed for hearings.
Was your France flight disrupted?
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