> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thecontrail.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # France Is Striking Next Thursday. The Hard Part May Be Getting to the Airport - URL: https://www.thecontrail.org/france-strike-november-5-flights/ - Published: 2026-10-30T14:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-30T14:00:00.000Z - Description: France's biggest unions have called a nationwide strike for Thursday, Nov. 5, and airport and aviation staff have been asked to join. No flights have been canceled yet, but trains to Paris' airports are at risk. What to expect and how to plan. - Author: Zach Benitez - Tags: News, Air France A France strike on November 5 could make next Thursday a messy day to travel in and out of the country. France's five biggest union federations have called a nationwide strike over the government's 2027 budget, wages and pensions, and unions representing airport workers and staff at France's civil aviation authority have asked their members to join. So far, no airline has canceled flights and the government hasn't asked airlines to cut schedules. The more certain problem is on the ground, where rail strikes could disrupt the trains most travelers use to reach Paris' airports. --- ## Latest Updates **Thursday, Oct. 29:** Three aviation unions have now called on their members to strike Nov. 5\. One represents staff at France's civil aviation authority, which runs air traffic control, though it hasn't explicitly called on air traffic controllers to walk out. The other two represent airport ground handling, security, cleaning and maintenance staff. France's aviation authority hasn't asked airlines to reduce flights, and no airline has announced cancellations. We'll update this page as plans firm up. ## Know Before You Fly Strikes, cancellations and what you're owed, explained before they hit your trip. Free in your inbox. Get Contrail Free Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. --- ## Will Flights Be Canceled? It depends on who actually walks out. The biggest risk to flights in France is always air traffic control. When controllers strike, the aviation authority orders airlines to cut a share of their flights, sometimes a quarter or more at the big Paris airports, and the effects spread across Europe, since many flights from Spain, the UK and Italy cross French airspace. As of now, there's no strike notice from controllers' unions, which is why airlines haven't started canceling. Air France, which runs most flights at Charles de Gaulle and Orly, hadn’t announced any cancellations as of Thursday. The other risk is inside the airports. Ground handlers check passengers in, load bags and turn planes around between flights, so even a partial walkout can cause delays and the odd cancellation, especially in the morning. Those notices usually become clearer two or three days before a strike, so the picture should be much sharper by Monday or Tuesday. France strike · Thursday, Nov. 5 Flying in or out of France that day? +1 hr Extra time to give yourself getting to CDG or Orly, with trains likely disruptedSNCF publishes its strike timetable the evening before No cancellations yetAir traffic controllers haven't filed a strike notice so far Book a backup rideTaxis charge flat fares to the Paris airports. A pre-booked car is safest If canceledRefund or new flight, plus meals and a hotel if you're stuck overnight Contrail --- ## Getting to CDG and Orly This is the part to plan for now. All four main rail unions at SNCF, France's national railway, have called on staff to strike Nov. 5, and the RER B commuter line that runs to Charles de Gaulle Airport is often one of the first services cut when that happens. Metro and bus service in Paris may also be reduced. SNCF usually publishes its strike timetable around 5 p.m. the day before, so you won't know exactly what's running until Wednesday evening. If you're flying out of Paris that day, give yourself at least an extra hour and line up a backup. Taxis between Paris and the airports charge flat fares, about €56 to €65 from Charles de Gaulle and €36 to €44 from Orly depending on which side of the Seine you're going to, but expect long lines at taxi ranks. A pre-booked car is the most reliable option if you have bags or kids. --- ## If Your Flight Is Canceled Under EU rules, a canceled flight means you're owed a refund or a seat on another flight, plus meals and a hotel if you're stuck overnight. Extra cash compensation is less likely. A general strike or an air traffic control walkout usually counts as outside the airline's control, so compensation generally isn't owed, though a strike by the airline's own staff can be different. If you miss your flight because the trains weren't running, the airline isn't responsible, which is another reason to leave early. France isn't the only country with strikes coming up. Italy's air traffic controllers plan a walkout the next day, Friday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 5 p.m., and [Spain has a national strike on Nov. 11](https://www.thecontrail.org/spain-strike-november-11-flights/). If you're traveling around Europe next week, check each leg of your trip, not just the first one.