Air France Flight Delayed or Cancelled? Passenger Next Steps

Air France’s network runs heavily through Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY). If your Air France flight was delayed or cancelled, capture the facts first—then put a clear follow-up in writing. Delay Draft helps you organize an Air France delay letter that you send. We do not contact Air France for you, and we are not a law firm.

This is general guidance only. Outcomes depend on your itinerary, delay length, cause, and Air France’s review. Delay Draft does not promise compensation, refunds, or that any claim will be approved.

CDG, Orly, and when EU261 may apply

Many Air France flights depart from France and other EU airports. EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) may apply on departures from EU, EEA, or Swiss airports—and, in some cases, on arrivals into the EU on an EU carrier from outside. Whether those rules cover your booking is not automatic.

Check your boarding pass, departure airport, operating carrier (including codeshares with partners such as KLM or Delta), and official EU guidance. Connecting tickets and the reason for the disruption all matter. See our EU261 overview and the France flight delay guide for France-focused orientation. Delay Draft does not decide which rules cover your trip.

Strikes, ATC, weather, and extraordinary circumstances

Air France disruptions are sometimes labelled as industrial action, air traffic control restrictions, weather, technical issues, or other causes. Under EU261, airlines may describe some events as extraordinary circumstances (outside their control). Other issues may be treated as within the airline’s control.

Those labels are fact-specific. The same kind of event can be assessed differently depending on the details. Ask for the reason in writing when you can (app notice, email, or desk confirmation). Delay Draft cannot classify your disruption or guarantee that EU261 fixed amounts or care duties apply. Use “may apply” language when you write, and let the airline respond to the facts.

Care, re-routing, and written follow-up

During a long delay, airlines may have a duty of care—food and drink in proportion to the wait, and hotel plus transport if you are stuck overnight—subject to delay thresholds and circumstances under EU261 when it may apply.

You may also be offered re-routing on another flight or asked to choose between continuing travel and seeking a refund instead of travelling, depending on how long the disruption lasts and which rules may apply. Ask staff or the Air France / Flying Blue app what they are offering, and keep a written record of what you accepted or declined.

Care is separate from any fixed amounts that may apply after a long arrival delay when the cause is within the airline’s control. No fixed payout is guaranteed.

After you land—or if the flight never went—send a dated letter or formal web submission that includes:

Your name and booking / PNR reference
Flight number(s), date, and airports (note marketing vs operating carrier on codeshares)
Timeline of the delay or cancellation, including final arrival if you connected
Reason given to you (strike, ATC, weather, technical, or other label as stated)
Care offered or expenses you incurred (keep receipts)
What you are asking Air France to review (care, refund/re-routing choice, or an EU261-style review as applicable)

Attach boarding passes, delay-board or app screenshots, and receipts. Keep a copy of what you submitted and any case number returned.

Evidence to save at CDG, ORY, or on the app

While you are still at the airport—or as soon as you get a notification—save:

Flight number, date, and route
Scheduled vs. new departure and arrival times
The reason shown in the Air France app, email, SMS, or given by staff
Whether meals, vouchers, hotel, or rebooking were offered
Screenshots of delay boards, push notifications, and boarding-pass screens
How late you arrived at your final destination

If you pay for food, a hotel, or ground transport yourself, keep receipts. Write down desk references if staff give verbal updates.

Create your Air France delay letter

Organize a clear Air France delay or cancellation letter at DelayDraft.com and send it yourself. Typical site pricing is $9.99 (1–2 people) or $24.99 (3–6 people on the same letter)—confirm at checkout. Delay Draft LLC is not a law firm and does not file claims.

Questions about a letter you already bought: claims@delaydraft.com.

Create your Delay Draft letter