Missing Plane
Suspended

Pilots and cabin crew of French airlines: strike of 17–21 Oct 2026 suspended, what it means for your flight

By Jules Aubry · Published
When 17–21 Oct 2026 Where France · Paris, Paris Who Pilots and cabin crew of French airlines

What changed: The unions suspended the notice on 9 October, pending a government decree.

National strike notice against the pension reform (cumul emploi-retraite), suspended by the unions on 9 October while they wait for a government decree. It could be reactivated if the decree is not published.

Suspended

The unions have suspended this strike notice. Flights should run normally, but a suspended notice can be reactivated: check your flight the day before. If your flight is cancelled anyway, your rights below still apply.

Were you cancelled or 3h+ late? (if it goes ahead) You are very likely owed €250 to €600 per passenger.

This strike is by the airline's own staff. Since EU Court ruling C-28/20, that does not count as an extraordinary circumstance: if your flight is cancelled or 3+ hours late, you are usually owed €250–€600.

Check my flight

Source: snpnc.org →

Checklist

If you fly that day

  1. Before: check your flight status the evening before and that morning. If the airline cancels, choose between a refund and a new flight; you don't have to accept a voucher.
  2. At the airport: ask for meal vouchers after 2 hours and a hotel if you are stuck overnight. Photograph the departures board.
  3. After: keep every receipt, then check what you are owed below. Your bank card insurance may pay too.
What happened to your flight?
Where were you flying?

How late did you arrive?

At your final destination, when the doors opened.

What reason did the airline give?

Check the email or text message they sent you.

CDG → ?
€250–€600Enter your route
Stuck tonight? Hotels near Paris
Why this answer?
  • Under EU261, a flight 3+ hours late, cancelled at short notice or overbooked pays €250, €400 or €600 per passenger, depending on distance. Pick your airports to see your amount.
Not ready to claim? You have years, not days.
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Strike cancelled or delayed your flight? When you get €250 to €600Pilot, cabin crew, air traffic control or airport strike: who has to pay, what you are owed in every case, and what to do when a strike is announced.Flight cancelled? Refund, new flight and up to €600: your rightsYour flight is cancelled or you were bumped: how to choose between a refund and a new flight, when you also get €250 to €600, and what to do at the airport.Stranded overnight: what the airline must pay forHotel, meals and transport are owed even when the cause is weather.Your bank card may pay you for a delay tooCard travel insurance often pays on top of EU261.