Air France Enhances UK Access With New Daily Paris CDG To London Gatwick Flights and Special Services To Cardiff For 2026, Reinforcing Its Position In The UK Market

Published on December 5, 2025

Air France is making it easier for people in the UK to fly with new daily flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and London Gatwick. They are also adding special flights to Cardiff for the 2026 Six Nations Rugby Championship. In addition to increasing Air France’s frequency in the UK, this action gives travelers going to and from Paris additional options. Air France is strengthening its position as a major participant in both leisure and business travel between France and the UK by growing its network in the UK and providing more flexibility and direct connections.

Air France is set to enhance its UK connectivity with an expanded schedule, including a new route between Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and London Gatwick (LGW) starting in March 2026. This new service adds to the carrier’s robust UK operations, which already feature up to 300 weekly flights between France and various UK airports. As part of its strategic growth in the region, the airline also plans to add special flights to Cardiff (CWL) for the Six Nations tournament, underscoring its commitment to meeting growing demand for both leisure and business travel.

New Flights to London Gatwick

Air France’s expansion into the London Gatwick market is a significant move designed to cater to a wide range of travelers. The new service between Paris CDG and London Gatwick will operate two daily flights starting March 29, 2026. This addition reinforces Air France’s aim to strengthen its position as a key player in the medium-haul market and to offer more choices for passengers traveling to and from the UK.

The new flights will be operated by Airbus A220 aircraft, a modern and efficient addition to the fleet. This move complements the airline’s existing services to London Heathrow, with which Air France already operates six daily flights. Passengers will benefit from enhanced flexibility and an expanded network across two major London airports. This strategic decision is also designed to increase overall connectivity through Paris CDG, offering passengers seamless onward connections to destinations around the world.

With easy access to both central London and the South of England, London Gatwick serves as an ideal gateway for both leisure and business travelers. The new service is expected to offer a convenient and quick alternative for passengers flying to or from London, providing further options beyond the well-established Heathrow route. This expansion highlights Air France’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the travel experience for UK passengers, making it easier than ever to travel to Paris and beyond.

Schedule for Paris CDG to London Gatwick

The new Paris CDG to London Gatwick flights will be scheduled as follows:

• Paris CDG to London Gatwick:
  • Departing at 9:20 AM and 3:45 PM, arriving at 9:30 AM and 3:55 PM, respectively.
• London Gatwick to Paris CDG:
  • Departing at 10:30 AM and 5:10 PM, arriving at 12:40 PM and 7:20 PM.

The timings of the flights are designed to facilitate smooth connections for international travelers connecting through Paris CDG to other long-haul destinations. The schedule has been carefully planned to cater to a wide range of passenger needs, whether for business or leisure purposes, and to provide flexibility throughout the day.

Special Flights to Cardiff for Six Nations

In addition to the launch of the London Gatwick service, Air France will operate a limited series of flights between Paris CDG and Cardiff for the Six Nations Rugby Championship. These special flights, running from February 13 to 16, 2026, are tailored to accommodate rugby fans traveling to Wales for the tournament. The flights will offer a direct connection between Paris and Cardiff, allowing fans to enjoy easy access to the city and the stadiums hosting the matches.

Air France’s decision to offer these dedicated services reflects the airline’s keen understanding of passenger needs and its ongoing efforts to cater to sports enthusiasts, especially for major international events such as the Six Nations. The special flights will serve both French fans and international visitors attending the tournament, enhancing the accessibility and appeal of Cardiff as a key destination for rugby enthusiasts.

Upgraded Travel Experience on Long-Haul Connections

For travelers connecting through Paris CDG to long-haul destinations, Air France offers an upgraded onboard experience. The airline continues to enhance its services with premium cabins designed to cater to both business and leisure travelers. Passengers flying in Business Class can enjoy lie-flat seating, privacy doors, and larger HD entertainment screens, creating a more comfortable and personalized flying experience.

The airline’s La Première cabin offers a level of luxury that is unparalleled, featuring private suites with full-length beds and panoramic windows. Fine dining menus, curated by Michelin-starred chefs, are also available to those traveling in premium cabins, allowing passengers to enjoy an exceptional gastronomic experience while in the air.

Additionally, Air France has introduced complimentary Wi-Fi across its fleet, providing seamless connectivity for passengers. As part of the airline’s commitment to digital innovation, high-speed Wi-Fi will be available on 30% of its aircraft by the end of 2025, with full coverage expected by late 2026. This initiative ensures that passengers can stay connected throughout their journey, whether for business or personal reasons.

Growth of London Gatwick and Air France’s UK Presence

London Gatwick has been an increasingly important airport for both international airlines and passengers traveling to and from the UK. Air France’s new route to Gatwick comes at a time when the airport is seeing continued growth, with other airlines such as Jet2 and Air Arabia expanding their operations in the region. As part of this broader trend, Air France is looking to enhance its existing network and improve connectivity between the UK and its global hub at Paris CDG.

This expansion is a clear signal of Air France’s commitment to the UK market, as the airline seeks to solidify its position as a leading carrier in Europe. The increased frequencies and new routes not only offer travelers more options but also strengthen the airline’s ability to serve passengers with diverse travel needs, whether for leisure, business, or special events such as the Six Nations.

With the launch of new flights to London Gatwick and special services to Cardiff, Air France is making a strategic move to meet the growing demand for travel between the UK and France. The new routes offer passengers more flexibility, enhanced connectivity, and a premium travel experience, all while maintaining the airline’s commitment to excellent service and comfort. As the airline continues to strengthen its presence in the UK market, the new flights will provide travelers with greater options for traveling to Paris and beyond, reinforcing the carrier’s role as a leader in European and international travel.

Air France is enhancing UK access with new daily flights between Paris CDG and London Gatwick, along with special services to Cardiff for the 2026 Six Nations, reinforcing its commitment to offering more travel options and flexibility for UK travelers, solidifying its position in the UK market.

These developments underscore Air France’s focus on enhancing customer satisfaction through expanded services and upgraded travel experiences, positioning the airline for continued growth and success in the years to come.