Air France has introduced Paris Stopover, a new service designed with Extime Travel that allows connecting passengers at Paris‑Charles de Gaulle to turn their layover into a curated visit to the French capital and surrounding region.
The programme launches as France enters peak tourist season and responds to strong demand from international travellers seeking to make better use of long connection times.
According to Air France, 50% of its customers arriving at Paris‑Charles de Gaulle connect onward to another destination, creating a significant opportunity for tourism engagement . With Paris Stopover, eligible passengers can now extend their stay on either the outbound or return journey and book a tailored package directly through Extime Travel when reserving their flights .
The service offers a range of curated experiences, from one to four nights, including transfers, accommodation and themed activities across Paris and the wider Île‑de‑France region. Packages are designed to be fully flexible and supported end‑to‑end by Extime Travel, ensuring a seamless transition from airport to city exploration .
Demand for such an option is high. A study published by the Pégase Chair in April 2026 found that 81% of passengers connecting in Paris were “somewhat or very interested” in leaving the airport to explore the city during their layover. Interest rises to 92.3% among Brazilian travellers and 90% among Indian travellers, particularly since both nationalities are no longer required to hold a French airport transit visa as of April 2026 .
Paris Stopover packages highlight the capital’s major attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, as well as family‑focused options such as Disneyland Paris. Extime Travel plans to expand the offering with premium cultural, gastronomic and festive experiences in the coming months .
The initiative also aims to promote lesser‑known areas surrounding Paris‑Charles de Gaulle, with accommodation offered in carefully selected four‑ and five‑star hotels either in central Paris or at Disneyland Paris. Each itinerary includes transfers and a curated selection of activities tailored to the traveller’s available time and interests .
Paris Stopover marks a major milestone in the Connect France strategic partnership signed in June 2025 between Air France‑KLM and Groupe ADP. The programme is designed to strengthen the international appeal of the Air France hub at Paris‑Charles de Gaulle while leveraging Paris’s status as the world’s leading tourist destination .
With its launch, Paris‑Charles de Gaulle becomes the first major European hub to offer a dedicated tourism experience between flights, accessible to all Air France passengers regardless of cabin class. Bookings can be made up to 48 hours before departure, subject to availability, with a minimum connection time of 27 hours required for eligibility .
