Air France adds London Gatwick route and exciting Cardiff flights for Rugby Six Nations 2026
Air France adds London Gatwick route and exciting Cardiff flights for Rugby Six Nations 2026
Air France has looked at the UK for 2026 and said, “Oui, we’ll have a bit more of that.” And honestly? We’re here for it. The airline is rolling out a shiny new twice-daily route to London Gatwick, plus a limited-edition, rugby-fuelled service to Cardiff — because nothing brings nations together like a plane full of fans singing, “Allez les Bleus!” at 30,000 feet.
And yes, they’re doing it all with style, because of course they are… they’re French.
Bonjour, Gatwick – Paris Is Coming for You
Starting 29 March 2026, Air France will launch two daily flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and London Gatwick. That’s right — not one tentative flight. Not a “let’s try this for the summer and see how it goes.” No. A confident, beautifully punctual twice-daily service, flown by the sleek Airbus A220, which looks like something designed by a Parisian architect in a very good mood.
The idea? To give travellers even better access to Air France’s mega-hub at CDG — meaning the moment you step off your London–Paris hop, you can roll straight into connections for Tokyo, Cape Town, New York, Rome, or literally anywhere that excuses you from answering work emails for a week.
Flight schedule (local):
• Paris → Gatwick: 09:20–09:30 / 15:45–15:55
• Gatwick → Paris: 10:30–12:40 / 17:10–19:20
(Translation: very commuter-friendly, and perfect for anyone who likes the idea of breakfast in London and late-lunching on a croissant in Paris.)
And because it’s Gatwick, passengers get extremely quick access into London — thanks to Gatwick Express, Thameslink, and Southern trains — not to mention the entire South Coast. Brighton weekend, anyone? Paris → London → beach → chips → joy.
With this new route, Air France now jumps to eight daily London flights (six to Heathrow, two to Gatwick). At this point, the UK might as well give them a loyalty card.
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Rugby Madness: Air France Opens a Pop-Up Route to Cardiff
Now for the fun part — because nothing says “strategic expansion” like a temporary route created specifically for rugby fans who require both passion and punctuality.
From 13–16 February 2026, Air France will operate 12 extra flights between Paris-CDG and Cardiff for the Six Nations. Yes, twelve. That’s basically a shuttle service for people wearing jerseys, waving flags, and arguing about refereeing decisions before the seatbelt sign even turns off.
These flights are aimed at
• French fans heading to Wales
• Welsh fans returning home from Paris
• And all the brave neutrals who simply enjoy the adrenaline of sitting between both
In short: Cardiff Airport is about to experience more berets, baguette-shaped neck pillows, and enthusiastic chanting than ever before.
The Big Picture: Air France Loves the UK (a Lot)
Air France already flies up to 300 times per week to six different UK airports — which is basically the aviation equivalent of saying, “We’re practically neighbours now.”
The new Gatwick flights and the Six Nations specials aren’t random add-ons. They’re part of the airline’s broader push in its medium-haul network, and a sign that the UK remains one of its most important markets. And clearly, the feeling is mutual — because the planes keep filling up.
So whether you’re heading to Paris for pastries, to Cardiff for rugby glory, or just looking for an excuse to pretend you’re very international on Instagram, 2026 is shaping up nicely.
Air France is ready. Gatwick is ready. Cardiff is ready. Are you ready to travel to one of these fantastic destinations soon?
The only question left: Are you packed yet?
