Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Air France UK Expansion 2026: New London Gatwick Service And Special Cardiff Flights Boost Tourism Links To Paris

Published on
January 26, 2026

Air France is deepening travel ties between the United Kingdom and Paris in 2026 with an expanded roster of flights serving key UK airports. The French national carrier will offer regular services from major hubs including London Heathrow with a newly confirmed twice-daily link at London Gatwick Airport from late March while also staging a short-term Cardiff service for a busy weekend tailored to sport and leisure travellers. The move reinforces the airline’s commitment to UK tourism and business travel demand between the UK and France.

New London Gatwick Service Enhances UK Connectivity

From 29 March 2026, Air France will operate two daily flights between Paris‑Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW), marking a notable expansion of its UK network. This service utilises Airbus A220 aircraft and will complement existing daily flights between Paris and London Heathrow (LHR), giving travellers more options for direct access to Paris from southern England. Gatwick passengers will benefit from enhanced connectivity into Air France’s global network via Paris, which offers onward links to around 170 destinations worldwide.

Industry sources had reported that this Gatwick addition is designed to respond to sustained demand for UK–France travel as well as to capture leisure traffic beyond central London. The service is expected to appeal not only to London travellers but also to leisure visitors from the wider southeast of England and beyond who prefer Gatwick as their departure airport.

Core UK Routes Continue Strong Performance

Air France’s established UK flights remain central to its network from Paris Charles de Gaulle. Heathrow continues to be the airline’s busiest UK destination, with multiple daily services reflecting high demand for connections between London and Paris. Birmingham and Manchester also see frequent Air France flights, typically around three daily services each, serving both business and leisure travellers keen to explore Paris or connect onwards to destinations across Europe and globally. Regular flights to Newcastle and Edinburgh provide important links to northern England and Scotland, helping sustain tourism flows between these regions and Paris.

The airline’s UK network allows visitors to easily reach France’s capital and beyond, supporting both short‑break tourism and long‑haul journeys via the Paris hub. Flights between UK airports and Paris Charles de Gaulle can be booked directly through Air France’s official channel, with tickets available to suit a range of travel needs.

Special Valentine’s and Rugby Weekend in Cardiff

Adding a creative twist to its 2026 schedule, Air France will operate six return flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Cardiff Airport (CWL) in Wales over the long weekend of 13–16 February. This limited service has been timed to coincide with Valentine’s weekend and the high‑profile France vs Wales Six Nations rugby match in Cardiff on 15 February. The initiative reflects an innovative approach to short‑term demand that blends sport tourism with leisure travel opportunities.

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Air travel analysts highlight that while this Cardiff link is not scheduled as a permanent route, the special service offers Welsh travellers a unique chance to visit Paris for leisure or to enjoy the rugby fixture without transfers. Conversely, it gives French travellers a direct option to reach Cardiff for the match or a weekend break.

Tourism Impact and Strategic Network Decisions

Air France’s UK schedule evolution for 2026 demonstrates a strategic blend of regular scheduled services and targeted flights designed to capture specific travel demand spikes. The addition of Gatwick flights broadens choice for passengers and reinforces the airline’s status in the UK market. Seasonal and targeted services such as the Cardiff weekend link show a willingness to innovate with non‑traditional routings that support tourism and cultural exchange.

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Travel industry observers note that Air France’s expanded UK network supports inbound tourism into France while also offering UK residents greater access to French culture, business links, and long‑haul connections via Paris. These developments also come at a time when other carriers are reviewing their European schedules, so Air France’s investment in UK links carries importance for long‑term travel patterns.

Booking and Passenger Experience

Passengers can secure seats on Air France’s UK flights to Paris from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and more through the airline’s official booking platform. Standard services operate year‑round for most destinations, with the Gatwick flights adding capacity later in spring and the Cardiff flights available for a limited period in February. Air France advertises a range of fare options and loyalty benefits for passengers, supporting flexible travel needs and touring plans.

The carrier’s UK network is an important component of its European strategy, offering a mix of convenience, frequency and access to global onward flights when connecting at Paris Charles de Gaulle. As destinations across Europe compete for leisure and business travel demand, Air France’s expanded UK services position the airline as a key partner in facilitating cross‑channel travel.

The first step to establishing additional UK flights from Gatwick Airport requires official announcements to commence. Industry sources confirm that special services like Cardiff’s 2026 offering will create new operational routes when there is sufficient demand. The airline uses its flexible scheduling system for both seasonal and event-based services which will guide its network development decisions.