COVID Restrictions to entry in France
Dec 5, 2021, 1:23 pm
#1891
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,369
Yep. It looks like we are in Reg 261/2004 denied boarding territory, with €125 owed by AF to the OP.
Dec 5, 2021, 2:00 pm
#1892
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PAR, SIN
Programs: Flying Blue Gold, Lufthansa FQTV, IHG Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 28
I was not the only affected passenger though, I saw a lot of people scrambling to get a test to fly to Paris.
Dec 5, 2021, 7:35 pm
#1893
Join Date: Nov 2021
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, BA Silver
Posts: 37
Anyone traveled from Canada these past days and had a transit in CDG? I'm a bit confused what exactly applies for my flight back (YVR - CDG - AMS)
traveldoc is a but unclear as it states:
Tried to understand the rules from "Ministère de l'intérieur" but English page hasn't been updated, and in French it seems all passengers need a PCR or antigen test done within 48hours before departure.
traveldoc is a but unclear as it states:
Passengers aged 12 years and older must hold a negative result of a biological examination of virological screening (RT-PCR, PCR, qRT-PCR, qPCR, RT-LAMP, LAMP, TMA, antigen or detection of RNA only) or a biological test enabling the detection of the N protein of SARS-COV-2 where the test is carried out less 48 hours prior to boarding.
But under the same test requirement is states "Other exempt passengers:" - transit passengers.Tried to understand the rules from "Ministère de l'intérieur" but English page hasn't been updated, and in French it seems all passengers need a PCR or antigen test done within 48hours before departure.
Dec 5, 2021, 10:40 pm
#1894
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,590
No I was not connecting. Thanks for confirming that it was a mistake. I should have protested more but I was taken aback by the gate attendant lecturing me that France had declared Germany a red country just today and that I should have heard the announcements that were made at the gate before I arrived (I was in the lounge). I will try and complain but I have no proof of the denied boarding.
I was not the only affected passenger though, I saw a lot of people scrambling to get a test to fly to Paris.
I was not the only affected passenger though, I saw a lot of people scrambling to get a test to fly to Paris.
You should have argued more forcefully, I doubt that it is worth the trouble pursuing a claim.
Dec 6, 2021, 3:09 am
#1895
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: CDG & ORY
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate
Posts: 261
I have read that some people can test positive during weeks or even months after getting infected. Do you know if there are some specific exemptions that would allow a French citizen to come back to France in such case?
Dec 6, 2021, 3:27 am
#1897
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Behind the curtain
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor
Posts: 407
Back in October I had an agent in AMS, in the section specifically for UK document checks, not know that rules had changed and tests were no longer required.
This morning in BRS travelling to ORY, the boarding agent said that vaccinated passengers need a test 24hr before, unvaccinated 48hr before. (It is of course the opposite). In both cases the agents were convinced they were in error without too much drama.
I agree an EC261 claim is appropriate when the airline is clearly at fault.
Dec 6, 2021, 5:49 am
#1898
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Paris
Programs: FB Plat, *A Silver, Volare Exec (LOL), some hotels (Gold)
Posts: 623
flew JFK-AMS-CDG this morning. no documents check in JFK (AMS requires one/two different forms now), no controls of any kind at AMS transits, just the passport, and no control at all in CDG.
both things correct, as you can transfer in AMS without a covid test and you can enter freely France when coming from EU/Schengen, but makes me wonder how many people have bypassed the test like I did.
incidentally, as an additional safety measure in these uncertain times, I had a test in T4 JFK for the cheap price of 250$, that proved to be useless. lesson learned for me for the next time, but better safe than sorry for that one, seen how quickly rules change.
both things correct, as you can transfer in AMS without a covid test and you can enter freely France when coming from EU/Schengen, but makes me wonder how many people have bypassed the test like I did.
incidentally, as an additional safety measure in these uncertain times, I had a test in T4 JFK for the cheap price of 250$, that proved to be useless. lesson learned for me for the next time, but better safe than sorry for that one, seen how quickly rules change.
Dec 6, 2021, 7:53 am
#1899
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,369
IMO, this is a grey zone under the French regulations as they do not clearly define what is considered as the relevant origin in case of connections. Were you to be denied boarding on such at itinerary at JFK on the ground that you do not have the relevant paperwork for France, you would have a hard time disputing it, I would have thought. In that situation, I would get a test pre-departure to be on the safe side.
Dec 6, 2021, 2:46 pm
#1900
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Paris
Programs: FB Plat, *A Silver, Volare Exec (LOL), some hotels (Gold)
Posts: 623
IMO, this is a grey zone under the French regulations as they do not clearly define what is considered as the relevant origin in case of connections. Were you to be denied boarding on such at itinerary at JFK on the ground that you do not have the relevant paperwork for France, you would have a hard time disputing it, I would have thought. In that situation, I would get a test pre-departure to be on the safe side.
Dec 6, 2021, 3:19 pm
#1901
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K 2.2MM
Posts: 2,352
Flying to Paris this week ...USA, Munich, Paris. Vaccinated. My understanding is that i need a PCR or lab antigen test 48 hours before departure and that should count if asked in Munich too. Is that correct?
Posters above mention 24 window for test...I'm reading 48 on French sites....
Posters above mention 24 window for test...I'm reading 48 on French sites....
Dec 6, 2021, 3:42 pm
#1902
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,369
Yes, that hurts. Even in the UK testing has become much more affordable. A pre-departure antigen test is readily available these days for a fraction of that cost and is comparable to the cost of tests in France for those who are not eligible for free testing.
Dec 6, 2021, 6:32 pm
#1903
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,590
I agree with you 100%.
My point, and I should have been more explicit, is that it is going to be a lot of hassle for 125.
It would not hurt starting a claim, but I would guess a lot of back and forth given all the pax stranded for health document reasons.
My point, and I should have been more explicit, is that it is going to be a lot of hassle for 125.
It would not hurt starting a claim, but I would guess a lot of back and forth given all the pax stranded for health document reasons.
Dec 6, 2021, 8:05 pm
#1904
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: VIE/PRG
Programs: FB Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 1,592
JFK-CDG-PRG as czech citizen. If I didn’t push it she would not fly us as czech citizens with vaccination. Be aware everyone. Either it may cost you the test or your patience.
Dec 7, 2021, 1:56 am
#1905
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 2,002
Flying to Paris this week ...USA, Munich, Paris. Vaccinated. My understanding is that i need a PCR or lab antigen test 48 hours before departure and that should count if asked in Munich too. Is that correct?
Posters above mention 24 window for test...I'm reading 48 on French sites....
Posters above mention 24 window for test...I'm reading 48 on French sites....
24h if you are not vaccinated (and this specific point applies to intra-Schengen travel too).