Time to arrive at CDG?
Sep 8, 2021, 11:41 am
#1
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Time to arrive at CDG?
We are trying to decide on a flight from CDG to JFK on a Monday in mid-October. We'd fly business on DL or AF. Approximately how much time in advance of a flight should we arrive at CDG? We'd be arriving CDG by train from Brussels.
Choices for the flight are 11:20, 13:20, 14:20 and 15:45.
Choices for the flight are 11:20, 13:20, 14:20 and 15:45.
Sep 8, 2021, 12:15 pm
#2
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CDG can have VERY long lines for check in and passport control, even for business class. IME two hours can be scary. I'd plan on three hours if possible.
Sep 8, 2021, 12:46 pm
#3
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The 11:20 & 15:45 will have a relatively shorter line.
Between 12:00 to 14:30 is the peak hour for flights to North America and the line can depend heavily on the number of passengers that day.
Between 12:00 to 14:30 is the peak hour for flights to North America and the line can depend heavily on the number of passengers that day.
Sep 8, 2021, 2:22 pm
#4
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Would we be able to check in online? We would not be checking any luggage.
Last edited by richarddd; Sep 8, 2021 at 2:34 pm
Sep 8, 2021, 10:57 pm
#5
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When I flew JFK-AMS-ZRH I was able to print both bps at home. For the return, it required a (KLM) agent to print a bp.
[The proceedures in CDG may be different from ZRH, but normally the French are "big" on bureauracy.
Sep 9, 2021, 4:05 am
#6
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I would arrive two hours and 30 minutes before scheduled departure. That will give you plenty of time to check in, get through security, passport control, make your way to 2E-K/L/M gates. And probably leave you a little time for hanging out at the Air France salon for some yummy French pastries. 😋
Sep 9, 2021, 6:42 am
#7
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Some of the other terminals have reopened at CDG which may have reduced the crush at 2E though. (NB: The lines for coach looked just as short as the Sky Priority lines).
Sep 9, 2021, 6:47 am
#8
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I had read this on FT so I arrived very early for my CDG flight yesterday in Delta One. From the RER B station to check-in to immigration to the train to L to security to the L Sky Club took me maybe an hour tops, and I wasn't jogging. Of course, it was also a Wednesday which is a lighter travel day.
Some of the other terminals have reopened at CDG which may have reduced the crush at 2E though. (NB: The lines for coach looked just as short as the Sky Priority lines).
Some of the other terminals have reopened at CDG which may have reduced the crush at 2E though. (NB: The lines for coach looked just as short as the Sky Priority lines).
I wonder if there's that much of a difference between a Monday and a Wednesday.
Sep 9, 2021, 7:31 am
#9
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Monday and Wednesday I'm sure have a difference but I can't guess at how much.
Sep 9, 2021, 7:55 am
#10
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We're also thinking of AF's Brussels train to CDG to JFK, which only gives 1:26 between train arrival from Brussels and the flight, but will rebook on the next available flight if you can't make it to the gate on time.
Sep 9, 2021, 9:16 am
#11
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Can you check in and check bags on the train? IMO 26 minutes (assuming perfectly on time) from train door to completion of check in the the business class area is very tight and then an hour to get through passport control and to the gate is almost impossible IME. YMMV.
Sep 9, 2021, 9:40 am
#12
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Can you check in and check bags on the train? IMO 26 minutes (assuming perfectly on time) from train door to completion of check in the the business class area is very tight and then an hour to get through passport control and to the gate is almost impossible IME. YMMV.
It's an hour and 26 minutes, not just 26 minutes, but even that seems a tight. It does seem odd that they'd have a connection time that most people miss, but there are many odd things in the world.
One virtue is that they'll book you on the next available AF/DL/KLM flight if you miss your flight.
Sep 9, 2021, 11:52 am
#13
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You can check in and check bags at the train station.
It's an hour and 26 minutes, not just 26 minutes, but even that seems a tight. It does seem odd that they'd have a connection time that most people miss, but there are many odd things in the world.
One virtue is that they'll book you on the next available AF/DL/KLM flight if you miss your flight.
It's an hour and 26 minutes, not just 26 minutes, but even that seems a tight. It does seem odd that they'd have a connection time that most people miss, but there are many odd things in the world.
One virtue is that they'll book you on the next available AF/DL/KLM flight if you miss your flight.
Sep 9, 2021, 12:16 pm
#14
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It is usually, between 14:00 to 18:00, there is relatively shorter lines as much less departure at those hours (16:00 - 20:00).
Sep 9, 2021, 1:01 pm
#15
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From CDG, I try to take the nonstop to MSP (DL operated) that departs around 10:30 am. If this doesn't work, I try to connect on DL through DTW.