Most travelers look at a layover as something to get through as quickly as possible.
But what if that connection could become part of the vacation?
Air France is betting plenty of passengers would happily trade a few hours in an airport terminal for a couple of days exploring Paris. In fact, a recent study found that more than 8 in 10 travelers connecting through Paris-Charles de Gaulle said they’d be interested in leaving the airport to explore the city during their stopover.
Air France has apparently heard their pleas, and has now launched a new program designed to make exactly that happen. It allows customers connecting through Paris CDG to add in a stay in the French capital.
The flag carrier has partnered with cultural and tourism experience provider Extime Travel, to offer Paris stopover programs ranging between one and four nights.
In late July of this year, the new service launched with two offers:
- Paris Essentials: includes four-star hotel accommodations at a choice of 6 hotels including Mercure Notre Dame Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Pullman Paris Montparnasse, airport transfers and cultural experiences including a lunch or dinner cruise on the Seine, and a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre.
- Disneyland Paris: includes four-star hotel accommodations at a choice of 6 hotels, including Grand Magic Hotel and Dream Castle Hotel, airport transfers, and entry to both Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World.
Both options start at or around €449 (Approx. $ 518 USD) per person.
Travelers can also extend their connection for 1 to 4 nights without purchasing a bundled Extime Travel package.
The Air France Paris Stopover program is available to passengers in all classes, and the extended connection can be booked on either the outbound or return journey (subject to availability, of course).
The only caveats are that the service must be booked at least 48 hours before departure, and that the stopover must be at least 27 hours or more hours long.
Passengers who purchase flights with a connection at Paris CDG will be offered the stopover option at the time of booking. After they’ve booked, they’ll be transferred to Extime Travel’s website to complete their add-on purchase.
More information can be found on this page of Air France’s website.
Air France certainly isn’t the first airline to offer stopover packages that bundle hotels, transfers and sightseeing into one booking. But Paris has always been one of those cities where many travelers say, “I’d love to spend a couple of days there…someday.”
This program makes that “someday” a little easier.
Whether the packages are worth the asking price depends on how they compare with booking the hotel, transportation and attractions on your own. But for travelers who prefer the convenience of having everything arranged in advance, it could be an easy way to turn an ordinary connection into a memorable side trip.
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