Time through Immigration at CDG

During normal height of summer travel to CDG (pre-Covid-19), we always gave customs, immigration and luggage at least 2-3 hours to get thru. Sometimes longer just to be safe because summer is normally crazy busy at CDG. At that early morning hour, it may not take that long but I can’t even guess what it’ll be like post virus.

Hooray, a regular non-Covid 19 question. Assuming things are back to normal, I think you should be out at the car rental place by 8:25, assuming your flight arrives on time. You will have access to the No 1. Priority lane for passport control and theoretically business class luggage comes out on a priority basis. Anything could happen though and it could take longer. I once saw a person faint in the priority line and the airport staff shut down the line and would not let us move over to other line. I've also had my luggage miss the connecting flight that I made and so ended up having to wait until the last piece of luggage came out before realizing that my piece had not made the flight. Those are odd times though because I have taken around 20 business class flights into CDG and those are the only two times I had a problem. Usually, the whole process from landing to walking out to get a taxi takes about 45 minutes. I've padded that time to get to 8:25. I have business class tickets for a trip to Paris leaving on June 17th and arriving on June 18th. I have not canceled yet but I expect that I will have to do that.

Thank you both for your replies.

The earlier report that the Boeing 747's being retired by KLM-AirFrance is fake news. No reference to the above news indicates that it being the case. . ..just grounded not retired.

Source for this?

Considering the original retirement was scheduled for 2021, even if your assertion is correct this appears to be a distinction without a difference. And, the fine folks over on Flyertalk seem to believe they are gone for good--see link below--I think for now I'll take their word for it.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/klm-flying-dutchman/1979931-great-klm-747-thread-7.html

We were on the last direct flight from CDG to Detroit on March 16th when the attendants told us France had just closed down and this would be their last flight for three months. So the airlines are counting a minimum of three months. As of April, there will be no US carrier flying to CDG. I wouldn’t pre-pay for anything, Famof4OK.

Flight schedules are changing almost daily. Delta may have ATL to CDG service that continues. By June, France may have lifted some restrictions if infections are under control and new cases subside. However, to avoid reinfecting the public, it would not be surprising that those from countries without serious control protocols will not be allowed entry into France.

Unless the US prioritizes containment, it may not have the virus under control by June.

Absolutely it could change but according to The Points Guy, published 3/23, there will be no flights by the US big three flying to CDG in April. Air France routes weren't included in the article. Until there is a vaccine or effective treatment, life will be different.

Right now there is only one AF flight a day between CDG and the U.S. some days the flight is to/from LAX; some days to/from JFK.

The government is saying today that it will close Orly temporarily as of 3/31.