Orange holiday eSIM card installation vs. activation

I have used an Orange eSIM in both Spain an Portugal (both on an Android phone).

I believe that the "cellular plan" refers to whether you select the 14-day, 30 day, 12GB or 30 GB etc plan.

Once you paid for it, you can easily install it onto your phone while still in North America by following the instructions. The plan will not start to run until you activate it.

The only way that Orange will activate is when you actually land somewhere in Europe with the orange coverage. That would mean landing in Spain or Portugal. If for example you have a stopover in Frankfurt, the plan will also activate at that point unless you have your phone in airplane mode.

Thank you, funpig for your advice as always.
So if I understand correctly the steps to add Orange Holiday as a new line, turn off roaming off primary SIM, and turn on airplane mode “before you travel” on installation guide can be done either in Europe or home country, but rather recommended to do in home country to get ready to go and avoid roaming charges?

I used an Orange esim on three separate trips to Europe last year. It will be delivered as a QR code in an email, and you can go ahead and install it. On your iPhone, go to settings/general/cellular and you should see the new French phone number as well as your regular number. I label mine as Home and Travel; in the U.S., Home is primary coverage and Travel is secondary. In Europe, the opposite.

When you're arriving in Europe, your phone will be in Airplane Mode. Leave it like that, then go to settings as above and change your U.S. number to secondary and your Orange number to primary. When you take your phone off airplane mode, the Orange plan will activate.

Hope that's helpful. I chose Orange because you can use it as a tether (mobile hot spot) and have a phone number, which is handy for restaurant reservations, etc.

Thank you so much, Felicia aka RaleighTraveler!
Now I have a clear understanding.
I am in Lisbon airport awaiting connection to Barcelona and was able to activate Orange Holiday successfully (hence my reply).
So excited for my trip to Spain and Portugal.
Appreciate everyone for advice again!

Hope I'm not hijacking too bad here, but how far in advance can I purchase and install an Orange esim card before I travel and activate it? Only asking because I need my anticipated European phone number for some documents, but I won't be traveling for 4-5 months.
Thanks in advance

How far in advance can I purchase and install an Orange esim card before I travel and activate it?

In their activation documents, they say "To avoid deactivation of the SIM at least one top-up must be made every 6 months, plus 1 additional month," which I read as six months from purchase. If you can use the eSim, just buy it when you need it. It's email delivery, less than an hour. Super easy.

Do be aware that there may be a registration requirement. On the Orange Holiday 50Gb eSim I purchased for Iceland/Czechia, the French phone number required registration within 30 days of activation. Since I was there less than 28 days, I did not, and it was deactivated after I returned. Their Spain phone offer does not appear to have that grace period.