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New to travel… Flying from Florence to Detroit, connecting through CDG on Air France

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Could someone please explain how customs, immigration, security, etc… work when flying from Florence to Detroit and connecting through CDG all on the same ticket? I’m completely new to all this.

I believe my one piece of check luggage will be checked on through from Florence to Detroit.

What I’m looking for specifically is what will I have to do at CDG other than find the departure gate for my DTW flight?
My round trip ticket was purchased through Delta and Delta was the airline that flew me to Rome, but my return to DTW is on Air France.

I’m nervous and have heard horror stories of CDG.

Thank you!

Posted by
570 posts

Florence to CDG is within the “Schengen” area so it is like flying domestically in the States - just a security check in Florence. Once at CDG, you will go through passport control (immigration) because you will be boarding an international flight to Detroit. Most likely you will also go through security again. Your luggage will be checked through from Florence to Detroit (check that it is tagged correctly in Florence.) Once in Detroit, you will go through passport control to enter the US. Then you will pick up your luggage and go through customs.

Air France is a partner with Delta. It’s possible that your FLR-CDG flight is on Air France, and your CDG-Detroit flight is on Delta. But it really doesn’t make much of a difference in your experience.

Don’t worry about CDG and all the “horror” stories. It’s a big, busy airport, but just follow the signs and you will be fine (how long is your layover? Two hours or more should be okay.). I have flown through it many times and, while it’s not my favorite airport, I’ve always gotten through it with no problem.

The easycdg.com website is excellent in helping you figure out your route through the airport and much more.

Posted by
16047 posts

Done many times, to SFO rather than DFW.
From FLR you will fly to CDG aboard a A318 or A319 jet.
Flying from FLR to CDG is like flying domestically in the US. No passport controls or customs involved.
Your checked baggage in Florence will go through all the way to DFW so you won’t have to worry about that luggage until you arrive in the US..
The flight from FLR will almost certainly arrive at Terminal 2F of CDG.
Your AF flight to DFW will almost certainly depart from Terminal 2E.
During the transfer from 2F to 2E you will go through a passport control check as well as security again (but no need to remove your shoes in Europe).
Terminal 2E is actually 3 separate terminal buildings: L Gates, K gates, M gates. You have to determine which gate number your DFW flight departs from to find out which building to go to. The gate number at CDG will be a letter followed by a number, so for example, gate M15 will be gate 15 in Terminal 2E - M gates building. Refer to the EasyCDG link provided above to get familiar with the various options. Going from 2F to 2E K Gates is different than going to the L or M gates. To go to K you can walk underground walkway, to L or M a peoplemover or airside bus are involved.

Posted by
2 posts

Maybe I just needed my hand held for just a second…

Thank you all. What is old hat for most of you is new to me. I very much appreciate the time it took to share your experiences. Yes, the return flight is on Air France. I did look up both the Delta and AF flight numbers so I could be aware of how things might be listed on the boards. I do have the AF and Delta apps and have my passport info in both, just in case. I’m getting very excited for our trip.

Very grateful!

Also flying with an insulin pump and CGM, should be interesting outside of the US and not with the TSA. Fingers crossed!

Cliona

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