Air France, Transavia and Corsair Crew Strike for October 17–21 Is Suspended

October 14, 2026 — The five-day walkout by French pilots and cabin crew that was set for October 17–21 has been suspended. The union coalition behind it stood the notice down after the government agreed to protect the crews’ pension fund, so Air France, Transavia France and Corsair are not facing a crew strike at the start of the Toussaint school holidays.

What happened

Five unions had called the national strike: the pilots’ union SNPL and the cabin crew unions UNSA PNC, SNPNC-FO, SNGAF and UNAC. It was to run from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, October 17 to 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21. About 36,000 crew members were covered, and Air France, Transavia France and Corsair were named as the airlines most exposed.

The fight was over France’s new rules on cumul emploi-retraite, which govern drawing a pension while still working. These rules apply to basic pensions starting on or after January 1, 2027. The unions wanted flight crew and their supplementary pension fund, the CRPN, kept out of the reform. They pointed out that medical checks and age limits can end a flying career early.

Why the notice was lifted

October 9: The cabin crew union SNPNC-FO announced the suspension. It said an interministerial circular had been rewritten, and that a CRPN board decision that day means the CRPN pension will not be reduced in these cases before a first basic pension has been paid.
October 12: Business-travel outlet DéplacementsPros reported that the whole union coalition, SNPL included, had suspended the notice. The government has promised a new decree and a rewritten circular that give crews more protection.
Still pending: When these reports came out, the decree had not yet been published in the Journal Officiel. The unions warn that the suspension is “not a blank cheque”. If the decree is late or the promises are not kept, they could file a new notice. No date for a new notice has been given (TBA).

Note: Some travel sites published on October 14 still describe the strike as going ahead. The union statements say it has been suspended.

What it means for non-revs

You don’t need to avoid Paris for strike reasons from October 17 to 21. If you had moved trips off Air France or Transavia for those dates, you can look at them again.
Loads will still be heavy. The French Toussaint school holidays run from October 17 to November 2, so expect full family-leisure flights out of CDG, Orly, Nice, Lyon and Marseille, especially on the first and last weekends. Check loads before you list, and have a backup on another carrier.
The threat could come back. The unions have said they will restart action if the decree doesn’t come. Keep an eye on it before any late-October or November trip through France.
Riyadh is still off. Separately, Air France-KLM has suspended Riyadh flights through the end of October because the airport there is closed.