The new Air France Paris Stopover experience allows travellers to transform a connection at Paris-Charles de Gaulle into a one-to-four-night escape in the French capital and surrounding region
For South African travellers flying through Paris, a connection no longer has to mean simply passing through an airport. Air France and Extime Travel have unveiled Paris Stopover, a new travel experience that gives eligible passengers the opportunity to extend their connection and discover Paris before continuing to their final destination.
Launched as France moves through its peak tourism season, the service is designed and operated by Extime Travel, Groupe ADP’s airport retail and hospitality brand dedicated to tourism experiences.
With around 50% of Air France customers arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle connecting onwards to another destination, Paris Stopover presents an enticing alternative: leave the airport, check into a four or five-star hotel and make Paris part of the journey.
From Johannesburg to Paris – And Beyond
For South African travellers, Paris is an important gateway to Europe and destinations further afield. Paris Stopover gives passengers the option to deliberately extend that journey, whether on their outbound or return flight.
When booking an eligible Air France itinerary, customers can select a stopover in Paris and subsequently book an Extime Travel package for between one and four nights.
“For travellers from South Africa, Paris is often the gateway to Europe and beyond, so we’re particularly excited about an initiative that allows our customers to turn what might have simply been a connection into an opportunity to experience one of the world’s most iconic destinations,” says Joris Holtus, General Manager for East and Southern Africa, Nigeria and Ghana at Air France-KLM.
“Paris Stopover brings together the convenience of seamless travel with the opportunity to discover more of France, whether customers have just one night or several days to explore. It is another way we can enhance the journey for our customers and give them even more reason to make Paris part of their travel plans.”
What Does Air France Paris Stopover Include?
Once their flight has been booked, eligible Air France customers can choose from a selection of packages curated by Extime Travel.
Depending on the package, the experience can include convenient transfers, accommodation in carefully selected four or five-star hotels and activities tailored to the traveller’s interests and available time.
The Paris Must-See package focuses on the landmarks synonymous with the French capital, including the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum.
Families can instead opt for a Disneyland® Paris experience, turning an international connection into a short family holiday before travelling onwards.
Extime Travel plans to expand the programme with additional premium experiences alongside cultural, gastronomic and entertainment-focused excursions.
Why Spend Your Stopover in Paris?
The concept reflects growing interest among travellers in experiencing a destination rather than spending an extended connection inside an airport.
According to a study published by the Pégase Chair in April 2026, 81% of customers connecting through Paris said they were somewhat or very interested in leaving the airport during their connection to explore Paris or attractions near Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
For travellers with enough time between flights, Paris Stopover effectively adds another destination to an international itinerary without requiring a completely separate trip.
A night could mean dinner in Paris and a morning exploring the city. A longer stay could allow travellers to experience its museums, neighbourhoods, restaurants and landmarks before returning to Paris-Charles de Gaulle for their onward flight.
Four and Five-Star Stays Included
The packages have been created to make the stopover as straightforward as possible.
Accommodation includes one or several nights at selected four or five-star hotels in central Paris or Disneyland® Paris, depending on the chosen experience.
Transfers and selected activities are incorporated into the packages, while experiences can be adapted according to the amount of time available and individual preferences.
The idea is simple: instead of travellers having to arrange each element of a short Paris visit independently, Extime Travel coordinates the experience.
A New Chapter for the Paris-Charles de Gaulle Hub
Paris Stopover forms part of the Connect France strategic partnership signed by Air France-KLM and Groupe ADP in June 2025.
The partnership aims to strengthen the international appeal of the Air France hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle while using the global popularity of Paris and France as tourism destinations.
With the introduction of Paris Stopover, Air France and Extime Travel say Paris-Charles de Gaulle becomes the first major European hub to offer this type of dedicated tourism experience between flights.
Who Can Book Paris Stopover?
Paris Stopover is available to eligible Air France passengers connecting through Paris, regardless of whether they are travelling in Economy, Premium, Business or La Première.
Packages can be booked with Extime Travel up to 48 hours before departure, subject to availability.
The offer applies to customers who have booked tickets that include the Stopover option through the Air France website, with a minimum connection time of 27 hours.
For South Africans planning their next European or international journey, that extended connection could now become part of the holiday itself.
For more information, visit www.airfrance.co.za.
