Making Tight Transfers Easier: Air France’s Short Connection Pass at CDG Airport

Air France has taken a step forward in easing one of the most stressful parts of international travel: making a tight connection at a major hub. In partnership with Groupe ADP, the airline has introduced a new “Short Connection Pass” at Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport, designed to automatically prioritize passengers whose transfer times fall below a defined threshold. For example, if a traveler arrives from Toulouse at Terminal 2F with only 45 minutes to connect to a long-haul flight to New York JFK departing from Terminal 2E, the system detects the short connection and triggers fast-track access through both security and border control.

Photo by Negative Space: https://www.pexels.com/photo/walking-airport-travel-waiting-34134/

The process requires no action on the part of the passenger. Once the system identifies that a connection is at risk, the traveler receives a notification via SMS or email—soon to be expanded to the Air France mobile app and WhatsApp—confirming eligibility for priority processing. At airport checkpoints, scanning the boarding pass alerts staff to the short connection, and the passenger is directed to priority lanes at security and passport control. The entire mechanism is powered by real-time sharing of operational data between Air France, Groupe ADP, and relevant airport service teams.

What makes the initiative particularly significant is the scale at which it will be applied. Nearly half of the 140,000 daily Air France customers at Paris–Charles de Gaulle are connecting passengers. With a hub operation of this size, even small delays can cascade into missed flights and disrupted itineraries. The airline estimates that the Short Connection Pass will help limit these risks by streamlining the flow of passengers with tight transfer times, ensuring they can reach their departure gates without the anxiety of long queues.

This innovation also reflects a broader digital transformation strategy at Air France. The Short Connection Pass uses predictive technology and dynamic data points such as flight arrival times, walking distances, and queue lengths to anticipate bottlenecks. By addressing potential delays before they become critical, the system improves both customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. It is part of the “Connect France” initiative, a program launched in August 2025 to make Paris a more seamless and competitive hub for international travel.

Photo by . .: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-wearing-black-top-standing-near-table-928217/

For travelers, the benefit is clear: there is no need to register, apply, or request assistance. The process is automatic, free of charge, and embedded into the customer journey. For the airline and airport, the program offers a way to reduce missed connections, keep aircraft departures on schedule, and reinforce Paris–Charles de Gaulle’s role as one of the world’s leading global hubs.

The Short Connection Pass may appear to be a small change, but in the high-stakes world of air travel, where minutes can determine whether a journey succeeds or fails, it represents a meaningful improvement in the passenger experience. By blending automation, real-time data, and human support at critical points, Air France is betting that its customers will feel both more reassured and more likely to keep Paris as their preferred gateway to the world.

Header Photo Credit: Negative Space https://www.pexels.com/photo/walking-airport-travel-waiting-34134/