Air France Suspends Paris-Manila Service for Summer 2026

Air France has announced a significant adjustment to its Southeast Asian network, confirming that its direct service between Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Manila (MNL) will transition from year-round to seasonal operation starting in 2026.

The SkyTeam carrier will temporarily suspend the route for the duration of the Northern Summer 2026 season, effective from May 4 to October 12, 2026. This decision comes just over a year after the airline triumphantly returned to the Philippine market in December 2024, following a 20-year hiatus.

Revised Flight Schedule and Suspension Details

The suspension specifically targets the peak European summer period, with the final outbound flight from Paris scheduled for early May. Operations are slated to resume in time for the Northern Winter 2026–2027 schedule.

Note: Suspension begins May 4, 2026. Service resumes approximately October 27, 2026.

Fleet and Demand Optimisation

Aviation analysts view this shift as a tactical "rebalancing" of Air France’s long haul fleet. By converting Manila to a seasonal service, the airline can redeploy its high efficient Airbus A350-900 aircraft to high-demand transatlantic or European leisure routes during the busy summer months.

Analyst Insight: "While the Manila relaunch was a major milestone for connectivity between Europe and the Philippines, ultra long-haul routes are notoriously sensitive to seasonal yield fluctuations. Air France is likely prioritising its North American network for the summer peak while leaning on its sister carrier, KLM, to maintain the group's presence in Manila."

Alternative Travel Options for Summer 2026

Despite the temporary pause in direct Air France operations, passengers will still have several SkyTeam options to reach the Philippines from Europe:

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: Air France’s partner continues to operate 4x weekly flights between Amsterdam (AMS) and Manila. Together, the two airlines typically offer a coordinated daily service to the capital.

Regional Connections: Travellers can still book through-fares via major Asian hubs like Taipei (China Airlines) or Seoul (Korean Air), both of which maintain robust schedules to Manila and integrate seamlessly with Air France’s European network.

The Airbus A350-900 currently serving the route features Air France's latest cabin products, including 34 Business Class suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats, and 266 Economy seats. These high-spec interiors will remain the standard when the route returns in late October 2026.