Disrupted flight (EC 261/2004)

Flight compensation Air France:
Paris — Seattle

Planned legal compensation: 600 €

Was your flight between Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) and Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) delayed or cancelled? European law EC 261/2004 protects you with no upfront costs.

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Claim and compensation for flight Air France Paris - Seattle

The CDG - SEA route operated by Air France experienced a disruption? Whether it was a technical or operational issue, you could claim a flat sum.

European legislation strictly frames passenger rights. For a distance of 8 049 km as is the case here, legal compensation is due if the company is at fault.

Why are you entitled to 600 €?

The European Regulation EC 261/2004 is very strict regarding air passenger rights. The amount of fixed compensation does not depend on the price of your ticket, but only on the flight distance.

Details of your right to compensation

  • Departure airport: Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG)
  • Arrival airport: Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
  • Flight distance: 8 049 km (~10h04)
  • Applicable compensation: 600 €

The case law of the CJEU has strengthened these rights over the years, transforming Regulation 261/2004 into an effective shield against abuses by carriers like Air France.

How to know if the flight Air France Paris - Seattle is eligible?

To determine if your trip between Paris and Seattle entitles you to compensation, the main criterion is the delay at arrival (and not at departure). It must be more than 3 hours.

In the case of a cancellation, if you are notified less than 14 days before your departure from Paris, the regulation applies in the same way.

What are the conditions for Air France to compensate you?

  • Delay at arrival: You arrived with more than 3 hours delay at Seattle.
  • Cancellation: The airline cancelled the flight less than 14 days before departure.
  • Overbooking: You were denied boarding against your will at Paris airport.
  • Airline responsibility: The problem must be attributable to Air France (technical problem, sick crew, scheduling...).

Warning: Extraordinary circumstances (extreme weather preventing takeoff from Paris, air traffic controllers' strike, political instability) exempt the airline from its obligation to compensate.

The impact of a strike on your Air France compensation

When a social movement disrupts your itinerary to Seattle Tacoma International Airport, the company will often try to clear itself. However, a strike by its own staff is no longer, in the majority of cases, considered an exonerating circumstance.

On the other hand, if it is the air traffic controllers, the baggage handlers at Charles de Gaulle International Airport airport, or the security staff who are on strike, it is indeed an extraordinary circumstance. In this precise scenario, the 600 € will not be due.

What are your rights at Paris airport in case of prolonged wait?

During these long hours of waiting in the Charles de Gaulle International Airport terminal, know that the airline has a legal obligation to take care of you. This includes catering, but also the possibility of making two telephone calls or sending emails for free.

In the case of a flight postponement until the next day, the regulation stipulates that hotel accommodation and transfers from and to Charles de Gaulle International Airport airport are entirely the responsibility of the air carrier.

Steps: how to get your 600 € from Air France?

It is strongly recommended to keep your Air France boarding pass and any communication relating to the delay suffered at Charles de Gaulle International Airport airport. These documents will be vital for your case.

By entrusting your case regarding flight CDG-SEA to our experts, you benefit from the 'No Win, No Fee' principle.

How long does it take to get the 600 € compensation?

A frequent question concerns processing times. A claim filed directly with Air France customer service can take several weeks or even months before getting a response.

The advantage of delegating your claim to a major LegalTech player is that they can speed up this process thanks to automated formal notice systems and the constant threat of legal proceedings.

What to do faced with silence or refusal from the airline?

The first refusal from Air France should not discourage you. Very often, passenger services invoke 'weather' by default to test the traveler's determination.

A claim organization will know exactly how to counter the airline's arguments, having access to certified meteorological histories and traffic reports from Charles de Gaulle International Airport airport to prove their faults.

Help & Information

Frequently Asked Questions: Flight Paris - Seattle

Everything you need to know about your request under European Union law.

What is the exact amount of compensation for a cancelled Air France flight from Paris to Seattle?

According to European Regulation EC 261/2004, the distance between CDG and SEA being 8 049 km, the legal fixed compensation is set at 600 € per passenger, regardless of the initial price of the plane ticket.

How much time do I have to claim my compensation from Air France?

The legal limitation period depends on the country where the airline or the airport is based or the competent jurisdiction. Generally it varies from 2 to 5 years, but in France, you have up to 5 years to assert your rights.
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