Air France to Fly Pope Leo XIV During Papal Visit to France

Air France will provide transportation for Pope Leo XIV during his visit to France from 25 to 28 September 2026.

For the occasion, the airline will dedicate an Airbus A321 to carry Pope Leo XIV, his delegation of Cardinals and a delegation of accredited journalists. The aircraft will display the coat of arms of Vatican City, both on its exterior and inside the cabin.

Air France flight schedule for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France

• Saturday 26 September 2026: Departure from the Honorary Pavilion at Paris-Orly airport (ORY) at 5.45 pm, bound for Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées airport (LDE);

• Monday 28 September 2026 at 07.40: departure from Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées (LDE) airport to Metz-Nancy-Lorraine airport (ETZ);

• Monday 28 September 2026 at 19.00: departure from Metz-Nancy-Lorraine airport (ETZ) to Rome-Fiumicino airport (FCO).

Air France is proud to play its part in Pope Leo XIV’s first visit to France.

Before Leo XIV, John Paul II and Benedict XVI also travelled on Air France.

Over the years, Air France has had the privilege of transporting the Holy Father on several occasions, both within France and internationally.

On 2 May 1989, Air France transported Pope John Paul II aboard the Concorde from Saint-Denis, Réunion Island to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, during his African tour. This flight remains one of the most iconic moments in the history of aviation associated with papal travel.

On 22 September 1996, Air France also operated Pope John Paul II’s return flight from Reims to Rome-Fiumicino, following another visit to France, on board an Airbus A310.

More recently, in 2008, Air France operated two special flights during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to France: one between Paris-Orly and Lourdes, and another between Lourdes and Rome. Both flights were operated with a Airbus A321.