Air France to operate special flights for Pope Leo XIV’s first visit to France

Air France will operate three special flights for Pope Leo XIV during his first visit to France, from 25 to 28 September 2026.

A dedicated Airbus A321 will carry the Pope and his entourage, including more than 70 Vatican officials, security personnel and Swiss Guards, together with over 80 accredited journalists. During the mission, the aircraft will temporarily bear the name “Cité du Vatican” on its fuselage and display the Vatican coat of arms beside the forward boarding door.

The itinerary includes Paris-Orly–Tarbes-Lourdes on 26 September, followed by Lourdes–Metz-Nancy and Metz-Nancy–Rome-Fiumicino on 28 September. Transavia will operate an additional special Orly–Lourdes flight for cardinals, bishops and journalists.

The papal services will be classified as state flights and receive priority handling. More than 100 Air France employees will participate in the operation, covering flight and cabin crews, maintenance, ground handling, security, protocol, catering and coordination.

Before departure from Orly, Air France will present Pope Leo XIV with a collector’s poster recalling the airline’s historic role in religious travel. Previous papal missions include carrying John Paul II aboard Concorde from Réunion to Lusaka in 1989 and operating flights for Benedict XVI’s visit to France in 2008.