Air France lets you fast track short layovers

The Air France-KLM Group has implemented a new priority system for customers based on their short connection time at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. It is called the “Short Connection Pass”.

According to a media statement, the priority service will kick in when the connection time drops below a certain threshold, i.e. 45 minutes when arriving at Terminal 2F and departing from Terminal 2E Hall K.

It will automatically trigger for relevant customers, without having to make a request, says Air France-KLM.

The airline explains how it works:

• Upon arrival of their inbound flight at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport — if not before — customers receive an SMS and an email informing them that, due to the short time available to reach the boarding gate of their next flight, they are eligible for priority access at security checks and border control. This message will soon also be sent via a notification in the Air France mobile app and a WhatsApp message.
• When customers arrive at security checks and border control, their boarding passes are scanned, and Groupe ADP’s customer service staff are automatically notified of the short connection. They then offer priority access.

The goal for introducing a priority service is to minimise processing time and help customers reach their boarding gate in the allotted time.

The Short Connection Pass is the first result of an outcome from the Connect France partnership announced by the airline and Groupe ADP in June 2025.

Air France-KLM other conveniences 

Another proposed outcome for this initiative is to increase direct boarding via jet bridges, i.e. to minimise bus transfers for long haul international passengers and those with connecting flights. It plans to have a solution by 2026.

Air France-KLM offer a host of other conveniences, such as step-by-step assistance via Whatsapp notifications for certain connections at CDG and Amsterdam Schiphol airports. Customers need to opt in to receive Whatsapp notifications to receive key information, like boarding gate info, estimated transfer time, walking time and steps to follow at the airport.

It also supports an online document submission option by scanning your passport details during check-in through a smartphone camera. The airline says more than three million documents have been processed since rolling out the feature in March 2025.

The ability to save passport and visa info is already available on your profile once signed in. I’ve made use of it numerous times. As is being able to track your flight in real-time via an iOS widget that works on the lock screen of an iPhone or on an Apple Watch.

The airline plans to introduce free Starlink satellite WiFi on flights in 2025.