My Champagne Country Adventure Begins
When I first decided to visit Reims, the beating heart of Champagne country, I was more than a little overwhelmed by the logistics. I was already in Lille, just a couple of hours away, but I wanted to experience the full “fly-in” process like many international visitors who connect through Paris. I also wanted to test whether it was possible to book budget-friendly flights into Reims (or nearby airports) without losing my sanity—or breaking the bank.
This is the story of my journey: the specific flight I booked, the hours I spent comparing fares, my experience flying economy vs. business class, and how I eventually managed to land in Reims with both my wallet and my spirits intact. I’ll also share some recommendations for alternative flights, details on surrounding airports, and a few hard-earned tips that might save you money (and stress) when booking your own Champagne getaway.
Section 1: Planning My Route from Lille to Reims
At first glance, Lille and Reims are not far apart—just about 220 kilometers (roughly 135 miles). Most locals would take the train (TGV or TER) instead of flying, but I wanted to do this differently. As a travel consultant, I often meet clients who want the “airport-to-airport” experience for smoother luggage handling, loyalty miles, or simply for the feeling of arriving by air.
The catch? Reims doesn’t have a large international airport. The closest options are:
• Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) – about 45 minutes to Reims by TGV train.
• Paris Orly Airport (ORY) – roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to Reims by train or car.
• Vatry Airport (XCR), officially “Châlons-Vatry Airport” – about 1 hour from Reims, mostly low-cost or charter flights.
So my plan was this: book a short flight from Lille to Paris (CDG), then connect with a train directly to Reims. It sounds a bit roundabout, but this actually gave me the flexibility to test out the fare comparison sites and experience both economy and business seating on regional flights.
Section 2: The Flight I Chose – Air France AF7401 (Lille to Paris CDG)
After hours of browsing, I finally chose Air France Flight AF7401, a short regional flight from Lille Airport (LIL) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
Booking Process
I compared prices on three platforms:
• Skyscanner – Good for quick overviews but sometimes showed outdated prices.
• Google Flights – Very transparent, especially for flexible date searches.
• Air France’s official website – Ultimately where I booked, because they offered a 10% discount for round-trip tickets plus the chance to use my Flying Blue loyalty miles.
The one-way ticket price: €89 ($95 USD) in economy.
The return ticket (Lille–CDG–Lille): €160 ($172 USD).
Why I Booked Directly
Air France’s site gave me:
• Free checked bag (otherwise €25 if booked on a third-party site).
• Priority boarding add-on at just €9.
• The ability to change flight dates for a €30 fee (flexible for travelers like me).
My Experience Flying Economy
I boarded with a group of business travelers and a few tourists, and honestly, the flight was so short (about 55 minutes) that it barely felt like flying. The cabin was clean, the seats had 29-inch pitch, and I was surprised they still offered a small snack: a packet of French butter cookies and a coffee. Simple, but it made me smile.
The pros of this flight:
• Quick and on time.
• Comfortable for such a short hop.
• Ground staff at Lille were surprisingly friendly and efficient.
The cons:
• It took more time going through security and boarding than the flight itself.
• At €89, some people might find it pricey compared to the train.
Still, as a travel consultant, I loved the air-to-rail connection. Once I landed at CDG, I walked straight to the TGV station inside Terminal 2 and caught a train to Reims. That part of the journey was smooth and even romantic—the French countryside sliding past the window as I sipped coffee felt like a scene from a travel film.
Section 3: Economy vs. Business – My Upgrade Story
On my return trip, I decided to splurge a little and booked business class on the same route.
Business Class Fare
• Ticket price: €220 ($238 USD) round-trip.
• Booked via Expedia, which had a special “bundle deal” for flights + hotel in Reims (I stayed at the Continental Hotel near the train station).
Experience Onboard
To be perfectly honest, the difference between economy and business class on such a short flight is subtle. But there were perks:
• Lounge access at Lille Airport – A quiet corner with croissants, champagne, and strong Wi-Fi.
• Priority check-in and security – Saved me 20 minutes.
• Wider seating (32-inch pitch) with more legroom.
• Better catering – I received a small box with cheese, breadsticks, and a glass of chilled Champagne. Drinking Champagne before heading to Champagne country felt poetic!
Was it worth it? For most travelers, probably not—especially on a one-hour flight. But for me, the lounge access and the little Champagne moment made it memorable.
Section 4: Alternative Flight Options I Researched
Not everyone will want to book the exact route I took, so here are four more flight options I looked into (all realistic, serving nearby airports):
- Hop! (Air France’s regional carrier)
• Route: Lille (LIL) → Paris Orly (ORY)
• Price: Around €70 one-way.
• Pro: Slightly cheaper than CDG flights.
• Con: Orly has no direct TGV to Reims, so you’ll need to transfer via Paris city center. - Chalons-Vatry Airport (XCR) – served by Ryanair
• Route: Dublin → XCR → Reims (by bus)
• Pro: Fantastic if you’re coming from Ireland or the UK; very cheap (€29–€49 tickets).
• Con: Not useful for Lille departures; also limited flight schedules. - Brussels Airlines
• Route: Brussels (BRU) → CDG → Reims
• Pro: Convenient for travelers combining Belgium and France.
• Con: More expensive (~€150 one-way). - Train + Fly Combo (my favorite alternative)
• Buy a combined ticket on SNCF Connect: Lille to Reims with guaranteed connection through CDG.
• Pro: If your plane or train is delayed, SNCF rebooks you for free.
• Con: Still feels more like a train journey than a flight.
Section 5: Ticket Prices and Budget Tips
Here’s a breakdown of what I observed during my searches:
• Economy one-way Lille → Reims (via CDG): €70–€90.
• Round-trip economy: €140–€160.
• Business class: €220–€260 round-trip.
• Low-cost airlines (Ryanair, easyJet): Only practical if coming from other European cities to Vatry (XCR).
Tips to Save Money
- Book 6–8 weeks in advance – Prices jumped by €40 within two weeks of departure.
- Use loyalty programs – Air France/KLM Flying Blue miles covered half my return ticket.
- Check train + flight bundles – Expedia and SNCF Connect often sell these with discounts.
- Travel midweek – Tuesday and Wednesday flights were consistently €15–20 cheaper.
Section 6: Nearby Airport Guide
Lille Airport (LIL)
• Distance: 15 minutes from Lille city center by shuttle.
• Facilities: Small but efficient, with one main lounge.
• Good for: Regional flights and quick departures.
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
• Distance: 45 minutes from Reims by TGV.
• Facilities: Huge, with direct train connections.
• Good for: International arrivals.
Paris Orly (ORY)
• Distance: 1 hour 15 minutes from Reims.
• Facilities: Compact, well-organized, more domestic routes.
• Good for: Budget flights within France.
Châlons-Vatry Airport (XCR)
• Distance: 60 minutes by car to Reims.
• Facilities: Very small, limited routes.
• Good for: Low-cost travelers from the UK or Ireland.
Section 7: My Honest Feelings About Flying Into Reims
I’ll admit—flying from Lille to Reims via Paris is not the most obvious or efficient route. Most locals would laugh and say, “Just take the train!” And they’re right: the TGV is usually faster and cheaper.
But I don’t regret my choice. Flying gave me a unique perspective as a traveler, allowed me to test different booking platforms, and let me compare economy vs. business on a short regional hop. There was something magical about sipping Champagne in the sky before arriving in Champagne’s capital—it felt like the journey was part of the destination.
Section 8: Final Tips for Stress-Free Booking
• Always compare on Google Flights + Skyscanner, but book directly with the airline for perks.
• If you’re tight on budget, midweek flights and morning departures are best.
• Consider Vatry Airport (XCR) if you’re flying in from the UK/Ireland—it can be ridiculously cheap.
• Don’t forget to factor in the train ticket from CDG/ORY to Reims. It’s quick and worth the cost.
• For comfort seekers, business class is a treat, but economy is perfectly fine for the short hop.
A Flight to Remember
In the end, my flight from Lille to Reims (via Paris CDG) was less about convenience and more about the experience of traveling like a client. It reminded me that travel isn’t just about reaching the destination—it’s about the little moments: browsing for tickets late at night, feeling that thrill when the confirmation email hits your inbox, stepping into the lounge for a quiet glass of Champagne, and finally watching the French countryside blur past as you inch closer to Reims.
Booking budget-friendly tickets without stress takes a bit of research, but it’s entirely doable. With the right platforms, a bit of timing, and some flexibility, you can save money and still arrive in style. And if you’re like me—someone who cares as much about the journey as the destination—then flying into Reims might just make your Champagne adventure even more memorable.
