Flying into Lille was never something I imagined would become such a memorable part of my travels. I’ve flown long-haul across oceans, hopped between European capitals, and endured the occasional budget airline nightmare. But flying from Amiens to Lille, a short regional journey tucked away in northern France, turned into a surprisingly instructive adventure.
When you think of flying, you might picture the glamour of international terminals or the hassle of budget carriers. Lille’s airport, Lille-Lesquin Airport (LIL), may not be the biggest in Europe, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in accessibility. My mission for this trip was simple: find an affordable flight without giving up comfort.
I want to walk you through exactly how I booked, what my experience on the flight was like, what options are out there for other travelers, and a handful of insider hacks I learned along the way. If you’re thinking of flying into Lille — whether from Amiens, Paris, or beyond — this guide is for you.
My Own Flight: Amiens to Lille
Booking the Flight
Let’s start with my own flight. I flew with Air France Hop! (AFR 7452), the regional service of Air France, which operates many short-haul flights around France. Most people would tell you to take a train or bus from Amiens to Lille, as the distance is not that far. But I wanted the experience of comparing regional flights firsthand — plus, I had a connection planned from Lille to Copenhagen, so it made sense to start from the airport.
I booked my ticket via Omio.com, one of my favorite platforms for intra-Europe travel. I also checked Skyscanner and Kayak, but Omio had the cleanest interface and, more importantly, showed me discounted regional fares I hadn’t found elsewhere.
The price for a one-way economy seat was €78. The return option was €140 round trip. After comparing, I booked a one-way, since my onward travel from Lille didn’t involve coming back to Amiens.
Boarding and Seating
I opted for economy class, partly to save money and partly because for a flight under 45 minutes, business class felt unnecessary. That said, I did peek at business fares — around €195 one-way — and honestly, unless you’re traveling for work and need the perks, economy is more than enough.
The plane was an Embraer 170, with two seats on each side. My seat, 12A, was by the window. The upholstery was clean, and the legroom was surprisingly generous for such a small aircraft. I’m 5’11” and usually brace myself for cramped knees, but here, I had space to stretch without bumping the seat in front.
In-Flight Experience
The crew was warm, efficient, and spoke both French and English with ease. I received a complimentary drink (a choice between juice, water, or coffee) and a small snack packet. It wasn’t a full meal — but then again, this wasn’t the kind of flight where you’d expect one.
What stood out most was how smooth and quiet the flight was. Taking off from Amiens-Glisy felt almost surreal because the airport is so small — nothing like Charles de Gaulle chaos. Within minutes, we were cruising at a low altitude, and I got a bird’s-eye view of the French countryside: patchwork fields, winding rivers, and the occasional glimpse of tiny villages that looked like something out of an impressionist painting.
Landing at Lille-Lesquin Airport was just as smooth. The descent gave me a sweeping view of Lille’s modern outskirts before touching down on a calm runway.
My Honest Feelings
I’ll admit: part of me thought this flight would feel unnecessary compared to just taking a train. But the convenience of arriving directly at Lille’s airport, especially since I had an international connection the next day, was unbeatable.
Comfort-wise, I didn’t feel like I was missing out by choosing economy. The flight was short enough that extras like reclining seats or premium meals weren’t really relevant. I felt satisfied that I’d struck a good balance: affordable yet comfortable travel.
Ticket Options: One-Way vs. Round-Trip
When planning this trip, I compared both one-way and round-trip tickets:
• One-way (Economy): €78 – €95 depending on day of week.
• Round-trip (Economy): €140 – €180 if booked two weeks ahead.
• Business fares: €195 one-way, €350–€400 round-trip.
My advice? Unless you’re doing a simple back-and-forth itinerary, stick with one-way tickets when traveling regionally in France. This gives you more flexibility to connect to other cities.
Platforms I Used for Booking
- Omio.com – Best for regional connections, integrated with buses and trains.
- Skyscanner.com – Great for comparing across multiple carriers.
- Kayak.com – I used it mostly to check historical price trends.
- Official Air France website – Sometimes offers last-minute upgrades.
I ended up booking through Omio because they displayed multi-modal routes, and I wanted to compare flight vs. train vs. bus before making my choice.
Four Recommended Flight Options
Aside from the Air France Hop! flight I took, here are four additional flight options that I researched and recommend considering if you’re flying into Lille from different points:
- Air France Hop! AF 7454 (Morning Flight)
• Departure: 9:10 AM from Amiens
• Arrival: 9:55 AM in Lille
• Price: Around €82 economy
• Why I recommend: Perfect for connecting with mid-day European flights out of Lille. - Twin Jet (Private Regional Service)
• Departure: Flexible charter-style from Amiens
• Price: €120–€160 economy
• Why I recommend: More expensive, but Twin Jet offers slightly more comfort and flexible timing. - Air France Hop! AF 7456 (Evening Service)
• Departure: 6:15 PM Amiens
• Arrival: 7:00 PM Lille
• Price: €88 economy
• Why I recommend: Convenient if you want to spend a full day in Amiens before flying. - Paris CDG to Lille Shuttle Flight (via HOP!)
• Departure: Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
• Arrival: Lille-Lesquin
• Price: €110 one-way economy
• Why I recommend: If you can’t find Amiens flights, CDG has regular connections to Lille.
Nearby Airport Information
• Lille-Lesquin Airport (LIL)
o Location: 7 km southeast of Lille city center.
o Transport: Shuttle buses every 20 minutes to downtown Lille (€8), taxis at flat rates, or rideshare.
o Facilities: Compact but efficient — a few cafes, duty-free shops, and car rentals.
• Amiens-Glisy Airport
o Location: Just outside Amiens city, very small and mainly regional.
o Facilities: Limited services — check in advance as the terminal is modest.
• Alternative Option: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
o If you can’t find Amiens flights, flying into CDG and then connecting via train to Lille (1 hour) is another solid route.
My Insider Tips for Flying Into Lille
• Book Early: Regional flights sell out quickly, especially if they connect to larger hubs. Two weeks in advance is the sweet spot.
• Compare with Trains: Sometimes the TGV Amiens–Lille route can be cheaper and faster. Always check both before committing.
• Use Flexible Dates: Prices can vary by €20–€40 depending on weekday vs. weekend.
• Pack Light: Many regional carriers enforce strict baggage limits (1 carry-on under 8 kg).
• Check Lille’s Shuttle Bus Times: If your flight arrives late, taxis are the only option.
Personal Reflection
What I loved about this trip wasn’t just the act of flying, but the luxury of choice. Too often we forget that regional airports can open doors to convenient and comfortable travel options, even for relatively short distances.
Flying from Amiens to Lille might not be the most conventional choice, but it fit my itinerary perfectly. The fact that I could find a ticket under €80 and still arrive rested and ready for my next leg of travel made it worthwhile.
It reminded me that affordable comfort is possible if you’re flexible, curious, and willing to explore beyond the obvious routes.
Flying into Lille taught me something important: you don’t always need to choose between budget and comfort. With a bit of research, comparison, and willingness to try regional carriers, you can strike a perfect balance.
For me, booking the Air France Hop! AF 7452 flight from Amiens was the right call. It was short, sweet, and comfortable — exactly what I needed. But I also discovered that Lille’s connectivity through both Amiens and Paris makes it a versatile destination for all kinds of travelers.
If you’re planning your own trip, my advice is this: don’t overlook small regional flights. They may not always make sense on a map, but in practice, they can save you time, money, and a lot of stress. And sometimes, like in my case, they can turn into an unexpectedly enjoyable chapter of your travel story.
So next time you’re eyeing Lille on the map, remember — whether you fly economy, upgrade to business, or just take the train — the journey is as much a part of the adventure as the destination itself.
