The CDG Express is scheduled to enter service on March 28, 2027, providing a direct 20-minute link between Paris Gare de l'Est and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Hello Paris, the joint venture between Keolis and RATP Dev, has unveiled the trains that will operate the service. Alstom will supply 13 Coradia trainsets, designed and built in France, with a distinctive aerodynamic exterior and interiors tailored to air travelers' needs.
The trains feature a sleek white front with a large black windscreen that curves up to the roof, and red lights integrated into dark, teardrop-shaped housings. Inside, the focus is on clarity and space optimization. Seats are bicolored in pearl gray and navy blue, with bright red-orange grab handles. Large luggage storage areas are located near doors and in the center of each car, designed to keep aisles clear. The trains are accessible to passengers with reduced mobility and include onboard toilets.
Connectivity is a key feature: digital screens will display real-time flight information, and Wi-Fi, power outlets, and work spaces will be available. A premium "Club" lounge, marked by red signage, offers a quieter environment for business travelers. Hello Paris promises attentive service with dedicated staff on platforms and onboard.
The CDG Express will run every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, covering 32 km (8 km on new tracks) without intermediate stops. It is positioned as a premium alternative to the RER B, which currently serves both daily commuters and airport passengers. The service will not accept the Navigo pass, and the fare is expected to be higher than the RER B, in line with international airport express links.
For ATPL and ATC students, this development illustrates the integration of surface transport with airport operations, a key factor in airport capacity and passenger flow management. Understanding such infrastructure projects helps future aviation professionals appreciate the logistical ecosystem supporting major hubs like Charles de Gaulle, which handled over 70 million passengers in 2025.