An Air France flight, AF136, en route from Paris (CDG) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD) experienced a dramatic mid-air turnaround on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The Airbus A350-900, after nearly seven hours in the air, was forced to return to Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) due to reported clearance issues at Chicago O'Hare.
What Happened to Air France Flight AF136?
According to reports, the flight crew made the decision to reverse course while flying over the mid-Atlantic, between Iceland and Greenland. The reason cited was a denial of landing clearance at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. This left passengers stunned and the airline industry searching for answers.
Flight data confirms that AF136 departed Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport at 12:49 local time, following a typical northerly transatlantic route. However, at approximately 16:30 CEST, the decision was made to return to Paris, even though the aircraft had completed nearly half of its journey.
Passenger Reactions and Airline Response
Passengers expressed confusion and frustration as their anticipated arrival in Chicago was replaced by a return to Paris. One passenger contacted news outlets, reporting that the reroute was due to the flight not receiving landing authorization. Air France confirmed the return was for “operational reasons,” but provided no further details.
The flight landed safely back in Paris six hours and 37 minutes after departure. Air France arranged overnight accommodations for the affected passengers and rebooked them on a replacement flight, AF4080. The incident raises questions about communication and coordination between airlines and airports and highlights the complexities of international air travel.
The aviation industry is now scrutinizing the event, seeking to understand how such a significant disruption could occur and what measures can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.