Last updated: 9 October 2026, Paris time
Paul Andreu’s circular landmark is more than an airport terminal: it is a piece of French architectural history reinvented for international travel and the Star Alliance—with one access detail that prevents CDG’s most common mistake.
The concrete circle that changed airport design
When Terminal 1 opened in 1974, its premise was radical: a circular central building surrounded by independent satellites reached through tunnels. Inside the cylinder, transparent escalator tubes cross like a piece of cinematic futurism. The composition became architect Paul Andreu’s signature and one of the most instantly recognisable buildings in French aviation.
What was visionary in the 1970s still needed a twenty-first-century passenger journey. The terminal closed on 30 March 2020 and the interruption enabled a wider modernisation. When it reopened in December 2022, the defining addition was a 36,000-sq-m connector joining former satellites 1, 2 and 3, including a roughly 5,600-sq-m boarding lounge. Capacity also expanded to nearly 90 bag-drop positions and 130 multi-airline self-service kiosks.
Who flies from Terminal 1?
Terminal 1 is international by character and is especially associated with Star Alliance members. The selection below is representative, not a fixed operating promise:
| Group | Examples | Practical point |
|---|---|---|
| Star Alliance | Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, United, Turkish Airlines, ANA, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal | An individual flight or check-in area can change. |
| Other international airlines | Qatar Airways, Saudia and other seasonal or long-haul operators | Check by flight number, not airline name alone. |
Your boarding pass, the airline app and Paris Aéroport’s live display on the day are definitive. An airline can use more than one terminal.
Getting there: the trap hidden in the station name
From the TGV/RER station in Terminal 2, use CDGVAL as well. By taxi, car or private chauffeur, state “Terminal 1” explicitly.
Departing, arriving and connecting
Confirm the check-in level and gate before moving through the building; the circular plan can make distances look shorter than they are. During a connection, follow the official Connections route. Whether passport control or security is repeated depends on origin, destination and baggage arrangements. Do not leave the secure zone because a generic map appears shorter.
Services and lounges
Expect Wi‑Fi, food, retail, tax refund facilities where eligible, information desks and reduced-mobility support. Lounge access depends on airline, cabin and status; check the invitation in your carrier’s app. Request PRM assistance through the airline at least 48 hours ahead where possible.
Is an airport a mirror of the state?
Effective security does not need disorder or raised voices. It combines clear wayfinding, cameras, automated controls when eligible, trained teams and border police working both visibly and quietly. No one should solicit a tip in a washroom or press an unofficial service. Pay through official channels only; ask for identification and approach information staff or police if harassed. Multiple checks may reflect a Schengen-border change, not randomness.
2027: the one name that stays put
On 16 March 2027, Paris-CDG moves to a continuous numbering system. Terminal 1 remains Terminal 1. That makes it the simplest post-change booking: the building and its name stay the same while other halls are renamed.
Before-you-go checklist
- Verify the terminal by flight number before leaving and again on arrival.
- Do not confuse the CDG 1 station name with Terminal 1’s location.
- Budget for CDGVAL, walking and controls.
- Keep an offline copy of the boarding pass.
- Follow live airport screens when an older guide conflicts with them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Terminal 1 inside the RER station?
No. From “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1” station at Roissypôle, take the free CDGVAL shuttle.
Do all Star Alliance airlines use Terminal 1?
Many do, but it is not guaranteed for every flight. Always check the flight number.
Will its name change in 2027?
No. It remains Terminal 1.
Watch before you travel
A documented editorial video selected to show the terminal or its redevelopment. It does not autoplay and loads only on demand to protect page speed.
Aviation Geekette — YouTube.
Official sources and editorial review
The editorial desk checked the history, maps and announced name change against official sources. Airline and gate assignments remain operational and changeable; live verification on the day of travel always prevails.
