In a league of its own,  Norton Rose Fulbright has been dominating the French aviation finance market for decades, owing to its large and highly experienced dedicated team that combine French and UK expertise. With access to a large international network, the team assists all the main French banks active in the field as well as international banks and French and international ECAs. It runs a very busy practice, regularly advising on the setting up of complex credit tax leases and ECA-backed transactions pertaining to commercial aircrafts as well as airline engines operated by major international airlines. The team also recently worked on the rehabilitation proceedings of a major international airline. The practice is headed by the highly regarded George Paterson. Also recommended are Sébastien Allain, Alexandre Roth and Alex Wass.

Bird & Bird has a strong involvement assisting French and African airline companies with Air France featuring as a key and loyal client of the practice. Combining French and UK law expertise, the Paris-based team also regularly assists operating lessors, and is able to advise on a comprehensive range of issues including operating leases, financings, sale-and-leaseback. The highly experienced Laurence Hanley is at the helm of the practice, supported by Diane de Bustamante, Boubeker Moussaoui and Maria Miller.

Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP assists leading French banks on export credit agency-supported financings, acquisition financing and disposals of individual and aircraft portfolios. The team has a strong knowhow advising on French and Japanese tax-leasing transactions of commercial aircrafts operated by major French airline companies, while also advising on the financing of private jets. Alexander Premont leads the team, supported by senior associates Tam Guerout ,  Alexandre Salem and Stephanie Saunders .

HFW 's Pierre Frühling assists a large client base of French carriers, some international airlines and various international leasing operators with the acquisition and leasing of aircraft fleet including Airbus aircrafts. His range of expertise also extends to regulatory work. Counsel  Alix d’Arjuzon  provides support.

Odi-sé Avocats stands out as France’s leading aviation boutique firm, combining extensive experience advising leading French banking companies as well as various airline carriers, operators, aircraft brokers and aircraft owners. The team is particularly prominent in assisting with the financing and leasing of private jets and helicopters. The team comprises practice head  Matthieu de Varax, Thomas Boone and associate Charles Derollez .

Watson Farley & Williams LLP assists a variety of clients spanning air carriers, export credit agencies, arrangers, lessors and banks with the acquisition, sale and financing of Airbus and Boeing aircrafts as well as engines and smaller types of aircraft including helicopters. The Paris based team combines French and UK law expertise and benefits from a prominent international platform. Practice head and asset finance expert Alexia Russell, Philippe Monfort and Hugues Hounkpati are the key names.