World
Sophie Lainault’s breast cancer recognised as occupational disease in French aviation first
A court in Bayonne recognised former Air France flight attendant Sophie Lainault’s breast cancer as an occupational disease in early July 2026. Her lawyer and the CFDT union describe the ruling as a first for French aviation. The court cited night work, exposure to ionising radiation and secondhand smoke. Lainault logged more than 12,600 flight hours during a 30-year career, including over 6,500 at night. Now 59 and in remission, she pursued the case for two and a half years. The final ruling allows her to retire early.