Air France Baggage Allowance and Policy

If you have an upcoming Air France flight, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the airline’s baggage policies.

In this post we’ll explain how much carry-on luggage you can bring on board, including number of bags, size and weight limits. We’ll also cover how many checked bags you can bring with you, based on your itinerary and type of ticket purchased.

If you plan to travel with excess baggage, whether it’s extra, oversized, or overweight baggage, we’ll explain how much you’ll have to pay in fees.

We’ve included some handy tips throughout the post to make your upcoming flight as smooth as possible.

Carry On Baggage Allowance

Air France’s carry-on baggage allowance is determined by your cabin class.

Number of Carry On Items

If you’re traveling in the Economy Class cabin, you’re allowed to bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item onboard with you.

On the other hand, if you’re traveling in Premium Economy, Business, or La Première, you’re entitled to bring onboard 2 carry-on bags and 1 personal item.

The following table summarizes how many carry-on items you can bring onboard, based on your cabin class:

Carry On Size Limit

Air France’s carry-on size limits are the same, regardless of your cabin class.

Carry On Bag Size Limit

Your carry-on bag must be no larger than 21.6 x 13.7 x 9.8 inches (55 x 35 x 25 centimeters). This size limit applies to all cabin classes.

Your carry-on bag must be able to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

Examples of typical carry-on items include:

• Small suitcase
• Duffel bag
• Backpack
• Garment bag

If your carry-on exceeds the above size limit, Air France may require you to check your bag to the plane’s hold. You may also be required to pay a baggage fee.

Hot Tip: You may be asked to check your carry-on bag if there is no space left in the overhead bins. To prepare for such an event, make sure that you pack all your important documents, valuables, and fragile items in your personal item.

Personal Item Size Limit

Your personal item must be no larger than 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.8 inches (40 x 30 x 15 centimeters). It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.

Examples of typical personal items include:

• Handbag
• Laptop bag
• Small backpack
• Briefcase

If your personal item is larger than the above size limit, Air France may require you to check the item to the plane’s hold. You may also have to pay a baggage fee.

Carry On Weight Limit

The maximum weight limit of your carry-on baggage also depends on your cabin class.

Economy and Premium Economy Class passengers have a carry-on weight limit of 26.4 pounds (12 kilograms) in total. Bear in mind that, although Premium Economy Class passengers can bring one more carry-on bag compared to Economy Class, the weight allowance for both classes is the same.

For Business and La Première Class passengers, their carry-on weight limit is 40 pounds (18 kilograms) in total.

The following table summarizes your carry-on weight limit, based on your cabin class:

If the total weight of your carry-on baggage exceeds your cabin class limits, you may have to check some of your carry-on baggage to the plane’s hold. You may also be required to pay a checked baggage fee.

Free Items Exempt from Your Carry On Baggage Allowance

Certain items can be brought on board with you which aren’t included as part of your carry-on baggage allowance.

Examples of typical items exempt from your carry-on baggage allowance include:

• Outer garments such as coats, hats, and scarves
• Assistive devices such as crutches, canes, and walkers
• Infant assistive equipment such as car safety seats, collapsible strollers, and diaper bags
• Duty-free items bought at the airport.

Liquid Restrictions in Carry On Baggage

You are currently restricted to the volume of liquids that you can bring on board with you.

Examples of typical items classified as liquids include:

• Gels
• Pastes
• Creams
• And, of course, liquids

Each container can be up to 3.4-ounce (100 ml). All containers must be packed in 1 transparent resealable plastic bag measuring no larger than 7.8 x 7.8 inches (20 x 20 centimeters) in size and 1 quart (1 liter) in volume.

Certain types of liquids are exempt from this restriction, including:

• Baby food
• Medications

Carry On Baggage Allowances and Connecting Flights

If your flight is operated by one of Air France’s partner airlines, you should check their website for their baggage policy, as it may differ from Air France’s.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance

Number of Free Checked Bags

The number of bags that you can check in for free depends on two factors:

• Your cabin class
• The type of fare purchased

Cabin Classes

Air France has 4 cabin classes:

• Economy
• Premium Economy
• Business
• La Première

However, Premium Economy and La Première classes are generally only available for medium- to long-haul flights.

Fare Types

Within each of Air France’s cabin classes, except La Première, there are a variety of fare types available:

• Light
• Standard
• Flex

Not all fare types are available for all itineraries.

Generally, the number of free checked bags included with your fare is as follows:

Checked Bag Size Limit

Your standard checked bag can be up to 62.2 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. You calculate the size of your bag by measuring its outside length, width, and height, then adding these measurements together.

If your checked bag exceeds 62.2 linear inches, it will be considered oversized and subject to an extra fee.

Air France won’t accept checked baggage larger than 118 linear inches (300 centimeters).

Checked Bag Weight Limit

The weight allowance of your checked bags depends on your cabin class:

If you’re flying on an Economy or Premium Economy fare, and your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds, it will be considered overweight and subject to an extra fee.

Air France won’t accept checked baggage heavier than 70.5 pounds (32 kilograms) unless pre-approved by the airline.

Number of Free Checked Bags

The number of bags that you can check in for free depends on two factors:

• Your cabin class
• The type of fare purchased

Cabin Classes

Air France has 4 cabin classes:

• Economy
• Premium Economy
• Business
• La Première

However, Premium Economy and La Première classes are generally only available for medium- to long-haul flights.

Fare Types

Within each of Air France’s cabin classes, except La Première, there are a variety of fare types available:

• Light
• Standard
• Flex

Not all fare types are available for all itineraries.

For most itineraries, the number of free checked bags included with your fare is as follows:

You can use Air France’s baggage allowance tool to find the baggage allowance for specific itineraries.

If you have already booked your flight and want to confirm your free baggage allowance, you can access your booking on Air France’s website.

Alternatively, it will be included in your booking confirmation email from Air France.

Hot Tip: Air France allows you and your travel companions to pool the number of bags together, if you’re traveling on the same booking. By doing this, you can reduce the number of bags that you have to check in. However, each bag still needs to be within its weight limit.

Baggage Fees

If you want to purchase additional bags beyond what is included with your fare, or your checked baggage is oversized and/or overweight, you’ll be required to pay a fee.

Extra baggage fees can be prepaid (at a 20% discount) or at the airport. However, oversized and overweight baggage fees can be paid only at the airport.

Extra Bag Fees

If you need to bring more baggage than your fare allows, you can purchase extra bags online or at the airport. However, if you pay for your extra bags online at least 30 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure, you will receive a 20% discount on the baggage fee.

However, if you’re flying out of any of the following locations, you can’t prepay for extra baggage. This will have to be done at the airport:

• Atlanta
• Detroit
• Newark
• Orlando
• Damascus
• Seoul
• To/from Mauritius

Each Air France passenger can travel with up to 10 checked bags. However, if you plan to travel with more than 3 bags, you need to contact the airline for pre-approval. It’s recommended to contact the airline at least 24 hours before your flight.

All extra bags purchased adhere to standard checked bag limits, irrespective of cabin class:

• Maximum size 62.2 linear inches (158 centimeters)
• Maximum weight: 50 pounds (23 kilograms)

Economy Light: If you’re traveling on an Economy Light fare between North America and Europe, you don’t receive a discount when buying your first bag online. The fee will be the same as at the airport.

The following table summarizes Air France’s baggage fees at the time of writing:

At the time of writing, 1 euro = US$1.07.

Oversized Baggage Fees

If your checked baggage is larger than 62.2 linear inches (158 centimeters), you will have to pay an oversized baggage fee. The charge depends on your itinerary.

Air France doesn’t accept checked baggage larger than 118 linear inches (300 centimeters).

At the time of writing, 1 euro = US$1.07.

Oversized baggage fees can be paid only at the airport check-in counter.

Overweight Baggage Fees

If your checked baggage weighs more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms), you’ll have to pay an overweight baggage fee.

Air France has two weight ranges for overweight baggage:

• 50 to 70.5 pounds (23 to 32 kilograms)
• More than 70.5 pounds (32 kilograms)

If your overweight bag weighs more than 70.5 pounds, you are required to contact Air France at least 24 hours before your flight for preapproval.

At the time of writing, 1 euro = US$1.07.

Overweight baggage fees can be paid only at the airport check-in counter.

Final Thoughts

We hope that this post has helped you prepare for your upcoming flight with Air France.

The airline’s carry-on baggage allowance is more generous than most European carriers, including a 26.4 pounds weight limit. However, having to think about weight limits for carry-on can come as quite a shock if it’s your first time flying with a non-U.S. carrier.

Air France’s checked baggage allowance is equally generous, with Economy Class fares (excluding Economy Light) including at least 1 (and often 2) checked bags.

Don’t forget that if you plan to travel with more than 3 checked bags, you need to contact the airline for pre-approval. This is also the case for baggage weighing more than 70.5 pounds.

Remember to always check Air France’s website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.

Bon voyage!

References

• Air France