Air France 2026 Baggage Allowance: Ultimate Guide to Hand & Hold Luggage Limits
Air France isn’t out here trying to ruin your holiday. But their fare types can absolutely lure you into a “why am I suddenly paying for a cabin bag?” moment 🧳. The big gotcha is simple: you always get a small under-seat bag, but your bigger cabin bag can depend on the fare you picked. Add in connections via Paris, a full flight, and a slightly overstuffed suitcase, and boom… airport bag drama.
This guide breaks it all down in plain English: what you can bring for free, what triggers fees fast, and how to pack so you don’t end up doing suitcase surgery near check-in. We’ll talk cabin sizes (the numbers that matter 📏), Basic fares and the hand baggage option, checked bag rules, overweight and oversize pitfalls, and the easiest “do this the night before” checklist to keep your trip calm ✈️.
Air France Baggage Allowance: Quick Facts at a Glance
✅ Economy cabin: 1 small bag free + 0 to 1 hand baggage depending on fare (combined max 12 kg)
✅ Premium cabin: 2 hand baggage + 1 small bag (combined max 12 kg)
✅ Business / La Première: 2 hand baggage + 1 small bag (combined max 18 kg)
✅ Hand baggage size: 55 x 35 x 25 cm (incl. wheels/handles)
✅ Small bag size: 40 x 30 x 15 cm (under-seat)
✅ Checked baggage is route + fare dependent, but extra pieces typically follow 158 cm total size rules and 23 kg or 32 kg weight caps (by cabin)
✅ Biggest fee triggers: Basic fare assumptions, extra pieces, overweight, oversize
✅ Best quick win: confirm your fare, measure at home, weigh once
✅ Who this guide is for: anyone flying Air France who enjoys saving money more than donating it at the airport
🤚 Must-do: Screenshot your booking’s baggage line (or save it offline). It’s your “nope, this is what I paid for” receipt if anything gets messy at the airport.
Quick Air France Baggage Allowance Q&As
What is Air France baggage allowance?
It’s the set of rules for what you can bring in the cabin and check in, based on your fare and cabin. The main twist is that some Economy fares include only a small under-seat bag.
What size hand baggage does Air France allow?
Up to 55 x 35 x 25 cm, including wheels and handles.
What size is the Air France small bag (personal item)?
Up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm, designed to fit under the seat.
Is a hand baggage item free on Air France Basic fares?
Not always. Some Basic fares include only the small bag, with hand baggage as a paid option unless you have certain Flying Blue status.
How much is a checked bag on Air France?
It varies by route and fare. You’ll see the exact price in your booking, and buying extra baggage online in advance is often cheaper than at the airport.
What are Air France’s overweight and oversize rules?
Overweight and oversize are paid at the airport. A bag can go up to 32 kg max, and oversize can go up to 300 cm total dimensions.
How do I get a free checked bag or extra baggage on Air France?
Pick a fare that includes it, or use Flying Blue perks if you have status. Always check the operating airline on codeshares too.
👉 Good to know: If you’re flying out of the USA, Air France notes a stricter cabin setup: 1 hand baggage + 1 small bag.
Air France baggage allowance: the quick answer (free vs paid, in plain English)
Here’s the simple version. Air France is basically a two-bag story: a small bag (under the seat) and a hand baggage item (overhead bin). You always get the small bag, but the hand baggage can depend on your fare, especially on Basic tickets. That’s the moment people get caught out, because the airport feels like the worst place to discover your “bargain” ticket came with a baggage plot twist.
Then there’s checked baggage: it’s not one universal rule, it depends on route and fare. So your friend’s “I got a free 23 kg bag” might be true for their ticket and totally irrelevant to yours.
| Scenario | Typical fee | Who can avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Basic has only a small bag | Route-based (shown at purchase) | Flying Blue Silver+ or buying the hand baggage option |
| Adding an extra checked bag | Route-based, often cheaper online in advance | Flying Blue Silver/Gold/Platinum (extra allowance) |
| Overweight or oversize | Paid at the airport | Pack lighter, split into two bags, measure early |
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Assume nothing. Check your booking, then pack to that, not to what Air France “usually” allows.
✈️ Official Air France Cabin Bag Sizes and faqs
🗺️ Airplane Guide: How to Make Economy Feel Like First Class When Flying
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Cabin baggage: the sizes that matter (hand baggage + small bag)
If you only remember one thing, make it this: Air France measures properly. Wheels, handles, pockets, all count. Your hand baggage needs to fit 55 x 35 x 25 cm, and your small bag needs to fit 40 x 30 x 15 cm. That small bag is meant to live under the seat in front of you, so think slim backpack, tote, or laptop bag, not a chunky weekender pretending to be innocent.
There’s also a practicality thing: if your seat is in an exit row, Air France says the small bag goes overhead instead of under-seat. That’s normal safety logic, but it’s worth knowing so you don’t get flustered on boarding.
Quick packing reality:
- Put passport, meds, charger, snacks in the small bag
- Keep the hand baggage for clothes and bulk
- Don’t plan on “I’ll just stuff my coat in my bag at the gate”
💡 Fact: In Economy, the number of hand baggage items is limited to 1 per passenger.
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Basic fares and the hand baggage option: the bit that surprises people
Basic fares are where the confusion lives. In Economy, Air France states you can have 0 to 1 hand baggage depending on the fare chosen, plus your 1 small bag. Translation: some tickets are “small bag only”, and your overhead cabin bag becomes an add-on.
If you spot “Basic” on your booking, treat it like a warning label. You can often buy the hand baggage option, including after booking, and Air France notes you can do that up to 4 hours before departure. Handy for people who booked fast and read later (we’ve all been there).
Flying Blue changes the game too. Air France’s terms note that Flying Blue Silver, Gold, Platinum (and above) can be entitled to a free hand baggage item on eligible Basic tickets.
Key questions to ask yourself:
- Is my fare Basic, Light, Standard, Flex, or something route-specific?
- Does my ticket include hand baggage already?
- If not, is paying for the option still cheaper than upgrading the fare?
👉 Good to know: A hand baggage option is typically one extra cabin bag, not a magical “bring everything you own” pass.
How strict is Air France at the gate? (sizers, full flights, and gate-checking)
Air France explicitly says they can check cabin baggage before boarding and might ask you to check your hand baggage if the flight is full. That’s not a punishment, it’s just the overhead bin maths catching up with reality. The part that stings is when your essentials are buried in the bag they’ve just taken off you.
So your goal is not only “fit the size rules”, it’s “pack so you stay calm if your cabin bag gets gate-checked”.
What to keep in your small bag, always:
- Passport, wallet, phone, charger
- Medication (and anything time-sensitive)
- One spare layer
- A pen (for forms and sanity)
- Anything fragile or valuable
Also, don’t ignore the sizer. If your bag only fits when you karate-chop the corners… it doesn’t fit.
🤚 Must-do: Pack your small bag like it might be your only bag for the first 12 hours of the trip.
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Checked baggage allowance: why it depends (and how to find your exact limit)
Checked baggage on Air France is a “check your exact booking” situation. There isn’t one single allowance that applies to everyone because it depends on things like route, cabin, fare family, and sometimes loyalty perks. The airline will show your allowance in your booking flow and your trip summary, and that is the version that matters.
Where to check (before you even start packing):
- Your booking confirmation email
- “My Bookings” / trip summary on Air France
- Online check-in screens (often repeat the allowance)
- Your boarding pass details (sometimes shows bag counts)
If you’re doing a Paris connection, double-check each leg. A short hop into CDG on one fare and a long-haul out on another can create mixed expectations.
Also, if you’re flying with a partner airline (codeshare), the operating carrier can have its own baggage rules. That’s where people lose time arguing with the wrong desk.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Check your allowance the day you book, then check again 48 hours before you fly. Policies and aircraft swaps can change the vibe.
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Standard checked bag rules: weight, size, and what triggers extra charges
Even though the number of checked bags depends on your ticket, the physical limits are much more consistent. Air France uses a standard size rule for “normal” checked bags and extra pieces: up to 158 cm total dimensions (height + length + width). For weight, extra baggage caps are typically 23 kg in Economy/Premium and 32 kg in Business/La Première.
Most “surprise fees” happen for three reasons:
- The bag is too heavy
- The bag is too big
- You’ve got more pieces than your ticket includes
Here’s the quick “fix it” table:
| Bag issue | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Over 158 cm total | Counts as oversize | Use a smaller suitcase or pay oversize at airport |
| Over your included weight | Counts as overweight | Move items to another bag, wear heavy bits |
| More pieces than allowed | Extra bag fee | Buy an additional baggage option online in advance |
💡 Fact: If your bag is over 32 kg, Air France points you towards cargo handling rather than normal check-in.
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Overweight and oversize: the fastest way to turn ‘reasonable fare’ into ‘painful’
Overweight and oversize fees are the speed-run to regret. Air France states you can pay for an Overweight Baggage option at the airport, and the bag can’t exceed 32 kg. If it does, you’re in cargo territory. Oversize is based on total dimensions: anything over 158 cm can still be accepted up to 300 cm, paid at the airport, and you’ll usually take it to the oversized baggage counter.
Practical ways to avoid this:
- Weigh at home with a cheap luggage scale
- Split one heavy bag into two lighter ones
- Put dense stuff in your cabin bag (within the cabin weight rules)
- If you’re travelling with someone, balance both suitcases instead of having one “brick”
Also, don’t forget the sneaky size creep: hard-shell suitcases with chunky wheels and corner bumpers can push you over.
🤚 Good to know: Oversize drop-off is often a different counter. Arrive earlier than you think, especially at CDG.
Extra bags: when it’s cheaper online vs at the airport
If you already know you’ll need an extra checked bag, buying it online usually hurts less than buying it at the airport. Air France notes you can purchase an Additional Baggage option when booking, later in “My Bookings”, or via online check-in, and that you can do this up to 30 hours before departure. They also state there’s often a discounted rate if you buy at least 24 hours before your flight, except for flights to or from Canada and the USA where the price is the same online and at the airport.
A UK-specific practical note: Air France also highlights that some airport counters may not accept cash, so plan on paying by card if you’re sorting baggage on the day.
🤚 Must-do: If you’re adding bags, do it online early. It’s cheaper and you’ll spend less time standing at the desk doing mental maths.
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Flying Blue perks and legit ways to get more baggage
Flying Blue status can genuinely save money if you fly Air France or KLM often enough. Air France’s terms say Silver, Gold, and Platinum members receive one additional baggage item at no extra charge, on top of the standard allowance for their ticket. And for Basic Economy tickets on eligible routes, higher-tier members can be entitled to a free hand baggage item too.
Is it worth chasing status just for baggage? Only if:
- You fly these airlines several times a year
- The bag fees you’d pay are more than the effort (and cost) to reach status
- You like the other perks (priority services, seat options, etc.)
If you’re an occasional flyer, it’s usually cheaper to:
- Buy the baggage option you need
- Or upgrade your fare if it bundles baggage and flexibility
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If you’re close to Silver, do the maths on your next few trips. One free extra bag can offset a lot.
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Flying to or from the USA: cabin baggage restrictions to know
Air France notes a specific rule for departures from the USA: cabin baggage is limited to 1 hand baggage + 1 small bag. If you’re used to juggling extra cabin items, this is where you want to tighten your setup.
A simple strategy that works:
- Small bag: passport, tech, meds, anything you can’t risk checking
- Hand baggage: clothes, toiletries (within liquids rules), a light layer
- If you’re doing a Paris connection after a USA departure, keep the stricter rule in mind for that first leg. Don’t pack as if you’ll be allowed extra bits just because you’re connecting onto a long-haul later.
Also, if you’ve got an early departure or a tight connection at CDG/ORY, consider staying near the airport the night before. A decent sleep can be the difference between “calm traveller” and “human pinball”. You can browse options on Booking.com.
Flying with kids: what’s free, what’s allowed, what’s awkward
Family travel adds gear. Lots of gear. Air France’s family guidance says kids aged 2+ generally get the same baggage allowance as an adult based on their ticket. For infants under 2 travelling on a lap, Air France notes you can bring:
- In the cabin: 1 hand baggage up to 12 kg (55 x 35 x 25 cm)
- In the hold: 1 bag up to 10 kg (unless your ticket conditions exclude checked baggage), plus 1 stroller and 1 car seat
That’s genuinely helpful, but the awkward part is logistics at the airport. Strollers need folding, liquids need separating, and nobody’s having their best day.
Keeping it calm:
- Put nappies, wipes, snacks, spare clothes in the small bag
- Keep one “grab pouch” so you’re not rummaging mid-boarding
- If you’re arriving late with loads of bags, pre-book an airport transfer so you’re not negotiating taxis half-asleep
👉 Good to know: Stroller space on board can depend on availability, so have a plan for it going in the hold.
Sports gear and special items (including skis and musical instruments)
Air France treats many sports items as “special baggage”, and the rules can be stricter than standard suitcases. Their special baggage guidance says sports equipment should generally be 23 kg max (or 32 kg in Business/La Première) and up to 300 cm total dimensions. They also warn that some aircraft have hold space restrictions, so items longer than 180 cm may not be permitted on certain planes.
The biggest thing here is planning. In some cases you need prior approval from customer service, and Air France notes group travel (10+ passengers) always needs approval, requested at least 48 hours before departure.
Practical protection tips:
- Use a hard case if possible
- Add a luggage strap and visible ID tag
- Take photos before check-in
- Pack padding around fragile points
For musical instruments, the safest move is to check Air France’s specific instrument rules for your flight, because cabin vs hold handling can vary.
Connections and partner flights: the codeshare caveat
Connections are where baggage rules get spicy. If your journey includes a partner-operated segment, the operating carrier may apply its own baggage rules, and Air France notes some baggage options can’t be purchased during online check-in if check-in is handled by another airline.
The safest approach is “follow the strictest rule across the whole trip”. Example:
- Leg 1 is operated by Airline X with a smaller personal item limit
- Leg 2 is Air France with the standard small bag size
Pack to the smaller limit, because that’s the gate you must pass first.
Also, baggage options like “additional baggage” can apply differently on multi-leg trips, especially if not all legs are operated by Air France. That’s why checking the operating airline on each segment matters more than the logo you booked under.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: On your booking, look for “operated by”. That line tells you whose rules you’re really playing by.
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Avoiding fees: the real-world packing plan (step-by-step)
If you want the calmest Air France experience, pack like a boring person. Not sad boring, efficient boring 😄.
Step-by-step:
- Confirm your fare and cabin allowance in your trip summary
- Pick bags that match the dimensions (don’t “hope” your case is fine)
- Weigh your luggage at home, once fully packed
- Put essentials in the small bag, as if your cabin bag might get checked
- If you need an extra bag, buy the option online early
Here’s a quick sizing cheat sheet:
| Bag type | Best for | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Small bag (40 x 30 x 15) | Essentials and valuables | Too bulky to fit under the seat |
| Hand baggage (55 x 35 x 25) | Clothes, light toiletries | Overstuffing so it fails the sizer |
| Checked suitcase | Longer trips and bulky items | One bag becomes overweight |
Night-before checklist:
- Bags measured and zipped without force
- Liquids packed and accessible
- Chargers, meds, documents in small bag
- Boarding pass and booking saved offline
Baggage problems: delayed, damaged, missing (what to do fast)
If your checked bag doesn’t show up, move quickly. Air France instructs passengers to complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) before leaving the airport when declaring missing baggage, and they provide online tracking and claim steps. They also state timelines for reimbursement of essentials and note how compensation is handled if baggage isn’t found after a set period.
Your practical “do this now” list:
- Go to the Air France KLM baggage desk before leaving arrivals
- File the PIR and keep the reference number
- Take photos of any damage immediately
- Keep receipts for essentials you have to buy
- Use tracking info sensibly (Air France even mentions sharing AirTag location links through their form)
This is also where travel insurance and CompensAIR earns its keep, especially if you’re travelling with pricey kit or you’ve got multiple connections. Airline compensation rules exist, but insurance can help cover the gap and speed up the practical stuff.
FAQs about Air France Baggage Allowance
Is a hand baggage item free on Air France?
Sometimes. Many fares include it, but some Basic Economy tickets may include only a small under-seat bag unless you add the hand baggage option or have eligible Flying Blue status.
What size hand baggage is allowed on Air France?
The standard limit is 55 x 35 x 25 cm, including wheels and handles. If your bag is bulging, assume it’ll be checked against a sizer.
What size is the Air France small bag (personal item)?
The small bag limit is 40 x 30 x 15 cm. It’s meant to fit under the seat, so keep it slim and functional.
How much is a checked bag on Air France?
It depends on your route and fare. Air France shows exact prices during booking and in “My Bookings”, and buying extra baggage online early is often cheaper than paying at the airport.
What happens if my bag is overweight or oversize?
Overweight and oversize are paid at the airport, and bags can’t exceed 32 kg. Oversize bags can be accepted up to 300 cmtotal dimensions and usually go to a dedicated oversized counter.
Final Thoughts
If you take one strategy from this: know your fare type, measure your bags, weigh once at home, and keep essentials in your small bag. That alone dodges most of the nasty surprises, especially on Basic fares and full flights.
If you want, tell me your route (including connections), your fare type, and what bags you’re bringing. I’ll help you sanity-check it before you fly. And if you’re on a packing spree, there are more flight and baggage guides waiting for you on TheTravelTinker.com. 👇🗣️
Adventure on,
The Travel Tinker Crew 🌍✨
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
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