Air France baggage allowance: carry-on and checked bag rules
Quick answer: Air France's cabin baggage allowance is 12 kg in Economy and Premium, rising to 18 kg in Business and La Première. On Economy Standard, Flex, and all premium cabins, that covers one cabin bag (55 × 35 × 25 cm) plus one small personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm). Economy Light passengers get the personal item only. Checked baggage ranges from none on Economy Light to three bags of 32 kg each in La Première.
Packing for an Air France flight is one of those things that looks simple until you realise your fare class changes almost everything. Economy Light passengers travel with cabin baggage only, while La Première passengers can check three bags weighing up to 32 kg each. The gap between those two is wide, and the fare name on your booking confirmation is the single most useful thing to check before you start packing.
Flying Blue loyalty status adds another layer. Gold members and above get a free hand baggage item on Economy Light fares where it would otherwise cost extra, and Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Ultimate members all receive additional checked bags on top of whatever their fare includes. If you fly Air France regularly and hold any status tier, your real allowance is almost certainly higher than the base fare suggests.
Air France baggage allowance by travel class
Economy cabin baggage allowance
| Fare | Personal item | Cabin bag | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Light | 1 bag - 40 x 30 x 15 cm, included in 12 kg total | Not included (purchase required; free for Flying Blue Gold and above) | 0 pieces included (add for a fee) |
| Economy Standard | 1 bag - 40 x 30 x 15 cm, included in 12 kg total | 1 bag - 55 x 35 x 25 cm, included in 12 kg total | 1 piece up to 23 kg, max 158 cm (L+W+H) |
| Economy Flex | 1 bag - 40 x 30 x 15 cm, included in 12 kg total | 1 bag - 55 x 35 x 25 cm, included in 12 kg total | 1 piece up to 23 kg, max 158 cm (L+W+H) |
Economy Light is the fare to watch. You get a small under-seat bag and nothing else in the overhead bin unless you pay for the hand baggage option or hold Flying Blue Gold status or above. If you are booking a last-minute trip and want to keep costs down, Economy Light works well for a weekend bag that fits under the seat. For anything bigger, Standard or Flex will save you the hassle of paying at the gate.
Standard and Flex both include one checked bag at 23 kg, so the practical difference between them is flexibility on changes and cancellations rather than luggage. If you tend to pack the same amount regardless of trip length, Standard is the more economical choice for most travellers.
Business cabin baggage allowance
| Baggage type | Quantity | Weight limit | Size limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 1 piece | Included in 18 kg combined total | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Cabin bag | 2 pieces | Included in 18 kg combined total | 55 x 35 x 25 cm each |
| Checked baggage | 2 pieces | 32 kg per piece | Max 158 cm (L+W+H) per piece |
Business class raises the cabin weight limit to 18 kg across two hand bags and a small bag, which is a meaningful step up from the 12 kg ceiling in Economy and Premium. The checked bag limit also jumps to 32 kg per piece, compared to 23 kg in Economy, so you can pack considerably more without paying overweight fees.
For long-haul trips where you need to bring formal clothing, sports equipment, or a lot of work gear, Business is the cabin where the baggage allowance genuinely changes what you can bring. Two bags at 32 kg each gives you 64 kg of hold capacity before you even consider Flying Blue status bonuses.
La Première cabin baggage allowance
| Baggage type | Quantity | Weight limit | Size limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 1 piece | Included in 18 kg combined total | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Cabin bag | 2 pieces | Included in 18 kg combined total | 55 x 35 x 25 cm each |
| Checked baggage | 3 pieces | 32 kg per piece | Max 158 cm (L+W+H) per piece |
La Première matches Business on cabin baggage: two hand bags and a small bag within an 18 kg combined limit. It adds a third checked bag at 32 kg, which is the key difference and brings total hold capacity to 96 kg before any status upgrades apply.
La Première is Air France's first class product, and the baggage allowance reflects that. If you are travelling with specialist equipment, extensive wardrobe requirements, or simply want to avoid any baggage-related decisions at the airport, the three-bag hold allowance removes most of those concerns.
What else you should know before you fly with Air France
Flying Blue status changes your allowance
If you hold Flying Blue Gold status or above, Air France gives you a free hand baggage item on Economy Light fares where other passengers pay extra. Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Ultimate members also receive additional checked bags on top of their fare's base allowance: Silver and Gold add one free checked bag, and Platinum and Ultimate members add two.
These benefits apply on Air France and KLM-operated flights. If your itinerary includes SkyTeam partner sectors, confirm the rules with the operating carrier, as benefits may vary on codeshare legs.
Travelling with a wheelchair or medical equipment
Air France carries personal wheelchairs and mobility aids free of charge, in addition to your standard baggage allowance. Up to two personal mobility devices can travel as priority checked baggage at no extra cost. You can also bring one additional bag of up to 23 kg for medical equipment, also free of charge. Collapsible wheelchairs, crutches, walking sticks, and walkers do not count against your cabin baggage allowance.
For respiratory devices and oxygen concentrators, Air France recommends notifying the airline at least 48 hours before departure via the Saphir assistance service.
Liquids, full flights, and US departures
Liquids, gels, and creams in your cabin bag must each be in containers of 100 ml or less, all fitting inside one transparent resealable plastic bag no larger than 20 x 20 cm. Only one such bag is allowed per passenger. Baby food and medication are exempt from the 100 ml limit. On full flights, Air France may ask you to check your hand baggage into the hold free of charge.
Always keep travel documents, medical paperwork, and electronic devices with you when this happens. If you are departing from the United States, TSA rules cap you at one hand bag plus one small bag regardless of your travel class.
Frequently asked questions
Air France conducts baggage checks before boarding. If your hand bag exceeds 55 x 35 x 25 cm (including handles, pockets, and wheels), you will be required to check it into the hold, which may result in additional fees. Measuring your bag at home before you travel is the easiest way to avoid a problem at the gate.
Yes, a backpack counts as your small bag (personal item) as long as it fits within 40 x 30 x 15 cm and goes under the seat in front of you. If it is larger than that, it counts as your hand baggage item and must fit in the overhead bin within the 55 x 35 x 25 cm limit. You cannot use a large backpack as both your personal item and your hand bag.
Economy Light includes one small bag (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and no free checked bag. Economy Standard and Economy Flex each include one small bag plus one hand bag (55 x 35 x 25 cm), with a combined cabin weight of 12 kg, plus one checked bag up to 23 kg. The fare name on your booking confirmation tells you which applies to your ticket.
The liquids rule is an airport security requirement that applies when you pass through security checkpoints. Each liquid, gel, or cream container must hold 100 ml or less, all containers must fit in one transparent resealable plastic bag (no larger than 20 x 20 cm), and each passenger is allowed one such bag. Baby food and medication are exempt from the 100 ml limit but may need to be declared at security.
Air France can weigh cabin bags at the gate. The combined weight limit for all cabin items is 12 kg in Economy and Premium, and 18 kg in Business and La Première. If your bags exceed the limit, you may be asked to check the excess into the hold, potentially with a fee.
Yes, you can purchase additional checked baggage online up to four hours before departure. Buying online is cheaper than paying at the airport. Extra bags must stay within the standard weight and size limits for your cabin: 23 kg and 158 cm (L+W+H) in Economy and Premium, or 32 kg and 158 cm (L+W+H) in Business and La Première.
Bags with a total dimension (L+W+H) between 158 cm and 300 cm are accepted as oversized baggage and incur an additional fee. Items exceeding 300 cm in total dimension cannot travel in the hold and must be routed through Air France Cargo. Contact Air France before your trip if you are travelling with very large items.
Online check-in opens 30 hours before departure for most Air France flights. For flights departing from certain US airports including Atlanta and Detroit, the window opens 24 hours before departure. You can check in via the Air France website or mobile app.
Yes. Air France carries personal wheelchairs and mobility devices free of charge, outside your standard baggage allowance. Up to two mobility devices and one additional bag of up to 23 kg for medical equipment can all travel at no extra cost. Notify Air France at least 48 hours before departure through the Saphir service to arrange handling.
Flying Blue Silver members receive one additional free checked bag on top of their fare's standard allowance on Air France and KLM-operated flights. Gold members also get a free hand baggage item on Economy Light fares. Platinum and Ultimate members receive two additional free checked bags. These benefits apply even on the most restricted fare types.
Information in this article was last verified on 29/09/2026. Details such as prices, measures, and dates are subject to change, so always confirm directly with the relevant provider before travel.
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