Air France has similar hand luggage policies to other major carriers based in Europe. All passengers are allowed one piece of hand luggage and a personal item. Here’s everything else you need to know about Air France’s hand luggage size and other key info.
Air France hand luggage size: The basics
A small difference, but Air France refers to hand luggage as ‘hand baggage’ on its website – just something to keep in mind. All Economy passengers are allowed one piece of hand luggage and one personal item. Passengers travelling in Premium, Business, or La Première cabins are allowed two cabin bags and one personal item.
Air France does not count items such as jackets or duty-free shopping bags towards its hand luggage allowance, which is helpful.
Air France hand luggage rules for travelling with infants
However, you can also check a pram and a car seat as hold luggage for no extra charge. This is a nice extra for parents who want to use these items on their trip but don’t need them during the journey itself. If your child has their own seat, they have the same cabin bag allowances as adult passengers, depending on the ticket fare category.
Are prams allowed as part of hand luggage on Air France?
Depending on space availability and the aircraft, some prams may be accepted in the cabin. Depending on the type of pram, the following size limits apply:
- Small foldable pram/pushchair: dimensions cannot exceed 5.9 x 11.8 x 39.4 in (15 x 30 x 100 cm)
- Other foldable prams/pushchairs: These count towards your child’s hand luggage allowance. Once folded, the pram cannot exceed 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.8 in (55 x 35 x 25 cm).
If you’re travelling on an Air France partner from the UK (such as Virgin Atlantic) and connecting to an Air France flight elsewhere (Paris, for example), or vice versa, the carriers’ differing hand luggage policies can be confusing. Virgin Atlantic has a maximum weight of 10 kg for Economy and Premium Class (compared to 12 kg for Air France) and 16 kg for Business and Upper Class (compared to 18 kg for Air France).
This means that your hand luggage might be fine for one leg, but over the limit for the other. It may not be an issue, but it’s helpful to keep in mind – and an incentive to pack light.
What extra items can you bring on board Air France flights?
What are the hand luggage rules for musical instruments on Air France?
Musical instruments smaller than 45 in (115 cm) in total dimensions are considered a standard hand luggage item and are included in your baggage allowance. However, keep in mind that your only other allowed item will be a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.
Musical instruments larger than the above dimensions require approval from Air France at least 48 hours prior to your flight’s departure. In this case, instruments will be placed not in overhead lockers but on one or more additional seats (the fare for which the passenger is required to pay).
Air France hand luggage FAQs
Still have questions about Air France’s cabin bag size or other concerns? Read on for expert answers.
It depends on several factors: how full the flight is, the discretion of staff at the gate, and a passenger’s status with the airline. Some passengers have reported that Air France conducts weight checks in its hub of Charles de Gaulle prior to departure.
As a result, it’s highly recommended for passengers to be familiar with the rules – and understand the risks (a fee to check an oversized or overweight bag) if you’re tempted to bring on more than the allowance.
Top three Air France hand luggage tips
from expert traveller Blane Bachelor
Tip #1: Use overhead locker space wisely
I appreciate that Air France doesn’t count items like duty-free shopping bags and jackets towards hand luggage allowance. That said, I would advise you not to abuse the privilege – and always wait to see if there’s enough overhead locker space before you stuff in your jacket or shopping bags.
Tip #2: Expect hand luggage to be checked on full flights
As with other major carriers, passengers on Air France’s lowest fare category – Economy Light – are allowed two cabin bags. However, if the flight is full, these passengers’ cabin bags will be the first in line to be checked (for free, fortunately – unless they’re oversized or overweight, in which case, you may be charged).
Tip #3: Be prepared for cabin bag weight checks
I personally have never had my cabin bags weighed on an Air France flight (touch wood). But I’ve heard about plenty of other passengers who have, most often at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Since some airlines have a higher hand luggage weight allowance, this can be tricky to navigate for international connections. But it’s definitely something to be aware of so that it doesn’t come as an unpleasant surprise during your trip.
Still have questions about Air France’s hand luggage size?
Luggage policies can be confusing. For an easy way to compare hand luggage rules across airlines, check out our hand luggage guide. Perhaps you’re stuck on what to pack? We have plenty of handy tipsfor that too! Finally, don’t forget to check what’s allowed in a cabin bag before you head to the airport.
