Air France’s carry-on rules are similar to those of many European airlines, but a few key differences can catch US travelers off guard. Here’s what to know about carry-on size, weight limits and baggage allowances before you fly.
- Carry-on size: 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9 in (55 x 35 x 25 cm)
- Personal item size: 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 in (40 x 30 x 15 cm)
- Allowance: Economy passengers get 1 carry-on bag + 1 personal item; Premium, Business and La Première passengers on long-haul flights get 2 carry-on bags + 1 personal item
- Overhead space: Economy Basic passengers may have carry-on bags gate-checked for free on full flights; overhead bin space is not guaranteed
In this article
- Air France carry-on size: Rules, dimensions and weight limits.
- What extra items can you bring on board Air France flights?
- Air France carry-on rules for traveling with infants.
- What are the carry-on rules for musical instruments on Air France?
- Top three Air France carry-on luggage tips.
- Air France carry-on FAQs.
Air France carry-on size: Rules, dimensions and weight limits.
Air France refers to carry-on bags as hand baggage. All Economy passengers are allowed one piece of hand baggage and one personal item.
Passengers traveling in Premium, Business or La La Première cabins are allowed two hand baggage items and one personal item. This applies to long-haul routes only.
Maximum combined weight (carry-on bag + personal item):
- Economy and Premium: 26.4 lb (12 kg)
- Business cabin and La Première: 40 lb (18 kg)
Air France personal item: size and placement rules.
Your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you – that’s the key rule to keep in mind. The maximum dimensions are 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 in). Qualifying bag types include:
- Purse
- Laptop bag
- Small backpack
The combined weight limit is significantly lower than most limits for major airlines in the US and can catch passengers by surprise. Air France does not count items such as jackets or duty free shopping bags toward its hand bag allowance, which is helpful.
Good to know: If you’re connecting from a Delta flight to an Air France flight, check your carry-on carefully. Air France limits Economy and Premium passengers to a combined 26.4 lb (12 kg) for their carry-on bag and personal item, while Delta does not publish a carry-on weight restriction. A bag that’s acceptable on Delta may exceed Air France’s allowance.
What extra items can you bring on board Air France flights?
Fortunately, Air France allows passengers to bring extra items on board that do not count toward your hand bag allowance. The following items are neither considered a personal item nor hand baggage:
- A jacket, coat, or any other clothing item you may be wearing
- An umbrella
- Duty-free items purchased on board or at the airport
- Children's items, such as strollers
Air France carry-on rules for traveling with infants.
Air France has fairly generous carry-on policies for parents or caregivers traveling with little ones. But it’s still helpful to familiarize yourself with the rules ahead of time.
If your child is traveling on your lap (which is allowed until they are two years old), you may bring one piece of hand baggage. A stroller will count toward this allowance; see below for more info.
However, you can also check a stroller and a car seat as hold luggage for no extra charge. This is a nice extra for parents who want to use these items during their trip but don’t need them during transit.
If your child has their own seat, they have the same carry-on allowances as adult passengers, depending on the ticket fare category.
Are strollers allowed as carry-on bags on Air France?
Depending on the aircraft and available cabin space, some strollers may be allowed on board:
- Small foldable stroller: dimensions cannot exceed 5.9 x 11.8 x 39.4 in
- Other foldable strollers: These count toward your child's hand baggage allowance. Once folded, the stroller cannot exceed 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9 in.
What are the carry-on rules for musical instruments on Air France?
Musical instruments smaller than 45 in (115 cm) in total dimensions are considered a standard hand baggage 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 bins but on one or more additional seats (the fare for which the passenger is required to pay).
Top three Air France carry-on luggage tips.
from expert traveler Blane Bachelor
1. Use overhead bin space wisely.
I appreciate that Air France doesn’t count items like duty free shopping bags and jackets toward hand baggage allowance.
That said, please don’t abuse the privilege – and always wait to see if there’s enough overhead bin space before you stuff in your jacket or shopping bags.
2. Expect carry-ons to be checked on full flights.
As with other major carriers, passengers on Air France’s lowest fare category – Economy Basic – are allowed one carry-on item.
However, if the flight is full, these passengers’ hand bags will be the first in line to be checked, fortunately, for free (unless they’re oversized or overweight, in which case, you may be charged).
3. Be prepared for carry-on weight checks.
I personally have never had my carry-on bags weighed on an Air France flight (knock wood). But I’ve heard plenty of other passengers have, most often at Charles de Gaulle.
Since Delta Air Lines, an Air France partner airline, has a higher carry-on weight allowance, this can be tricky to navigate for international connections. But it’s definitely something to be aware of so it doesn’t come as an unpleasant surprise during your trip.
Air France carry-on FAQs.
Still have questions about Air France carry-on bag size or other concerns? Read on for expert answers.
Air France carry-on enforcement tends to be strictest at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), where travelers may encounter both bag sizers and scales before security, not just at the gate. Width is one of the most commonly flagged dimensions.
Outside France, enforcement is generally less consistent, though it’s never guaranteed to be absent. Factors like how full the flight is, the discretion of gate agents and your status with the airline can all play a role.
If you’re planning to push the limits of your carry-on allowance, it’s worth knowing the rules before you fly. Oversized or overweight bags can still end up checked — and with an extra fee attached.
If your carry-on bag exceeds Air France's size or weight limit, it will be gate-checked and you may be charged an additional fee.
This is different from the free gate-check offered to Economy Basic passengers on full flights, which applies regardless of bag size or weight. If your bag is oversized or overweight, that free pass does not apply, you may still be charged.
Air France follows the standard EU rule: liquids must be in containers of 100ml or less, all fitting within a single 1-liter transparent resealable bag.
Duty-free liquids purchased after the security checkpoint are exempt from this limit, provided they remain in the sealed, tamper-evident bag issued at point of purchase.
Still have questions about Air France carry-on size?
Luggage policies can be confusing. For an easy way to compare carry-on rules across airlines, check out our carry-on luggage guide.
