Does air france charge for luggage

Policy depends on route and fare family: Light-type tickets include only a carry-on and personal item; standard economy normally permits one checked piece up to 23 kg (50 lb); premium cabins commonly allow two pieces, often up to 23–32 kg each. Typical maximum linear dimensions are 158 cm (length + width + height).

Typical outlays vary by sector and purchase moment: short-haul prepaid rates usually sit between €15 and €60 per checked piece, while airport counters commonly request €35–€90. Intercontinental sectors that lack an included piece often list online prices from about €60 up to €140 per piece; airport rates can climb to €100–€200. Overweight surcharges generally range €50–€150 on items 23–32 kg, with much higher penalties above 32 kg; oversized items incur separate handling fees.

Practical steps: buy checked pieces via the carrier website or app to lock lower prices; verify allowance shown on the booking confirmation; weigh and measure bags at home to avoid overweight and oversize penalties; use a travel card that provides included piece(s) when available; consolidate contents to reduce the number of pieces and keep essentials, documents and medications in the cabin bag.

Practical baggage fee guidance – AF passengers

Purchase checked-bag allowance online at booking or during web check-in to lower fees and avoid higher desk rates.

• Typical included allowance by fare family: Economy Light – no checked piece included; Economy Classic/Standard – 1 checked piece up to 23 kg (50 lb); Premium Economy – 2 checked pieces up to 23 kg each; Business – 2 checked pieces up to 32 kg (70 lb) each; First – 3 checked pieces up to 32 kg each. Verify allowance shown on your electronic ticket.
• Cabin items: Standard cabin dimensions usually 55 x 35 x 25 cm plus one small personal item; recommended practical weight up to 12 kg. Regional jets may impose stricter size or weight limits at the gate.
• Overweight and oversize rules: Bags weighing 23–32 kg attract an overweight fee; items above 32 kg typically cannot travel as regular checked items and must move as cargo. Oversize pieces (larger dimensions than the checked limit) incur surcharges.
• Special equipment: Sporting gear, skis, surfboards and musical instruments can be accepted as checked pieces when declared. Electric batteries installed in devices such as quadcopters often need removal and must comply with hazardous-items regulations; check both airline policy and destination rules (example resource: are drones legal in california).
• Infants and young children: Infant allowance typically includes one collapsible stroller and one checked piece with a lower weight limit; confirm during reservation entry.
• Exemptions that reduce or eliminate fees: Elite frequent-traveler status and some co-branded credit cards include additional checked-piece allowance. Corporate contracts and certain promotional fares may also include extra pieces.

1. Buy checked allowance at booking to save compared with airport counter prices.
2. Weigh and measure bags at home; consolidate items to keep individual pieces ≤23 kg when possible.
3. Declare specialty items in advance and obtain written acceptance when size or weight exceeds standard limits.
4. Use elite status or qualifying payment cards to gain extra allowance and avoid single-item fees.

Always open the airline’s baggage section on your booking confirmation and print or screenshot the allowance summary; fees and permitted weights differ by route, fare family and frequent-traveler status. Contact the carrier directly when handling oversized, fragile or battery-powered items.

Checked baggage fees by fare class and route (domestic vs international)

Buy checked-bag allowance at booking; online rates are typically 30–60% lower than at the counter.

Fare-class summary: Light/Basic = carry-on only on short-haul and no included checked-bag on long-haul; Standard/Classic = short-haul may include one checked piece up to 23 kg when purchased with that fare, long-haul Economy Standard normally includes 1 × 23 kg; Premium Economy = commonly 2 × 23 kg; Business = commonly 2 × 32 kg or a weight-based allowance with priority handling.

Short-haul domestic and intra-region routes: prepaid online price per checked piece ~€15–€40 / $18–$45 one-way; airport counter price ~€35–€70 / $40–$80 one-way. Long-haul intercontinental routes: lowest fares exclude checked pieces; Economy Standard includes 1 × 23 kg; an additional piece prebooked online generally runs €70–€150 / $75–$170 one-way, with higher rates at the airport.

Overweight and oversize: standard piece limit usually 23 kg in Economy, 32 kg in premium cabins. Overweight 23–32 kg surcharge ~€50–€100 / $60–$110 per bag; items >32 kg are treated as cargo or subject to special handling fees that can exceed €200 / $220. Oversize (sum of dimensions) surcharges commonly €50–€200 depending on route and whether the extra is prebooked or presented at the counter.

Practical steps: add checked-bag allowance during booking or via manage-my-booking to secure the lowest rate; compare total cost of buying single-piece tickets plus bag versus upgrading to a higher fare that already includes checked-bag allowance; use elite status or co-branded card benefits to obtain complimentary pieces; split weight across bags to stay under 23 kg limits when possible; keep dimensions within the cabin/checked size limits to avoid oversize fees; purchase additional piece online rather than at the airport when anticipate extra weight or pieces.

Carry-on allowance: permitted cabin items and fees for extra carry-ons

Bring one cabin bag (maximum 55 x 35 x 25 cm) plus one personal item (example: laptop bag or purse) as standard; purchase extra cabin pieces online to save compared to airport prices.

Permitted cabin items

Typical permitted items: laptop and tablet devices, purses, small backpacks, duty-free parcels, outerwear, umbrellas, mobility aids, medical equipment, baby essentials such as a folded stroller or car seat when gate-checked. Liquids must comply with the 100 ml rule inside a single transparent bag. Sharp objects and most sports gear need to be placed in the hold unless special transport arrangements exist.

Extra carry-on fees and travel tips

Buy extra cabin allowance during booking or via the carrier’s website to obtain the lowest published fee. Priority boarding or higher-tier fares often include an extra cabin piece; compare upgrade cost against a single-segment extra-bag fee. At full flights staff may gate-check excess items; confirm retrieval point prior to deplaning. Label bags and weigh at home to avoid overweight penalties at the gate.

Overweight and oversized baggage: limits, surcharge tables and how charges are calculated

Recommendation: Keep each checked piece at or below 23 kg and 158 cm total linear dimensions to avoid overweight and oversize fees.

Weight tiers and standard limits: 0–23 kg – included in most fare types; 23–32 kg – overweight fee applies; >32 kg – generally refused as a checked item and must travel as cargo or via special handling.

Size thresholds: Up to 158 cm (length + width + height) – standard; 159–300 cm – oversize fee applies; >300 cm – treated as special cargo; measurements include wheels and external pockets.

Surcharge examples (one-way; amounts illustrative):

Short-haul (regional/domestic): Overweight 23–32 kg – EUR 35–70; Oversize 159–300 cm – EUR 50–90.

Medium-haul (cross-border within continent): Overweight 23–32 kg – EUR 70–150; Oversize 159–300 cm – EUR 100–200.

Long-haul (intercontinental): Overweight 23–32 kg – EUR 100–200; Oversize 159–300 cm – EUR 150–300.

Fee calculation method: Fees are normally set by weight band or size band plus route category rather than a per-kilogram rate. Total extra payable often equals any excess-piece fee (if an additional piece applies) plus the applicable overweight or oversize surcharge. Online prepayment typically reduces the surcharge by about 20–50% compared with counter prices at the terminal.

Examples: 1) One checked piece on a short-haul ticket weighing 28 kg: overweight band (23–32 kg) fee EUR 50; total additional fee = EUR 50. 2) One checked piece on a long-haul ticket measuring 170 cm and weighing 24 kg: overweight band EUR 120 plus oversize band EUR 160; combined extra fees = EUR 280 (some carriers cap combined amounts or apply a single higher rate instead of summing both).

Where payment occurs: Prepay online during web check-in to reduce cost; payment is also accepted at self-service kiosks, check-in desks, or at the gate when permitted. Missing prepayment often results in higher desk fees and possible refusal of very heavy or oversized pieces at boarding.

Practical tips: Use a digital suitcase scale before departure; redistribute heavy contents across multiple checked pieces to stay within 23 kg; move bulky, non-restricted items into the cabin bag when allowed; buy an extra checked piece at booking when weight cannot be avoided; mark fragile oversized items and alert the carrier during check-in.

Fees and packing rules: sports gear, musical instruments, pets

Declare sports gear, musical instruments and pets during booking and pay applicable fees in advance to avoid higher day-of-travel fees at the terminal.

Sports gear: skis/snowboards, golf clubs, bicycles, surfboards and diving sets are treated as special baggage. Typical dimension limits: maximum linear dimension often 300 cm; single-item length caps commonly 200–250 cm. Weight bands: up to 23 kg usually fits standard checked allowance; 23–32 kg attracts an overweight surcharge; items above 32 kg typically require cargo booking. Typical fee ranges when not included with the fare: domestic €30–€80; short/medium international €40–€120; long-haul €60–€200 per item. Packing tips: use a hard case that fully encloses the item, pad exposed edges, deflate bicycle tyres to about 30% pressure, remove pedals and rotate handlebars, secure surfboard fins or use fin boxes, attach a durable name-and-contact label and photograph serial numbers.

Musical instruments: soft-cased guitars, violins and similar may qualify as a cabin item if they fit overhead or under the seat; combined dimensions under roughly 115 cm linear are commonly accepted. Larger instruments typically require either purchase of an extra seat sized to the case dimensions or checking as special baggage with fragile handling. Fees vary by route and booking class; reserve the necessary space early since cabin storage is limited. Packing recommendations: use a solid flight case with internal foam, secure loose components, add silica gel packs in humid climates, loosen strings on wooden instruments to reduce tension during ascent and descent, and photograph serial numbers prior to travel.

Pets: small dogs and cats are commonly accepted in cabin when carrier plus pet combined weight does not exceed about 8 kg and carrier dimensions remain under approximately 46 x 28 x 24 cm; soft-sided carriers are usually required. Cabin fees typically range €50–€125 short/medium haul and €125–€250 long-haul; reserve early as cabin slots are limited. Larger animals move as checked live animals in pressurised, temperature-controlled compartments or as manifest cargo; some routes prohibit specific breeds or animals exceeding weight limits. Mandatory documentation: valid rabies vaccination record, microchip ID, veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of departure and any destination-specific permits. Arrival regulations vary by country; check destination embassy and carrier pet policies prior to booking. At check-in present the intact carrier, a familiar blanket and a secure leash; avoid sedatives unless a veterinarian advises and the carrier approves.

How to buy, prepay or add baggage online, at check-in and at the gate

Prepay extra pieces online via the carrier’s Manage Booking page or mobile app – typically the cheapest option, often 30–60% less than airport desk rates.

Online steps: have booking reference and passenger surname ready; open Manage Booking on the carrier website or mobile app; select the flight and passenger; choose extra piece(s) or extra kilograms where offered; pay with card or available digital wallets; save the confirmation email or screenshot of the paid barcode. Purchases normally remain editable until check-in closes and are accepted up to about 2 hours before scheduled departure on many routes.

At check-in: use self-service kiosks to add paid items and print bag tags, then proceed to bag drop. Desk agents can also sell extras but apply higher fees and slower processing. If planning to add at the desk arrive earlier than usual – suggested minima: domestic 90 minutes, short-haul international 2 hours, long-haul 3 hours. Keep receipts and present booking reference or confirmation email at the counter.

At the gate: last-minute additions depend on hold capacity and crew approval and may be unavailable. Expect higher fees and card-only payment at many gates; oversized or overweight items identified at gate are typically sent back to check-in for assessment and surcharge. If space exists you’ll receive a tag at the gate and be directed to the agent or baggage office for immediate processing.

Third-party bookings and codeshares: some travel agents restrict online modifications, so contact the original seller or call carrier customer service to add pieces. Group reservations often require agent handling. Allow 24–48 hours for system updates after an agent makes changes.

Refunds and changes: prepaid extras are rarely refundable unless the carrier cancels or materially changes the itinerary; keep payment confirmations and boarding passes to support refund or employer reimbursement claims. Upgrades from piece-based to weight-based allowances may be possible via Manage Booking prior to check-in.

Packing and last-minute tips: weigh checked bags at home with a digital scale and tag fragile items; bring proof of prepayment to avoid duplicate fees at drop-off; if uncertain buy online rather than at the airport to save time and money. Need compact rain protection? See best umbrella brand australia and best open close pocket umbrella.