Quick Answer
Air France (AF) is France’s flag carrier — SkyTeam founding member, part of Air France-KLM group. Founded 1933. 220+ aircraft, 200+ destinations worldwide. Baggage allowance (Economy): Cabin (all): 12kg main bag 55x35x25cm + 1 small item 40x30x15cm. Light fare: only cabin. Standard: 1×23kg checked. Flex: 1×23kg + free changes. Premium Economy: 12kg cabin + 2×23kg checked + better food + extra legroom. Business: 18kg cabin + 2×32kg checked + lie-flat + lounge. La Première (First Class): 18kg cabin + 3×32kg + private suite. Check-in: online 30 hours-30 minutes before departure. Hubs: Paris Charles de Gaulle CDG (T2 mega-hub), Paris Orly ORY. SkyTeam: with Delta, KLM, Korean Air, China Eastern, etc. Common fees: 2nd checked €70-100, name change €70+, flight change €70-300. Tip: Flying Blue (shared with KLM) — SkyTeam Elite Plus from Gold status.
Air France baggage + fares
- Cabin (all Economy): 12kg main bag 55x35x25cm + 1 small item 40x30x15cm.
- Cabin (Business): 18kg (2 pieces × 9kg).
- Cabin (La Première): 18kg (2 pieces × 9kg).
- Light fare: NO checked.
- Standard: 1×23kg checked + paid seat selection.
- Flex: 1×23kg + free changes + free seat selection.
- Premium Economy: 1×23kg cabin + 2×23kg checked + extra legroom + better food + dedicated cabin.
- Business (lie-flat long-haul): 18kg cabin + 2×32kg checked + lounge + chauffeur (some markets).
- La Première: private suite + 3×32kg + La Première Lounge CDG.
- Sports equipment: ski/bike/golf €60-100.
- SkyTeam Elite Plus: +1 checked bag.
Air France check-in + service
- Online check-in: 30 hours to 30 minutes before departure (45 min long-haul).
- Mobile boarding pass: Air France app, ApplePass, GooglePass.
- Self-service kiosks: at all hubs.
- Bag drop: 2-3 hours before departure.
- Boarding closes 30 minutes before scheduled departure (45 min long-haul).
- SkyPriority: Business + Premium Economy + SkyTeam Elite Plus get priority everywhere.
- Air France service style: French — cabin crew speak French + English. Champagne in Premium+. Distinctly French food.
Air France routes + hubs
- 200+ destinations: Europe + Africa + Americas + Asia.
- Top hub: Paris Charles de Gaulle CDG (T2 mega-hub).
- Paris Orly ORY: short-haul European focus + French Caribbean.
- Africa specialty: 30+ African destinations including Algiers, Casablanca, Dakar, Abidjan, Lagos, Kinshasa, Nairobi, Antananarivo, Réunion. BEST European airline for Africa.
- USA + Canada: NYC JFK, Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Toronto, Montreal.
- Latin America: Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Lima, Santiago, Bogotá.
- Asia: Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Mumbai.
- French Caribbean + Indian Ocean: Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Cayenne, Réunion (Saint-Denis), Saint-Pierre + Miquelon, Tahiti.
- SkyTeam: Delta + KLM + Korean Air + China Eastern + more.
Flying Blue + La Première
- Flying Blue: shared with KLM. Earn miles on AF + KLM + TAROM + Aircalin.
- Status tiers: Explorer → Silver → Gold → Platinum → Ultimate.
- Silver (SkyTeam Elite): priority check-in + limited lounge.
- Gold (SkyTeam Elite Plus): lounge access (AF + KLM + all SkyTeam globally) + +1 bag + priority + Premium Comfort upgrades.
- Platinum + Ultimate: top tiers — guaranteed availability + concierge + Premium upgrades.
- La Première (First Class): private suite on long-haul. Pre-flight chauffeur. Personal valet from car to gate. Private dining.
- La Première Lounge CDG: exclusive lounge with personal chefs + spa.
- Skytrax: 4-star airline.
- Reviews: 4/5 stars typical. Quintessentially French.
Common Air France fees
- 2nd checked bag (Economy): €70-100 short-haul, €100-200 long-haul.
- Light fare upgrade to Standard: €25-50 to add bag.
- Excess baggage: €40-100 per kg.
- Name change: €70+.
- Flight change: €70-300 + fare difference.
- Cancellation: non-refundable Light + Standard. Refund Flex + Business + La Première.
- Pet (in cabin): €75 short-haul, €200 intercontinental.
- Pet (in hold): €70-300.
- Special assistance: FREE — book 48h ahead.
- WiFi onboard: €5-25 short-haul, €10-30 long-haul.
- Avoid Light fare if checking bag: +€25-50 = Standard fare.
- Best routes: Africa specialty (cheapest from Europe), French Caribbean, Latin America.
Frequently Asked Questions
Air France cabin baggage?
Economy: 12kg main bag 55x35x25cm + 1 small item 40x30x15cm. Business: 18kg (2 pieces × 9kg). Generous compared to Lufthansa (8kg) and BA (23kg).
Air France check-in online?
30 hours to 30 minutes before departure (45 min long-haul). Mobile boarding pass via app/ApplePass/GooglePass.
Air France Light fare worth it?
Only if no checked bag needed. +€25-50 to add bag = same as Standard. Avoid for any leisure trip with luggage.
Air France for Africa?
BEST European airline for Africa. CDG hub direct to 30+ African cities including Algiers, Casablanca, Dakar, Abidjan, Lagos, Nairobi, Antananarivo. Strong Premium Economy + Business for long flights.
Air France vs KLM?
Both Air France-KLM Group + SkyTeam + Flying Blue. Air France: Paris CDG hub + Africa + Latin America + La Première First Class. KLM: Amsterdam Schiphol hub + Asia + N. America. Choose by destination.
La Première First Class?
Private suite on Boeing 777 long-haul (Paris ↔ NYC, LA, Tokyo, Hong Kong, etc.). La Première Lounge CDG exclusive (personal chef, spa). Pre-flight chauffeur. €5,000-15,000+ tickets.
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- Cabin-size carry-on suitcase — fits 55x40x20cm.
- Underseat backpack 40x20x25 — low-cost personal item.
- Travel insurance Europe — flight delay coverage.