Air France Carry-On Size & Weight Limit: What You Need to Know!

Air France is one of those airlines where the rules are clear—but the details matter. The two numbers you want to remember are the hand baggage size (your overhead carry-on) and the small bag size (your under-seat personal item). After that, it’s really about your fare: some Economy fares include a hand baggage item, and some do not.

For quick comparisons across airlines, you can also reference my complete guide to airline carry-on luggage rules.

Air France carry-on rules at a glance

Here’s the quick cheat sheet for the three things most people search for: carry-on size, carry-on weight, and liquids.

• Hand baggage (overhead carry-on) size: 55 × 35 × 25 cm (about 21.7″ × 13.8″ × 9.9″), including wheels/handles/pockets
• Small bag (personal item) size: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (about 16″ × 12″ × 6″)
• Carry-on weight limit (combined):
  • Economy: up to 12 kg (26.4 lb) total for your hand baggage + small bag
  • Business / La Première: up to 18 kg (40 lb) total for your hand baggage + small bag
• Economy fares: 0 to 1 hand baggage depending on the fare + 1 small bag
• Liquids rule (security): containers ≤ 100 ml, inside one clear 1-liter bag (Air France also notes the bag size should not exceed 20 × 20 cm)

If you’re flying from the U.S., TSA screening rules apply (plain-English overview in my TSA liquids rule guide).

The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you, and the carry-on bag must be stowed in the overhead bin.

Air France carry-on size limit (hand baggage)

Air France’s maximum dimensions for hand baggage are:

• 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7″ × 13.8″ × 9.9″), including pockets, wheels, and handles

If your bag is close to the limit, the easiest way to avoid problems is to measure it fully packed—because exterior pockets (and expandable zippers) are what usually push a bag over the line.

My experience has been that Air France is very strict about the size of your carry-on (hand baggage), to the point that your bag must fit into their sizer horizontally, not vertically. Be careful with duffel bags and domestic carry-on roller bags, as they often do not fit the Air France template, even though they easily fit in the overhead and are widely accepted on U.S. Airlines.

Air France personal item size (small bag)

Air France allows one small bag for essentials, with published dimensions of:

• 40 × 30 × 15 cm (16″ × 12″ × 6″)

This is the bag that should fit under the seat in front of you. If you’re in an exit row, Air France notes the small bag must be stored overhead.

If the bag is too big or too heavy, you’re going to have to pay a sizable extra baggage fee, so it’s always better to know your bag size and the size limitations in advance.

Air France carry-on allowance by fare (Economy vs. Premium vs. Business)

Air France spells this out in a way that’s actually helpful:

Economy cabin

• 0 to 1 hand baggage (depending on your fare) + 1 small bag
• Maximum total weight: 12 kg (26.4 lb) for both items combined

Premium cabin

• 2 hand baggage items + 1 small bag
• Maximum total weight: 12 kg (26.4 lb) for all cabin items combined

Business and La Première

• 2 hand baggage items + 1 small bag
• Maximum total weight: 18 kg (40 lb) for all cabin items combined

Basic fare: adding a hand baggage item

If you booked a Basic fare and want to bring a hand baggage item in addition to your small bag, Air France indicates you can purchase a Hand Baggage option (and that you can also buy it during booking or later in “My Bookings” up to 4 hours before departure). Air France also notes that certain Flying Blue elites can bring a hand baggage item free of charge on Basic.

Recommended Air France Carry-On Bag

If you want a wheeled carry-on that’s built around international sizing, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Expandable Carry-On Spinner (19″) is a strong default choice for international travel overall—lightweight, easy to roll, and sized for “international-style” carry-on constraints.

Manufacturer dimensions:

• Overall (incl. wheels and carry handles): 21.75″ H × 15.75″ W × 7.75″ D
• Case dimensions: 19″ H × 15″ W × 7.75″ D

The honest Air France fit note (important)

Air France’s published hand baggage size is 55 × 35 × 25 cm (about 21.7″ × 13.8″ × 9.9″). The Maxlite 5 International is excellent on height and depth, but its overall width is about 15.75″ (~40 cm), which is wider than Air France’s 35 cm limit.

What I’d do in practice:

• If you want the simplest, lowest-risk compliance with Air France sizing, choose a wheeled carry-on that’s 55 × 35 × 25 cm (or smaller) overall.
• If you use the Maxlite 5 International anyway, keep it unexpanded and avoid overstuffing the outside—then assume there’s some risk of being asked to check it if a sizer is enforced strictly.

Air France carry-on weight limit

Air France’s weight rule is important because it’s a combined limit:

• In Economy, your hand baggage + small bag together must weigh no more than 12 kg (26.4 lb).
• In Business/La Première, the combined limit is 18 kg (40 lb).

This is one of the big differences from many U.S. airlines, where weight for carry-ons isn’t usually published.

Carry-On Liquids: Air France Liquids Policy

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA in the US and the EASA and European Commission in Europe.  Air France doesn’t have their own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the Authorities.

• Containers with liquids and gel-like substances may hold up to 100 ml (maximum capacity must be printed on the container).
• All containers must be carried in a plastic bag (transparent, resealable, max. capacity of 1 liter). One bag per person.
• The bag must be presented separately at security. Take your liquids out of your carry-on baggage at the security screening point and present them separately. In exceptional cases, liquids may be opened in the course of security checks and removed from their outer packaging.
• Liquid duty-free goods purchased at an international airport or on board an aircraft outside the EU must be transported in a tamper-proof, certified bag on connecting flights via an EU airport. The proof of purchase must be inside the bag and the bag must be sealed by the retailer.
• Medicines and special food (e.g. baby food) can be carried outside the plastic bag and must also be presented at security.

Below is a table that provides some examples of Non-solid Food and Personal Items that are considered “liquids”:

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