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Air France

France's flag carrier, flying from Paris-Charles de Gaulle

  • FranceCountry
  • AFIATA Code
  • AFRICAO Code
  • SkyTeamAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Air France

Air France is France’s flag carrier and a founding member of SkyTeam, flying from Paris–Charles de Gaulle to around 200 destinations. Most fares include a 12 kg cabin allowance, but the new Economy Basic fare on some European routes includes only a personal item. This guide covers every fare’s baggage, Economy Basic, CDG connections, power bank rules, Flying Blue and how Air France compares with KLM and British Airways.

Air France was created in 1933 by merging five French airlines and has been part of the Air France–KLM group since 2004. Its low-cost sister Transavia France flies mainly from Paris Orly.

Air France flights to Paris
Photo: Chris Karidis / Unsplash

Check-In and Connecting at Charles de Gaulle

Online check-in opens 30 hours before departure on the website and app, and most passengers can use a mobile boarding pass.

Most Air France flights use Terminal 2, which is split into halls (2E, 2F, 2G and others) that are far apart. Check your hall before you travel and allow plenty of time to connect, especially between Schengen and non-Schengen flights.

Power Banks on Air France

New international (ICAO) rules for 2026 apply to Air France flights:

  • A maximum of two power banks per person, of up to 100 Wh each without approval, carried in the cabin only.
  • Power banks cannot be charged on board, and you should not use them to charge your phone during the flight.
  • Never pack power banks or spare batteries in checked bags.

Families, Special Assistance and Pets

Families can choose seats together, and infants under two travel on an adult’s lap, with bassinets on long-haul flights. Children travelling alone can use the Kids Solo service.

Special assistance can be requested in My bookings. Small dogs and cats can travel in the cabin on many flights if booked ahead.

How to Find Cheap Air France Flights

Cheap Air France flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Compare Basic, Light and Standard: add the cabin bag and checked bag you need before choosing.
  • Use Promo Rewards: monthly Flying Blue deals can cut award prices sharply.
  • Check KLM too: the same trip via Amsterdam is often cheaper than via Paris.
  • Avoid French school holidays: especially July, August and February.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Air France next to KLM, British Airways and others.

Air France vs KLM vs British Airways

All three are big European network airlines with long-haul flights worldwide.

Air FranceKLMBritish Airways
HubParis CDGAmsterdam SchipholLondon Heathrow
AllianceSkyTeamSkyTeamoneworld
LoyaltyFlying BlueFlying BlueBritish Airways Club (Avios)
Economy cabin allowance12 kg (not on Basic)12 kg (not on Basic)Cabin bag + handbag on every fare
Best forFrance, Africa, French overseas territoriesEasy connections via one terminalLondon and transatlantic

See our KLM guide and British Airways guide to compare.

Arriving in Paris

Charles de Gaulle is about 25 km north of central Paris. The RER B train runs to the city, and taxis charge a fixed fare to central Paris.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Air France a Good Airline?

Yes. Air France has a huge network, excellent premium cabins and the flexible Flying Blue programme. Charles de Gaulle can make connections stressful, and Basic fares now leave out the cabin bag, so check what you are buying.

For more options, see our Transavia guide, our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against published Air France–KLM fare and baggage rules, reporting on the Basic fare launch and the UK CAA power bank guidance. Rules change, so check the official Air France website before you travel.

SkyTeam & Airline Partnerships

Air France is a founding member of SkyTeam (2000). You can connect in Paris onto partners such as KLM, Delta, Korean Air and Aeromexico on one ticket and earn Flying Blue miles across the alliance.

Learn more about SkyTeam

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

Air France and KLM run a transatlantic joint venture with Delta and Virgin Atlantic, and Air France codeshares widely with SkyTeam and other partners.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Paris–Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is Air France's hub for domestic, European and long-haul flights. Transavia France, the group's low-cost airline, flies from Paris Orly.

Popular Air France Routes

Air France's busiest routes link Paris with Nice, Toulouse, London and Rome, and long-haul with New York, Los Angeles, Dubai and São Paulo. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Air France Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

Air France sells Economy as Basic (on a growing number of European routes since September 2025), Light, Standard and Flex, with Premium, Business and La Première on long-haul routes. Basic includes only a personal item; Light adds a cabin bag; Standard adds a 23 kg checked bag; and Flex adds free changes and a refundable ticket.

Whenever you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any change fee on the cheaper fares. Before you book Basic, check the price of Light: once a cabin bag is added, Light can work out cheaper.

  • Economy Basic (some European routes) Personal item only; a cabin bag can be added from about €15 per flight up to four hours before departure.
  • Economy Light Cabin bag included; no checked bag; change fee applies; non-refundable.
  • Economy Standard One 23 kg checked bag; change fee applies.
  • Economy Flex Free changes (fare difference applies) and refundable.
  • Premium, Business and La Première More flexible long-haul fares.
  • Flights to or from the USA You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days before departure.
  • EU passenger rights Regulation 261/2004 may entitle you to compensation for long delays, cancellations or denied boarding.

Air France Seat Selection & Additional Services

You can choose a seat when booking or at check-in; on Light fares, advance seat selection usually costs extra. Seat+ (extra legroom) seats are available to buy on many flights, and online check-in opens 30 hours before departure.

On long-haul flights, Air France offers Premium (premium economy), Business with lie-flat seats and, on selected Boeing 777s, La Première suites with a private lounge in Paris.

  • Economy Light Advance seat selection for a fee.
  • Seat+ Extra-legroom seats available to buy.
  • Online check-in Opens 30 hours before departure.
  • Premium Premium economy on long-haul flights.
  • Business Lie-flat seats on long-haul aircraft.
  • La Première First Class suites on selected Boeing 777s.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

Air France Baggage Allowance

Every Air France fare except Economy Basic includes a cabin bag of up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm and a personal accessory, with a combined weight of up to 12 kg in Economy and Premium. Basic, sold on some European routes, includes only a personal item of up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. Business and La Première passengers can bring two cabin bags and an accessory, up to 18 kg in total.

Basic and Light don't include a checked bag. Standard and Flex include one 23 kg bag, Premium two 23 kg bags, Business two 32 kg bags and La Première three 32 kg bags. The 55 × 35 cm cabin limit is narrower than many trolleys, so measure yours.

  • Economy Basic (some European routes) Personal item only (40 × 30 × 15 cm); cabin bag from about €15 per flight.
  • Cabin baggage (Economy Light and up, Premium) 1 bag up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm plus an accessory, 12 kg combined.
  • Cabin baggage (Business and La Première) 2 bags plus an accessory, 18 kg combined.
  • Economy Basic and Light No checked bag.
  • Economy Standard and Flex 1 bag of 23 kg.
  • Premium 2 bags of 23 kg each.
  • Business 2 bags of 32 kg each.
  • La Première 3 bags of 32 kg each.
  • Flying Blue Silver and above Free cabin bag even on Basic.

Flying Blue: Air France Loyalty Programme

Flying Blue is the free loyalty programme of Air France, KLM and their partners. You earn miles and Experience Points (XP) on Air France, KLM, SkyTeam and partner flights, and redeem miles for award flights, upgrades and more. Miles stay valid as long as you fly with an eligible airline at least once every 24 months.

XP determine your level: Explorer, Silver, Gold and Platinum, with Ultimate by invitation.

  • Explorer Free entry level for all members.
  • Silver Priority services and SkyTeam Elite status.
  • Gold Lounge access, extra baggage and SkyTeam Elite Plus status.
  • Platinum More benefits and the highest priority.
  • Ultimate Invitation-only level above Platinum.
  • Miles validity Kept active by flying at least once every 24 months.
Join or log in on the Air France website

Air France: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are Air France’s IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is AF. It appears in flight numbers (for example AF 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is AFR, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is Air France part of?

It is a member of SkyTeam. Alliance membership usually means easier connections, shared lounge access for eligible passengers and the option to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines.

03Where is Air France headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Paris (Tremblay-en-France), France.

04When was Air France founded?

The airline was founded in 1933.

05What are Air France’s main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: Paris (CDG) – Main Hub.

06Does Air France Basic include a cabin bag?

No. Economy Basic, sold on some European routes, includes only a personal item of up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. A full cabin bag can be added from about €15 per flight, and Flying Blue Silver and above still get one free.

07Does Air France Light include a checked bag?

No. Light includes a cabin bag and accessory only (12 kg combined). Standard and Flex include one 23 kg checked bag.

08What is Air France's cabin baggage limit?

In Economy and Premium, one cabin bag of up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm plus an accessory, 12 kg combined. Business and La Première allow 18 kg in total.

09When does Air France online check-in open?

Online check-in opens 30 hours before departure on airfrance.com and in the Air France app.

10Do Air France and KLM share a loyalty programme?

Yes. Air France and KLM both use Flying Blue, so you earn and spend the same miles on both airlines and their SkyTeam partners.

Air France, its logo and trademarks are the property of Air France S.A. and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Air France unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.