We are flying round trip to France, on Air France, in August. Before our trip, I need to purchase two checked bags for the flights. Air France says the limit for a checked bag is 158 cm. or 62 inches, including wheels and everything. A large checked bag on Amazon is about 64 inches, depending on the brand. I would rather purchase the large bag than the medium bag (approximately 55 total inches). In your experience, will we have a problem at check in or the gate because of the extra two inches (and have to pay a fee).
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6350 posts
I suggest you keep looking, because it is possible to find 28" suitcases that meet the 62" restriction. These days, it is best practice to assume that airlines will abide by their size restrictions, and act accordingly.
Posted by
Boston
303 posts
It doesn’t matter what our experience has been. On the day of your travel, especially if the flight is full, they may decide to be strict with luggage parameters.
Yes, it’s galling to see other passengers rock onto the plane with outsized luggage and no one stops them. It happens ALL the time to me. But that can’t be counted on.
Buy bags that meet the restrictions and you won’t have to worry.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12678 posts
Oversized Baggage Option
If your baggage's dimensions exceed 158 cm/62.2 in., but not 300 cm/118 in., you will need to pay an additional fee at the airport. The fee amount depends on your booking.
Baggage items measuring between 158 cm/62.2 in. and 300 cm/118 in., must be dropped at the "Oversized Baggage" counter.
If your baggage item's dimensions exceed 300 cm/118 in., please visit the Air France Cargo website.
https://wwws.airfrance.fr/en/information/bagages/bagage-cabine-soute#dimensions-bag-soute
Depending on the agent at the bag drop the day you travel, the half inch per side may go unnoticed or if the agent is eagle eyed and in a bad mood, may result in paying whatever the extra fee is for your booking class. And there are weight restrictions as well, depending on fare class.
Anyone who could tell you what will happen the day you travel, is more likely to use that ability to pick a winning lotto number
Contact AF and find out what the 'added fee' is and decide if its a gamble you are comfortable with
Posted by
Chicago
9162 posts
I'd be surprised if a 28 inch suitcase didn't exceed weight requirements. That is a huge thing to drag to Europe if you are not moving or have a similar non travel related need for huge amounts of stuff.
Posted by
Chicagoland
897 posts
I'm going slightly off topic here. But don't forget to consider what happens after you land. How are you planning to get around once you arrive in France? As Janet said, 28" bag is huge. If you are traveling on trains it will be cumbersome. If you are renting a car, be sure you can fit the bags in the trunk/storage area. Hopefully any hotels you stay in will have large elevators.
Posted by
Los Angeles
5156 posts
As noted, first of all that's way too much luggage. And it's ultimately up to any gate agent to decide if a bag is "legal."
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2947 posts
The other problem with the suitcase is it is very easy to go overweight which means you will be charged for weight
You’re not moving. You can buy everything in Paris get the medium suitcase.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11180 posts
When we cleared out my in-laws’ house in France, we used a medium sized bag. When we moved to France, we used medium sized bags. I can’t imagine traveling with anything bigger unless you were moving.
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1390 posts
In my experience, Air France is the most "by the book" airline I have flown to France. I would find something smaller, or just check your bags. Despite many people's comments on this forum, it really isn't bad and doesn't add too much time to your flight. it is worth it to me for piece of mind and being able to relax on the flight—including the boarding process. I always check one and carry one.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks for all the great replies. For the checked bag, I can easily find a 24, 26 or 28 inch to stay under the AF 62-inch limit. For the carry on, the AF requirement is 21.7/13.8/9.9 inches. It has been surprisingly difficult to find a carry-on brand that fits. Most tend to be approximately 22/14.0 to 14.8/9 to 10 inches. The 13.8 width requirement is particularly difficult.
Posted by
Chicagoland
897 posts
When shopping for luggage in the US a lot of companies round up their dimensions. Try to find the actual dimensions, including wheels and handles. Go to a luggage store, Macy's or even TJ Maxx and actually measure the bags. Many bags labeled 22 x 14 x 10" may actually be closer to what you need.
I travel with a spinner that is 21.7" x 14" x 7.9". I'm not worried about being over by .2" in 1 direction only. I found my bag at my local TJ Maxx several years ago.
Good luck!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2947 posts
And keep in mind, luggage manufacturers rarely tell you the measurements, including wheels and handles. Airlines always consider those measurements including wheels and handles. That’s why you need to measure it yourself and not depend on the luggage manufacturer.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
15731 posts
“It has been surprisingly difficult to find a carry-on brand that fits”
Use the metric measurements instead of the rounded inches. The big manufacturers have both listed on their websites.
I was flying an Air France leg and specifically bought an Osprey Ozone 2-wheeler which is the exact AF dimensions - 55x35x25 cms.
https://www.osprey.com/ozone-2-wheel-carry-on-40l-21-5-ozoneco2wf22-550
You also want to look at the total weight of your carry on bags. The Osprey Ozone weighs 4.5# so is pretty lightweight.
I will also add that I am a light packer and can go for 4+ weeks with this bag.