Air France Experience

Jenny, are you talking about a frame backpack or just a soft suitcase with backpack straps? Ask Air France -- or take a trip to SFO with your proposed luggage and check out the baggage sizers. (I did that at United and decided to check my rollaboard through to avoid hassles at check-in if it was over-filled. )

We flew Air France last year out of SF, they did not seem stricter than any other airline. If it is a big medal frame I would think it would have to be the same as the 22in roller bag type of thing. We upgraded to "larger" seats and they still were very small. So warning they tend to cram a lot more people in Coach than lets say United does.

My husband and I just returned at end of March from trip to France via Air France. Someone came around and weighed one of our bags (I forget if it was in DC or in Paris). I saw them put someone else's bag in the measuring bin. They didn't systematically check everyone, but I'm guessing if your bag looks like it might not meet requirements, there is a chance it will get measured.

From my own experience, it depends on whether the agent thinks the bag might be too big/heavy. Not all bags are weighed or measured, but it's not a random thing, either.

It's a normal backpack, no frame, but not a soft suitcase either. The measurements list it as 1 inch taller than Air France's website. I just wondered how often they actually measure. Thanks for your input. Is Air France a good airline to fly?

Yes, I think Air France is very good, though French workers strike a lot, and sometime you may have to deal with this.....

I flew Air France from CDG to Detroit last September just traveling with normal carry on sized backpack. The Air France aides asked me if I was checking my bag. When I replied no, he just directed me the kiosk to print out my boarding pass and pointed me in the direction of security. I went through security then to my departure gate. Not at any time was my bag questioned, weighed or measured. I just boarded threwe it in the overhead and flew home.
I wouldn't worry to much about it.
And yes, I felt Air France was a great carrier. (I thought it was a Delta flight who I booked with and flew over on but I guess they are partners).
Have a great trip. Paris is awesome. I have been 3 times now and can't wait to go back!!!!

I haven't checked a bag to Europe in more than a decade and about that since I checked a bag for the return flight. I've ridden on SAS and Lufthanse, they're really strict on both size and weight. Aer Lingus, KLM and British Airways didn't seem nearly as strict. American based carriers allow more bags but then "gate-check" bags when the bins fill up (which is common on the narrower planes).

If it's a real backpack, it's probably too long for carry-on and you will have to check it. If so, buy a bag to put it in so there are no loose straps that might catch in the baggage handling machines. It would be nice to have something that carried well (had some structure), fit the requirements, and didn't use much of my weight allowance. So far I haven't seen it.

Any carry on that's stuffed, even if it fits the size requirements, might also get weighed and need to be checked. I bought a scale specifically for my carry-on and always make sure I'm legal before I leave home so I don't have to worry.

RE: "American based carriers allow more bags but then "gate-check" bags when the bins fill up (which is common on the narrower planes)."

Good news:
http://gizmodo.com/boeings-new-737-max-is-about-to-make-flying-a-little-le-1698329273

Perhaps the biggest news is a new overhead bin design that will hold
50 percent more bags. Yes, 50 percent! A small vertical expansion of
the bin now allows bags to be placed on their sides, which means six
bags can fit sideways where only four fit flat. According to Wired the
new size rebalances the bins which will actually make them easier to
swing down. When the bin is open it also sits two inches lower in the
cabin, making it easier for everyone to reach.

We were required to put it into the metal frame to check for size, did not weigh it thought. This was SFO United.

..did not weigh it thought. This was SFO United.

United doés not specify a carry-on weight limit. I haven't verified the following link but it shows that carry-on limits vary from carrier to carrier. You need to check what's l"legal " but as the question is what's enforced.

http://flyingwithfish.boardingarea.com/2009/06/28/carry-on-weight-baggage-limit-chart-for-65-world-airlines/
–European Carriers–
Aer Lingus – Size: 22″x18″x10″ (50 linear inches) – Weight: 13lbs
Air France – Size: 21.5×13.5″x10″ (46 linear inches) – Weight: 26lbs
Alitalia – Size: 18″x14″x10″ (42 linear inches) – Weight: 11lbs
British Midland/BMI – Size: 22″x18″x10″ (50 linear inches) – Weight: none
British Airways – Size: 22″x16″x8″ (46 linear inches) – Weight 26lbs
EasyJet – Size: 22″x16″x8″ (46 linear inches) – Weight: none
Finnair – Size: 22″x18″x10″ (50 linear inches) – Weight: 22lbs
Iberia – Size: 18″x14″x10″ (42 linear inches) – Weight: 22lbs
KLM – Size: 21.5×13.5″x10″ (46 linear inches) – Weight 26lbs
Lufthansa – Size: 22″x16″x8″ (46 linear inches) – Weight: 18lbs
OpenSkies – Size: 18″x12″x10″ (40 linear inches) – Weight: 51lbs
Ryanair – Size: 22″x14″x9″ (45 linear inches) – Weight: 22lbs
SAS – Size: 22″x18″x9″ (49 linear inches) – Weight: 17.5lbs
SWISS – Size: 22″x16″x8″ (46 linear inches) – Weight: 18lbs
Virgin Atlantic – Size: 22×14″x9″ (45 linear inches) – Weight: 13lbs

I flew out of SFO last October on AF to Paris. At the gate AF staff walked up and down the lines and periodically asked passengers to put their carryon in the sizing box. I only saw one person whose bag was to large and they made her check it in. She was not very happy and was verbal about it.
Enjoy your trip.