Carry-on Question - Delta Connecting to Air France

I had a similar flight plan in October 2022 - Spokane->Seattle->CDG on Delta and CDG -> Milan on Air France. At that time people had had varying experiences with some having witnessed Air France weighing or having folks put bags in the sizers on an AF flight from CDG.

I did not want to take a chance so I wound up getting a new bag that is 55cm x 35cm x 25 cm. My personal item was within the limit. I went for the lightest bag that would work for me which weighs 4.5#. When I walked out of my house my suitcase weighed 16.1# and personal item about 5, so within the limit. When you are working with AF or another European airline, I found it best to go by the metric measurement. I found that the suitcase makers sometimes round up or round down for the inch measurement so it was best for me to think cms.

On the flight to Milan, I boarded early, had plenty of room in the overhead bin for my bag and truthfully a 22" bag would have easily fit, the bins on that plane were generous. I will add that neither gate agent blinked as anyone walked past so as far as I know, no weighing or measuring. I would NOT want to count on that though. The bins were the fullest bins I've ever seen on an airplane. The flight attendants were juggling things around and got everyone's bags stowed. They were marvelous.

This last summer things were much better in the airports in Europe. If you are traveling with a companion, and decide to check, I'd divide your clothes up so each of you has some clothing in each bag (maybe a set of clothes in a packing cube?) in case one of the checked bags doesn't make it.

Still, last year in April and August, I carried on to make sure I had my bag.

I also recommend you weigh every item in your bags. I use a kitchen scale and weighed every shirt and pair of pants. I packed the lightest of the bunch.

It’s really kind of amazing how often this question comes up, “How strict is (fill in the blank airline) on enforcing their carryon rules?” The general answer is abide by the rules, then you won’t be upset if you just happen to get pulled aside and your luggage size, weight checked……which does happen.

April 2023, I flew Delta to Europe with a plane change at CDG to Air France for the leg into Barcelona. I knew my carryon was very slightly larger than Air France requirements so I was prepared to have it gate checked if measured. I didn't see them weigh or measure anyone, but I had a strange interaction with the gate attendants.

I was lined up in my boarding group with my passport ready to show as required. One agent looked at my USA passport and said I had to go to the gate desk. The person there asked me in English if I spoke French and I replied no. He then said if I don't speak French I needed to check my carryon. I didn't question him at all, but quickly moved a couple preplanned things from my luggage to my personal item. I never heard of language proficiency as being a requirement. There was no $ charge.

For the return home out of Barcelona on Air France (to Delta at CDG) no one questioned me.

I always air on the side of caution because I don’t want to get stuck with a large bill for having to check a bag at the last minute. I’ve seen Air France pull bags out that did not fit the requirements and that certainly makes a difference in my decisions.

Bottom line, you can do whatever you want. But since you ask, I would follow the rules. It’s always a safer bet.

We're using 21 inch ultra light rolling carry on bags, and the large legacy airlines have no issue with our bags. With the wheels, they're actually 22" in length. The fit okay overhead in both Airbus and Boeing airplanes. We limit ourselves to 10 kg., and can travel indefinitely using Rick Steves' Packing List with minor mods.

The only time I've had an issue was with Norwegian Air Shuttle in Oslo. Half the flight had 22" bags stowed away, but I guess they were trying to make up for low airfares by getting tough on luggage. That was many years ago.

Just carry on your bags and you'll be just fine. By the way, you can make your trip with just 10 kg bags.

I've flown Delta to AF dozens of times and have never been questioned, weighed, stopped, etc. I was told the first airline's rules prevail.
As for language requirement, the employee was probably asking which language to use when speaking, not forcing English speakers to check bags. Bad intonation can distort meaning. LOL

BTW, AF doesn't have Comfort + inside Europe on all flights. You'll probably have a regular economy seat for the European leg.
I fly to the US: Economy Comfort or Premium for the trip to the US but Business for the red-eye back to Europe. The Comfort/Premium legs place me in a Economy seat for my European flight. And I have no problem with my 22" two-wheel roll aboard. Neither my husband nor I have ever hit the weight limit.

I have seen Air France check size and weigh bags on multiple occasions at CDG. Only you can decide if you want to risk it by trying to circumvent the airline's restrictions.

I've flown Delta to AF dozens of times and have never been questioned, weighed, stopped, etc. I was told the first airline's rules prevail.

Bets, I've been told the exact opposite by both airlines , which is why I always tell people to proceed with caution when it comes to luggage rules.

ETA: Here is language from Delta's carry-on policy webpage: **Airline Partner Notice: Our SkyTeam and codeshare partners may have different guidelines and restrictions on certain flights, so be sure to check before you check in.

I’m sorry when the agent tells me, I have to speak the language to do my carry-on. I’m going to ask them to show me the regulation. And don’t worry if the regulations only in French I have Google Translate on my phone. I’ll figure it out. (I bet there no such regulation. They were just looking for a reason to make people check baggage and figured that was a lie they can make up. )

I've flown Delta to AF dozens of times and have never been questioned,
weighed, stopped, etc. I was told the first airline's rules prevail.

The rules of the first airline (the one you check-in with) definitely apply to checked baggage. Of course, that airline checking your bags will determine what you can/can't check since they will be tagging and handling them. Once the tags go on and your checked bag disappears down the belt into the bowels of an airport, other airlines dealing with it later at connecting airports are not going to pull it out of the flow and haggle over whether or not it meets their requirements (I suppose if it's super heavy it might get extra attention, but once it's tagged and down the chute, there shouldn't be any subsequent scrutiny - unless something goes horribly wrong, bag burst open, drug-sniffing dogs flag your bag, snakes on a plane, whatever).

But think about where your carry-on goes: it goes with you through additional terminals at every connecting airport, right past the gate staff who are (or at least may be) checking everyone's carry-ons to ensure compliance. If you walk up to the gate and your bag exceeds the limits for the flight you are about to step on, the gate staff are not going to care one bit what some other airline allowed you to carry on previously. Their flight, their limits. If that was not the case, then everyone getting on that flight could claim they just came off another flight whose carry-on limits were greater, so their 3 large steamer trunks should be OK...chaos would ensue. When it's boarding time, they want to move people onto the plane, they're not going to look up your ticket and see what airline you flew earlier that day and research that airline's policy.

Now, it's entirely possible (perhaps even common) for some gate staff to not be terribly interested in your carry-on (and maybe especially so for connecting passengers), but then you are back in the realm of "You've got to ask yourself, do you feel lucky?"

I check the carry-on limits for each leg of a flight, identify the most restrictive of them, and do my best to ensure my carry-on meets the limits of that most strict of the airlines involved.

If your bag is close in size to what Air Frances carry-on requirements are, then there would rarely, if ever, be a problem when moving from a Delta Flight to and Air France flight as a transfer. As nearly everyone has noted, they simply do not closely measure or weigh bags at the gate. If you managed to get an oversized bag onto a Delta flight, or a carry-on size bag, another big tote, and then a third personal item (as seems to happen in the US) then you might be questioned, and maybe have to gate check a bag, not the end of the world.

However, start out in Europe on Air France, then they will likely question, or just routinely weigh your bag.

Thank you for all the comments. Our carry on bags are hard-sided Ebag Monument bags. They are slightly larger than the AF stated dimensions, but more like fractions of an inch. My main concern is the weight. We are in Italy for two weeks and I’m doubtful we can keep under the 12 kg limit for BOTH carry-on and personal item. So. . . My next question is, how reliable is it to check a bag to Rome, connecting through CDG? As noted, we are flying out of SEA, with a 1 hr 25 minute layover in Paris. Seems that should be enough time for the bags to transfer to the AF flight, but I’ve never done it. It certainly would lessen the stress factor, not having to manage with two bags, even if they are relatively small.

The vast majority of the time, you will have no problem with checking a bag. For me, the main calculus is what I am doing once I arrive at my destination. If you will be spending several days in Rome, even a couple nights, then check the bags if it relieves some of the concern. You figure 99+% of the time, there is no issue, probably 90% of the times there is, the bag arrives on a later flight the same or the next day. The airline will deliver to your hotel. If I am arriving, then immediately off to another town, maybe moving on frequently, sometimes without knowing exactly where...then I always carry on.

If you check, of course carry a change of clothes and whatever necessities you need (personal items, medication) with you. By the way, and please do not worry about it, an hour and 25 minutes is not a great deal of time for a transfer at CDG. You will be going through Immigration/Passport control at CDG. Look for sign for connecting flights, follow that, you will wind up at passport control, if someone is managing the line, let them know you have a short connection, they may move you up in line. Not sure if Premium Select gets you Sky Priority (it will say on your boarding pass) or if you have Platinum/Diamond status, but they sometimes have separate lines for Sky Priority. Head right to your gate, you can take care of a bathroom break once there, or on the plane.

“As noted, we are flying out of SEA, with a 1 hr 25 minute layover in Paris. Seems that should be enough time for the bags to transfer to the AF flight, but I’ve never done it.”

To me this is not enough time. I timed myself from the time the door opened on my flight from Seattle in terminal 2E to my departure gate for AF to Italy in 2F. It took 1h5m. The plane was parked at a tarmac stand meaning a shuttle bus to the Immigration/transit area. The last 3 times Ive arrived on Delta from Seattle the plane parked on the tarmac. You have to wait until the bus fills even if you are first off the plane. I followed the signs to 2F transits/correspondence. There was about a 15 minute line at 2F Security. There was a short walk to Immigration (as that is where you are entering the Schengen Zone). There was literally no wait there at the egate and an attendant inserted my passport for me. I continued to 2F gates without stopping for a comfort stop. I did not run but walked steadily.

How much does your suitcase weigh empty?

For those of us in to light packing, I would take the same clothes for 2weeks, 4 weeks or 6 weeks. Well, maybe one less shirt for 2 weeks. 😁 It’s possible to do but it has to be a choice. Some don’t care for it, others, like me, enjoy the challenge!

Editing to add: the day I did this transit there was no separate security like for Delta One. I’ve never seen a sign that Delta Select meets the criteria.

Not sure if Premium Select gets you Sky Priority

I can confirm from personal experience (and the link below :-) ) that Premium Select does receive Sky Priority service.

https://www.delta.com/us/en/onboard/onboard-experience/delta-premium-economy

Bets...The person who told me told me I had to check the bag because I didn't speak French spoke very clear English and I asked him to repeat because it was so odd. I figured it was a phony reason, but chose not to question. I heard him tell another person the same thing.