Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Air France or British Airways?

Air France: 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in), up to 12 kg (26.5 lb). British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), up to 23 kg (50.7 lb). British Airways allows the larger bag.

Where do Air France and British Airways fly from?

Air France's main hubs are Paris (CDG). British Airways's are London (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Air France and British Airways partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Air France: SkyTeam; British Airways: oneworld), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AF vs BA · 2026 comparison

Air France vs British Airways

Q: Do Air France and British Airways include a carry-on on basic economy?

Air France: The Basic fare on short-haul routes includes only a small under-seat bag. Light fares include a cabin bag but no checked bag. British Airways: Even hand-baggage-only fares include a cabin bag and a handbag.

Air France doesn't clearly win any category; British Airways wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Air France

No clear category wins

British Airways

Wins 3 categories

A bigger carry-on
A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit

Quick verdict

Air France doesn't clearly win any category; British Airways wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Air France: 55 × 35 × 25 cm · British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air France: Not on some basic fares · British Airways: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Air France: 1 free bag · British Airways: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Air France	British Airways
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 35 × 25 cm	56 × 45 × 25 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	12 kg (26.5 lb)	23 kg (50.7 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	SkyTeam	oneworld
Loyalty program	Flying Blue	British Airways Club
Main hubs	CDG	LHR, LGW

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Air France allows a carry-on up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in), and British Airways up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), so British Airways's is roomier.

Air France's Basic / Light can be personal-item only, while British Airways includes it on every fare.

Carry-on weight limits: 12 kg (26.5 lb) on Air France, 23 kg (50.7 lb) on British Airways.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Air France, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on British Airways.

Air France includes one bag with Standard on flights between North America and Europe, and British Airways includes one bag with Economy on flights between the U.S. and the UK.

Basic economy

Air France (Basic / Light): The Basic fare on short-haul routes includes only a small under-seat bag. Light fares include a cabin bag but no checked bag.

British Airways (Basic (hand baggage only)): Even hand-baggage-only fares include a cabin bag and a handbag.

Loyalty and where they fly

Air France is in SkyTeam and British Airways is in oneworld.

Loyalty programs: Flying Blue (Air France) and British Airways Club (British Airways).

Air France's main hubs are Paris (CDG). British Airways's are London (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Air France if you want…

to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from CDG

Choose British Airways if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from LHR, LGW

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.