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

Air France: 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in), up to 12 kg (26.5 lb). Ryanair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Air France allows the larger bag.

Where do Air France and Ryanair fly from?

Air France's main hubs are Paris (CDG). Ryanair's are Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Air France and Ryanair partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Air France: SkyTeam; Ryanair: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AF vs FR · 2026 comparison

Air France vs Ryanair

Q: Do Air France and Ryanair 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. Ryanair: The Basic fare includes only the small under-seat bag.

Air France wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and cheaper checked bags; Ryanair wins on a bigger personal item. 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

Wins 4 categories

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

Ryanair

Wins 1 category

A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

Air France wins on a bigger carry-on, a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and cheaper checked bags; Ryanair wins on a bigger personal item. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Air France: 55 × 35 × 25 cm · Ryanair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air France: Not on some basic fares · Ryanair: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Air France: 1 free bag · Ryanair: $20–$56

Side by side

	Air France	Ryanair
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 35 × 25 cm	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Costs extra on basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	12 kg (26.5 lb)	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 20 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$20–$56
Network
Alliance	SkyTeam	None
Loyalty program	Flying Blue	None
Main hubs	CDG	DUB, STN

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 Ryanair up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), so Air France's is roomier.

Air France's Basic / Light can be personal-item only, while Ryanair charges for it on its cheapest fare.

Carry-on weight limits: 12 kg (26.5 lb) on Air France, 10 kg (22 lb) on Ryanair.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Air France, and 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Ryanair.

Air France includes one bag with Standard on flights between North America and Europe, and a first checked bag on Ryanair costs $20–$56 on flights within Europe.

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.

Ryanair (Basic): The Basic fare includes only the small under-seat bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

Air France is in SkyTeam and Ryanair is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Flying Blue (Air France) and none (Ryanair).

Air France's main hubs are Paris (CDG). Ryanair's are Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Air France if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
cheaper checked bags
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from CDG

Choose Ryanair if you want…

a bigger personal item
nonstops from DUB, STN

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.