Checked baggage is the suitcase you hand in at the counter before the flight: at most airlines it must not exceed 23 kg (51 lb) in economy and 158 cm (62 in) when you add length, width and height. But depending on the fare it is not always included, and limits vary from one airline to another. We compared the official rules of Air France, Transavia and Corsair, added a method to check your suitcase, and listed what is banned from the hold. Other airlines set their own limits: check your booking.
Key facts
- Weight: 23 kg (51 lb) per bag in economy (Air France, Corsair); 32 kg (70 lb) in business; 32 kg maximum per piece at Transavia.
- Dimensions: 158 cm (62 in) (L + W + H, wheels and handles included) at Air France and Corsair; 165 cm (65 in) at Transavia.
- Included or not: from 0 to 2 bags depending on the fare; the cheapest fares often include none.
- Buying online: often cheaper than at the airport (Air France states this up to 24 hours before departure).
- Banned from the hold: power banks and spare lithium batteries, to be kept in the cabin.
- In the cabin: documents, medication, electronics and valuables.
Weight and dimensions by airline
| Airline | Bags included | Max weight per bag | Max dimensions (L + W + H) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air France | Economy: 0 to 2 depending on the fare; Premium: 0 to 2; Business: 1 to 2; La Première: 3 | 23 kg / 51 lb (Economy, Premium); 32 kg / 70 lb (Business, La Première) | 158 cm (62 in) | Surcharge above 23 kg (up to 32 kg) and for 158-300 cm (62-118 in); 10 bags maximum per passenger |
| Transavia | Allowance to book (in total weight) | 32 kg (70 lb) per piece; 50 kg (110 lb) per passenger (30 kg / 66 lb on some routes) | 165 cm (65 in) | Allowance split into 5 pieces maximum; can be changed up to 2 hours before departure |
| Corsair | Basic: 0; Classic/Flex: 1 (2 to some African countries); Business: 2 | 23 kg / 51 lb (Economy, Premium outside Africa); 32 kg / 70 lb (Business, Premium Africa) | 158 cm (62 in) (95 cm / 37 in height in Premium/Business) | Baby: 1 bag of 10 kg (22 lb); 9 bags maximum per passenger |
Destination de Voyage summary: across these three airlines, 23 kg and 158 cm are the norm in economy, but Transavia works on a total booked weight (with a tolerance of 165 cm) rather than a number of suitcases. On a flight with a connection, Air France recommends following the strictest rules of the airlines on the journey. For a pet in the hold or the cabin, our guide dogs on planes: rules and conditions details what airlines require. To find out whether your bags are checked through to your destination, read our guide to airport connections and transit.
How to check that your suitcase meets 158 cm (62 in)
- Measure the height, wheels included.
- Measure the width, side handles included.
- Measure the depth, front pockets included.
- Add them up: the total must be 158 cm (62 in) or less (165 cm / 65 in at Transavia).
Destination de Voyage calculation: a 75 × 50 × 30 cm (30 × 20 × 12 in) suitcase totals 155 cm (61 in) and passes everywhere; a large 80 × 52 × 32 cm (31 × 20 × 13 in) suitcase totals 164 cm (65 in), refused as standard at Air France and Corsair but accepted at Transavia.
Decision tree: should you take checked baggage?
- Trip of under a week, no liquids over 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) → a cabin suitcase is often enough, and saves waiting at the carousel.
- You are taking liquids over 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) (sunscreen, large toiletries) → checked bag, or buy on arrival.
- Sports equipment (ski, golf, diving, surfing) → special baggage to declare in advance, even if it is small (Transavia rule).
- Your fare includes no checked bag → add it online before departure rather than at the airport.
- Your suitcase weighs more than 23 kg (51 lb) → split it into two bags or pay the surcharge; above 32 kg (70 lb), most airlines refuse the piece.
- You are traveling with a baby → Air France and Corsair provide a 10 kg (22 lb) bag for the child without a seat (except no-checked-bag fares at Air France).
What is banned or best avoided in the hold
| Item | In the hold | In the cabin | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power banks | ❌ Banned | ✅ Under your supervision, use and charging on board prohibited (Air France) | Air France |
| Spare lithium batteries | ❌ Banned | ✅ Power limits (Wh) depending on the airline | Air France |
| Soft plastic bags, household stretch-film wrapping | ❌ Refused | — | Air France, Transavia |
| Explosives, fireworks, firecrackers | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | Air France (IATA list) |
| Liquids over 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) | ✅ Allowed (except dangerous goods) | ❌ Over 100 ml per container; transparent bag of 1 L (34 fl oz) maximum | Air France |
| Documents, medication, electronics, valuables | ⚠️ Not recommended | ✅ Keep with you | Air France |
For a specific item (liquid medication, medical device, aerosol, lighter…), check whether it is allowed in the hold or the cabin with the authority of the country you fly from. The TSA « What Can I Bring? » tool (tsa.gov, read on 12 November 2026) lists items with separate carry-on and checked-bag columns, and says the final decision rests with the TSA officer at the checkpoint; for devices containing lithium batteries, it advises carrying them in carry-on baggage. GOV.UK (hand luggage restrictions, read on 12 November 2026) notes that there are different rules depending on the country you are traveling to or from. Airlines may apply stricter rules.
Preparing and dropping off your bag
- Remove old tags and barcodes from previous trips.
- Write your name, phone number and email on the outside and inside of the bag.
- Weigh your suitcase at home with a luggage scale.
- Print the tag at a self-service kiosk if the airline offers it, then go to bag drop.
- Photograph your suitcase and its contents: useful if it is lost or delayed.
- Keep enough in the cabin to last 24 hours (medication, a change of clothes). Our what to pack in your suitcase list helps you sort.
To cut the cost of your tickets, see also our tips for cheap flights, and consider travel insurance that covers lost or delayed baggage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum weight of checked baggage?
Generally 23 kg (51 lb) in economy class (Air France, Corsair) and 32 kg (70 lb) in business. Above 32 kg per piece, most airlines refuse the bag.
What size can checked baggage be?
158 cm (62 in) in total (length + width + height, wheels and handles included) at Air France and Corsair, 165 cm (65 in) at Transavia.
Is checked baggage always included?
No. Depending on the fare, 0 to 2 bags are included. The cheapest fares (Basic at Corsair, some Economy fares at Air France) include none.
Can you put a power bank in checked baggage?
No, power banks and spare lithium batteries are banned from the hold. They travel in the cabin, under your supervision.
Is it cheaper to add a bag online?
Often yes: Air France states a discount for an online purchase up to 24 hours before departure, except on flights to or from the United States and Canada.
What should you carry in the cabin rather than the hold?
ID documents, medication, electronics, batteries and valuables, as Air France recommends.
Our sources
- Air France, « Baggage allowance: weight, size, number of bags » and « Allowed, restricted or prohibited products », consulted on 14 October 2026.
- Transavia, « What are the rules for checked baggage? », consulted on 14 October 2026.
- Corsair, « Checked baggage », consulted on 14 October 2026.
- TSA, What Can I Bring? (tsa.gov), read on 12 November 2026.
- GOV.UK, Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports, read on 12 November 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.