Air France: Fare Families, Cabin Choices and Flying Blue Explained

Air France is the French flag carrier, flying from its Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub to Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, with a large network of US gateways. From the United States most Air France tickets are bought on airfrance.us in dollars.

An Air France booking goes well when you pick the fare family that matches your luggage and flexibility needs, not just the lowest headline number. The cheapest fare is often not the cheapest trip.

Fare families: what the price includes

Air France sells each cabin in several fare families, typically along the lines of Light, Standard and Flex in Economy. The names and exact rules change over time, so read the fare summary before paying.

The lowest Air France fares on many routes include a cabin bag only, with no checked suitcase. Adding a bag later usually costs more than choosing a fare that already includes one.

The middle fares generally add a checked bag and some change flexibility. The top fares add refundability or cheaper changes. If your plans might move, the difference between Air France fare families is often smaller than a single change fee.

Choosing a cabin on Air France

Economy is the standard cabin. On long-haul Air France flights it includes meals, drinks and seat-back entertainment.

Premium (formerly Premium Economy) gives a wider seat with more recline and legroom, a bigger bag allowance and better meals. On an overnight transatlantic flight it is often the best value upgrade.

Business on long-haul Air France aircraft is a flat-bed seat with lounge access. La Première is the first class cabin, sold on a small number of routes at a very high price.

Seat products differ by aircraft. Check the aircraft type on your Air France flight before assuming you will get the newest seat.

Bags, seats and the extras that add up

Check the cabin bag size and weight limits for your Air France fare. European carriers weigh cabin bags more often than US airlines, and an overweight bag at the gate is an expensive surprise.

Seat selection in Economy is frequently charged on the lower Air France fares, with free selection opening at check-in. If sitting together matters, pay for seats or choose a fare that includes them.

Price any extras on the Air France site during booking rather than at the airport. Prepaid extra bags are usually cheaper than paying at the counter.

Connections through Paris

Many Air France itineraries connect at Charles de Gaulle, a large airport with long walks and passport and security checks between some terminals.

A connection sold on one Air France ticket is protected if the first flight is late. Two separate tickets are not, so book the whole journey together.

If the shortest connection offered looks tight, pick a longer one. An extra hour at Charles de Gaulle is less painful than a missed onward flight.

Flying Blue: earning and spending miles

Flying Blue is the loyalty programme shared by Air France and KLM. Joining is free, and you earn miles on Air France flights based on the fare paid and your status.

Flying Blue award prices vary with demand rather than following a fixed chart. Monthly Promo Rewards discount award seats on selected routes, and those are often the best use of Flying Blue miles.

Air France is part of SkyTeam, so you can also credit Air France flights to a partner programme such as Delta SkyMiles. Compare what each programme gives for your fare before choosing.

When Air France fares are lowest

Air France runs regular sales from the US, especially for off-peak travel to Europe in autumn and winter. Summer and holiday dates rarely drop far.

Set a price alert for your route and be flexible by a day or two. Midweek Air France departures are often cheaper than weekends.

Check the whole trip price, taxes included. On some Air France routes the carrier surcharges and airport taxes are a large share of the total.

Where the Air France savings are

Air France promo codes from the US site are usually a fixed dollar amount off a qualifying ticket:

A fixed dollar Air France code is worth most on a cheaper ticket. $90 off a $700 fare is a large slice; on a Business ticket it barely registers.

The 9% code overtakes $90 once the fare passes $1,000, so it suits Premium and Business bookings, if the code applies to those cabins.

Air France promo codes are usually tied to specific routes, travel dates and booking windows, and often apply per passenger or per booking. Enter the code early in the search and check the fare it discounts before paying.

Many Air France codes are seasonal campaigns that expire quickly. If one fails, it has probably ended rather than being mistyped.

Common questions

Does the cheapest Air France fare include a checked bag?

Often not. The Light-style fares on many Air France routes include a cabin bag only. Check the fare summary.

Can I use an Air France promo code on an award ticket?

Generally no. Air France promo codes apply to cash fares, not Flying Blue award bookings.

Is Premium worth it on Air France?

On overnight long-haul flights it often is, for the seat and bag allowance. On short flights within Europe it is not sold.

Should I credit Air France flights to Flying Blue or Delta?

It depends on where you already hold miles and status. Compare what each programme earns for your fare.