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Air France economy class is the French carrier’s main cabin product and its most affordable class of service. Air France is one of the major European carriers and a member of the SkyTeam alliance. Its flight network extends across France and Europe and stretches across oceans and continents, including some of the longest domestic flights in the world. These cover French overseas territories like Paris to St. Denis, Reunion Island.
Air France flies to its Paris hub from several U.S. cities, all of which can be booked on the Air France website or via its partners like Delta Air Lines. Delta often provides connecting service for travelers to reach one of Air France’s gateway cities in the U.S.
But is Air France economy worth the cost, or should you stick with a U.S. carrier for your next intercontinental trip? Here’s what you can expect when flying internationally in Air France economy class. We break down baggage allowance, onboard amenities and more, and you’ll be happy to know there are some pleasant surprises, like free Champagne and Wi-Fi, along the way.
On this page
- How to maximize your rewards
- Air France economy airfare
- The layout of Air France economy cabins
- In-flight service in Air France economy class
- Wi-Fi and entertainment in Air France economy
- Air France baggage allowance for economy passengers
- Flying Blue redemptions for Air France economy fares
- The bottom line on Air France economy class
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Air France economy airfare
Air France has four cabin classes on some of its longest flights, but only two on shorter European sectors. These include:
- La Première (long haul, international first class).
- Premium economy (long-haul flights).
- Economy (all flights).
Air France has divided its economy class fare structure into three tiers, each with its own rules and benefits: Light, Standard and Flex. Here’s what you need to know about each fare type:
- Economy Light: This is the most restrictive fare, similar to a basic economy fare, and does not include a checked bag or the possibility to change or refund the ticket if your plans change. Only a carry-on bag and personal item are permitted.
- Economy Standard: This is the traditional economy fare. You can check a bag (maximum 50 pounds) and make changes to the ticket by paying any applicable fare difference. It is nonrefundable, however.
- Economy Flex: This is the most flexible ticket type, as its name suggests, for economy travelers. It allows you to make changes to the ticket without a fee (although any fare difference would apply) or receive a refund should you choose not to travel. While it has the most flexibility, it is also the most expensive of the three.
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
The layout of Air France economy cabins
There is nothing particularly exceptional about economy class, in general, and Air France’s is no different. But the airline does have wide overhead bins to accommodate as many carry-on bags as possible, and the legroom is decent.
The Air France website has an entire page dedicated to each aircraft type in its short-haul and long-haul fleets. There, you can click on your aircraft type and see the interior layout of each cabin. This can be helpful when deciding where to sit and determining where the lavatories and galleys are, if you want to avoid being disturbed on a night flight.
On its long-haul aircraft, each seat comes with a personal entertainment screen, featuring international movies and TV shows, and a USB port.
Seats have an adjustable headrest so that you can lean against it, even in the center seat, and most seats have an armrest that lifts up. The airline also supplies a pillow and fleece blanket on longer flights. More Air France planes are getting Wi-Fi capability, too.
Some seats have additional legroom for a fee. When space allows, the airline also sells the option to book an empty seat adjacent to yours for more space. You can purchase as many as three extra seats to create your own bed in economy.
In-flight service in Air France economy class
On Air France flights, expect a complimentary hot meal served with your selection of drinks from the bar. The meal features an appetizer as well as the choice of two hot dishes. This is paired with the option to order free beer or wine. Air France is one of the few airlines in the world to offer Champagne in economy — how French! A coffee and tea service follows the meal.
On long flights, a second meal is typically served before landing, and refreshments and snacks are always available in the galley. Short flights offer a snack, while medium-haul flights offer a sweet snack for breakfast and a sandwich the rest of the day.
It is airplane food after all so don’t expect gourmet dining, but Air France does make an effort to provide variety. Special meals for dietary requirements, like Indian vegetarian, low-salt or halal, can be ordered in advance.
If you are a picky eater, however, you might want to pack some extra snacks to tide you over.
Wi-Fi and entertainment in Air France economy
Almost every plane in the Air France fleet offers Wi-Fi, and plans are in place to update it to the latest satellite capabilities. Every passenger, no matter how much you paid, can access Wi-Fi for free as long as you are a member of the Flying Blue program. This option is being rolled out across the carrier’s fleet but may not be on every aircraft just yet.
Also free is the entertainment selection of movies and TV shows plus a moving map flight tracker. The carrier says it stocks 1,500 hours of programming, although not every option will appeal to every customer. In another French touch, the airline often selects winning films from the Cannes Film Festival for its onboard programming. And on the newest aircraft, Bluetooth capability is integrated into the system.
» Learn more: In-flight entertainment: The complete guide
Air France baggage allowance for economy passengers
Pay attention to your fare type if you like to check bags on your trip. The Light fare does not include a checked bag.
Standard and Flex fares allow one checked bag weighing up to 50 pounds at no extra cost. Elite status cardholders with SkyTeam are given additional baggage allowance: 22 pounds (10 kilograms) for Elite members and 44 pounds (20 kilograms) for Elite Plus, or one additional bag where the piece concept applies.
Flying Blue redemptions for Air France economy fares
Air France belongs to the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program, which uses a dynamic pricing model for its award redemptions. This means that the cost in miles will vary based on when and where you are going.
Flying Blue partners with credit card transferable point programs, which means you can easily top up your account if you need more miles to book an Air France award flight. These programs include American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Venture Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Citi ThankYou Points.
The bottom line on Air France economy class
Let’s face it: Economy class is not exactly a joy to fly, but Air France has a few amenities that will make the journey more manageable. Whether you are flying within Europe or on long-haul flights via Paris, the experience is one of the better options out there. Just be sure to avoid Light fares if you want flexibility and don’t pack light, and if you have SkyTeam elite status, take advantage of those benefits on your journey.
How to maximize your rewards
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