French Bee Baggage Policy 2026: Fees, Weight Limits & Rules 

French Bee allows one carry-on bag (combined weight of 12 kg/26 lbs with personal item) on all fares. Checked baggage is included in Bee Smart, Bee Flex, Premium Smart, and Premium Flex fares. Bee Light and Bee Light+ passengers must purchase checked bags separately, starting from $70 USD online for US routes.

French Bee offers some of the most competitive transatlantic fares on the market Paris to New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Tahiti, and Réunion Island. But like most low-cost long-haul carriers, its business model depends on strict, fare-based baggage rules. Miss the details, and that cheap ticket can get expensive fast.

What Is French Bee’s Baggage Allowance by Fare Type?

French Bee’s baggage allowance depends entirely on your ticket class. All fare types include a carry-on bag (updated since February 17, 2025), but checked baggage is only included in Bee Smart, Bee Flex, and Premium fares. Bee Light passengers must purchase a checked bag separately or travel without one.

Key update: For all tickets purchased after February 17, 2025, a carry-on bag is included in every fare class including Bee Light. This is a significant change that many older guides online have not reflected.

What Are French Bee’s Carry-On Baggage Rules?

French Bee allows one carry-on bag and one personal item per passenger on all fares. The combined weight of both items must not exceed 12 kg (26 lbs). There is no separate allowance for each item both are weighed together, which surprises many travelers at the gate.

Carry-On Bag Dimensions

• Maximum size: 55 cm × 35 cm × 25 cm (H 21.7″ × L 13.8″ × W 9.8″)
• Total linear dimensions: Must not exceed 115 cm (45.2″)
• Large backpacks: Not accepted as carry-on baggage

Personal Item Dimensions

• Maximum size: 40 cm × 30 cm × 15 cm (H 15.7″ × L 11.8″ × W 5.9″)
• Must fit: Under the seat in front of you
• Examples: Handbag, laptop bag, camera bag, small backpack

Real-world tip: French Bee staff are known to weigh carry-on bags frequently both at check-in and again at the boarding gate. If your bag exceeds the 12 kg combined limit, you will be asked to check it at the gate price, which typically runs $90–$140 depending on your route.

US-Bound Flights: The Powder Rule

If you’re flying to or from the United States, powder-like substances (protein powder, coffee, spices, cosmetics) are restricted to 12 oz (350 ml) per person in the cabin. Anything above that limit must go in your checked bag. Items exceeding this amount may be confiscated entirely at security.

What Is French Bee’s Checked Baggage Allowance?

French Bee allows up to three checked bags per passenger, each weighing a maximum of 23 kg (50 lbs). Baggage weights are not additive each individual bag must stay under 23 kg, regardless of how many bags you have. For example, if you have two checked bags, you cannot have one weighing 25 kg and another weighing 21 kg; each must independently stay at or below 23 kg.

Maximum checked bag dimensions (L + W + H): 158 cm (62 inches)

Infant Baggage Allowance (Under 2 Years)

Strollers and car seats must be checked in and wrapped in protective plastic covering.

What Are French Bee’s Baggage Fees?

French Bee’s checked baggage fees vary by route and when you purchase. Booking online at least 48 hours before departure always delivers the best price sometimes half the airport rate.

First Checked Bag (Added to Bee Light Fare)

Second Checked Bag

• US routes: From $100 online / $150 at airport
• Réunion: From €75 online
• Papeete: From €100 online

Important: Fees apply per one-way journey. A round-trip flight counts as two separate purchases. The Paris–Papeete route is treated as two journeys Paris to San Francisco (journey 1) and San Francisco to Papeete (journey 2) meaning you pay baggage fees for each leg independently.

French Bee Oversize and Overweight Fees

French Bee enforces strict limits beyond 23 kg per bag:

• Overweight bags (23–32 kg): An additional overweight fee applies at the airport. This charge is on top of your standard bag fee.
• Oversize bags (exceeding 158 cm total dimensions): A fixed airport charge of $160 USD / €125 / 14,920 XPF applies. This is only processed at the airport it cannot be booked in advance.
• Maximum accepted weight: 32 kg (70 lbs). Bags heavier than 32 kg will not be accepted and must be sent via cargo.

What Is French Bee’s Baggage Weight Limit?

French Bee’s maximum baggage weight limits are:

• Carry-on (cabin bag + personal item combined): 12 kg (26 lbs)
• Standard checked bag: 23 kg (50 lbs) per bag
• Oversize checked bag: Up to 32 kg (70 lbs), with extra fees
• Absolute maximum per bag: 32 kg anything beyond goes through cargo

How Does French Bee Handle Sports Equipment, Musical Instruments, and Special Items?

French Bee accommodates most sports equipment and oversized items, but none of it is included in your standard baggage allowance. Each piece requires a separate booking and fee.

Sports Equipment Fees

Flat rate: €75 / $93 per trip per piece of equipment applies.

Additional rules by equipment type:

• Regular bicycles: Must be in a cardboard box or purpose-built bag. Handlebars must be flush with the frame; pedals must be removed. Maximum 23 kg.
• Electric bicycles: Accepted only if the battery is removable. Batteries between 100–160 Wh must be removed, individually packed in a rigid box, and placed in carry-on baggage (maximum 2 batteries). Batteries ≥ 160 Wh are strictly forbidden.
• Surfboards/kitesurf/windsurf: Up to 32 kg. Not included in standard allowance.
• Ski equipment: Two pieces allowed at a combined maximum of 23 kg.
• Skateboards: Free in the cabin if the board is ≤ 84 cm long, but it must replace your standard carry-on bag it does not count as a personal item.

Musical Instruments

• Small instruments (as carry-on): Must not exceed 55 × 45 × 25 cm. Combined weight with personal item must stay within 12 kg.
• Instruments requiring a seat: Must weigh no more than 75 kg (165 lbs) and measure no more than 140 × 46 × 30 cm. Cost equals the price of an adult economy ticket (minus airport taxes). Must be booked via French Bee’s call center this cannot be arranged online.
• Instruments in the hold: Subject to standard checked bag fees.
• Guitars: A guitar in a hard case is treated as a checked bag and loaded in the hold. A guitar in a soft case can replace your carry-on in the cabin.

What Items Are Restricted or Prohibited on French Bee Flights?

French Bee follows standard aviation regulations for restricted items, plus some route-specific rules worth knowing:

In the cabin:

• Liquids over 100 ml per container (exceptions: prescription medications with documentation; baby food)
• All liquids must be packed in a sealed transparent bag of approximately 20 cm × 20 cm
• Powders over 12 oz (350 ml) on US-bound flights
• Electric bicycle or scooter batteries ≥ 160 Wh

In checked baggage (airline not liable for):

• Cash, jewelry, passports, and identity documents
• Cameras, laptops, and mobile phones
• Medication and fragile items such as bottles, vases, or perishables

Sporting weapons are permitted in checked baggage under strict conditions: the weapon must be unloaded, ammunition must be stored separately in a sealed box weighing no more than 5 kg, and passengers must notify French Bee at least 48 hours before departure by calling 1-833-376-7158.

5 Tips to Avoid Paying Extra Baggage Fees on French Bee

1. Book bags early: The difference between booking at least 48 hours before departure and paying at the airport can be $70 or more on US routes alone.
2. Weigh at home: French Bee regularly weighs carry-on bags at check-in and the gate. A handheld luggage scale costs less than one overweight fee.
3. Never offset weight between bags: Each checked bag must individually stay under 23 kg. Transferring weight between bags at the counter may still trigger a fee if one bag remains over the limit.
4. Compare fare bundles: If you know you need a checked bag and a meal, compare the total cost of a Bee Light fare plus add-ons against a Bee Smart ticket. The bundle is frequently cheaper.
5. Wear your heaviest items: Jacket, boots, and heavier clothing on your person won’t count toward carry-on weight.

What’s New With French Bee in 2026?

French Bee is expanding its network. The airline has announced a new twice-weekly route between Paris Orly, Malé (Maldives), and Colombo (Sri Lanka), scheduled to launch on December 19, 2026, operated by its Airbus A350-900 fleet. This is a notable expansion into South and Southeast Asian leisure travel, adding to its existing US and Pacific routes. The same baggage policies and fare-class structure are expected to apply on these routes.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does French Bee weigh carry-on bags?
Yes. French Bee staff frequently weigh cabin bags at both check-in and the boarding gate. If your combined carry-on and personal item exceeds 12 kg, you will be required to check the bag and pay the gate fee, which is typically $140 for US routes.

Can I bring a carry-on on a Bee Light fare?
Yes. Since February 17, 2025, one carry-on bag is included in all French Bee fare types, including Bee Light. The combined weight limit of 12 kg (carry-on + personal item) still applies.

What happens if my checked bag weighs 24 kg instead of 23 kg?
An overweight fee will be charged. French Bee enforces the 23 kg limit strictly. Some check-in agents may show flexibility for 0.5 kg, but this is not guaranteed.

Are baggage fees the same for the return flight?
No. French Bee charges baggage fees per one-way journey. A round-trip flight requires two separate bag purchases one for each direction.

Is the Paris–Tahiti route counted as one or two journeys for baggage fees?
Two journeys. The Paris–Papeete route operates via San Francisco. French Bee counts Paris–San Francisco as journey 1 and San Francisco–Papeete as journey 2, meaning baggage fees apply twice.

Can I bring my guitar on a French Bee flight?
A guitar in a soft case can replace your carry-on bag in the cabin. A guitar in a hard case is treated as a checked bag and loaded in the hold, subject to standard checked bag fees.

What is the maximum weight French Bee accepts for a single checked bag?
32 kg (70 lbs). Bags above 23 kg but below 32 kg incur an overweight fee. Bags exceeding 32 kg are not accepted as standard luggage and must be shipped via French Bee’s cargo service.

Can I bring an electric scooter on French Bee?
Only if the battery is removable. Batteries ≥ 160 Wh are strictly prohibited. If the battery cannot be removed, the scooter will not be accepted for transport.

What is the oversize baggage fee at the French Bee airport counter?
$160 USD / €125 / 14,920 XPF. Oversize baggage (exceeding 158 cm total dimensions) can only be processed and paid at the airport. It cannot be pre-booked online.

Are sports equipment fees included in any French Bee fare?
No. Sports equipment is always charged separately, regardless of fare class. Standard equipment starts at $100 online or $130 at the airport, per one-way trip.