✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
French Bee is a French long-haul low-cost carrier flying Airbus A350s from Paris-Orly to the Caribbean, Indian Ocean (Réunion, Mauritius), the US West Coast (San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York-Newark) and Tahiti. Like all long-haul LCCs, it unbundles baggage: the headline fare (Bee Light) gets you a carry-on but no checked bag, and you add a hold bag as a paid extra or by buying up to a higher fare.
The key 2026 change: since 17 February 2025, a full-size cabin carry-on is included on every fare, including Bee Light — previously the cheapest fare only allowed a small personal item. Checked bags remain a separate purchase on Bee Light, and prices rise sharply if you wait until the airport.
Quick facts
| Personal item | 40 x 30 x 15 cm, under-seat — included on all fares |
| Cabin carry-on | 55 x 40 x 20 cm; carry-on + personal item combined ≤ 12 kg |
| Checked bag | 23 kg max, 158 cm total dimensions |
| 1st checked fee | From €35 / $70 online (>48h); ~€75 / $140 at airport |
| 2nd checked fee | From €70 / $100 online; up to ~€100 / $150 at airport |
| Bee Light | Carry-on only — no checked bag |
| Bee Smart | 1 x 23 kg checked included + meal |
| Premium | 2 x 23 kg checked included + meals + seat |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 40 x 30 x 15 cm. Must fit under the seat in front; included on all fares. Counts toward the 12 kg combined cabin allowance with your carry-on. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm · Carry-on + personal item combined max 12 kg (26 lb) Included on all fares (Bee Light included since 17 Feb 2025) |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | None on Bee Light; 1 bag on Bee Smart/Flex; 2 bags on Premium |
| Weight limit | 23 kg (50 lb) per bag, not poolable |
| Typical fee | From €35 / $70 online when added >48h before departure; ~€75 / $140 if bought at the airport. 2nd/3rd bag from €70 / $100 online. Fees are per one-way and vary by route/promotion — check the price at booking. |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bee Light | Yes | Yes (≤12 kg combined) | None — buy separately |
| Bee Light+ | Yes | Yes (≤12 kg combined) | None — buy separately |
| Bee Smart | Yes | Yes (≤12 kg combined) | 1 x 23 kg |
| Bee Flex | Yes | Yes (≤12 kg combined) | 1 x 23 kg |
| Premium | Yes | Yes (≤12 kg combined) | 2 x 23 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get at a French Bee deal price: the advertised headline fare is almost always Bee Light. At that price you get a full carry-on (up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm) plus a personal item, capped at 12 kg combined — but no checked bag.
If you need the hold, budget the bag into your real price: roughly €35 / $70 each way when added online more than 48 hours out, doubling to ~€75 / $140 at the airport. On a round trip that’s ~€70-150 added to a “cheap” Bee Light fare — often making the Bee Smart fare (1 bag + meal included) the better value once you compare totals. Always add the bag during booking, never at the gate.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize and overweight: bags over 23 kg (but under 32 kg) incur an overweight charge; bags exceeding 158 cm total dimensions incur an oversize fee (around $160). Nothing over 32 kg is accepted as checked baggage — it must ship as cargo.
Sports equipment: standard gear (golf, ski, dive bags) runs roughly $100 online / $130 at the airport. Bicycles must have pedals removed and handlebars turned. Surfboards have their own rate (around $130, max 32 kg). All count against the per-piece weight limit.
Musical instruments: small instruments within carry-on size (about 55 x 45 x 25 cm) can travel in the cabin; larger instruments go as checked baggage at standard rates or require a purchased extra seat.
Routes: fees and the exact USD/EUR figures can differ between French Bee’s European and US-facing booking sites and by promotion, so always confirm the price shown in your booking flow.
Frequently asked questions
Is a carry-on included on French Bee's cheapest fare?
Yes. Since 17 February 2025, every fare including Bee Light includes a full cabin carry-on (up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm) plus a personal item, with a combined weight limit of 12 kg. Before that change, Bee Light only allowed a small personal item.
Does Bee Light include a checked bag?
No. Bee Light is carry-on only. A checked bag is a paid extra, or you can upgrade to Bee Smart/Flex (1 bag) or Premium (2 bags).
How much does a checked bag cost on French Bee?
A first checked bag costs from about €35 / $70 when added online more than 48 hours before departure, rising to roughly €75 / $140 if purchased at the airport. A second bag is from about €70 / $100 online. Fees are per one-way and vary by route and promotion.
What is French Bee's checked baggage weight and size limit?
Each checked bag may weigh up to 23 kg (50 lb) and measure up to 158 cm in total dimensions (length + width + height). Weight is per bag and cannot be pooled across bags.
How heavy can my French Bee carry-on be?
Your carry-on and personal item together must not exceed 12 kg (26 lb). The carry-on can be up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and the personal item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
Can I bring sports equipment or a musical instrument?
Yes. Sports gear such as golf, ski or dive bags costs roughly $100 online / $130 at the airport and counts toward the 23 kg per-piece limit (surfboards have a separate rate, max 32 kg). Small instruments can go in the cabin if within carry-on size; larger ones travel as checked baggage or on a purchased extra seat.
Should I add my bag at booking or at the airport?
Always add it online and more than 48 hours before departure. Airport prices roughly double — about €75 / $140 versus €35 / $70 for a first checked bag.
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