Flight boarding and baggage rules

Air France is strictly enforcing hand luggage weight and size limits, including backpacks. A passenger reported being charged 80 euros for 3 kg of excess hand luggage. Online check-in does not exempt passengers from these checks. Be prepared for thorough inspections at the gate.

When registering online with Turkish Airlines for a flight to France and only a 'visa' field is available, input your French residence permit (VnJ) details. Use the permit number located in the top right corner of the card, not the AGDREF foreigner number. If the AGDREF number is mistakenly entered, it's typically not a critical issue and can be corrected at the check-in desk, as it's also a valid residence permit identifier, though primarily for French internal use.

Transavia France typically allows personal items like backpacks or laptop bags in addition to standard cabin baggage for economy class passengers. While policies can change, in the past, passengers have successfully carried various types of bags, including backpacks, as hand luggage without issues. It's advisable to check the most current baggage allowance directly with Transavia France before traveling.

A user's son was flying from Moscow to Paris via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines and was initially denied a boarding pass for his connecting flight. Upon approaching the airline's counter (not the check-in desk), they contacted Istanbul and successfully arranged a boarding pass.

When flying with Russian airlines like Transavia, consider whether you will transit through the airport or exit with hand luggage. It is generally possible to obtain a boarding pass from Transavia if a seat is purchased. There are concerns about potential entry restrictions for Russians into EU countries, which might influence exit routes in the future, potentially requiring travelers to use the same routes for departure as they did for entry.

Passengers flying to Schengen countries (e.g., Paris) with a transit (e.g., Istanbul) may experience issues with online check-in for the second leg of their journey. This is often due to airline requirements to verify passenger visas and entry documents. Check-in for such segments typically must be completed at the airport check-in counter. This is a common occurrence for flights originating from Moscow and similar routes.

On Ajet flights to France, a small personal item (e.g., a handbag) is generally allowed in addition to standard carry-on luggage and is not typically weighed. If an option to pay for an additional 8kg of luggage (to be placed in overhead bin) is offered, it usually signifies permission for a second, larger carry-on bag, beyond the under-seat item. Always verify specific dimension and weight allowances with the airline.

When flying FlyOne from Moscow to Paris via Yerevan, be aware of potential delays on the Moscow leg. In cases of missed connections due to delays, FlyOne has been observed to re-accommodate passengers on a subsequent flight to Paris, even if it results in a delay (e.g., 3 hours). The airline may use its own later flight or an additional flight with available seats. This suggests that the airline attempts to resolve missed connection issues due to its own delays.

When flying Transavia from Istanbul to Paris, it is generally not mandatory to print your boarding pass, as tickets are purchased with passenger names and passport details are entered manually before check-in. However, it is advisable to have printed documents as a backup. Registration is mandatory.

Airlines, including AdJet and Pegasus, frequently prevent online check-in for flights to France. This is often due to a requirement to physically verify visas or certain passports (e.g., 10-year validity) at the airport counter. Passengers with multi-leg journeys on separate tickets may be able to check-in online for the initial segment not bound for France, but will likely need to complete check-in at the airport for the flight entering France. APIS forms may also not offer options for VNJ/Titre de séjour, necessitating in-person check-in.

When flying from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport, check your boarding pass for the terminal number. The airport's official website should also provide this information. For flights to destinations like Yerevan, Terminal 1 is often used, sometimes requiring a shuttle transfer from Terminal 3.