Air France allows online and mobile check-in starting 30 hours before departure, except on flights to and from the U.S. (departing from Atlanta and Detroit) where check-in opens 24 hours before (wwws.airfrance.us). During online check-in, travelers can select seats, add baggage, and receive their boarding pass via email, app, or printable file. This option is especially useful as it lets those traveling without checked luggage bypass ticket counters entirely . Interactive kiosks are available at most airport locations around the clock, allowing you to print boarding passes and baggage tags on the day of departure up until the check-in deadline (wwws.airfrance.us).

For travelers who prefer or require in-person assistance, Air France maintains staffed check-in counters that typically open 2 hours before domestic or European flights and 3 hours before international flights, with some airports offering early bag drop up to 4 hours prior (airlinespolicy.com). Baggage drop-off is available from 24 hours before departure at select locations, notably Paris-Charles de Gaulle’s Terminal 2E between 4 pm and 8 pm for long-haul flights (wwws.airfrance.us). The check-in deadline varies by route: within metropolitan France and Europe, deadlines range from 30 to 40 minutes before departure; for flights to/from non-European regions it’s 60 minutes, and select African or Caribbean routes require even earlier deadlines of 75 to 120 minutes (wwws.airfrance.us).

After bag drop closes, boarding begins early—the gate closes 15 minutes before departure for domestic flights within France and Orly, and 20 minutes before for all other flights (wwws.airfrance.us). Air France recommends arriving at the airport 2 hours before domestic/European flights and 3 hours before international flights to allow time for security and document checks (wwws.airfrance.us). At Paris‑CDG, early arrival is advised due to busy security and passport control lines (reddit.com).

Some passengers have reported that online check-in with baggage may still require standing in line for baggage drop, depending on airport staffing (reddit.com). Travelers should also note that carry-on baggage may be weighed during check-in, especially at CDG, with overweight bags subject to fees (reddit.com).

In summary, Air France offers check-in starting 30 hours before departure online and each step at the airport up to route-specific deadlines—ranging from 30 to 120 minutes before departure, with the boarding gate closing 15 to 20 minutes prior. Passengers should arrive 2–3 hours early, complete check-in via their preferred method, and confirm deadlines for their specific flight to ensure a smooth travel experience.