Can You Take Human Ashes on Air France?

Transporting a loved one’s ashes can be a sensitive and challenging task. We recently travelled with Air France from Manchester to Bezier and from Dublin to Paris, and here’s what we discovered about taking human ashes on Air France flights.

Cabin vs Hold: Where Can You Keep the Ashes on Air France?

In the Cabin
When you’re planning to take the ashes in an urn in the cabin, there are specific baggage dimensions to follow.

The cabin baggage must not exceed dimensions of 55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm or 21 in x 13 in x 9 in. The weight should also not exceed a maximum of 12 kg (26.4 lb) in total.

Note: Always double-check these dimensions, as they might be subject to change. Just visit the Air France website to find more information here.

In the Hold
If you prefer, you can also place the urn in the hold. The number of bags you’re allowed will depend on your class:

• Economy and Premium Economy: 0-2 bags, with a max weight of 23kg per bag.
• Business Class: 1-2 bags, with a max weight of 32kg per bag.

Your checked baggage can measure up to 158 cm/62.2 inches.

Baggage Rules for Urn Transportation on Air France?

Sealing and Packing
Whether the urn is in the cabin or hold, it should be well-sealed and packed in a container.

Certificate Required
In either case, it’s mandatory to carry a certificate from the crematorium – the cremation certificate. This means that security services will not have to open the urn for inspection, thereby maintaining the integrity of the ashes.

International Travel Regulations for Human Ashes on Air France?

If you’re travelling from France, you’ll require a laissez-passer document, issued by local authorities, which grants approval for the transport of ashes. On the other hand, if you’re headed to France, the French government does not mandate any specific documentation for bringing ashes into the country.

X-Ray Screening: Why a Non-Metallic Urn is Recommended

The urn must pass through the x-ray machine. For this reason, we recommend using a non-metallic container, as it needs to be x-rayed during airport screening.

So...