Air France

IATA AF ICAO AFR France · SkyTeam · wwws.airfrance.fr (opens in a new tab)

Powered wheelchairs accepted · carried free · 48 h notice.

Advance notice: 48hours before departure
Powered wheelchair: Yes
Lithium, battery installed: Not published
Cost to carry: Free

Who to contact

Transcribed from the airline’s own pages, exactly as it labels them.

Email

mail.saphir.medicaldesk@airfrance.fr

SAPHIR medical desk — assistance bookings, wheelchairs, service dogs
Online form

Assistance and accessibility — request, change or track an assistance request (opens in a new tab)
Online form

Saphir assistance service (contact page) (opens in a new tab)
Relay / text

https://wa.me/33699385720 — +33 6 99 38 57 20. Not an accessibility-only channel; Air France publishes no TTY or text-relay number.

Air France WhatsApp (general customer service, linked from every page footer)

Assistance is handled by Air France's SAPHIR desk. No SAPHIR telephone number is printed on the airfrance.fr / .us / .co.uk / .ca pages checked — the site routes you to the online assistance request or the SAPHIR email. Air France also publishes printable baggage tags per device type (mobility scooter, manual, manual sports, heavy-duty electric, lightweight electric).

Read it from the source

Powered wheelchairs & batteries

The part that goes wrong. Battery chemistry and watt-hours decide whether your chair flies, and the rules differ depending on whether the battery can be removed.

Powered chairs accepted

Yes

Electric wheelchairs and scooters are carried free, but 'regardless of the kind of electric wheelchair, as a general rule, it must be checked in as baggage.' Air France strongly recommends requesting transport at least 48 h before the flight; otherwise carriage may be declined if the battery type does not allow safe transport.

Lithium-ion batteries

Yes

Air France classifies lithium batteries as 'invertible', so the invertible-battery conditions apply: battery may stay attached if well affixed, terminals isolated or in a cell case, motor disengaged.

Motor-based disability — your wheelchair or personal mobility device (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Motor-based disability (UK site) — manual wheelchair, cabin stowage and invertible-battery conditions (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (Air France Canada) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Air France air carrier's tariff, Canada–foreign (PDF) — mobility aids and wheelchair batteries (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Watt-hour cap — battery stays in the chair

Not published

Not published. Air France's watt-hour tables cover devices, power banks and spare batteries; §9 of the restricted-goods list, 'wheelchairs and other electric transport vehicles for people with reduced mobility', carries no figures and simply refers you to the Passengers with disabilities pages, which state no Wh cap.

Authorized, regulated, or prohibited goods for your trip (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Restricted goods §9 — wheelchairs and other electric transport vehicles for people with reduced mobility (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Air France air carrier's tariff, Canada–foreign (PDF) — mobility aids and wheelchair batteries (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Watt-hour cap — battery removed into the cabin

Not published

Not published for mobility aids. Air France's invertible-battery rule lets the battery stay attached and gives no removed-battery watt-hour limit.

Motor-based disability (UK site) — manual wheelchair, cabin stowage and invertible-battery conditions (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (Air France Canada) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Restricted goods §9 — wheelchairs and other electric transport vehicles for people with reduced mobility (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Air France air carrier's tariff, Canada–foreign (PDF) — mobility aids and wheelchair batteries (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Watt-hour cap — spare battery

Not published

Not published for mobility aids. Air France's general rules (power banks max 160 Wh, 2 per person; device/spare batteries 100-160 Wh need a transport agreement, limit 2; over 160 Wh refused in cabin and hold) sit in restricted-goods sections that exclude wheelchairs, and its Canadian tariff states the wheelchair-battery conditions with no watt-hour figure at all.

Spare batteries permittedmaximum number under any published configuration

Not published

Not published for wheelchair batteries. The '2 spare or removed batteries' figure in Air France's restricted-goods list applies to portable electronic and medical devices, not to mobility aids.

Battery must be removed

For invertible batteries (including lithium) 'the battery may remain attached to the wheelchair or mobility device if it is well affixed'. Non-invertible (wet-cell) chairs are handled case by case and their conditions must be consulted at booking.

Motor-based disability (UK site) — manual wheelchair, cabin stowage and invertible-battery conditions (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (Air France Canada) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Air France air carrier's tariff, Canada–foreign (PDF) — mobility aids and wheelchair batteries (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Non-spillable batteriesgel, AGM, sealed lead-acid, dry cell

Yes

Invertible ('dry-cell') batteries: the battery may remain attached to the wheelchair or mobility device if it is well affixed; the terminals need not be disconnected if they are already inside a cell case or isolated to avoid short circuits; the motor must be put in the disengaged position.

Motor-based disability (UK site) — manual wheelchair, cabin stowage and invertible-battery conditions (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (Air France Canada) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Air France air carrier's tariff, Canada–foreign (PDF) — mobility aids and wheelchair batteries (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Wet / spillable batteries

Conditional

Non-invertible ('wet-cell') batteries: 'Because these batteries can compromise the safety of the flight, their transport requires special precautions and can be refused on board if preliminary information is not provided.' Air France's own English page then says 'Please consult their conditions of transport during booking'; the Canadian ATPDR page words it 'Passengers are required to consult', the Canada tariff 'Air France recommends to consult'.

Motor-based disability — your wheelchair or personal mobility device (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (Air France Canada) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Air France air carrier's tariff, Canada–foreign (PDF) — mobility aids and wheelchair batteries (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Terminal protection & immobilisation

Terminals need not be disconnected if already inside a cell case or insulated; the motor must be disengaged

Invertible-battery conditions: battery securely affixed, terminals inside a cell case or isolated to prevent short circuits, motor put in the disengaged position.

Motor-based disability (UK site) — manual wheelchair, cabin stowage and invertible-battery conditions (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (Air France Canada) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Air France air carrier's tariff, Canada–foreign (PDF) — mobility aids and wheelchair batteries (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Paperwork the airline wants

Declare device type, dimensions, weight and foldability at booking; attach Air France's printable wheelchair baggage tag

Air France asks for the wheelchair type, dimensions, weight and whether it folds when the assistance request is made, and publishes colour A4 baggage tags to download, complete and attach at the airport (mobility scooter, manual, manual sports, heavy-duty electric, lightweight electric). No battery datasheet or UN 38.3 certificate is demanded on the published pages.

Size limit for a powered chair

Not published

No maximum size published and no cargo-door dimension table; Air France says only that certain airports lack the handling means and that some partner-operated aircraft cannot load heavy or bulky devices.

Motor-based disability — your wheelchair or personal mobility device (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Weight limit for a powered chair

No stated limit

Air France states 'there is no size or weight limit' for the two mobility devices carried free, subject to airport handling capability and the size of partner-operated aircraft.

Motor-based disability — your wheelchair or personal mobility device (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Returned at the aircraft door

Air France publishes the opposite of gate return for electric chairs. Tariff Rule 21(b)(i): 'Regardless of the kind of electric wheelchair, Passenger must check it in as baggage. The person will not be able to reclaim it during a long stopover nor upon exiting the aircraft. The electric wheelchair will be returned at baggage delivery.' For that reason Air France recommends also bringing a manual wheelchair. The airfrance.us Electric panel carries the same rule in the second person, but it sits behind a JavaScript picker that does not render, so the tariff is quoted here.

Motor-based disability — your wheelchair or personal mobility device (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Air France air carrier's tariff, Canada–foreign (PDF) — mobility aids and wheelchair batteries (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

If your Air France flight is operated by a partner airline, that airline's rules apply and can be more restrictive; Air France forwards the assistance request but recommends you contact the operating carrier to confirm it was received.

Manual wheelchairs

Manual chairs accepted

Yes

Manual wheelchairs are carried free. In most airports you keep the chair to the aircraft door, or to the boarding gate where access is not by air bridge.

Folding chair may travel in the cabin

Yes

Some Air France aircraft have a designated cabin space for one folded wheelchair, subject to availability confirmed by the cabin crew at boarding; request it through the SAPHIR assistance service or at the check-in counter. Footrests must be removable and stored in a cover. If it cannot be stowed in the cabin it goes in the hold free of charge at boarding.

Motor-based disability (UK site) — manual wheelchair, cabin stowage and invertible-battery conditions (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Handicap moteur (French site) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

In-cabin stowage limitIn-cabin stowage space

33 cm long · 107 cm wide · 92 cm high

Folded chair for the designated cabin space must not exceed 33 cm / 13 in depth, 92 cm / 36 in height and 107 cm / 42 in width (length_cm here is the 33 cm depth). Air France's Canadian ATPDR page gives a different set — 27 cm/11 in length, 94 cm/37 in height, 90 cm/35 in width, 65 cm/26 in wheel diameter, 15 cm/6 in cumulative wheel thickness, 12 kg/26 lb (the Canada tariff PDF lists the same dimensions without the weight) — so confirm with SAPHIR.

Size limit for a checked manual chair

Not published

No maximum checked-chair size published — Air France explicitly says 'there is no size or weight limit', subject to airport handling capability and partner aircraft size. Air France publishes no cargo-door dimension table.

Motor-based disability — your wheelchair or personal mobility device (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Weight limit for a manual chair

No stated limit

Air France states 'there is no size or weight limit' for the two mobility devices it carries free, but warns some airports lack the handling means for boarding/unloading and that partner-operated aircraft may be too small for heavy or bulky devices. Its Canada tariff repeats this and exempts 'wheelchair (power driven/normal)' from the 32 kg/70 lb per-piece maximum. (A folded chair kept in the cabin must weigh no more than 12 kg / 26 lb per Air France's Canadian ATPDR page.)

Returned at the aircraft door

Yes

In most airports you keep the manual chair up to the aircraft door or the boarding gate, and it is returned to you as soon as you exit the aircraft where the infrastructure allows; otherwise it comes back on the baggage carousel. At a connection you get it back if the stopover exceeds 3 h at Paris-CDG or 1 h 30 at Paris-Orly.

Motor-based disability (UK site) — manual wheelchair, cabin stowage and invertible-battery conditions (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Air France recommends keeping easily-lost items — pressure-relief cushion, removable footrests — in your hand baggage, and provides printable colour baggage tags for each device type.

Booking & cost

Advance notice requiredhours before scheduled departure

48h

'Your request must be submitted at least 48 hours before your first flight departs.' For an electric wheelchair Air France 'strongly recommend[s]' making the transport request no less than 48 hours before the flight; if not, transport may be declined if the battery type does not allow safe carriage. It also recommends telling it the wheelchair type(s) no less than 48 h before departure.

Motor-based disability — your wheelchair or personal mobility device (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Passengers with disabilities (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (Air France Canada) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

How to request assistance

Select 'I need special assistance' in the Passenger section when booking on airfrance.com, add it later in My Bookings, or contact the SAPHIR desk (mail.saphir.medicaldesk@airfrance.fr)

State the device type, dimensions, weight and whether it folds. Certain requests (personal wheelchair, assistance animal) require extra information and a SAPHIR agent then contacts you to finalise the booking. Arrive 3 h before a long-haul departure and 2 h before a short/medium-haul departure; allow at least 1.5 h transit at Paris-CDG.

Charge for carrying the aid

No fee

'Air France transports 2 wheelchairs or personal mobility devices (manual or electric) at no extra cost.' They are carried beyond the ticket's baggage allowance, as priority checked baggage, along with one extra 23 kg / 50 lb bag for medical equipment.

Mobility devices carried free

Two personal mobility devices (wheelchair, electric scooter, personal transporter, etc.) beyond the ticket baggage allowance, at no extra cost.

If they damage your chair

Interim mobility at Air France's expense, repair, or replacement at full replacement cost if not repairable or not located within 96 hours; special declaration of interest available under Montreal Convention Article 22(2)

If a mobility aid is damaged or delayed Air France provides a temporary equivalent replacement and repairs the damage at its expense; if damage cannot be repaired, or the aid cannot be located within 96 hours of arrival, Air France replaces it with a comparable model or reimburses the full replacement cost. A special declaration of interest under Article 22(2) can be made any time before the aid is taken for stowage (otherwise the 1,288 SDR baggage limit applies).

Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (Air France Canada) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

On board

On-board aisle chair

Yes

'All aircraft operated by Air France are equipped with an onboard wheelchair that is designed to circulate in aircraft aisles and access the restrooms during the flight.' Maximum authorised weight 100 kg / 220 lb, width between armrests 35 cm. Tell Air France at booking if your body mass or disability prevents you using it.

Accessible lavatory

Not published

Air France does not publish which aircraft have an accessible lavatory; it says only that the onboard wheelchair is designed to access the restrooms during the flight and that no assistance is given inside the restroom.

Motor-based disability — your wheelchair or personal mobility device (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Crew help you transfer

Yes

Staff help you transfer between your seat and the onboard wheelchair and guide you to and from the restrooms; crew are not permitted to lift or carry you, and no assistance is given inside the restrooms.

Seating & movable armrests

Air France advises which seats best suit the disability (extra legroom, larger pitch, movable armrests); emergency-exit rows and bulkhead aisle seats are excluded

Where the nature of the disability is identified, Air France informs the passenger of seats in the booked class that best meet their needs, such as additional legroom, larger seat pitch or movable armrests. Passengers with a disability may not occupy emergency-exit rows or bulkhead aisle seats.

Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (Air France Canada) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Worth knowing

Air France is unusual in publishing 'there is no size or weight limit' for the two mobility devices it carries free — and equally unusual in publishing no watt-hour figure at all for wheelchair batteries: §9 of its restricted-goods list ('wheelchairs and other electric transport vehicles for people with reduced mobility') contains no numbers and just points back at the disability pages. Its lithium tables (160 Wh power banks, 100–160 Wh device batteries needing a transport agreement, >160 Wh refused) are for consumer electronics and are not applied here. An electric wheelchair is NOT returned at the aircraft door: Air France says you 'will not be able to reclaim it during a long stopover nor upon exiting the aircraft' and it 'will be returned to you at baggage delivery', so it advises bringing a manual chair as well — only the manual chair gets gate return. TWO THINGS FOR A HUMAN TO RE-CHECK: (1) the in-cabin folded-chair limits differ between pages — 33 x 92 x 107 cm on the motor-disability page versus 27 x 94 x 90 cm plus wheel-diameter/thickness limits and a 12 kg cap on the Canadian ATPDR page (the Canada tariff PDF gives the same dimensions but no weight); (2) the onboard-wheelchair width is printed on the US page as '35 cm / 165 in', an obvious typo for about 13.8 in — the French page confirms 35 cm. The wheelchair-type and battery-type panels on the motor-disability page sit behind JavaScript pickers that render only the first option in a plain text fetch, but the full panel text is in the page's own embedded content and matches the Canadian ATPDR page and tariff. No SAPHIR phone number is printed anywhere on the Air France pages checked.

Sources

Every figure above traces to one of these.

s1 Motor-based disability — your wheelchair or personal mobility device (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
s2 Motor-based disability (UK site) — manual wheelchair, cabin stowage and invertible-battery conditions (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
s3 Passengers with disabilities (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
s4 Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (Air France Canada) (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
s5 Authorized, regulated, or prohibited goods for your trip (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
s6 Restricted goods §9 — wheelchairs and other electric transport vehicles for people with reduced mobility (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
s7 Handicap moteur (French site) (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
s8 Air France air carrier's tariff, Canada–foreign (PDF) — mobility aids and wheelchair batteries (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29

Record status researched · confidence high · 8 official sources · 4 contacts · 75% of the fields this reference tracks are answered. Newest source read 29 July 2026, the day before this page was built. What these mean.

Air France

Who to contact

Read it from the source

Powered wheelchairs & batteries

Manual wheelchairs

Booking & cost

On board

Worth knowing

Sources

Record quality