✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Lufthansa’s baggage rules changed materially in 2026. From bookings made on 28 April 2026 (for travel from 19 May), the airline added a new Economy Basic fare on short- and medium-haul European routes that includes only one small personal item — no full-size carry-on trolley and no checked bag. This makes Lufthansa’s cheapest intra-Europe fare one of the most stripped-back of any traditional full-service carrier. Long-haul and intercontinental fares are unaffected and still start at Economy Light, which keeps the free 8 kg carry-on.
The figures below reflect Lufthansa’s current published policy. Where an allowance or fee depends on route or fare, that is stated explicitly — Lufthansa prices baggage in euros and the exact amount varies by origin, destination and how far ahead you pay, so always confirm yours in Lufthansa’s baggage calculator before flying.
Quick facts
| Personal item | 40 x 30 x 15 cm, fits under the seat (included in all fares) |
| Carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 23 cm, max 8 kg (NOT in Economy Basic) |
| Checked bag weight | Up to 23 kg standard; 32 kg max per piece |
| Checked bag size | Max 158 cm total (L+W+H) |
| Cheapest intra-Europe fare | Economy Basic — personal item only |
| Cheapest long-haul fare | Economy Light — carry-on 8 kg, no checked bag |
| First checked bag (Europe, Light) | ~€50 prepaid online |
| First checked bag (intercontinental, Light) | ~€65–90 prepaid; €150+ at airport |
| Heavy/extra bag (24–32 kg) | €130 Europe / €400 intercontinental |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 40 x 30 x 15 cm. Included in every fare, including Economy Basic. Must fit under the seat in front — a handbag, laptop bag or small backpack. This is the only free item on Economy Basic. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 23 cm · 8 kg Included in Economy Light and above; on Economy Basic add it from ~€15–50 per leg (cheaper prepaid than at the gate) |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | None in Economy Basic/Light; 1 bag in Classic/Flex; 2 bags in Premium Economy/Business/First |
| Weight limit | 23 kg standard per piece; 32 kg absolute maximum per piece in any class |
| Typical fee | First bag ~€50 prepaid in Europe, ~€65–90 prepaid intercontinental (€150+ at airport); heavy/oversize 24–32 kg or 159–292 cm costs €130 Europe / €400 intercontinental |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Basic (short/medium-haul only) | 1 personal item, 40 x 30 x 15 cm | No carry-on trolley | None included |
| Economy Light | 1 personal item, 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 1 carry-on, max 8 kg (55 x 40 x 23 cm) | None included |
| Economy Classic | 1 personal item, 40 x 30 x 15 cm | 1 carry-on, max 8 kg | 1 bag up to 23 kg |
| Economy Flex | 1 personal item | 1 carry-on, max 8 kg | 1 bag up to 23 kg |
| Premium Economy | 1 personal item | 1 carry-on, max 8 kg (2 pieces on some long-haul) | 2 bags up to 23 kg each |
| Business / First | 1 personal item | 2 carry-ons, max 8 kg each | 2 bags up to 32 kg each (First higher) |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get at deal prices — and it now depends on the route. Lufthansa’s 2026 fare restructure split the cheapest cabin into two very different realities:
- Short/medium-haul Europe deal fares are now usually Economy Basic: a personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and nothing else. No carry-on trolley, no checked bag. If you need an overhead bag, budget €15–50 each way on top of the headline price — which can erase a cheap fare. Treat a sub-€60 Lufthansa Europe fare as a personal-item-only ticket unless the fare bundle says otherwise.
- Long-haul / intercontinental deal fares still bottom out at Economy Light: you keep the full 8 kg carry-on (55 x 40 x 23 cm) plus a personal item, but checked baggage is NOT included. Adding the first checked bag is ~€65–90 prepaid, and far more at the airport, so add it online when you book.
The rule of thumb: on a Lufthansa long-haul deal, the carry-on is free but the suitcase isn’t; on a Lufthansa Europe deal, even the carry-on may cost extra. When a checked bag IS included (Classic and up, or any fare that bundles one), it is 1 x 23 kg.
Oversize, sports & special items
Sports equipment generally travels as additional baggage for roughly €70–100 per item depending on route, and most items should be registered in advance. Skis/snowboards (one set) are carried free in addition to your allowance on most routes except to/from the USA and Central America, where standard fees apply. Bicycles, golf bags and surfboards are accepted but count as paid extra/oversize baggage. Each item is still capped at 32 kg.
Musical instruments: a small instrument (e.g. a violin) can travel as your carry-on if it fits 55 x 40 x 23 cm. A larger instrument such as a cello must have its own paid seat — Lufthansa allows up to 75 kg and dimensions up to 155 x 42 x 25 cm strapped on the floor, or 110 x 42 x 50 cm secured to the seat. Otherwise it goes as checked/special baggage.
Notable 2026 changes: the new Economy Basic fare (booked from 28 April 2026, travel from 19 May 2026) removed the free carry-on from Lufthansa Group’s cheapest intra-Europe tickets across Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian and Brussels Airlines — leaving only the personal item. Separately, EU lawmakers are moving toward a standardised free personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) for all flights, but that proposal is not yet binding law; Lufthansa already includes a personal item of those dimensions in every fare.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Lufthansa Economy Basic and Economy Light?
Economy Basic (new in 2026, short/medium-haul Europe only) includes ONLY a personal item — no carry-on trolley and no checked bag. Economy Light includes a full 8 kg carry-on plus a personal item, but still no checked bag. Light is the cheapest fare on long-haul routes; Basic is the cheapest on intra-Europe routes.
What size carry-on can I take on Lufthansa in 2026?
The carry-on limit is 55 x 40 x 23 cm and a maximum of 8 kg in Economy and Premium Economy (Business and First get two such pieces). This carry-on is included in Economy Light and above, but NOT in the new Economy Basic fare, where you must pay to add it.
What is Lufthansa's free personal item allowance?
Every fare, including Economy Basic, includes one free personal item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm that must fit under the seat in front of you — for example a handbag, laptop bag or small backpack. On Economy Basic this is the only free baggage you get.
How much does a checked bag cost on Lufthansa?
On Economy Light the first checked bag is roughly €50 prepaid online on European routes, and about €65–90 prepaid on intercontinental routes (€150 or more if added at the airport). Heavy or oversize bags (24–32 kg, or 159–292 cm) cost €130 in Europe and €400 intercontinental. Fees are quoted in euros and vary by route — confirm yours in Lufthansa's baggage calculator.
Is a checked bag included in cheap Lufthansa deal fares?
No. Both Economy Basic and Economy Light exclude checked baggage. A checked bag is only included from Economy Classic upward (1 x 23 kg), or in Premium Economy, Business and First. Always assume a deal fare has no suitcase unless the bundle explicitly says so.
How much extra checked baggage allowance do Star Alliance Gold members get?
Lufthansa frequent flyers with Star Alliance Gold status (Miles & More Senator/HON, or partner equivalents) receive one extra checked bag in addition to the fare's normal allowance, in any travel class. This does not, however, add a free carry-on to an Economy Basic ticket.
Can I take sports equipment or a musical instrument on Lufthansa?
Yes. Sports equipment (bikes, golf, surfboards) travels as paid extra baggage, typically €70–100 per item, and should be registered in advance; one ski/snowboard set is free on most non-US/Central-America routes. A small instrument can be your carry-on if it fits 55 x 40 x 23 cm; a cello or larger instrument needs its own booked seat (up to 75 kg, 155 x 42 x 25 cm on the floor).
Is it cheaper to add a Lufthansa bag online or at the airport?
Always online. Prepaying when you book is significantly cheaper — airport and gate fees can be substantially higher for both carry-on add-ons on Economy Basic and for checked bags on Light fares.
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