Lufthansa Baggage Allowance Policy - Lufthansa Cabin and Checked Luggage

There are two questions Lufthansa travellers ask themselves ahead of a flight: What is Lufthansa baggage allowance? And how much will they have to pay for any excess luggage? 

Rules for carry-on and checked baggage allowance vary from one carrier to another. What’s acceptable on one airline might be too big or heavy on another. 

If this is your first time flying to Europe or around the world with a Lufthansa, knowing the guidelines saves you from extra fees. In this post, we'll cover you in every way, from baggage maximum weights, dimensions, fees and more. 

Overview of Lufthansa

Lufthansa - the biggest carrier in Germany. Photo by mg1708 - stock.adobe.com

Lufthansa is the flagship as well as largest airline in Germany. When combined with its subsidiaries, Lufthansa becomes the second largest airline in Europe. It offers flights to 18 points in Germany and over 70 countries worldwide. There are two hubs of Lufthansa, one at Frankfurt and another at Munich Airports.

In 2024, the airline was crowned Europe’s leading airline at the World Travel Awards of the year, beating tough players like British Airways, Iberia, and Air France. Before this award, Lufthansa also won the title of Europe’s only 5-Star Airline from Skytrax for its excellent services both in-flight and on the ground.

As a member of the 26-member Star Alliance, Lufthansa also lets you redeem your miles from partner programs like United Airlines MileagePlus or Air Canada Aeroplan for your bookings. 

The carrier's economy class has four fare types: Economy Light, Economy Basic, Economy Basic Plus, and Economy Flex. Economy Light is the most restricted, as your tickets are nonrefundable, while Economy Flex is the most flexible, letting you rebook and get a refund for your flight. Upper tiers include Business Class and First Class; the more you pay, the more flexible your ticket is. 

Lufthansa Carry-On Baggage Allowance

Jetting off with Lufthansa and wondering what you can pack in that overhead bin? Let's break down the carry-on rules:

Carry-On Size And Weight Policy for Lufthansa Flights

The size and weight policy for carry-on bags and personal bags/foldable garment bags is the same across all tiers.

Lufthansa cabin bag size and all you need to know.

Carry-On Allowance for Lufthansa Flights

The actual number of hand luggage and the maximum weight per item will depend on your boarding class and route. Please refer below:

Regardless of the airfare type, all passengers are entitled to bring one personal item, like a purse or laptop bag, that will fit under the seat. Instead of a backpack, you can bring a foldable garment bag (or a foldable baby buggy, a trolley case and the like) as your free personal item.

Lufthansa offers their passengers in Economy and Premium Economy one piece of carry-on luggage.

First Class and Business passengers can board the plane with two pieces of carry-on luggage.

Note that on certain routes (like India-US), the carrier requires First and Business Class passengers to check their second carry-on.

Lufthansa Cabin Allowance for Infants

Are you boarding with a baby on your lap? Then take note of these baggage allowance policies of Lufthansa before you pack:

• An infant (0-2 years old) gets 1 free luggage item of up to 23kg/50lbs. The maximum dimension is 158 cm (width + height + depth).

• Kids over 2 years old will have the same hand baggage allowance as their parents.

• Baby baskets, child seats and foldable pushchairs are allowed as an additional carry-on, free of charge. 

Lufthansa Checked Baggage Allowance

Lufthansa Baggage allowance depends on your travel class. You get what you pay for. Credit: @traveldaveuk

The number of baggage pieces that passengers boarding Lufthansa are permitted to check depends on their boarding class: 

Checked Bag Allowance for Lufthansa Intercontinental Flights

For Intercontinental flights:

• Economy Class passengers can only check 1 piece of luggage of a maximum of 50 lbs (23 kg) into the hold;

• Premium Economy, Economy Classic, and Economy Flex passengers can check up to 2 pieces of luggage of a maximum of  50 lbs (23 kg) each into the hold;

• Business Class passengers can check up to 2 pieces of luggage of a maximum of  70 lbs (32 kg) each into the hold;

• First Class passengers can check up to 3 pieces of luggage of a maximum of 70 lbs (32 kg) each into the hold.

Checked Bag Allowance for Lufthansa European Flights

For European flights:

• Lufthansa doesn't offer free checked bags for people flying in Economy Light class. You can purchase 1 piece of checked bag during your booking for an extra fee. 

• Economy Classic and Flex passengers can check 1 piece of luggage of a maximum of 50 lbs (23 kg) into the hold;

• Business Class passengers can check up to 2 pieces of luggage of a maximum of 70 lbs (32 kg) into the hold;

Note: The airline won't accept any bag heavier than 32 kg / 70 lbs for safety reasons, even when it still complies with the size allowance. The item will be sent by air freight instead and you'll pay accordingly. 

Lufthansa Excess Baggage Fees

Your baggage will be considered to be excess baggage when:

• Economy and Premium Economy: a bag is considered excess baggage if it's over 23 kg, but not exceeding 32 kg. If your luggage dimension is over 158 cm but not exceeding 292 cm (with a combined length, width, and height), then it's an excess bag too.

• Business and First Class:  When the total dimensions (length, width, and height combined) exceed 158 cm but do not exceed 292 cm, then it's an excess bag.

In these cases, you will be charged flat rates for these overweight/oversized luggage. Normally, the rates for excess baggage on European and international flights are different:

Economy and Premium Economy 

If your checked baggage is overweight or oversized, a fee will apply. You will pay €50 for European flights or between third countries and €100-€150 for intercontinental flights.

If your checked baggage is overweight and oversized at the same time, a fee of €100 will apply for European flights and €200-€300 for intercontinental flights.

Business and First Class

Oversized checked baggage will be charged €100 for European flights or between third countries and €200-€300 for intercontinental flights.CabinZero 28L Military Backpack

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Musical instruments, Sporting Equipment & CPAP

Musical Instruments

You can bring your musical instruments on board if they're small (a harmonica or a ukulele) and conform to the carry-on baggage allowance (55 x 40 x 23 cm). The instrument will be counted as one piece of luggage. You can either stash it on the overhead cabin or the under-seat area in front of you.  

Flying with an item larger than 55 x 40 x 23 cm? If you wish to bring your instrument into the cabin with you, you have to buy an extra seat with a fee applied for cabin baggage on the seat. However, you will also need to make sure it won’t go over: 

• 61 x 16.5 x 10 in (155 x 42 x 25 cm) (H x W x D) for instruments that stand in the cabin;

• 43 x 16.5 x 20 in (110 x 42 x 50 cm) (H x W x D) for instruments strapped to the seat;

• Its weight won't exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).

Sports Equipment

You can check sports items as part of your standard luggage allowance, whenever they’re still within the baggage and weight allowance of your travel class.  

For any item that exceeds the limits but is still under 32kg, you will pay a flat rate applied for sports equipment. As space is limited on the plane, you should register your sports gear as early as possible (24 hours before your departure) via the reservation hotline.

The airline also treats winter sports as free items. For example, you won’t be charged an extra fee when bringing one piece of ski or snowboarding gear onboard. Read the policy carefully on their website as there are some restrictions on Economy Light fares and certain flight routes.

Lufthansa’s rate for sporting equipment varies wildly depending on your equipment and route. The best way to check how much you will have to pay extra for your bag is to use the calculator provided on Lufthansa’s official website.

Booking and Check-In Process

Booking with Lufthansa

There are many ways you can book Lufthansa flights:

• Online Booking: You can visit Lufthansa's Official Website (https://www.lufthansa.com/) and enter your travel details. Once the screen shows you the flights available, you can choose the one that best suits your schedule. 

After that, there are small steps you must do like selecting the seats and in-flight services, before entering passenger details and making the payments. 

• Mobile App: If you're a Lufthansa frequent flyer, you probably have downloaded their app on your phone. The process is just as straightforward as on its website, from searching for flights, choosing among the options, and inputting required booking details.

• Booking With The Hotline or At A Ticket Office: Interacting with a ticket agent ensures you get everything right, especially when you have any concerns to clarify about the Lufthansa baggage allowance.

• Booking Via Google Flights: If you're hunting for a good deal for your next flight, you can try Google Flights (it's free and easy to use, so why not?). You simply input the search information and the site delivers the results. 

If you're searching with Lufthansa, Google Flights give you different booking options in addition to direct booking with the airline. This lets you compare the prices between the carrier and third-party booking sites and snap the best deal. 

Courtesy of Google Flights

Check-In with Lufthansa

Automated check-in: If you're on the airline's registered list, Lufthansa will automatically complete the check-in step 23 hours before the departure for you. They will also send the boarding pass to your email or by text within this timeframe. 

Online Or Website Checking: We highly recommend our readers check in online at home, as this will give them plenty of time for security checks and pre-flight relaxation. Especially on short trips with a carry-on only, our editors always check in at home and glide through the airport with ease. 

Check-In On Mobile App: Check-in has never been easier with the intuitive interface of the airline's app. Plus, you can keep track of everything from flight updates to special offers and miles earned. 

Kiosk Check-In and Airport Check-In: Didn't manage to get the boarding pass at home? Arrive early and complete the procedures at the airport. 

Late-night check-in: A game-changer for parents with kids, folks with extra luggage, or large groups. With this service, you can check in your baggage up to 23 hours before departure. The next morning will be less busy as you will process straight to the security and departure gate.

Remember to come to the airport early for the check in.

FAQs 

1. Can I Have A Backpack And Carry-On With Lufthansa?

If you're flying in a Business or First Class cabin, then the answer is yes. Lufthansa offers up to 2 carry-on bags for these travel classes, free of charge.

For Economy Class and Premium Economy Class, it mainly depends on the size of your backpack. The airline staff will count your bag towards a “personal item” as long as it’s within the dimensions of 40 x 30 x 10 cm (15 x 11 x 4 inches). This is to make sure it will fit in the under-seat space in front of you. 

The thing is a backpack of this size wouldn't be a regular backpack as many people would think. A handbag, laptop bag or ultra-thin backpack will be a yes, but a normal backpack won't make it through the gate.

2. How Strict Is Lufthansa On Carry-On Size And Weight?

According to frequent fliers, Lufthansa is quite strict about its hand luggage policies. However, we also know folks who have never had their handbags screened with the airliner.

The gate agent only checks bags that seem overstuffed, and anyone can easily avoid this by putting some heavy items in the personal item. 

In addition, Lufthansa rarely checks passengers' baggage for weight. Even when the agent puts your bag on the scale, there's some leeway, as home scales and airport scales are usually different. The extra 0.1 or 0.2 kg won't be an issue, and the staff normally lets you proceed with the next step. 

3. What If My Hand Luggage Is Overweight Lufthansa?

If the flight is fully booked, then the airline staff will likely check the luggage's weight of their passengers. If your bag is too heavy, then it will go into the cargo hold and will be charged as checked items. 

But should you risk it, especially when your bag is slightly overweight? We suggest you shouldn't. Either overweight or oversized bags purchased at the airport come with hefty fees. Even worse, the payment is made only by credit card, which is not always convenient for all passengers.

4. Is The Laptop Included In The Hand Luggage Lufthansa?

Normally, your laptop bag will be treated as a “personal item”, not a “carry-on". This means that its weight won't add up to the carry-on weight allowance set by the airline.

In case you carry your laptop as a personal item, just make sure it fits under the seat in front of you. Otherwise, if you pack your device in your carry-on, then it’ll be included in the 8kg allowance. 

Know Before You Fly!

If you're travelling to Germany or many other parts of Europe, chances are you'll be flying on a Lufthansa. To avoid any costs, it's worth spending time understanding its baggage allowances and rules. For any questions about Lufthansa we haven't addressed, please let us know in the comment box below. 

Travelling the world will be stress-free with our CABINZERO cabin- and under-seat-approved bags. Different airlines have different size allowances for carry-ons and personal items, so it can be tough to know whether your bag will fit. We have tested our backpacks in the gauzes of most major carriers worldwide, so you won’t have to. Just make sure you choose your favourite design and colour!

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