Lufthansa Cabin Baggage: Check Your Bags Before Departure

Before leaving for the airport, check the fare, each bag's dimensions, and each bag's weight separately. Lufthansa normally permits one 55×40×23 cm, 8 kg cabin bag in Economy and Premium Economy, or two in Business/First, plus one 40×30×15 cm personal item. Short-/medium-haul Economy Basic normally includes only the personal item.

A four-step packing check

Source: Lufthansa's official cabin rules. Measure with the telescopic handle retracted and allow for external protrusions. Avoid filling expandable pockets after measuring.

The personal item is a separate size check

Use the 40×30×15 cm limit for the small bag placed under the seat in front. The reviewed policy does not state a separate numeric weight cap for it. That does not increase the 8 kg limit of an overhead bag or allow an extra shopping bag beyond the permitted quantity.

A small 40×30×15 cm backpack fits the published personal-item dimensions. A 40×30×20 cm backpack exceeds the depth, even if it weighs very little. Run the Lufthansa checker with the packed measurements.

Pick the matching fare in the checker

• Short-/medium-haul Basic, no benefit or purchase: choose Basic; a fitting trolley still needs an entitlement.
• Confirmed paid cabin bag: use the paid cabin-bag option.
• Economy Light, standard Economy or long-haul Basic: use Economy with the published allowance.
• Eligible HON Circle, Senator or Star Alliance Gold Basic benefit: confirm it in the booking, then check against the included Economy cabin allowance.

The Economy Basic FAQ distinguishes long-haul Basic and status benefits. It also says cabin-bag purchase is unavailable at the airport. The checker does not infer route or membership eligibility.

Prepare for a connection or gate handover

Lufthansa warns that aircraft or country restrictions can reduce cabin quantities; Business and First passengers may need to check their second bag on certain departures from the USA or India. Even a compliant bag can go into the hold when space is limited.

Keep the items Lufthansa says to remove before a handover accessible: valuables, medicines needed during the trip and battery-powered devices. Check the baggage tag and collection instructions with staff.

Use the multi-airline route checker for cabin limits, the fare allowance table for Lufthansa entitlements, or the checked-baggage guide for hold rules. Cabin fit does not determine a checked-bag allowance or fee.