Lufthansa Carry-On Rules: Basic, Light, Size and Weight

Lufthansa's normal cabin-bag limit is 55 × 40 × 23 cm and 8 kg per piece. A personal item may measure 40 × 30 × 15 cm. Whether the larger bag is included depends on your fare and route: Economy Light includes it; short- and medium-haul Economy Basic normally does not.

Which bags are included?

Sources: Lufthansa cabin rules and Economy Basic FAQ. Country and aircraft restrictions can reduce the quantity, including the second Business/First bag on some departures from the USA or India.

The 8 kg figure is per cabin bag. Lufthansa's reviewed page does not give a separate numeric weight limit for the personal item. Two Business bags weighing 9 kg and 7 kg do not meet an 8 kg per-piece rule.

Basic: check your route and benefits

For short-/medium-haul Basic, one cabin bag can be purchased before travel. Lufthansa's Basic page lists online additional services up to two hours before departure; cabin-bag purchase is unavailable at the airport. Use your booking to see availability and the actual price.

HON Circle, Senator and Star Alliance Gold passengers can have one cabin bag included on this Basic fare. That is not permission for two Economy cabin bags. Lufthansa separately states that long-haul Economy Basic includes a personal item, cabin bag and checked bag. Confirm the allowance on the ticket, especially for a connecting journey.

Measure the packed bag

Measure the outside of the packed bag with the telescopic handle retracted, including protruding parts for a conservative fit check. Compare all three sides separately and weigh each bag. A sum of 118 cm is not an alternative to the three cabin limits.

Check your bag against Lufthansa. Select Basic only for the short-/medium-haul personal-item allowance. For a confirmed long-haul or status cabin entitlement, use Economy with the published allowance; select the paid-bag option after purchasing that add-on. The checker tests a bag, not your eligibility for a benefit.

If the bag goes into the hold

A non-compliant bag can incur a route-dependent charge. A compliant bag may also be put in the hold when cabin space is limited. Before handing it over, follow Lufthansa's instruction to remove valuables, needed medicines and battery-powered devices, including power banks, laptops and e-cigarettes.

For a flight operated by another airline, check that operator's cabin rules even when the flight number begins with LH. Check a multi-airline route and read the Lufthansa checked-baggage guide for hold allowances.