In short
With Lufthansa, from the Economy Light fare onwards you may bring one cabin trolley up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm and 8 kg plus one personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. In the Economy Basic fare, only the personal item is included. In Business and First Class, two large pieces of carry-on luggage weighing 8 kg each are allowed.
As of: 28 October 2026 · Baggage fees and rules change regularly. We update this article continuously – for binding figures, please check lufthansa.com before booking.
How big can my carry-on luggage actually be with Lufthansa? And what's the difference between Economy Basic, Economy Light and Business Class? Lufthansa is one of the most generous airlines in Europe – in most fares you're allowed to bring not only a classic cabin trolley weighing 8 kg, but also a small personal item such as a laptop bag or handbag. Note: In the new, cheapest fare Economy Basic (short- and medium-haul), only the personal item is free of charge – the trolley must be booked separately here. In our guide, we show you all the current Lufthansa carry-on luggage rules 2026, the actual dimensions and weights, the differences by fare and travel class, as well as the new rules for power banks and e-cigarettes that have applied since 15 January 2026.
Lufthansa carry-on luggage 2026 – the rules at a glance
With Lufthansa, in every fare you may bring at least one small personal item on board free of charge – and from the Economy Light fare onwards, an additional full-sized piece of carry-on luggage. Only in the new, cheapest fare Economy Basic (short-/medium-haul) is the trolley no longer included. In Business and First Class, two pieces of carry-on luggage are even included. The dimensions and weights are clearly defined and are also spot-checked at the gate on well-booked flights.
1. The classic piece of carry-on luggage
The most important piece of luggage for your flight is the classic carry-on trolley or cabin bag:
- Dimensions: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
- Weight: max. 8 kg
- Stowage: in the overhead bin above your seat
- Suitable for this: cabin suitcases in 55 × 40 × 20 cm, classic carry-on trolleys or cabin backpacks
Most common carry-on suitcases measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm fit easily within Lufthansa's dimensions – with a depth of 23 cm, Lufthansa is even more generous than most budget airlines.
2. The personal item
In addition to the classic carry-on piece, you may bring one small personal item that fits under the seat in front of you:
- Dimensions: 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Typical examples: laptop bag, handbag, small shoulder bag, camera bag
- Stowage: under the seat in front of you
- Suitable for this: small shoulder bags, underseater bags or compact backpacks
Important: A large backpack already counts as a piece of carry-on luggage with Lufthansa – not as a personal item. So if you're carrying a 45-litre hiking backpack, you may not also bring an additional carry-on trolley. Keep the 40 × 30 × 15 cm limit for the personal item in mind.
- 0× Trolley
- Personal item only
- 1× Trolley 8 kg
- + Personal item
- 2× Trolley 8 kg each
- + Personal item
- 2× Trolley 8 kg each
- + Personal item
Overview: Lufthansa carry-on luggage by travel class
| Travel class | Carry-on pieces | Total weight | Personal item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Basic (new) | 0 – personal item only | – | 1× 40 × 30 × 15 cm |
| Economy Light / Comfort / Flex | 1 × trolley 55 × 40 × 23 cm | max. 8 kg | + 1× 40 × 30 × 15 cm |
| Premium Economy | 1 × trolley 55 × 40 × 23 cm | max. 8 kg | + 1× 40 × 30 × 15 cm |
| Business Class | 2 × trolley 55 × 40 × 23 cm | max. 8 kg each | + 1× 40 × 30 × 15 cm |
| First Class | 2 × trolley 55 × 40 × 23 cm | max. 8 kg each | + 1× 40 × 30 × 15 cm |
Economy Basic: Lufthansa has introduced a new, cheaper fare on short- and medium-haul routes called Economy Basic. Here, no carry-on trolley is included any more – only the personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm) under the seat in front of you is free of charge. The classic cabin trolley (55 × 40 × 23 cm, 8 kg) is only included from the Economy Light fare onwards; in Economy Basic it must be booked for an extra fee. Tip: if you're flexible, you can travel completely free of charge with a smart underseater bag measuring 40 × 30 × 15 cm.
Is free carry-on luggage coming via EU rules? The Council and Parliament agreed on new air passenger rights on 15 June 2026, and the Council gave its final approval on 13 July 2026. For greater price transparency, airlines will in future have to display ticket prices including one piece of carry-on luggage by default, before the booking process even begins. The Council does not mention a right to free carry-on luggage. The rules apply 12 months and 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal. At Lufthansa, the personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm) is already included free of charge in Economy Basic today.
Checked baggage with Lufthansa 2026 – free allowances by fare
Unlike carry-on luggage, checked baggage with Lufthansa is fare-dependent. In the cheapest fares, Economy Basic and Economy Light, no checked baggage is included at all – you must add it for an extra fee.
Free allowances at a glance
| Fare | Checked pieces | Weight per piece | Max. total L+W+H |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Basic | 0 (can be added) | – | – |
| Economy Light | 0 (can be added) | – | – |
| Economy Comfort | 1 | 23 kg | 158 cm |
| Economy Flex | 1 | 23 kg | 158 cm |
| Premium Economy Light | 1 | 23 kg | 158 cm |
| Premium Economy Class | 2 | 23 kg each | 158 cm |
| Business Comfort / Light | 1 | 32 kg | 158 cm |
| Business Flex / Class | 2 | 32 kg each | 158 cm |
| First | 3 | 32 kg each | 158 cm |
Premium Economy and Business differ by short-/medium-haul (Europe) and long-haul: Premium Economy Light as well as Business Comfort/Comfort Green (Europe) or Business Light (long-haul) have 1 checked piece, while Premium Economy Class as well as Business Flex (Europe) or Business Class (long-haul) have 2 checked pieces. First Class: 3 checked pieces of 32 kg each.
Costs for extra baggage in Economy Light
- Within Europe: 35 to 50 € for online booking of the first piece of baggage (within Germany 20 to 35 €)
- Booked at check-in: 65 € within Europe (55 € within Germany) – noticeably more expensive
- Long-haul: Prices depend on the route, fare and time of booking – the official Lufthansa baggage calculator shows them before booking.
Money-saving tip: With the Economy Light fare, it's worth directly comparing it with the Economy Comfort fare. Before booking, compare whether Economy Comfort with 23 kg of included baggage is cheaper than Light plus extra baggage.
Overweight & oversized baggage with Lufthansa
If your suitcase is heavier or larger than allowed, overweight fees apply. Lufthansa defines this as follows:
- Overweight: suitcases over 23 kg up to max. 32 kg – applies to Economy and Premium Economy. Business and First already sit at this upper limit with a 32 kg free allowance, so only the oversize rule applies here.
- Oversize: sum of width + height + depth over 158 cm up to max. 292 cm – applies to all classes
- Absolute maximum: 32 kg per individual piece
- Maximum total (L+W+H): 292 cm
The fees for overweight or oversized baggage depend on the route, fare and time of booking – the official Lufthansa baggage calculator shows them before booking. If you can't repack your luggage, you should book the extra costs online in advance – at the counter it's almost always more expensive.
Non-compliant carry-on luggage: If your carry-on luggage doesn't fit within the permitted dimensions or is too heavy, Lufthansa will take it away at check-in or the gate and transport it in the cargo hold for a fee. The fee depends on the route and, according to Lufthansa, ranges between 60 € and 110 € – noticeably more expensive than pre-booked baggage, and payable only by credit card. A properly sized carry-on suitcase saves you from this trap.
New rules 2026: power banks and e-cigarettes
Since 15 January 2026, stricter rules for lithium batteries in carry-on luggage have applied across the Lufthansa Group (including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Eurowings and Brussels Airlines):
- Max. 2 power banks per person
- Power banks must be stowed on your person or under the seat in front of you – not in the overhead bin
- Use on board prohibited: neither power banks nor e-cigarettes may be charged or used
- Checked baggage: power banks and e-cigarettes are generally prohibited there
- Wh limits: up to 100 Wh allowed, 100–160 Wh only with airline approval (maximum 2 units), over 160 Wh completely prohibited
Background: for safety reasons, the Lufthansa Group has standardised the rules across the group; they are based on the recommendations of EASA, FAA, IATA and ICAO.
Liquids in Lufthansa carry-on luggage
With Lufthansa, as with all airlines in Europe, the EU-wide liquid rules apply. You may only carry liquids in small quantities in your carry-on luggage:
- Individual containers of a maximum of 100 ml
- All containers together in a transparent, resealable plastic bag (1 litre)
- Maximum of one bag per person
- Must be removed separately from your carry-on luggage at the security check
At airports with modern CT scanners, liquids of up to 2 litres may be carried, as at most checkpoints in Terminal 1 and all checkpoints in Terminal 3 in Frankfurt; at Munich Airport the 100 ml rule has been dropped at all checkpoints since 18 September 2026 (up to 2 litres per container, multiple containers also allowed). On the return flight, the rule of the respective departure airport applies. You can find more details in our comprehensive guide Liquids in carry-on luggage. You'll find the right flight bags in our shop.
What's allowed in Lufthansa carry-on luggage – and what isn't?
Allowed in carry-on luggage
- Laptop, tablet, smartphone, e-book reader, camera
- Power banks up to 100 Wh (max. 2 units, not to be used/charged)
- Medication (in original packaging, with a doctor's certificate if needed)
- Baby food in the quantity needed for the flight
- Pushchair/buggy can be handed in at the gate
- Musical instruments up to carry-on size (advance notice recommended)
Prohibited in carry-on luggage
- Sharp objects (knives with a blade of 6 cm or more, scissors, metal nail files)
- Tools over 6 cm (screwdrivers, hammers, pliers)
- Flammable substances (lighter fuel, gas, spray cans over 100 ml)
- Firearms, ammunition, fireworks
- Liquids over 100 ml per container
- Lithium batteries over 160 Wh (100 to 160 Wh only with approval)
Which suitcase fits Lufthansa's carry-on luggage rules?
For Lufthansa, we recommend one of the following types of luggage depending on your type of trip. All linked categories feature exclusively models with suitable dimensions:
- Short trip / city break (1–3 nights): carry-on trolleys in 55 × 40 × 20–23 cm
- Backpack fan: cabin backpacks from Eastpak, Osprey, Herschel or Samsonite
- Soft bag: travel bags in carry-on format – more flexible, often lighter
- Business trip: business trolleys with laptop compartment
- Long holiday with checked baggage: suitcases & trolleys for 23 kg checked baggage
A good rule of thumb: an empty weight under 3 kg, 4 smooth-running double wheels and a separate laptop compartment – this way your business essentials fit perfectly within your 8 kg carry-on allowance.
5 money-saving tips for your Lufthansa carry-on luggage
- Compare Light vs Comfort: before booking, compare whether Economy Comfort with 23 kg of included baggage is cheaper than Light plus extra baggage.
- Online instead of at the airport: the first piece of baggage costs 65 € at check-in within Europe instead of 35 to 50 € online. It's better to book it directly when booking your flight, or add it later online under "My bookings".
- Make the most of your personal item: also pack the 40 × 30 × 15 cm laptop bag – it fits a power bank, charger, headphones, snacks and travel documents.
- Choose a lightweight suitcase: every kilogram of empty weight is deducted from your 8 kg packing limit. Modern carry-on suitcases often weigh under 2.5 kg.
- Plan for gate checks: on well-booked flights, Lufthansa spot-checks dimensions and weight at the gate. It's best not to expand suitcases with an expand function and to keep all outer pockets closed.
Lufthansa vs. Ryanair & Eurowings
Lufthansa is one of the most generous airlines in Europe when it comes to carry-on luggage. A comparison with the budget airlines shows the differences:
| Airline | Free carry-on luggage | Additional item |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa | 55 × 40 × 23 cm, 8 kg (from Economy Light) | + 40 × 30 × 15 cm (included) |
| Eurowings (Basic) | 40 × 30 × 25 cm, 8 kg | 55 × 40 × 23 cm only in Smart/Bizclass |
| Ryanair | 40 × 30 × 20 cm, no weight limit | 55 × 40 × 20 cm only with Priority (online 12.49 to 36 €), Regular or Flexi Plus |
If you'd like to know more about the cheaper alternatives, you'll find the details in our guides: Ryanair carry-on luggage 2026. The process at the airport also differs slightly from carrier to carrier.
Frequently asked questions about Lufthansa carry-on luggage
How big can my carry-on luggage be with Lufthansa?
The classic piece of carry-on luggage with Lufthansa may measure a maximum of 55 × 40 × 23 cm and weigh 8 kg. In addition, a small personal item measuring 40 × 30 × 15 cm that fits under the seat in front of you is allowed.
Can I bring a handbag in addition with Lufthansa?
Yes, in addition to your carry-on trolley, a small personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm is allowed – typically a handbag, laptop bag or small shoulder bag. A large backpack, on the other hand, already counts as a piece of carry-on luggage.
How many pieces of carry-on luggage am I allowed in Business Class?
In Business and First Class, you may bring two pieces of carry-on luggage weighing a maximum of 8 kg each. In addition, a personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm is allowed.
Is checked baggage included in the Economy Light fare?
No, checked baggage is not included in the Economy Light fare. You can add the first piece of baggage up to 23 kg within Europe online for 35 to 50 € – at check-in it costs 65 €.
Can I bring my power bank with Lufthansa?
Since 15 January 2026, a maximum of 2 power banks per person is allowed across the Lufthansa Group. They must be carried in your carry-on luggage (not in checked baggage) and may neither be charged nor used on board. Allowed up to 100 Wh; between 100–160 Wh only with prior airline approval.
How much does overweight baggage cost with Lufthansa?
For overweight baggage (23–32 kg in Economy/Premium Economy) or oversized baggage (over 158 cm L+W+H), Lufthansa charges additional fees. The prices depend on the route, fare and time of booking – the official Lufthansa baggage calculator shows them before booking. Absolute upper limit: 32 kg per suitcase.
Other airlines – carry-on luggage rules
Travelling with a different airline? Here you'll find the current dimensions & weight rules:
- Carry-on luggage 2026 – all airlines compared
- Ryanair carry-on luggage dimensions
- Eurowings carry-on luggage dimensions
Coming soon: Easyjet, Wizz Air, Condor & KLM. All information as of 2026, without guarantee.
