If you're flying with Lufthansa, it's essential to understand its carry-on baggage rules, which are different from US airlines. Our Lufthansa carry-on size guide makes it a cinch to understand baggage allowance rules – will help you avoid extra fees and other hassles.
Carry-on details.
- Carry-on: Max size 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 9 inches), max weight 8 kg (17 lbs) – stricter than most US airlines.
- Personal item: Always allowed, no weight limit – must fit under the seat.
- Economy & Premium Economy: 1 carry-on + 1 personal item (note: from spring 2026, Economy Basic on European routes includes personal item only).
- Business/First: 2 carry-ons + 1 personal item.
- Pro tip: Use seat-back hooks for jackets and keep essentials in your personal item in case your carry-on gets checked.
Heads up: New Economy Basic fare policy.
Lufthansa’s new Economy Basic fare on short- and medium-haul European flights does not include a standard carry-on bag. Passengers on this fare will only be permitted one small personal item.
If you’re booking a European route, check your fare type carefully before assuming a carry-on is included.
In this article
- What is the official Lufthansa carry-on bag size?
- What extra items can I bring on Lufthansa flights?
- Lufthansa’s policy for carry-on items for babies.
- Lufthansa carry-on tips for your next flight.
- Lufthansa carry-on FAQs.
What is the official Lufthansa carry-on bag size?
| Standard carry-on bag | Foldable garment bag | Personal item | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max dimensions | 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 9 inches) | 57 x 54 x 15 cm (22.4 × 21.3 × 5.9 inches) | 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches) |
| Max weight | Up to 17 lb | Not specified | Not specified |
Last updated and fact-checked: June 2nd, 2026.
Free carry-on baggage on Lufthansa flights consists of one carry-on bag for Economy Light, Economy, and Premium Economy fares, and two carry-on bags for Business or First Class fares. Passengers in all cabins are also allowed one personal item in addition to their larger carry-on bag.
All carry-on items must fall within specific size requirements, which are outlined below:
As noted in the table, keep in mind that Lufthansa’s 17-lb (8-kg) weight allowance for carry-on bags is significantly lower than that of most US airlines. You may be required to gate check your carry-on bag – perhaps for a fee, which is higher than online or at the check-in counter – if it exceeds the weight allowance.
In order to stay within Lufthansa’s weight allowance, it’s critical to pack your carry-on strategically. Choose a lightweight carry-on, purchase travel-sized toiletries (or just buy them at your destination), and consider wearing your heaviest and bulkiest clothing and footwear to save space and weight.
In addition to a larger carry-on bag, you can also bring an additional personal item (a laptop bag, backpack, small duffle, or handbag, for example). As is the case with other airlines, your personal item should not exceed the specified dimensions and should fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Shopping bags also count as a personal item, so be sure to take that into consideration while browsing airport stores or duty free shops.
A foldable garment bag is a flat, collapsible bag designed for suits or dresses; it qualifies for the larger 57 x 54 x 15 cm allowance instead of the standard carry-on dimensions.
New Economy Basic fare policy.
Lufthansa recently made headlines saying that they were getting rid of free carry-ons. However, that isn’t quite true. The fact is that they did introduce a new fare, called “Economy Basic”.
This fare is available on selected European short- and medium-haul routes. It is destined for travelers who don’t need flexibility, want to pay the lowest price possible and don’t mind foregoing a carry-on. In Economy Basic, you are only allowed a personal item, like a backpack or a handbag.
If you’re flying within Europe, check your fare type carefully before assuming a carry-on bag is included.
Important: If you want to buy an extra carry-on in Economy Basic, you can do so, but only online and not at the airport.
How strict is Lufthansa with carry on size?
Like many other carriers, Lufthansa is enforcing its carry-on rules more rigorously, as more passengers attempt to avoid paying checked bag fees. Lufthansa gate agents have been known to weigh bags and check to see if they fit in the sizing devices prior to boarding.
Still, whether you’ll be singled out depends on factors like how full the flight is and the discretion of individual employees (some may be more lenient than others).
However, to make your travel experience as smooth as possible, it’s highly recommended to follow the carrier’s rules.
Otherwise, you may be facing an unexpected fee to check your carry-on bag (which will be higher than online or the check-in desk) and a more stressful boarding process.
What happens if your carry-on doesn’t meet Lufthansa’s rules?
If your carry-on doesn’t comply, Lufthansa staff can remove it at the check-in counter or at the boarding gate and transport it in the hold at your expense. The fee is significantly higher than checked baggage booked in advance – and can only be paid by credit card at the gate.
What extra items can I bring on Lufthansa flights?
Lufthansa does allow certain non-baggage items to be brought on board free of charge. However, they must fall within the size and weight limitations noted above, and they do count toward your allowance for carry-on items. They include:
- Musical instruments
- Sporting gear
- Medical supplies or mobility devices, such as foldable pushchairs (however, they may be carried in addition to your allowance andmust be properly folded).
- If you're still not sure whether a specific item meets Lufthansa's carry on size requirements, check out KAYAK's Bag Measurement tool, which is featured in the KAYAK app.
Lufthansa’s policy for carry-on items for babies.
Parents or caregivers traveling with infants on Lufthansa may bring one extra carry-on item, such as a diaper bag or infant car seat, free of charge. (However, keep in mind that if you decide to use a car seatfor a child under 2, which is voluntaryonly if the child is traveling on your lap, you will need to purchase a child ticket for the seat.)
In addition, passengers can reserve a bassinet for free in advance, which are available for infants weighing less than 24 lbs (11 kg) and measuring less than 26 in (67 cm) in length. Bassinets are only available on long-distance flights.
Lufthansa carry-on tips for your next flight.
from expert traveler Blane Bachelor
1. Pack light to stay under the 17-lb weight limit.
Passengers who don’t fly frequently with Lufthansa may be caught by surprise by its 17-lb carry-on weight limit, which is notably lower than that of US-based carriers. But it’s an important consideration to keep in mind while packing – and to avoid the hefty fees you may be charged for gate checking an oversized bag.
2. Use seat-back hooks for coats and jackets.
Don’t worry about using precious bin space with your coat or jacket. Instead, take advantage of the hooks behind every seat on Lufthansa aircraft. It’s a handy extra I wish more US-based carriers would implement.
3. Keep electronics in your personal item.
As with any other airline, Lufthansa prohibits items such as electronic devices and lithium batteries in checked baggage. So it’s essential to stash such items in your personal item, in case you’re forced to check your carry-on bag before boarding.
Lufthansa carry-on FAQs.
Still have questions about Lufthansa carry-on baggage size, what counts as a personal item or anything else? Read on for our expert intel.
- Economy Basic: 1 personal item only (fits under seat). Carry-on bag can be added for an additional fee.
- Economy Light, Economy Comfort, Economy Green, and Economy Flex: 1 carry-on bag + 1 personal item.
- Premium Economy: 1 carry-on bag + 1 personal item.
- Business and First Class: 2 carry-on bags + 1 personal item.
