Traveling with Lufthansa and wondering about their baggage rules? Understanding Lufthansa’s baggage policy is crucial for a smooth and stress-free journey. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Lufthansa baggage, from carry-on allowances to checked baggage fees, ensuring you are well-prepared for your next flight.
Lufthansa Cabin Baggage: Size, Weight, and Allowance
Lufthansa provides a generous cabin baggage allowance, allowing you to keep essential items close at hand. The specific allowance depends on your travel class:
- Economy and Premium Economy Class: Passengers are permitted one cabin bag.
- Business and First Class: Passengers are allowed two items of cabin baggage.
In addition to the cabin bag(s), all passengers may bring a smaller personal item onboard, such as a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack. This ensures you can keep your valuables and necessities within easy reach throughout your flight.
Size and Weight Restrictions:
To ensure cabin baggage fits comfortably in the overhead compartments, Lufthansa enforces size and weight restrictions:
- Maximum weight per cabin bag: 8 kg (17 lbs) for all classes.
- Maximum dimensions for cabin bags: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21 x 15 x 9 inches).
- Maximum dimensions for foldable garment bags: 57 x 54 x 15 cm (22 x 21 x 5.9 inches).
- Maximum dimensions for personal items: 40 x 30 x 10 cm (15 x 11 x 4 inches).
It’s always recommended to measure your cabin baggage before arriving at the airport to avoid any last-minute complications.
Lufthansa Hand Luggage Restrictions: Items to Leave Behind
For safety and security reasons, certain items are prohibited in Lufthansa hand luggage. It’s important to be aware of these restrictions to prevent delays or confiscation of items at security checkpoints. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
- Flammable Liquids and Explosives: Firecrackers, gasoline, and aerosols exceeding size limits.
- Corrosive Substances: Acids, alkalis, and wet cell batteries.
- Sharp Objects: Knives with blades of a certain length, and scissors (check specific regulations).
- Disabling Devices: Stun guns, pepper spray.
- Battery-powered Transportation Devices: Hoverboards, self-balancing scooters (due to fire risk).
- Camping Stoves and Fuel: Unless empty and cleaned of fuel.
This list is not exhaustive, and it’s crucial to consult the most up-to-date list of prohibited items on the Lufthansa website before packing. When in doubt, pack potentially restricted items in your checked baggage.
Lufthansa Checked Baggage Allowance: Class and Route Specifics
The Lufthansa checked baggage allowance varies depending on your travel class and flight route, particularly for intercontinental versus European flights.
Intercontinental Flights:
- Economy Class: 1 piece of baggage up to 23 kg (50 lbs).
- Premium Economy Class: 2 pieces of baggage, each up to 23 kg (50 lbs).
- Business Class: 2 pieces of baggage, each up to 32 kg (70 lbs).
- First Class: 3 pieces of baggage, each up to 32 kg (70 lbs).
Flights within Europe:
- Economy Classic & Flex: 1 piece of baggage up to 23kg (50 lbs).
- Business Class: 2 pieces of baggage, each up to 32 kg (70 lbs).
- Economy Light Fares: No complimentary checked baggage allowance. Baggage can be added for a fee.
Maximum Size for Checked Baggage:
For all classes and routes, each piece of checked baggage must not exceed a total dimension (width + length + depth) of 158 cm (62 inches).
Important Weight Limit:
Regardless of your class or route, no single bag may exceed 32 kg (70 lbs) due to international health and safety regulations for baggage handlers. If your bag exceeds this weight, you will need to repack it.
Lufthansa Excess Baggage Fees: Overweight, Oversized, and Additional Bags
Traveling with baggage exceeding the standard allowances can incur extra charges. Lufthansa applies fees for overweight baggage, oversized baggage, and additional pieces beyond your free allowance.
Overweight and Oversized Baggage Fees:
Fees vary depending on the flight route:
- Flights within Europe:
- Overweight or Oversized: EUR 50 / USD 57
- Both Overweight and Oversized: EUR 100 / USD 114
- Medium Intercontinental Flights (e.g., Europe to USA East Coast):
- Overweight or Oversized: EUR 120 / USD 138
- Both Overweight and Oversized: EUR 240 / USD 276
Fees for Additional Baggage Pieces:
When you need to check more bags than your allowance permits, the following fees apply:
- Within Europe: EUR 80 / USD 92 per additional bag.
- Medium Intercontinental: EUR 200 / USD 230 per additional bag.
Keep in mind that these fees are per direction, and costs can escalate significantly if bags are both overweight/oversized and additional. It’s always more cost-effective to pre-book additional baggage online before arriving at the airport, as airport charges can be higher.
Tips for Smart Packing and Saving on Lufthansa Baggage Fees
To avoid unexpected baggage fees and travel smarter with Lufthansa, consider these tips:
- Pack Light: Evaluate if you truly need everything you plan to bring. Consider versatile clothing items and travel-size toiletries.
- Utilize Carry-On Strategically: Maximize your carry-on allowance by packing heavier items and essentials in your cabin baggage.
- Pre-book Additional Baggage Online: If you know you’ll need extra baggage, purchase it online in advance for potentially lower rates compared to airport charges.
- Weigh Your Bags at Home: Invest in a luggage scale to ensure your bags comply with weight limits before you leave for the airport.
- Consider Luggage Shipping Services: For very heavy or numerous bags, explore services like Send My Bag, which can often be more cost-effective and convenient than airline excess baggage fees, especially for longer trips or relocations.
By understanding Lufthansa’s baggage guidelines and employing smart packing strategies, you can ensure a smoother, more affordable, and enjoyable travel experience. Always double-check the latest baggage rules and fees on the official Lufthansa website before your flight, as policies can change.
