Lufthansa Baggage Policy and Fees

When planning an international trip, understanding the baggage policies and fees of your chosen airline is crucial to avoid any last-minute surprises or extra costs.

In this post, we’ll delve into Lufthansa’s baggage fees. Lufthansa, a renowned German airline, operates numerous flights to and from the United States, making it essential for US travelers to be well-informed about their baggage policies. Let’s explore everything you need to know about Lufthansa baggage allowances and fees to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey.

Carry-on Baggage Allowance

Your carry-on baggage allowance is determined by the cabin class that you’ll be flying in. Your itinerary has no effect on your carry-on baggage allowance.

However, if you’re flying to or from the US in business or first class, you may be required to check one of your carry-on bags. This is due to

Number of Carry-on Bags

The number of carry-on bags that you’re allowed to bring with you on board is determined by your cabin class. Your itinerary has no effect on your carry-on baggage allowance.

Economy Class fares include 1 personal item and 1 carry-on bag. This allowance also applies to Economy Light fares (Lufthansa’s basic economy cabin).

Premium cabins (Business and First) include 1 personal item and 2 carry-on bags.

Flights to/from the US: If you’re traveling to/from the US in Business or First Class, you may have to check one of your two carry-on bags (at no charge). This restriction is due to US regulations.

You may want to reevaluate how you pack your carry-on bags. Ensure that one bag doesn’t contain any important, valuable, or fragile items, so that you can hand it over without having to frantically repack your carry-on.

Personal Item Allowance

Personal Item Size Limit

Your personal item should be no larger than 15.7 x 11.8 x 3.9 inches (40 x 30 x 10 centimeters) in size.

Typical personal items include:

• Handbag
• Laptop bag
• Briefcase

Your personal item must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.

Personal Item Weight Limit

Lufthansa doesn’t explicitly state a weight limit for personal items.

Carry-on Bag Allowance

Carry-on Bag Size Limit

Your carry-on bag can be up to 22 x 16 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 centimeters) in size.

Alternatively, you can bring a garment bag on board as your carry-on bag instead. Garment bags can be up to 22 x 21 x 6 inches (57 x 54 x 15 centimeters) in size.

Typical carry-on bags include:

• Small suitcase
• Backpack
• Duffel bag
• Garment bag

Your carry-on bag must be able to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.

Carry-on Bag Weight Limit

Your carry-on bag can weigh up to 18 pounds (8 kilograms). You should be able to lift it in the overhead bins without requiring assistance.

Standard Checked Baggage

Checked Baggage Size Limit

Your standard checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. You calculate your bag’s size by measuring its outside length, width, and height, then adding these measurements together. Be sure to include any protruding wheels, handles, or straps in your measurements.

If your checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches, it will be considered oversized. Lufthansa will charge you an oversized bag fee when you check your bags at the airport.

Lufthansa won’t accept checked bags that are larger than 115 linear inches (292 centimeters).

Checked Baggage Weight Limit

Your standard checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).

If your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds, it will be considered oversized. You’ll be subject to an overweight baggage fee when you check-in at the airport.

Lufthansa won’t accept checked bags heavier than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).

Free Checked Baggage Allowance

Lufthansa offers a generous free checked baggage allowance.

Your free checked baggage allowance depends on two factors:

• Your cabin class
• Your itinerary: whether your flight is an intercontinental flight (includes flights to/from the US) or within Europe

All fares, except Economy Light, include at least 1 checked bag.

Intercontinental Flights (Long-Haul Flights)

Intercontinental flights include travel to/from the U.S.

Flights within Europe (Short-Haul Flights)

Lufthansa doesn’t offer Premium Economy or First Class cabins on short-haul flights within Europe.

Free Ski/Snowboard Baggage Allowance

For ski or snowboard enthusiasts out there – you’re in luck. As long as you’re not traveling on an Economy Light fare, you’re eligible for a free ski/snowboard baggage allowance.

Your ski equipment allowance allows you to travel with up to 2 bags weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) in total. Each bag can be up to 79 inches (200 centimeters) long.

One bag can contain 1 pair of skis or 1 snowboard. The other bag can contain 1 pair of ski boots and 1 pair of ski or snowboard boots.

If these bags contain any items unrelated to skiing or snowboarding, they will be considered standard checked baggage, and potentially be subject to excess baggage fees.

Note: this free ski/snowboard baggage allowance doesn’t apply to intercontinental flights.

Checked Baggage Fees

In this section, we’ll explain how much you’ll have to pay if you wish to travel with extra bags, or your bags are oversized and/or overweight.

Baggage fees are given in US dollars ($) and Euros (€).

Extra Checked Baggage Fees

If you require additional checked baggage beyond what’s included with your ticket, this section is for you.

All extra bags follow the standard checked bag limits:

• 62 linear inches (158 centimeters)
• 50 pounds (23 kilograms)

You receive a modest discount if you prepay your extra baggage fee online.

However, your first checked bag on an Economy Light fare is an exception. A discounted fee doesn’t apply, so you may want to consider waiting until you reach the airport before paying the fee. Your travel circumstances might change, and you may no longer require the bag when you check-in.

Intercontinental Flights (Long-Haul)

Intercontinental flights include travel to/from the U.S.

Online

At the Airport

Flights within Europe (Short-Haul)

Online

At the Airport

Oversized Baggage Fees

If your checked bag exceeds 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) but is no larger than 115 linear inches (292 centimeters), it is considered oversized. You will be charged an oversized bag fee when checking in at the airport.

Lufthansa won’t accept checked bags larger than 115 linear inches.

Note: Lufthansa doesn’t allow oversized bag fees to be paid online prior to arriving at the airport.

The amount that you’ll have to pay for your oversized bag depends on a couple of factors:

• Your itinerary: whether your flight is an intercontinental flight (includes flights to/from the US) or within Europe
• Whether your oversized bag is from your baggage allowance or an extra bag.

Intercontinental Flights (Long-Haul)

Intercontinental flights include travel to/from the U.S.

Flights within Europe (Short-Haul)

Overweight Baggage Fees

If your checked bag is heavier than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) but no more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms), it is considered overweight. You will be charged an overweight bag fee when checking in at the airport.

Lufthansa won’t accept checked bags heavier than 70 pounds.

Note: Lufthansa doesn’t allow overweight bag fees to be paid online prior to arriving at the airport.

The amount that you’ll have to pay for your overweight bag depends on a couple of factors:

• Your itinerary: whether your flight is an intercontinental flight (includes flights to/from the US) or within Europe
• Whether your overweight bag is from your baggage allowance or an extra bag.

Intercontinental Flights (Long-Haul)

Intercontinental flights include travel to/from the U.S.

Flights within Europe (Short-Haul)

Oversized and Overweight Baggage Fees

If your checked bag is both oversized and overweight, Lufthansa applies special pricing. For free bags included with your ticket, you receive a modest discount. However, for extra bags, the savings are more significant.

A more cost-effective option would be to buy an extra checked bag. Of course, this would mean the inconvenience of having to travel with an extra bag. However, this is offset by not having to handle extremely large and heavy luggage.

Another option is to use a luggage shipping service, such as Luggage Forward, to transport your bags separately.

Intercontinental Flights (Long-Haul)

Intercontinental flights include travel to/from the U.S.

Flights within Europe (Short-Haul)

Final Thoughts

Lufthansa’s baggage policy is straightforward and generous. The only area of concern is the airline’s baggage fees, but more on that later.

All cabin classes include a personal item and at least one carry-on bag in their carry-on baggage allowance.

All cabin classes, except for Economy Light, include at least one checked bag.

So far, so good. However, if you wish to add extra bags beyond what your ticket includes and/or your bags are oversized/overweight, the fees can quickly add up. Of course, this baggage fee creep is common with all airlines.

If you do need to travel with additional luggage, it’s more cost-effective to buy an extra bag rather than pay for oversized/overweight fees. However, this means that you’ll have another bag in tow, so you’ll have to weigh up (no pun intended) whether you can handle the inconvenience of traveling with another piece of luggage.

Let me end this post on a positive note by acknowledging Lufthansa’s proactive approach to addressing lost luggage. The airline reminds you throughout its website to properly label your luggage with your contact details using a luggage tag and to also include your contact details inside your luggage. The airline even provides an easy-to-use contact form that you can print out and place inside your bag. Well done, Lufthansa!

Remember to always check Lufthansa’s website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.

Sources

• Lufthansa