Lufthansa Carry-On Rules: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re planning to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with airline carry-on policies.  Specifically, the various rules and regulations each carrier has for what you can and cannot “carry on” to the plane.   Each airline’s rules are different, so don’t just assume what works for one will work for all airlines.

If you are going to be flying Lufthansa, then here are the Lufthansa carry-on rules you need to be aware of regarding size & weight limits, fees, liquids, etc.

Lufthansa Carry-On Size and Weight Limits

Lufthansa allows one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard, at no charge, for economy class and they allow two carry-on bags plus a personal item for those flying in the business and first-class cabins. (Unfortunately, flights from the U.S. can only bring on one bag and one personal item regardless of class of service).  

The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you, and the carry-on bag must be stowed in the overhead bin.

Lufthansa Carry-On Size Dimensions

Lufthansa’s size requirements for a carry-on are:

• Dimensions for carry-on baggage: max. 55 x 40 x 23 cm
• Dimensions for foldable garment bags: max. 57 x 54 x 15 cm

If you aren’t sure what size your carry-on is, Lufthansa typically provides “size check templates” located at their ticketing counters and departure gates.  But if you wait until you get to either of these locations and have an issue, it’s too late.

If the bag is too big or too heavy, you’re going to have to pay a fee, so it’s always better to know your bag size and the limitations in advance.

Lufthansa Personal Item Size Limits

Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, shopping bag or a similar sized item.

The following items may be brought onboard without counting toward your carry-on limit.

• Duty-Free items (a reasonable and limited amount)
• One diaper bag (for customers traveling with a lap infant) as a carry-on item
• Special items (coat, umbrella, infant car seat, etc.)
• Mobility aids (wheelchairs, canes, walkers, etc.)

Lufthansa Carry-On Weight Limits

Lufthansa requires carry-on bags to weigh less than 8 kg (18 lbs.). However, they don’t weight your carry-on items prior to boarding, so you’re generally not going to have a problem if it’s too heavy. The weight issue applies to checked baggage more than carry-on bags, since they weigh your checked bags when you check in for you flight.

Lufthansa Carry-On Rules for Small Regional Aircraft

On certain flights with “Lufthansa Regional” or where country-specific variations apply (flights from Italy, India and the USA), First and Business Class passengers must check in their second piece of carry-on baggage.

On nearly all Lufthansa regional flights, passengers can keep their carry-on baggage with them until boarding and get it back again immediately on disembarkation at the aircraft steps.

All carry-on bags within Lufthansa’s size restrictions will be gate checked, free of charge, during the boarding process and returned upon deplaning.

If you want to make sure you have a bag that will fit, check out this article on the best carry-on luggage for regional jets.

Related Content: Lufthansa Flight Deals

Carry-On Liquids: Lufthansa Liquids Policy

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA in the US and the EASA and European Commission in Europe.  Lufthansa doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the Authorities.

• Containers with liquids and gel-like substances may hold up to 100 ml (maximum capacity must be printed on the container).
• All containers must be carried in a plastic bag (transparent, resealable, max. capacity 1 litre). One bag per person.
• The bag must be presented separately at security. Take your liquids out of your carry-on baggage at the security screening point and present them separately. In exceptional cases, liquids may be opened in the course of security checks and removed from their outer packaging.
• Liquid duty-free goods purchased at an international airport or on board an aircraft outside the EU must be transported in a tamper-proof, certified bag on connecting flights via an EU airport. The proof of purchase must be inside the bag and the bag must be sealed by the retailer.
• Medicines and special food (e.g. baby food) can be carried outside the plastic bag and must also be presented at security.

Below is a table that provides some examples of Non-solid Food and Personal Items that are considered “liquids”:

The TSA 3-1-1 Rule

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, and lotion.

Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security checkpoint.

Here is a little video to help illustrate:

Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food/child nourishment.

Carry-On Food

There are two different scenarios here.  The food you bring with you from home and food you buy at the airport after you have gone through security.

An important thing to note is the classification of liquid foods vs. solid foods.  

The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel,”.   This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).

The TSA website advises what food can be brought with you on your flight.  This applies to food you are bringing from home through security.   Once you get through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.

Lufthansa Carry-On Pet Policy

Lufthansa may not charge for your carry-on bag, but they will charge for your carry-on pet. The price depends upon the route and is charged once per flight direction.

If you’re going to bring a pet on board with you, it must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.  Your pet carrier will count as a carry-on bag and cannot exceed 22″ x 16″ x 9″ and the combined weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 18 pounds.

Only smaller dogs and cats, who weigh no more than 8 kg including their transport container, may be transported under certain conditions as additional carry-on baggage in the passenger cabin. Larger dogs and cats and all other animal species, regardless of their weight and size, are not allowed in the cabin.

To enable you to take your pet with you into the cabin as carry-on baggage, Lufthansa will need your confirmation that the animal meets the stated requirements. For this purpose, please present two copies of the fully completed and signed form at the check-in counter: Form for transporting an animal in the passenger cabin

Carry-On Pet Fees

Prohibited Items and Dangerous Goods

There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous material.  Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bags on all flights.  These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency.

The list includes items such as aerosols, fireworks, matches, etc…  A complete list can be found on the FAA website, the TSA website, and/or the EASA website.

One more way to find them is with Lufthansa’s Summary of dangerous goods PDF

Lufthansa Carry-On Size and Fees

Lufthansa does not charge a fee for carry-on baggage that meets their size requirements.  If your bag is too large and doesn’t meet Lufthansa’s carry-on restrictions, you may be charged a fee to gate check it.

Here is a link to Lufthansa’s Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

More related articles….

1. 5 Tips to Travel with Just One Bag
2. How to Use Packing Cubes to Travel with Just A Carry-On
3. The Best Carry-On Bags for Regional and Small Jets
4. 5 Essential Things to Stay Organized While on The Road

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