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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, they have very specific guidelines for carry-on sizes, liquids, and other unique items that you may want to bring on board.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Lufthansa’s carry-on policy. This includes Lufthansa carry-on size and weight limits, personal items, liquids, pets, prohibited items, and other rules and restrictions you should know before boarding your flight.
Lufthansa Carry-On Size and Weight Limit
Lufthansa allows one piece of carry-on luggage and one personal item onboard, at no charge, for economy class and they allow two pieces of carry-on luggage 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 hand luggage is too big or too heavy, you’re going to have to pay a fee, so it’s always better to know your luggage size and the airlines’ limitations in advance.
Carry-On Rules for Infants
Lap Infant Carry-On Policy
- Children under 2 have a free checked baggage allowance of 1 piece up to 50 pounds (23 kg), excluding Economy Light fares
- A car seat, folding buggy, or baby carrier may be carried as carry-on baggage free of charge.
Stroller Check Policy
- Strollers are allowed to be used throughout the airport and will be checked before the flight and handed back immediately after arrival at your destination. One item may be checked free of charge, including a stroller, carrycot, or car seat.
Lufthansa Carry-On Weight Limit
Lufthansa requires carry-on baggage to have a maximum weight of 8 kg (18 lbs.). However, they don’t weigh your carry-on items prior to boarding, so you’re generally not going to have a problem if it’s too heavy.
The maximum baggage weight applies to checked baggage more than hand luggage since they weigh your checked baggage when you check in for your flight.
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 baggage 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 our article on the best carry-on luggage for regional jets.
Recommended Carry-On Bag
If you are looking for an international-sized carry-on bag, the Travelpro 20-inch Global Expandable Spinner Carry-on is definitely one to consider. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds enough for shorter trips (3-5 days). Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly and effortlessly.
Case Dimensions:
- H: 19 in. W: 15 in. D: 7.75 in.
- Weight: 7.3 lbs.
Fits 80% of International Airlines* as a Carry-On
Lufthansa Personal Item Size
Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop bag, 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.)
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Lufthansa Baggage Fees (For Checked Luggage)
If you have to check a bag on Lufthansa, there are some size and weight rules to be aware of.
All checked baggage must be less than the maximum weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) for economy and premium economy fares and 70 pounds (32 kg) for business and first class fares. The baggage dimensions must be less than the maximum linear dimensions per bag up to 62 inches (158 cm).
As a general rule, it’s always good to check Lufthansa’s baggage calculator for the most up-to-date information and fees.
Free baggage allowance for Intercontinental flights:
Here is a summary of your permitted free baggage allowance, by fare type, for International flights:
- Economy Light Fare: You will have to pay for your checked baggage.
- Economy Fare: 1 free checked bag (50 pounds/23 kg)
- Premium Economy Fare: 2 free checked bags (50 pounds/23 kg)
- Business Class Fare: 2 free checked bags (70 pounds/32 kg)
- First Class Fare: 3 free checked bags (70 pounds/32 kg)
Free baggage allowance for European flights:
Here is a summary of your permitted free baggage allowance, by fare type, for flights within Europe:
- Economy Light Fare: You will have to pay for your checked baggage.
- Economy Classic Fare: 1 free checked bag (50 pounds/23 kg)
- Economy Flex Fare: 1 free checked bag (50 pounds/23 kg)
- Business Class Fare: 2 free checked bags (70 pounds/32 kg)
Overweight Baggage (also known as “excess baggage”)
In Economy and Premium Economy Class, a piece of baggage is considered to be “excess baggage” when it weighs more than 23 kg (up to a maximum of 32 kg) and/or is larger than 158 cm (the sum of width X + height Y + depth Z up to a maximum of 292 cm).
In Business and First Class, a piece of baggage is considered to be excess baggage when its total dimensions are greater than 158 cm up to a maximum of 292 cm.
Excess Baggage Charges & Fees
Lufthansa will charge you flat rates for excess baggage if your checked baggage either exceeds the permitted weight and/or dimensions or if the number of checked pieces of baggage exceeds the allowance for your fare type.
You can check your free baggage allowance in just a few steps with the Lufthansa baggage calculator – based on the route, travel class, and fare. There you’ll also find the prices and permitted maximum weight and dimensions for excess baggage.
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 liter). 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”:
| Liquids | Food | Aerosols | Gels |
| Beverages | Jelly | Spray Paint | Hair Gel |
| Shampoo | Pudding | Deodorant Spray | Shower Gel |
| Conditioner | Yogurt | Insect Repellent | Hand Sanitizer |
| Toothpaste | Gelatin | Cooking Spray | Gel Deodorant |
| Lotion | Mashed Potatoes | Sunscreen | |
| Mouthwash | Peanut Butter | Spray Lubricant | |
| Liquid soap | Cheese Spread | Hairspray | |
| Contact Lens Solution | Maple Syrup | Shaving Cream | |
| Perfume | Hummus |
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.
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.
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 & Dangerous Goods
There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as a hazardous materials. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked baggage on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency.
Prohibited Items:
Here is a list of items that are strictly prohibited on Lufthansa flights:
- Firearms and ammunition
- Self-defense sprays, such as mace and pepper spray
- Explosives, including fireworks and flares
- Flammable liquids, including gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene
- Poisonous, infectious, or radioactive substances
- Knives and sharp objects (pocket knives, cutting instruments, razors, ice picks, carpet knives, metal scissors, box cutters, or similar items)
- Any alcoholic beverage with more than 70 percent alcohol
- Camping equipment containing flammable liquids or gasses
- Hoverboards, including electric skateboards, balance boards, gravity boards, and self-balancing devices
- Medical or liquid oxygen
- Torch lighters, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, and fire starters
- Wet-cell batteries
Restricted Items:
The following items are not considered “dangerous goods” and are allowed when packaged properly, in accordance with FAA regulations
- Knitting/scissors
- Hiking or trekking poles
- Hair dryer/Straightener
- Hair spray
- Sunscreen/bug spray
- Batteries
- Food as a carry-on
- Fishing hooks
- Fragile glass items
It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list and that the rules and regulations are subject to change. Additional prohibited or restricted goods and materials can be found in the following resources:
- IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
- TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items
- EASA Dangerous Goods.
- FAA Packsafe List
One more way to find them is with Lufthansa’s Summary of dangerous goods PDF
Summary: Lufthansa Carry-On Luggage Policy
It is important to note that Lufthansa’s baggage rules are subject to change and may vary depending on the type of ticket purchased and the route you are flying. For example, there is no free baggage allowance for economy light fares, two free bags with business class fares, and up to three free bags on international first class fares.
It’s always a good idea to review Lufthansa’s baggage guidelines before your flight and to pack accordingly to avoid any inconvenience or additional charges.
Here is a link to Lufthansa’s Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.
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