Lufthansa Luggage Allowance: Fees, Limits and Packing Tips

Knowing what your ticket includes makes it easier to pack for a flight with Lufthansa. The baggage allowance will depend on the route and the airline class, among other factors. If you were to look for additional luggage, this may also involve a fee.

Hence, when trying to find Lufthansa Baggage Fees, you should not limit your search to the cost of a suitcase. Instead, try to learn more about the baggage allowance as mentioned in your ticket and avoid potential issues at the airport.

What Is Included in a Lufthansa Baggage Allowance?

Lufthansa has no fixed baggage allowance for all its passengers. The number of bags permitted for checking in, their limit, and the charges applied may differ due to travel class, route, and fares.

According to Lufthansa, the free baggage allowance collected per flight can be checked via its baggage calculator and is also mentioned on the passenger’s ticket or receipt. 

Depending on the booking, passengers may have:

• a personal item;
• one or more pieces of cabin baggage;
• one or more checked bags;
• other excess baggage purchased. 

Moreover, frequent-flyer status or eligibility may, in some cases, change the allowance.

It is best to check the precise allowance for the specific booking rather than checking an earlier policy used for a previous Lufthansa journey.

Checked Baggage: Size and Weight Limits

Checked luggage is stored in the aircraft hold but has limitations on its dimensions and weight. 

According to Lufthansa’s checked luggage policies, the permitted baggage dimensions should not exceed 158 cm of total outside measurement, which is the sum of the baggage height, length, and width. 

The weight limit for checked luggage varies based on the baggage allowance applied. According to Lufthansa baggage rules, the weight limits vary depending on the class of travel and ticket type chosen. For instance, Economy class restrictions allow a maximum weight of 23 kg per piece of luggage, while Business and First class restrictions permit up to 32 kg per piece. 

It is also critical to note that a bag weighing more than 32 kg will not be accepted as checked baggage and may need to be shipped as air cargo. 

This distinction is significant since simply paying for excess baggage does not entitle a passenger to check-in an unusually heavy suitcase.

Lufthansa Carry-On Baggage Rules

Cabin luggage requirements are different from those of checked bags.

Lufthansa specifies a cabin baggage size measurement of 55 x 40 x 23 cm, which has a limit of 8 kilograms and applies to all categories of travel. The maximum allowed size of a personal item is 40 x 30 x 15 cm. The number of pieces of cabin luggage is dependent upon the fare, category of travel along with the stipulations of the ticket, as mentioned in the above guidelines.

According to the information currently available from Lufthansa, Economy tickets allow only one piece of cabin luggage, which is permissible for use on flights while Business class and First class tickets entitle a traveler to carry two bags according to the rules for these respective classes. For Economy Basic passengers flying on certain sectors, they might be required to adhere to more stringent rules regarding cabin baggage.

It is important to remember that airport security rules can result in restrictions on what can be carried through airport security.

When Can Lufthansa Baggage Fees Apply?

When a customer flies with bags that exceed the free allowance specified in the ticket, they may incur an extra charge for their luggage.

The extra fee can occur in the following situations:

– An extra bag is checked

– The number of allowed pieces of luggage is exceeded

– The weight of baggage is higher than permitted

– The dimensions of the bag exceed allowed limits

Special luggage needs some additional care

The fee paid for excess luggage can be different depending on the situation as well as on the travel itinerary. Lufthansa notes that excess fee for luggage can change depending on various factors and uses a baggage calculator to give details for certain routes.

Is It Better to Add Another Bag or Repack?

A simple way to avoid an extra baggage fee sometimes is just to think again about what is packed into the suitcase.

Prior to buying another bag, make sure to:

1. Know how much luggage is included in the ticket.
2. Weigh each of your
3. bags.
4. Check if some things can be transferred between bags.
5. Check if the cabin baggage allowance is enough for the allowed items.
6. Check if another bag is actually required.

A bit of reorganizing the bags may help avoid the nonsense of being charged with extra baggage.

Nevertheless, the travelers must never put restricted or forbidden items into their cabin luggage just to reduce the weight of their checked luggage. Security and dangerous goods regulations are still valid.

What About Special Baggage?

Not all things can be placed in an ordinary suitcase.

Tourists might need to transport:

• Sports gear
• Musical tools
• Equipment for people with mobility issues
• Bigger or fragile items
• Other specialized luggage

Such items can come with rules that differ from regular checked luggage. According to Lufthansa, some fragile or unsuitable items can also require prior arrangements for being carried on board.

Anyone traveling with non-standard equipment should be aware of the requirements that might apply. If someone misses the opportunity to check requirements before coming to the airport, the process can become very complicated.

What Should Stay in Your Cabin Bag?

Some items have to be kept close at hand while travelling. When they allow it, the airline and security regulations allow the traveler to have passports and other travel documents, medicines, precious items and necessary gadgets with them during the flight.

All the more reason for this to be done is the fact that Lufthansa occasionally obliges its passengers to place the hand luggage into the cabin hold when the plane runs out of space for luggage. It is suggested that travelers take out all the precious items, medicines and gadgets with batteries before they make the cabin bag be placed into the hold.

Last but not least, passengers should take into consideration the limitations concerning lithium-battery devices and gadgets.

What Happens If a Carry-On Bag Is Too Large or Heavy?

If the hand luggage is oversized, overweight or has more items than permitted, it may not be allowed on the flight. 

As per Lufthansa, oversized luggage can be retained during check-in and the flight can be continued without it for an additional fee.

Thus, measuring and weighing the luggage prior to arriving at the airport can be useful.

Even though a bag fits the size specifications, if it is overweight, it can also pose a challenge at the airport so the bag has to be weighed as well.

What About Connecting Flights or Codeshare Trips?

When there’s more than one airline in the journey, baggage regulations can get tricky.

As described by the Lufthansa carrier, when an airline itinerary involves multiple airlines, different rules may apply to each segment of the itinerary. In case of carry-on baggage, passengers should follow the rules set by the airline operating the segment of the flight.

For certain routes, one airline may also dictate the baggage regulations applicable to the entire route. Lufthansa urges its passengers to read their ticket and confirmation documents, and mentions that its rules will not necessarily apply in every multi-airline case.

Thus, passengers on codeshare and connecting flights must check the complete itinerary and not just the Lufthansa flight number.

A Better Way to Prepare Your Luggage

Instead of waiting until the night before departure, use a simple three-step process.

1. Check the reservation

Look at the baggage allowance shown for your specific ticket. Do not assume that another passenger’s allowance will be identical.

2. Measure and weigh

Check the outside dimensions of each suitcase and weigh it after packing. This is particularly important when a bag is close to the permitted limit.

3. Separate essentials

Keep documents, medication, valuables and important electronics accessible in your permitted cabin baggage.

This approach reduces the chance of discovering a baggage problem only after reaching the airport.

Common Mistakes Travelers Make

Several simple mistakes can create unnecessary baggage problems.

Assuming every Lufthansa fare has the same allowance

Different fares and routes can have different baggage conditions.

Checking only the weight

A suitcase can meet the weight requirement but exceed the permitted dimensions.

Ignoring the number of bags

The total number of permitted pieces matters as much as the weight of each piece.

Waiting until the airport

Additional baggage arrangements may be easier to understand and manage before departure.

Forgetting about connecting airlines

A codeshare or multi-airline itinerary can involve different baggage conditions.

Packing restricted items incorrectly

Airline and airport security rules apply regardless of whether an item is placed in checked or cabin baggage.

Lufthansa Luggage Checklist Before Departure

It is important to verify the following before heading to the airport:

• Your ticket states baggage entitlement.
• The number of checked bags is specified.
• The maximum allowed weight.
• Proper dimensions for checked bags are outlined.
• The maximum allowance for cabin baggage.
• The size and weight of your hand baggage.
• There are any specifics regarding special equipment.
• Regulations concerning the use of electronics and batteries.
• Airline policies related to any other airlines along the journey.
• If the weight of the luggage is permitted, the process of check-in would be much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much luggage can I take on Lufthansa?

The amount depends on your fare, travel class, route and other applicable conditions. Lufthansa provides a baggage calculator for checking the allowance for an individual itinerary, and the permitted allowance is also shown on the passenger’s ticket or receipt.

What is the maximum size for Lufthansa checked baggage?

The standard maximum outside dimensions for a checked baggage piece are 158 cm in total, calculated as width plus height plus depth.

What is the standard Lufthansa carry-on size?

For applicable cabin baggage allowances, Lufthansa lists a maximum size of 55 × 40 × 23 cm and a maximum weight of 8 kg per carry-on piece. The number of permitted pieces depends on the fare and travel class.

Can a checked bag weigh more than 32 kg?

Lufthansa states that individual baggage items above 32 kg are not accepted as normal checked baggage and may need to be transported as air cargo.

Are Lufthansa baggage fees the same for every route?

No. Baggage allowances and excess-baggage charges can vary according to factors such as route, fare and travel class. Lufthansa recommends using its baggage calculator for itinerary-specific information.

Do Lufthansa baggage rules apply to codeshare flights?

Not necessarily. When several airlines are involved, the applicable baggage rules can depend on the operating carrier and the specific itinerary. Travelers should review the baggage information for each flight and their booking confirmation.

Final Takeaway

For travelers, the baggage policies of Lufthansa are easier to navigate when they know the policies prior to packing instead of relying on generalizations.

The most crucial pieces of information include the baggage policies associated with the booked ticket, the maximum number, and weight of bags allowed, the maximum sizes allowed, and any special requirements in cases of unique items. It must be noted that the addition of extra bags incurs charges, while oversize and overweight baggage will attract different handling regulations.

Travelers should check their baggage allowances concerning their travel details prior to flying to have the most reliable information. The airline’s baggage calculator and the baggage details given during booking of the travel arrangements are of great help in finding the required information.