Last updated: 28 October 2026 · Lufthansa's checked baggage allowance rules and excess baggage definitions change regularly. We update this article on an ongoing basis – for the binding values for your booking, please check lufthansa.com or the baggage calculator.
Quick answer: With Lufthansa, the baggage allowance depends on the route and fare: Economy Basic/Light comes with no baggage allowance, Economy Comfort/Comfort Green/Flex (Europe) and Economy Class (intercontinental) include 1 piece of luggage up to 23 kg, and Premium Economy Class includes 2 × 23 kg. According to lufthansa.com, excess baggage starts at more than 23 kg (up to a maximum of 32 kg) or more than 158 cm in total dimensions (width, height and depth combined, up to a maximum of 292 cm) – beyond that, special baggage rules apply. Source: lufthansa.com/de/de/freigepaeck-regeln, as of 28 October 2026.
Lufthansa Checked Baggage Allowance 2026 – Fares at a Glance
How much luggage is included in your ticket price depends on the fare booked and the route – the tables differ for flights within Europe and for intercontinental flights. Source: lufthansa.com/de/de/freigepaeck-regeln, as of 28 October 2026.
Good to know: Economy Basic and Economy Light include no checked baggage allowance – every piece of luggage must be purchased as an add-on. From Economy Comfort/Comfort Green/Flex (Europe) or Economy Class (intercontinental) upwards, 1 piece of luggage up to 23 kg is included. For your specific booking, the official Lufthansa baggage calculator shows the exact baggage allowance and the prices for additional luggage. Lufthansa also states the flat rates on its excess baggage page: in Economy Basic and Light, the first piece of luggage within Europe costs €35 to €50 online, or €65 at check-in.
- 0 pieces of luggage included
- add-on only
- cheapest fare
- 1 piece of luggage included
- up to 23 kg
- a classic choice for holidays
- 2 pieces of luggage included
- up to 23 kg each
- Premium Economy Light: only 1 × 23 kg
Flights within Europe: Economy
| Economy Basic | Economy Light | Economy Comfort, Comfort Green & Flex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cabin baggage | – | 1 piece up to 8 kg | 1 piece up to 8 kg |
| Checked baggage | – | – | 1 piece up to 23 kg |
Flights within Europe: Business
| Business Comfort & Comfort Green | Business Flex | |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 1 | 1 |
| Cabin baggage | 2 pieces up to 8 kg each | 2 pieces up to 8 kg each |
| Checked baggage | 1 piece up to 32 kg | 2 pieces up to 32 kg each |
Intercontinental Flights: Economy & Premium Economy
| Economy Light | Economy Class | Premium Economy Light | Premium Economy Class | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cabin baggage | 1 piece up to 8 kg | 1 piece up to 8 kg | 1 piece up to 8 kg | 1 piece up to 8 kg |
| Checked baggage | – | 1 piece up to 23 kg | 1 piece up to 23 kg | 2 pieces up to 23 kg each |
Intercontinental Flights: Business & First
| Business Light | Business Class | First Class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cabin baggage | 2 pieces up to 8 kg each | 2 pieces up to 8 kg each | 2 pieces up to 8 kg each |
| Checked baggage | 1 piece up to 32 kg | 2 pieces up to 32 kg each | 3 pieces up to 32 kg each |
Which option suits you?
- Cheapest fare, minimal luggage: Economy Basic/Light – no checked baggage included, so bring a cabin baggage suitcase and add checked luggage if needed.
- A classic 1-2 week holiday (Europe): Economy Comfort, Comfort Green or Flex – 1 piece of luggage up to 23 kg included in the ticket price.
- A classic 1-2 week holiday (intercontinental): Economy Class – 1 piece of luggage up to 23 kg included in the ticket price; Premium Economy Light also includes 1 × 23 kg.
- More space or two travellers (intercontinental): Premium Economy Class – 2 pieces of luggage up to 23 kg each.
- Business travel, lots of luggage: Business (1 or 2 × 32 kg depending on fare) or First Class – 3 pieces of luggage up to 32 kg each (intercontinental only).
Excess Baggage at Lufthansa: The Official Definition
Unlike many airlines, Lufthansa provides a clear, literal definition on lufthansa.com/uebergepaeck: in Economy and Premium Economy Class, a piece of luggage counts as excess baggage if it is heavier than 23 kg (up to a maximum of 32 kg) and/or larger than 158 cm – meaning the total of width, height and depth, up to a maximum of 292 cm. In Business and First Class, only size matters: larger than 158 cm up to a maximum of 292 cm in total counts as excess baggage.
Oversized/bulky baggage: Up to 158 cm in total dimensions (width, height and depth), a piece of luggage is standard; up to 292 cm, it counts as excess baggage subject to a flat fee. Beyond 292 cm, it is treated as special baggage. The flat fees are listed on the excess baggage page: within Europe, if a piece of luggage is either too heavy or too large, it costs €50; if it is both too heavy and too large, it costs €100.
According to Lufthansa, additional luggage can be added online under "My Bookings", at the airport check-in counter, or by phone through the Service Centre. On certain routes, Lufthansa offers discounted flat rates for a second piece of checked luggage up to 23 kg / 158 cm.
Empty Weight: The Underestimated Cost Factor
A suitcase that weighs 5 kg empty "eats up" more than a fifth of the 23 kg baggage allowance. The following models from our range (size L, 77-78 cm) show just how wide the range can be – the figures are manufacturer specifications from our product data:
| Model (Size L) | Empty Weight | Packing Capacity at 23 kg | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelite Skaii 78 cm expandable | approx. 2.9 kg | 20.1 kg | Hard shell, very light |
| Travelite Umbria 77 cm expandable | approx. 3.3 kg | 19.7 kg | Hard shell, expandable |
| Travelite Chios 78 cm expandable | approx. 3.4 kg | 19.6 kg | Hard shell, expandable |
| Travelite Air Base 77 cm | approx. 3.5 kg | 19.5 kg | Hard shell, robust |
| Somko Wave 77 cm | approx. 3.6 kg | 19.4 kg | Hard shell, best-value pick |
| Travelite Mooby 77 cm | approx. 3.7 kg | 19.3 kg | Hard shell, best-value pick |
You'll find more lightweight models in our Large Suitcases (L) category.
Sports Equipment with Lufthansa
Travellers carrying sports equipment benefit from a special rule with Lufthansa, according to lufthansa.com: winter sports equipment (skis, snowboards with accessories) may be carried free of charge in addition to the standard baggage allowance – except on flights to the USA, Mexico or Central America, and except with the Economy Light fare. Other sports equipment (e.g. golf bags, bicycles, diving equipment) counts towards the regular baggage allowance, as long as the piece count and weight limits are not exceeded – this exception also does not apply to the Economy Light fare. If the sports equipment exceeds the baggage allowance but stays under 32 kg, Lufthansa charges a sports baggage flat fee instead of the more expensive excess baggage fee. Registration must take place at least 72 hours before departure to guarantee that the equipment can be carried. Bicycles must be packed in a bike box or bike bag; pole vault poles are generally excluded from carriage.
Which Suitcase Suits the Lufthansa Baggage Allowance?
- No baggage allowance (Economy Basic/Light): a lightweight cabin baggage suitcase is often sufficient if you don't add checked luggage.
- For 23 kg (Economy Comfort/Comfort Green/Flex, Economy Class, Premium Economy Light): size L with 75 to 80 cm and around 90 to 110 litres. An empty weight of up to 3.5 kg leaves nearly 20 kg of packing capacity. Selection: Large Suitcases.
- Business travel: a compact business trolley for cabin baggage, combined with a size L suitcase for overnight stays.
- Two travellers or Premium Economy Class (2 × 23 kg): a luggage set of two matching sizes is often more practical than two separate purchases.
How much actually fits in a size L suitcase and which trip length suits which size is explained in our guide Suitcase Sizes at a Glance. Hard shell or soft shell? We compare the details in the guide Hard Shell or Soft Shell? A TSA lock is recommended for checked luggage.
Find the right suitcase for Lufthansa's 23 kg baggage allowance: lightweight size L models with an empty weight of 2.9 to 3.7 kg – all with 4 wheels and a TSA lock.
View Size L Suitcases »What's Not Allowed in Lufthansa Checked Baggage?
The usual safety rules apply to the cargo hold: power banks, spare batteries and e-cigarettes must only be carried in cabin baggage – find out more in the guide Power Banks in Cabin Baggage. The permitted liquid quantities for checked baggage are explained in Liquids in Checked Baggage. Valuables, medication and documents should always be carried in your cabin baggage.
Lufthansa vs. Ryanair & Eurowings for Checked Baggage
With Ryanair, checked baggage is an add-on product – except in the Plus and Family Plus packages (one piece up to 20 kg each) – with a fixed size limit (81 × 119 × 119 cm). With Eurowings, a 23 kg piece of luggage is included in the SMART fare and can be added in the BASIC fare. With Lufthansa, the rule depends on fare and route: Economy Basic/Light with no baggage allowance, and from Economy Comfort/Comfort Green/Flex (Europe) or Economy Class (intercontinental) upwards, 1 piece of luggage up to 23 kg included – along with the clearest official excess baggage definition of all three airlines (158 cm / 292 cm total).
All the details on the other airlines: Ryanair Checked Baggage 2026 and Eurowings Checked Baggage 2026. For Lufthansa's cabin baggage rules – dimensions, fares and what's allowed in the cabin – see the guide Lufthansa Cabin Baggage & Luggage.
Suitcase Broken or Lost?
If your suitcase comes off the belt damaged, report it at the airport right away at the baggage desk. How to enforce your claims against the airline is explained in Suitcase Damaged After a Flight – Here's What to Do.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lufthansa Checked Baggage
How much checked baggage am I allowed with Lufthansa?
According to lufthansa.com, the baggage allowance depends on fare and route: in Economy Basic and Economy Light, no piece of luggage is included and must be added as an extra. Within Europe, Economy Comfort, Comfort Green and Flex include 1 piece of luggage up to 23 kg in the ticket price. On intercontinental flights, the same applies to Economy Class and Premium Economy Light, while Premium Economy Class includes two pieces of luggage up to 23 kg each. Business and First Class have higher allowances (1 to 3 pieces of luggage up to 32 kg each). The exact allowance for your specific booking is shown by the official Lufthansa baggage calculator.
What counts as excess baggage with Lufthansa?
According to lufthansa.com (as of 28 October 2026), in Economy and Premium Economy Class, a piece of luggage counts as excess baggage if it is heavier than 23 kg (up to a maximum of 32 kg) and/or larger than 158 cm (width + height + depth combined, up to a maximum of 292 cm). In Business and First Class, a piece of luggage counts as excess baggage if it is larger than 158 cm up to a maximum of 292 cm in total. Lufthansa charges flat fees for excess baggage that vary by route – within Europe, for example, €50 if a piece of luggage is too heavy or too large.
When is a suitcase considered oversized with Lufthansa?
According to Lufthansa's definition, oversized means: the piece of luggage exceeds 158 cm in total dimensions (width, height and depth). Up to a total of 292 cm, it is still carried as excess baggage (for a flat fee). Beyond that, it counts as special baggage and is handled separately. A normal size L suitcase (around 75 to 80 cm in height) stays well below this limit with typical dimensions.
How much does an additional piece of luggage cost with Lufthansa?
Lufthansa states the flat fees on its excess baggage page; they depend on route, travel class and booking method. Example for Europe: in Economy Basic and Light, the first piece of luggage costs €35 to €50 online, or €65 at check-in; an additional standard piece of luggage in Economy costs €65 to €80 online, or €90 at check-in. According to Lufthansa, additional luggage can be added online under "My Bookings", at the airport counter, or by phone through the Service Centre.
Is sports equipment included in the Lufthansa baggage allowance?
According to lufthansa.com, winter sports equipment (e.g. skis, snowboards) can be carried free of charge in addition to the standard baggage allowance – except on flights to the USA, Mexico or Central America, and with the Economy Light fare. Other sports equipment counts towards the regular baggage allowance, provided the piece count and weight are not exceeded. If the baggage allowance is exceeded but the weight stays under 32 kg, Lufthansa charges a sports baggage flat fee. Registration must take place at least 72 hours before departure.
Which suitcase is suitable for Lufthansa's 23 kg baggage allowance?
A size L suitcase with a height of around 75 to 78 cm and an empty weight of 2.9 to 3.7 kg leaves nearly 19 to 20 kg of packing capacity within a 23 kg baggage allowance. Models with an expansion compartment offer extra volume when needed, without exceeding the weight limit.
Other Airlines – Cabin and Checked Baggage Rules
Travelling with a different airline? Here you'll find the current size & weight rules:
- Cabin Baggage Suitcases 2026 – All Airlines Compared
- Eurowings Cabin Baggage Dimensions
- Condor Cabin Baggage Dimensions
- easyJet Cabin Baggage Dimensions
- TUI fly Cabin Baggage Dimensions
- Ryanair Cabin Baggage Dimensions
All information as of October 2026, without guarantee.
Cover image: TJDarmstadt / Wikimedia Commons, licence CC BY 2.0, resized.
