Last updated: 16 September 2026 · Lufthansa's free baggage allowance rules and excess baggage definitions change regularly. We keep updating this article – for binding figures for your specific booking, please check lufthansa.com or the baggage calculator.
Quick answer: With Lufthansa, your free baggage allowance depends on the route and fare: Economy Basic/Light comes with no free baggage, Economy Comfort/Comfort Green/Flex (Europe) or Economy Class (intercontinental) includes 1 piece up to 23 kg, and Premium Economy Class gets 2 × 23 kg. According to lufthansa.com, excess baggage starts at more than 23 kg (up to a max of 32 kg) or a total of more than 158 cm in width, height and depth combined (up to a max of 292 cm) – beyond that, special baggage rules apply. Source: lufthansa.com/de/de/freigepaeck-regeln, last updated 16.09.2026.
Lufthansa free baggage allowance 2026 – the fares at a glance
How much luggage is included in your ticket price with Lufthansa depends on the fare you've booked and the route – the tables differ for flights within Europe and for intercontinental flights. Source: lufthansa.com/de/de/freigepaeck-regeln, last updated 16.09.2026.
Good to know: Economy Basic and Economy Light include no free baggage – every piece of luggage is an extra purchase. From Economy Comfort/Comfort Green/Flex (Europe) or Economy Class (intercontinental) upwards, one piece of luggage up to 23 kg is included. For your specific booking, the official Lufthansa baggage calculator shows the exact free baggage allowance and the prices for extra baggage – Lufthansa itself doesn't publish flat euro amounts on its baggage page, as these vary depending on route and booking time.
- 0 pieces of luggage included
- add-on only
- cheapest fare
- 1 piece of luggage included
- up to 23 kg
- the classic holiday choice
- 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 |
| Hand luggage | – | 1 piece up to 8 kg | 1 piece up to 8 kg |
| Hold luggage | – | – | 1 piece up to 23 kg |
Flights within Europe: Business
| Business Comfort & Comfort Green | Business Flex | |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 1 | 1 |
| Hand luggage | 2 pieces up to 8 kg each | 2 pieces up to 8 kg each |
| Hold luggage | 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 |
| Hand luggage | 1 piece up to 8 kg | 1 piece up to 8 kg | 1 piece up to 8 kg | 1 piece up to 8 kg |
| Hold luggage | – | 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 |
| Hand luggage | 2 pieces up to 8 kg each | 2 pieces up to 8 kg each | 2 pieces up to 8 kg each |
| Hold luggage | 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, little luggage: Economy Basic/Light – no free baggage included, so bring a cabin bag and add hold luggage if you need it.
- Classic holiday, 1-2 weeks (Europe): Economy Comfort, Comfort Green or Flex – 1 piece up to 23 kg included in the ticket price.
- Classic holiday, 1-2 weeks (intercontinental): Economy Class – 1 piece up to 23 kg included in the ticket price; Premium Economy Light also gets 1 × 23 kg.
- More space or two travellers (intercontinental): Premium Economy Class – 2 pieces up to 23 kg each.
- Business trips, lots of luggage: Business (1 or 2 × 32 kg depending on fare) or First Class – 3 pieces up to 32 kg each (intercontinental only).
Excess baggage with Lufthansa: the official definition
Unlike many airlines, Lufthansa gives a clear, explicit definition at lufthansa.com/uebergepaeck: in Economy and Premium Economy Class, a piece of luggage counts as excess baggage if it's heavier than 23 kg (up to a maximum of 32 kg) and/or larger than 158 cm – meaning the combined total of width, height and depth, up to a maximum of 292 cm. In Business and First Class, only size matters: a combined total of more than 158 cm up to a maximum of 292 cm counts as excess baggage.
Oversize/bulky luggage: up to 158 cm in combined width, height and depth, a piece of luggage is standard; up to 292 cm it counts as excess baggage at a flat rate. Beyond 292 cm, it's treated as special baggage. For the specific flat rates, Lufthansa refers you to the baggage calculator – the excess baggage page itself doesn't state fixed euro amounts.
According to Lufthansa, extra luggage can be added online under "My Bookings", at the airport check-in desk, or by phone via the service centre. On certain routes, Lufthansa offers discounted flat rates for a second checked bag up to 23 kg / 158 cm.
Empty weight: the underrated cost factor
A suitcase that weighs 5 kg empty "eats up" more than a fifth of your 23 kg free baggage allowance. The models below from our range (size L, 77-78 cm) show just how big the difference can be – the figures are manufacturer specifications from our product data:
| Model (size L) | Empty weight | Packing volume at 23 kg | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelite Skaii 78 cm expandable | approx. 2.9 kg | 20.1 kg | Hard shell, very lightweight |
| 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, great value |
| Travelite Mooby 77 cm | approx. 3.7 kg | 19.3 kg | Hard shell, great value |
You'll find more lightweight models in our Large Suitcases (L) category.
Sports equipment with Lufthansa
If you're travelling with sports equipment, Lufthansa offers a nice perk according to lufthansa.com: winter sports equipment (skis, snowboards with accessories) can be carried free of charge in addition to your free baggage allowance – except on flights to the USA, Mexico or Central America, and except on the Economy Light fare. Other sports equipment (e.g. golf bags, bikes, diving gear) counts towards your regular free baggage allowance, as long as the piece count and weight aren't exceeded – this also doesn't apply to the Economy Light fare. If your sports equipment exceeds the free baggage allowance but stays under 32 kg, Lufthansa charges a sports equipment flat rate instead of the pricier excess baggage rate. You must register your sports equipment at least 72 hours before departure to guarantee it can be carried. Bikes must be packed in a bike box or bike bag; pole vault poles are excluded from carriage altogether.
Which suitcase suits Lufthansa's free baggage allowance?
- No free baggage (Economy Basic/Light): a lightweight cabin case is often enough if you're not adding hold 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 you with nearly 20 kg of packing volume. Browse: Large Suitcases.
- Business trips: a compact business trolley for your hand luggage, paired with an L suitcase for overnight stays.
- Two travellers or Premium Economy Class (2 × 23 kg): a suitcase set with two matching sizes is often more practical than buying two separately.
Find out how much actually fits in size L and which trip length suits which size in our guide Suitcase sizes at a glance. Hard shell or soft shell? We compare the details in our guide Hard shell or soft shell? A TSA lock is a must for hold luggage.
Find the right suitcase for a 23 kg Lufthansa free baggage allowance: lightweight size L models weighing 2.9 to 3.7 kg empty – all with 4 wheels and a TSA lock.
View size L suitcases »What's not allowed in Lufthansa hold luggage?
The usual safety rules apply to the cargo hold: power banks, spare batteries and e-cigarettes belong exclusively in your hand luggage – find the details in our guide Power banks in hand luggage. Which quantities of liquids are allowed in hold luggage is explained in Liquids in hold luggage. Valuables, medication and documents should always go in your hand luggage.
Lufthansa vs. Ryanair & Eurowings on hold luggage
With Ryanair, hold luggage is always an add-on with a fixed size limit (80 × 120 × 120 cm). With Eurowings, a 23 kg piece of luggage is included in the SMART fare and can be added to the BASIC fare. With Lufthansa, the rule depends on the fare and route: Economy Basic/Light has no free baggage, while from Economy Comfort/Comfort Green/Flex (Europe) or Economy Class (intercontinental) upwards, one piece up to 23 kg is included – and Lufthansa has the clearest official excess baggage definition of all three airlines (158 cm / 292 cm combined).
Find all the details on the other airlines here: Ryanair hold luggage 2026 and Eurowings hold luggage 2026. The rules for Lufthansa hand luggage – dimensions, fares and what's allowed in the cabin – can be found in our guide Lufthansa hand luggage & baggage.
Suitcase broken or lost?
If your suitcase comes off the belt damaged, report it at the airport straight away at the baggage desk. Our guide Suitcase broken after your flight – here's what to do explains how to make a claim against the airline.
Frequently asked questions about Lufthansa hold luggage
How much free baggage do I get with Lufthansa?
According to lufthansa.com, your free baggage allowance depends on your fare and route: Economy Basic and Economy Light include no piece of luggage – you'll need to add it. Within Europe, Economy Comfort, Comfort Green and Flex include one piece up to 23 kg in the ticket price. On intercontinental flights, this applies to Economy Class and Premium Economy Light, while Premium Economy Class gets two pieces up to 23 kg each. Business and First Class come with higher allowances (1 to 3 pieces up to 32 kg each). The official Lufthansa baggage calculator shows the exact allowance for your specific booking.
What counts as excess baggage with Lufthansa?
According to lufthansa.com (last updated 16.09.2026), in Economy and Premium Economy Class a piece of luggage counts as excess baggage if it's heavier than 23 kg (up to a maximum of 32 kg) and/or larger than 158 cm (combined width + height + depth, up to a maximum of 292 cm). In Business and First Class, a piece of luggage counts as excess baggage if it's more than 158 cm up to a maximum of 292 cm in combined dimensions. Lufthansa charges flat rates for excess baggage, which vary by route and are shown in the baggage calculator.
When does a suitcase count as oversized with Lufthansa?
According to Lufthansa's definition, oversize means: the piece of luggage exceeds 158 cm in combined width, height and depth. Up to a combined total of 292 cm, it's still carried as excess baggage (at a flat rate). Beyond that, it's treated as special baggage and 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 extra piece of luggage cost with Lufthansa?
Lufthansa doesn't state a fixed euro amount for extra or excess baggage on lufthansa.com – the flat rates depend on route, travel class and booking time, and are shown in the official baggage calculator. According to Lufthansa, extra luggage can be added online under "My Bookings", at the airport check-in desk, or by phone via the service centre.
Is sports equipment included in Lufthansa's free baggage allowance?
According to lufthansa.com, winter sports equipment (e.g. skis, snowboards) can be carried free of charge in addition to your free baggage allowance – except on flights to the USA, Mexico or Central America, and on the Economy Light fare. Other sports equipment counts towards your regular free baggage allowance, as long as the piece count and weight aren't exceeded. If the free baggage allowance is exceeded but the weight stays under 32 kg, Lufthansa charges a sports equipment flat rate. You must register it at least 72 hours before departure.
Which suitcase is suitable for a 23 kg Lufthansa free baggage allowance?
A size L suitcase with around 75 to 78 cm in height and 2.9 to 3.7 kg empty weight leaves you with nearly 19 to 20 kg of packing volume at a 23 kg allowance. Models with an expansion compartment (expandable) offer extra volume when needed, without exceeding the weight limit.
Other airlines – hand luggage and baggage rules
Flying with a different airline? Here you'll find the current size & weight rules:
- Cabin cases 2026 – all airlines compared
- Eurowings hand luggage dimensions
- Condor hand luggage dimensions
- easyJet hand luggage dimensions
- TUI fly hand luggage dimensions
- Ryanair hand luggage dimensions
All information last updated September 2026, no guarantee.
Cover image: TJDarmstadt / Wikimedia Commons, licence CC BY 2.0, resized.
