Excess, special and bulky baggage
For excess and special baggage, flat rates apply. This is also the case for sports baggage that exceeds the free baggage allowance.
Make sure you have attached your name and (mobile) telephone number to each piece of baggage (on the inside and outside) before checking it in at the airport. Bag tags and/or stickers for baggage items to be checked in can be obtained free of charge at the check-in counter. You are also welcome to use your own bag tags.
Baggage check-in deadlines for your travel class and airport can be found here.
As a general rule, the data we collect is used to fulfil the contract of carriage you have taken out with us. It includes both passenger and baggage data. To ensure the onward transportation of your baggage with other airlines, as well as its timely processing at airports, we pass data on to the airlines and airports concerned. In addition, we support the German Customs authorities in the fulfilment of their legal duties by allowing limited access to selected data.
Information about and registration of your excess baggage
Due to limited capacity and varying regulations at our partner airlines, we recommend making an early reservation for your excess baggage, either at your travel agency or through the Lufthansa Service Center, giving your booking code.
In Economy/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/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.
Lufthansa passengers will be charged flat rates (1) when their checked baggage corresponds to the allowed number of items but exceeds the permitted weight and/or dimensions, or when the number of checked pieces of baggage exceeds the allowance. On certain routes, Lufthansa also offers its Economy Class passengers discounted flat rates for the second piece of checked baggage (up to 23 kg / up to 158 cm).
If you are travelling with another airline, please contact the operating airline directly for information about their excess baggage charges.
Flat rates for excess baggage
(1) = Please note: depending upon the departure airport, local taxes may apply in addition to the Lufthansa flat rates stated.
Items of baggage weighing more than 32 kg will not be accepted as travel baggage. They can be sent as air freight. Please note that the maximum permitted weight per item of baggage can vary on flights with other airlines. Information about this can be obtained from the airline in question.
You can also find information about air freight originating in Germany by contacting Lufthansa Cargo in Germany.
Information on sending air cargo to and from other destinations is available from the respective local Lufthansa Cargo Sales Office.
If you are travelling on an Economy Class Light fare, you have the option of booking one baggage item weighing up to 23 kg (no sports baggage) for an extra charge. You can find the charges here.
Please note that the charge for the first piece of baggage on the Light fare is not refundable. If you bring a larger or heavier piece of baggage than you stated when booking the Light fare (over 23 kg in weight and over 158 cm in size), you will in this case be additionally charged the flat rates for excess baggage.
Special and bulky baggage
You have the option of taking your musical instrument with you into the cabin. Depending on the weight and size, you can carry it with you as carry-on baggage or you must book an extra ticket. Furthermore, you can also take your musical instrument with you as an additional item of baggage and check it in.
Musical instruments as carry-on baggage
You can take your musical instrument with you into the cabin free of charge as long as its dimensions do not exceed 55 x 40 x 23 cm (height x width x depth) and its weight does not exceed 8 kg. Please bear in mind that your musical instrument thereby replaces a permitted item of carry-on baggage and that, where applicable, you may not take any further item of carry-on baggage on board with you.
In exceptional cases, dependent on aircraft load factor and aircraft type, you may also take slightly larger instruments into the cabin with you as long as these fit in the overhead locker above your seat. However, please understand that we cannot guarantee this.
Musical instruments with their own ticket booking
If your musical instrument exceeds the dimensions of 55 x 40 x 23 cm, you must book an additional seat. This must be booked at the same time as you book your own ticket. To do this, please contact the Lufthansa Service Center. Prices for taking your musical instrument with you depend on the ticket prices available. Musical instruments that you wish to book to be taken with you into the cabin may not exceed the following dimension and weight specifications:
- 155 x 42 x 25 cm (height x width x depth) for musical instruments that stand in the cabin
- 110 x 42 x 50 cm (height x width x depth) for musical instruments strapped to the seat
- Maximum weight 75 kg
Musical instrument as an additional item of baggage
You can also check in your musical instrument as an additional item of baggage as long as it complies with the excess baggage dimensions. Information about the permitted dimensions and weight limits can be found on our corresponding section page.