Carry-on baggage rules at Lufthansa
In the information below, we tell you how many items of carry-on baggage you may take with you according to your travel class, which items must be transported in carry-on baggage and how to stow your carry-on baggage in the cabin in a space-saving way.
Current carry-on baggage regulations
Please travel with as little carry-on baggage as possible. Please bear in mind already when packing that you need to heed the information regarding dangerous goods in checked-in baggage.
Please also check the country-specific requirements.
Less carry-on baggage, more comfort
For a smooth boarding procedure, more stowage space on board and a punctual departure, it is essential that your carry-on baggage corresponds to the regulations. That is why we check your carry-on baggage against the permitted dimensions, quantity and weight at departure airports.
Please note that Lufthansa checks during boarding whether the carry-on baggage rules are being adhered to. Carry-on baggage that is too large or too heavy will be taken at the gate and loaded into the cargo hold for a fee. The fees for this are significantly higher at the gate than in the check-in hall and can only be settled by credit card.
For very busy flights, it may be the case that you also have to check in carry-on baggage that conforms to the rules at the gate before boarding.
In both the above instances, please ensure that you take personal items, such as valuables and medications, into the cabin with you. Devices such as mobile phones and tablets, powerbanks or e-cigarettes that contain batteries or rechargeable batteries may also not be carried in checked baggage.
Video: shows a packed suitcase for carry-on baggage.
As carry-on baggage, you can take one item of baggage with you, such as a trolley case, a compact, foldable baby buggy or a foldable garment bag, or two items in Business or First Class.
Dimensions for carry-on baggage: max. 55 x 40 x 23 cm
Dimensions for foldable garment bags: max. 57 x 54 x 15 cm
1 item of carry-on baggage up to 8 kg
1 item of carry-on baggage up to 8 kg
2 items of carry-on baggage, each up to 8 kg
2 items of carry-on baggage, each up to 8 kg
- For larger items of carry-on baggage, such as trolley cases, please use the overhead locker above your seat
- Please stow your personal items, such as laptop bags, shopping bags or handbags, under the seat in front of you.
- Jackets and coats can simply be hung up on the hook on the seat in front of you.
- Please note that the overhead lockers above the emergency exit rows are reserved for the passengers who are sitting there.
Another small item of baggage (max. x=30 cm y=40 cm z=10 cm, e.g. handbag, laptop bag).
Per child, either a baby carry cot, a child seat or a foldable pushchair.
You can take so-called "pocket buggies" on board as part of your permitted carry-on baggage allowance if they have been suitably packed up to no longer look like a pushchair. more information.
Mobility aids, such as wheelchairs and orthopaedic aids.
Special rules apply to the transportation of musical instruments in carry-on baggage. You can find out more about this here.
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.
Lufthansa transports larger items of carry-on baggage, within the free baggage allowance, in the hold. If the permitted free baggage allowance is exceeded in number, dimensions and/or weight, the following flat rates for excess baggage apply.
If you check your carry-on baggage in late, please remove all items from the baggage that may not be transported in the hold.
Personal documents, medicines, valuables, mobile phones and laptops should also only be carried in your carry-on baggage.
Please also make use of the space under the seat in front of you to stow your carry-on baggage. This does not apply to emergency-exit-row seats.
The following regulations apply to liquids in carry-on baggage for flights within the EU and connecting flights from the EU (including German domestic flights):
- Containers with liquids and gel-like substances may hold up to 100 ml (maximum capacity must be printed on container).
- All containers must be carried in a plastic bag (transparent, resealable, max. capacity 1 litre). One bag per person.
- The bag must be presented separately at security.
- 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.
Items and bags that do not meet these requirements may not be taken on board.
Please 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.
These rules are statutory requirements. The local interpretation of the EU directive is the responsibility of the local public authority. Lufthansa has no influence in this regard.
Please also check the website of the respective airport before you travel regarding regulations that apply at your departure airport.
When booking a trip with several airlines, the carry-on baggage rules of the airline operating each flight apply.
Example:
You have booked flights from Vienna to Johannesburg with a connection in Munich:
- From Vienna to Munich with flight number OS 1152 (OS = Austrian Airlines), operated by Lufthansa.
- Continue from Munich to Johannesburg with flight number LH 9542 (LH = Lufthansa), operated by South African Airways.
In our example, the carry-on baggage regulations of the first flight from Vienna to Munich comply with Lufthansa’s carry-on baggage rules, and those of the second flight from Munich to Johannesburg comply with South African Airways’ carry-on baggage rules.
Please check the carry-on baggage regulations on the websites of the relevant airlines before your trip and follow the regulations of the airline that has the most restrictive carry-on baggage rules.
For safety reasons, certain items are prohibited in carry-on baggage.
You can find detailed information about the terms and conditions for the carriage of dangerous goods here.
The list of forbidden items in accordance with EU Directive 2015/1998 can be found here.
Imitation/replica weapons, pointed, sharp or blunt items (e.g. scissors with blades longer than 6 cm, pocket knives, baseball bats, irons, skates) may not be carried in carry-on baggage. These items may only be transported in checked-in baggage.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has adjusted the security regulations for flights to the USA from 30 June 2018. The list of prohibited items has been expanded to include powders or powder-like substances, in addition to the existing restrictions on liquids (1 litre max. and 100 ml per individual container). As a rule, powders or powder-like substances of more than 350 ml total volume will no longer be permitted in carry-on baggage. Powders or powder-like substances of less than 350 ml in volume may also be prohibited in carry-on baggage, if, for example, there is some doubt about the identity of the substance at security screening. Lufthansa is therefore recommending to all passengers travelling to the USA to either avoid carrying powders or power-like substances altogether or to pack them in their checked baggage.