Lufthansa

Lufthansa is Germany’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance. It runs two major hubs, Frankfurt and Munich, and is the core airline of the Lufthansa Group, which also includes carriers such as SWISS and Austrian Airlines. For travellers, that means a large European network feeding long-haul flights to North and South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Hubs and network

Most long-haul Lufthansa flights leave from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) or Munich (MUC). Short- and medium-haul flights connect those hubs with cities across Europe. Through Star Alliance, you can combine Lufthansa with partners such as Turkish Airlines on one ticket. The frequent-flyer programme is Miles & More.

Baggage allowance

Carry-on rules, from Lufthansa’s official carry-on page:

• Personal item (all fares and cabins): one item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm, such as a handbag or laptop bag, stowed under the seat.
• Economy Basic on short- and medium-haul flights: the personal item only, with no larger carry-on bag. (Miles & More HON Circle and Senator members and Star Alliance Gold members may still bring one carry-on bag.)
• Other Economy fares and Premium Economy: one carry-on bag up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm and 8 kg, plus the personal item.
• Business and First: two carry-on bags of that size, each up to 8 kg, plus the personal item.
• Non-compliant bags are taken at check-in or the gate and carried in the hold for a fee that is much higher than pre-booked checked baggage.

Checked baggage depends on your fare and route; the allowance for your trip is shown in your booking. Buying extra bags in advance is cheaper than paying at the airport.

Check-in

Online check-in opens 30 hours before departure (Lufthansa online check-in). You can also use the app or airport kiosks and counters. On full flights, Lufthansa may email you before departure offering to check compliant cabin bags into the hold free of charge.

Seats, meals and onboard service

On long-haul flights, meals and drinks are included in every cabin. On short- and medium-haul European flights, what is offered in Economy depends on route and fare, so check the current offer for your flight. Whether advance seat reservation is included or charged depends on your fare; the options are shown in your booking.

Changes, cancellations and refunds

Lufthansa fares range from restrictive Basic fares to flexible ones that allow changes or refunds. The rules are shown before purchase and in your booking. If Lufthansa cancels or significantly delays a flight within the scope of EU rules, you may be entitled to rebooking or a refund, care and, in some cases, compensation: see the EU passenger rights portal.

Practical tips

• Check whether your fare is Economy Basic. On European flights it does not include a trolley-size cabin bag.
• Weigh your carry-on: the 8 kg limit is per bag and is checked at the airport.
• Frankfurt is large. Read our Frankfurt Airport guide before a tight connection, and see our Germany guide if you are staying.
• Departing from the USA: TSA rules allow only one carry-on and one personal item, whatever your class or status.

Official links

• Booking: lufthansa.com
• Baggage: Carry-on baggage
• Check-in: Online check-in

Rules and services checked against official sources in October 2026. Airlines and airports change their policies, fares and services regularly: always confirm the details for your own booking on the official pages linked here before you travel.

Header photo: MarcelX42 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0