Lufthansa · Bags & fees
Lufthansa bags, fees & check-in
What you'll actually pay Lufthansa flying between the U.S. and Germany: checked and carry-on bags by fare brand, the 8 kg carry-on limit, add-a-bag and overweight fees, change rules and U.S. check-in deadlines. Plain numbers, stated assumptions, and a date you can trust.
Unless noted, allowances and fees are for transatlantic economy on routes to and from the U.S., per bag, up to 23 kg (50 lb) and 158 cm (62 in) total. Prices are in USD and vary by exact route, so the figures below are typical ranges. Buying a bag online beats paying at the airport. Intra-Europe rules differ and are flagged where relevant.
Checked bag fees
On U.S. routes your free checked allowance depends on the fare brand you bought, not the airline. Economy Light is carry-on only. Economy Classic and Flex each include one free checked bag. Premium Economy includes two, and Business includes two heavier bags.
| Fare brand (transatlantic economy) | Free checked bags | Add a bag (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Light | None (carry-on only) | $75–$100 |
| Economy Classic | 1 (23 kg / 50 lb) | $75–$100 for a 2nd |
| Economy Flex | 1 (23 kg / 50 lb) | $75–$100 for a 2nd |
| Premium Economy | 2 (23 kg / 50 lb each) | $75–$100 for a 3rd |
| Business | 2 (32 kg / 70 lb each) | $75–$100 for a 3rd |
Headline figures are for U.S.–Germany economy. Adding a bag costs roughly $75–$100 online and more at the airport (around $110 for the first extra bag at the counter), and the exact price moves by route. Lufthansa's baggage calculator shows your itinerary's number. Each economy bag is capped at 23 kg (50 lb) and 158 cm total; Business raises that to 32 kg (70 lb).
This table covers U.S.-originating transatlantic economy, the common case for U.S. travelers. Intra-Europe fares use the same brand ladder but a different add-a-bag price, and a newer Economy Basic fare on some European routes charges for a full-size carry-on. Confirm your specific route's allowance at booking.
Carry-on & personal item
Every fare except Premium Economy and above gets one carry-on plus one personal item. Lufthansa enforces an 8 kg weight limit on the carry-on, which is stricter than most U.S. carriers, so weigh it before you go.
Economy Light includes the carry-on and personal item but no free checked bag. If you need to check a bag, adding one runs about $75–$100 online, so it's worth pricing Economy Classic against Light plus a bag fee before you book.
Overweight & oversize fees
These charges apply when a bag goes over the 23 kg or 158 cm economy limit. On intercontinental routes they are steeper than within Europe, and a bag that is both overweight and oversize can draw both.
| Bag exceeds | Typical fee (intercontinental) |
|---|---|
| 24–32 kg (overweight) | $370–$485 |
| 159–292 cm (oversize) | $370–$485 |
| Over 32 kg | Not accepted as a normal bag |
| Over 292 cm | Not accepted as a normal bag |
Within Europe the same overweight or oversize surcharge is lower, around $100–$115. Bags over 32 kg must be shipped as cargo, not checked. Figures vary by route; confirm with Lufthansa's baggage calculator.
Basic Economy rules
Economy Light is Lufthansa's cheapest transatlantic fare and the most restrictive. It strips out the checked bag and locks the ticket: no changes, no rebooking, no refund. It works if you travel light and your plans are fixed.
| What you get | Economy Light | Economy Classic | Economy Flex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | Free | Free | Free |
| Carry-on (8 kg) | Free | Free | Free |
| Checked bag | Not included | 1 free | 1 free |
| Seat selection | Paid | Free standard | Free anytime |
| Changes / rebooking | Not allowed | Fee + fare diff. | Free |
| Refund | No | No (mileage credit varies) | Yes, cash |
Brand inclusions were revised for tickets purchased from Apr 28, 2026. For tickets bought before that date, your booking confirmation governs.
Changes, cancellations & seats
Flexibility tracks the fare brand. Economy Light cannot be changed at all. Classic allows a paid rebooking plus any fare difference. Flex lets you rebook free and refund for cash.
| Action | Economy Light | Economy Classic | Economy Flex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebooking | Not allowed | Fee + fare diff. | Free + fare diff. |
| Cancel for refund | No | No cash refund | Yes, cash refund |
| Same-day change | Not eligible | At fare rules | Allowed |
| Seat selection | Paid | Free from check-in window | Free anytime |
Economy Classic rebooking fees vary by route and are typically in the €70–€100 band plus any fare difference. Always confirm the exact change rule shown for your fare at booking.
Check-in & bag-drop deadlines
Miss these cutoffs and Lufthansa can deny boarding, whether or not you're checking a bag. U.S. international departures need extra lead time, and some airports require you to be present in person for late-night check-in to the U.S.
| Flight type | Check-in / bag-drop by |
|---|---|
| Long-haul (incl. U.S.–Germany) | 60 min before departure |
| Intra-Europe | 45 min before departure |
| Online / app check-in opens | Up to 23 hours before |
| Bag-drop kiosk (evening before) | Select airports only |
Boarding gates close earlier than the check-in deadline, often 15–20 minutes before departure. Deadlines can run longer at a few airports, so check your boarding pass. For late-night U.S. check-in, all passengers must be present in person.
Onboard experience
What the seat and service look like by cabin. Lufthansa is rolling out its new Allegris cabins across its long-haul fleet through 2026, so the premium hardware you get depends on the aircraft.
| Cabin | What's notable |
|---|---|
| Economy | Standard long-haul seat, seatback screen, three-course meal and free soft drinks included. |
| Premium Economy | Wider seat, more recline and legroom, two free checked bags, upgraded meal service. |
| Business | Lie-flat seat; Allegris jets add private suites with sliding doors on select aircraft. |
| First | Allegris First suite with a separate seat and bed, debuting across the new A350 fleet. |
Allegris cabins are on a growing set of A350s and 787s from Frankfurt and Munich, with the older 747-8 fleet being retrofitted. Cabin and seat type vary by aircraft, so check your flight's configuration.
Where Lufthansa flies
Lufthansa runs almost all of its long-haul flying through two German hubs, so a U.S.–Europe trip connects through Frankfurt or Munich unless your city has a nonstop.
Best time to fly Lufthansa
These are seasonal patterns, not bookable fares. Sign in to search live Lufthansa fares for your exact dates.
Seasonal patterns are typical for transatlantic routes and vary by city; they're planning guidance, not bookable prices.
How to skip the fees
Lufthansa baggage FAQ
Book Lufthansa on Dyme
Book any Lufthansa flight. Earn Reward Miles. Reduce Emissions by supporting clean energy.
Dyme members book Lufthansa and 600+ other airlines, earn a Mile on every dollar, and fund new clean energy with each trip.
Book Now