From Reader M:
On Lufthansa economy out of London Heathrow, I can take one checked suitcase and one carry-on. The rules shown on Lufthansa’s web site mention only the carry-on–nothing about additional item such as a purse or lap top bag. They must, surely, allow such things, but the website doesn’t say, and I can’t get a straight answer out of the customer service agents. What’s your experience?
I have never actually flown Lufthansa, so I did a little research. Here is what I found: for coach passengers, Luftansa only allows one carry-on. It can weigh up to 18 lbs and have the following dimensions: 22in x 16in x 8in/55cm x 40cm x 20cm (length x width x height). I would be prepared to stuff my purse into my carry-on just in case, or travel with a carry-on/notebook case like this one by Kensington.
Readers, what has your experience been with Lufthansa? Did they allow both a carry-on and a personal item, or just one item?
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Have travelled Lufthansa several times intra-europe. They have usually been very strict about 1 item – and will make you put personaly item into you carry-on bag – if you are unable , they will make you choose which of the items are to be taken as checked luggage, but without charging for it.
Long thread about this on FT, just search for ‘baggage excellence’ in the miles and more forum.
We fly Lufthansa almost monthly, inter-Europe, and always have been allowed a personal item (ie purse) in addition to our rollaboard.
they actually are more stingy with checked luggage: we had to redistribute stuff in LCY so that individual pieces are under 21kg or something (for coach) and the same in Frankfurt First Class checkin (this for flight coach). Allowances for premium classes allow for heavier bags…
From the US Lufthansa’s FAQ site:
Additional items which are allowed in the cabin:
In addition to your hand baggage and technical appliances you may take the following items into the cabin:
One personal piece of hand luggage such as, for example, a woman’s handbag, a laptop case or shoulder bag with a maximum size of 30 cm x 40 cm x 10 cm.
A carrycot, a child’s car seat or a foldable pushchair or baby buggy. If necessary these items will be transported in the cargo hold if there is insufficient storage space in the cabin.
A pair of crutches or other orthopaedic aIDs on which you are dependent.
http://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/Carry-on-baggage
It comes down sometimes to how full the plane is. I’ve occasionally seen pax being asked to check their larger carry-ons at the gate, but only on very full flights or smaller aircraft. The vast majority of the time passengers can take their carry on and a personal item on board without difficulty.
I’ve flown Lufthansa through Europe to India and back twice in coach and always carried on my laptop bag plus a tote bag or a purse with no problem.
It depends. I flew DEN – FRA on Lufthansa with a max-size carry on and a small day pack no problem. The guy at the gate in FRA for the connecting flight to Istanbul nearly blew a gasket, complaining loudly about Americans and all their carry-on, and made me gate-check my bag of clothes.
I was concerned about this recently myself. I usually travel with a messenger bag and a 20″ roller. With abnormally tight connections recently in both MUC and FRA I didn’t want a forced gate check. Flying coach on super booked flights I had no problem bringing both pieces of hand luggage aboard. Although I must say Lufthansa ground service can be inconsistent. Leaving OPO two years ago EVERY rollaboard was being gate checked on a nearly empty A321 to FRA.
This is nonsense. I have flown dozens of LH flights and only twice was hassled by GAs and forced to check my 22″ rolling suitcase. This only happens when they have too much times on their hands before boarding and randomly pick people from the gate area to hassle. Class of service makes no difference.
I have traveled 3 times with Lufthansa and have notice that those in front of the line have had their bags checked for the right weight and size. Those in the back (me) were not made to do this.
TO MEASURE THE SUITCASE SIZE, WHETHER THE WHEELS WILL ALSO BE TAKEN OR NOT FOR LUFTANSA INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM BANGALORE TO HELSINKI.
WHETHER THE MODEL MALTA OF AMERICAN TOURISTER WILL BE OK, PLEASE INFORM ME BY EMAIL.