Lufthansa has introduced a new low-cost economy fare that limits passengers to a single small personal item, marking the most restrictive cabin allowance among major European airlines. The move comes as European Union lawmakers consider new rules that could standardise free cabin baggage across the bloc.
New fare structure and restrictions
The German flag carrier’s new Economy Basic fare will apply to selected short- and medium-haul routes from May 2026. The product is designed for passengers travelling light, particularly day travellers and business passengers with fixed schedules.
The fare includes only one personal item, such as a handbag or backpack, with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 cm. It does not include cabin baggage, checked luggage or seat selection, all of which are available only at an additional cost.
Tickets under this fare are also non-refundable and cannot be changed.
Comparison with other European airlines
Lufthansa’s allowance is smaller than those offered by most other European carriers.
Low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air include one personal item of up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm in their base fare, with additional baggage subject to extra charges.
British Airways offers a similar Economy Basic option on its European routes, but includes both a personal item and a larger cabin bag stored in overhead compartments.
easyJet’s standard fare allows a cabin bag of up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm, also exceeding Lufthansa’s new limit.
EU proposals on passenger rights
The introduction of stricter baggage policies comes as the European Union moves towards revising passenger rights legislation.
In January 2026, Members of the European Parliament voted in favour of requiring airlines to include both a personal item and a small cabin bag within the base fare, without additional charges.
Under the proposal, passengers would be allowed to carry:
- one personal item
- one piece of hand luggage with a maximum combined size of 100 cm and a weight limit of seven kilograms
The proposal has not yet been finalised. If EU member states do not approve the text, further negotiations will be required.
Industry response and operational concerns
Airline operators have raised concerns about the practical impact of the proposed changes.
easyJet Chief Executive Officer Kenton Jarvis stated that mandating additional cabin baggage could create operational challenges, citing limited overhead storage capacity and the risk of boarding delays.
He noted that not all passengers could be accommodated with additional luggage in the cabin, which may lead to more bags being transferred to the hold.
What this means for passengers
The development highlights a growing divergence between airline pricing strategies and regulatory efforts to strengthen passenger rights.
For travellers, the new Lufthansa fare offers lower prices in exchange for reduced flexibility and stricter baggage limits. At the same time, pending EU legislation could redefine what is included in a standard ticket.
Passengers are advised to review baggage policies carefully before booking, as allowances continue to vary significantly between airlines.
Source: euronews
