Lufthansa is simplifying its free baggage allowance policy and adopting the piece concept on all its flights. The new rules apply to all tickets purchased on or after 1 June 2011. This concept has been successfully implemented a while ago on many of the airline’s long-haul flights on North Atlantic routes, particularly.
In future, passengers especially on intra-European flights and on long-haul flights to Asia, the Middle East and some countries in Africa and South America will have a higher free baggage allowance. For tickets booked before 1 June, however, the previous baggage allowances, as printed on the ticket, will apply.
Under the piece concept, passengers are entitled to check in a specified number of baggage items free of charge, depending on their travel class. Weight restrictions also apply and are graduated according to Economy, Business and First Class. In some cases, passengers will have a significantly higher weight allowance than under the previous weight concept. The free baggage allowance for passengers travelling in Economy Class, for example, has been increased from 20 kg to 23 kg. In Business Class, passengers may check in two items of baggage – in First Class three – each weighing up to 32 kg. In future, under the new, standardised baggage rules, the free baggage allowances per passenger (in comparison to the former weight concept) will be as follows:
- Economy Class: 1 item of baggage weighing up to 23 kg (previously: any number of baggage items weighing a total of 20 kg).
- Business Class: 2 items of baggage weighing up to 32 kg each, i.e. a maximum of 64 kg (previously: any number of baggage items weighing a total of 30 kg).
- First Class: 3 items of baggage weighing up to 32 kg each, i.e. a maximum of 96 kg (previously: any number of baggage items weighing a total of 40 kg).
For infants under two years of age without their own seat, the free baggage allowance remains unchanged: one collapsible pushchair plus one item of baggage weighing a maximum of 23 kg.
Depending on their status, Miles & More members can check in additional items free of charge.
Any additional check-in baggage items will incur excess baggage fees. In Economy Class, a flat rate of 50 euros will be charged for a second item of luggage. The new excess baggage fees are much simpler than before as in future there will only be two flight categories: European and intercontinental. Each item of excess baggage will thus only be charged at a flat rate, not per kilo. On European routes, for example, each item of excess baggage (within the respective weight allowance) will be charged at a flat rate of 50 euros per flight leg. On long-haul flights, the excess baggage fee will be 150 euros per flight leg. The former weight concept at times resulted in much higher excess baggage charges.
In addition to their checked-in baggage, Lufthansa passengers travelling in First or Business Class can take two items of hand baggage on board; in Economy Class the free baggage allowance is one item of hand baggage, as before. Each piece must not weigh more than eight kg, and the linear dimensions may not exceed 55 x 40 x 20 cm. The maximum size of a folding garment bag is 57 x 54 x 15 cm.
Customers can find out more information about baggage regulations from the Lufthansa Service Centre on 2106175200. A full overview of the new, simplified rules is posted on the Lufthansa website at www.lufthansa.com/baggage.
