Lufthansa carry on luggage weight limits
Mar 1st, 2014, 06:31 AM
#41
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Methinks you might be preaching to this choir, Cowboy.
At the same time, even before they did this charging for checked bags nonsense, I remember the giant Mickeys and Pinatas running me over on board.
We are mostly stuck with flying US Airways (where the attendants always seem on the verge of b***h-slapping customers) with occasional ventures toward Delta, but we do fly with other airlines about four or five times a year. Overall, I have observed that American Airlines did the best job of policing carry-on entry in the US. I wonder if this will change with the merger.
Like you, I do worry about the people who work for the airlines. It has become harder and harder for them. At one time, the x-ray machine at security was sized to allow only certain items and that certainly allowed a bit of relief at the gate. That practice seems to have disappeared.
At the same time, even before they did this charging for checked bags nonsense, I remember the giant Mickeys and Pinatas running me over on board.
We are mostly stuck with flying US Airways (where the attendants always seem on the verge of b***h-slapping customers) with occasional ventures toward Delta, but we do fly with other airlines about four or five times a year. Overall, I have observed that American Airlines did the best job of policing carry-on entry in the US. I wonder if this will change with the merger.
Like you, I do worry about the people who work for the airlines. It has become harder and harder for them. At one time, the x-ray machine at security was sized to allow only certain items and that certainly allowed a bit of relief at the gate. That practice seems to have disappeared.
Apr 27th, 2014, 06:47 AM
#42
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This is probably a very silly question, but if your carry on bag is too heavy the Lufthansa site said they will check the bag. Does that mean they will check it for free (in addition to the on checked bag allowed in economy), or is there a charge to check it?
Apr 27th, 2014, 08:08 AM
#43
Gloria - i think that you can be pretty sure that there will be a charge, but check the website.
They are not likely to weigh your carry-on luggage, but to judge it by size - they need to be sure that it will go in the overhead lockers.
but do you need to bring so much? if it won't go in your checked luggage limit of 20kgs [which is over 40lbs, after all] you're probably bringing too much!
They are not likely to weigh your carry-on luggage, but to judge it by size - they need to be sure that it will go in the overhead lockers.
but do you need to bring so much? if it won't go in your checked luggage limit of 20kgs [which is over 40lbs, after all] you're probably bringing too much!
Apr 27th, 2014, 08:18 AM
#44
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The carry on limit is 8 kg for international flights on Lufthansa. My son is doing a semester abroad and the first two weeks are a travel class through Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France. He needs electronics (camera, tablet, laptop, chargers, etc) for the class in addition to clothing. He has a carry on (21x14.5x9) plus a "small" personal backpack that will fit under the seat. The website did not seem clear about the charge, though I think when they say "within the free check baggage limit" it means whatever you allowed to check by seating class. The checked baggage will not even be with him for the first two weeks as it is begin shipped directly to the apartment in Berlin where he will be living for the rest of the semester.
Apr 27th, 2014, 09:27 AM
#45
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<i><font color=#555555>"if your carry on bag is too heavy the Lufthansa site said they will check the bag"</font></i>
GloriaB1, Lufthansa says:
<i>"Items of hand luggage which exceed these limits will be carried free of charge in the cargo hold within your permitted free baggage allowance, as storage space on board is limited.This is in the interests of your own and other passengers' safety and comfort. Please ensure that you remove any medicines and any valuables such as your laptop, mobile phone, PDA, documents, identity papers, jewelry, etc, from your hand luggage if it has to be carried in the cargo hold."</i>
For Coach class, I believe you are permitted to check one bag free, but that may depend on what the ticket cost or when you purchased the ticket. I would call Lufthansa to be sure.
If your son has no checked bags, then his too-heavy carry-on should not be charged if he's forced to put it in "cargo hold." If your son has a checked bag, I'd be surprised if they don't charge you for the 2nd bag.
For electronic equipment, you NEVER want the airline to place your carry-on bag in cargo hold without proper protection of your equipment. I know many professional photographers who anguish over carrying their camera equipment on board when they travel these days, especially on a foreign carrier. Foreign carriers are not kind to these travelers, and if your equipment isn't properly protected, your cargo hold bag could easily be thrown around in flight and the airline will not be responsible for content damage.
GloriaB1, Lufthansa says:
<i>"Items of hand luggage which exceed these limits will be carried free of charge in the cargo hold within your permitted free baggage allowance, as storage space on board is limited.This is in the interests of your own and other passengers' safety and comfort. Please ensure that you remove any medicines and any valuables such as your laptop, mobile phone, PDA, documents, identity papers, jewelry, etc, from your hand luggage if it has to be carried in the cargo hold."</i>
For Coach class, I believe you are permitted to check one bag free, but that may depend on what the ticket cost or when you purchased the ticket. I would call Lufthansa to be sure.
If your son has no checked bags, then his too-heavy carry-on should not be charged if he's forced to put it in "cargo hold." If your son has a checked bag, I'd be surprised if they don't charge you for the 2nd bag.
For electronic equipment, you NEVER want the airline to place your carry-on bag in cargo hold without proper protection of your equipment. I know many professional photographers who anguish over carrying their camera equipment on board when they travel these days, especially on a foreign carrier. Foreign carriers are not kind to these travelers, and if your equipment isn't properly protected, your cargo hold bag could easily be thrown around in flight and the airline will not be responsible for content damage.
Apr 27th, 2014, 09:42 AM
#47
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<<They are not likely to weigh your carry-on luggage, but to judge it by size - they need to be sure that it will go in the overhead lockers>>
A few years ago when Lufthansa was checking carry on items on an international flight we were taking, they were definitely checking for weight. A very pleasant woman came through the line and checked items she thought might weigh too much. If she thought a bag was over the limit, the passenger had to have it weighed at the counter
A few years ago when Lufthansa was checking carry on items on an international flight we were taking, they were definitely checking for weight. A very pleasant woman came through the line and checked items she thought might weigh too much. If she thought a bag was over the limit, the passenger had to have it weighed at the counter
Apr 27th, 2014, 09:53 AM
#48
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I flew USAIR to Frankfurt last May and we had a connecting to Florence on Lufthansa but the crew was late and they just boarded us as fast as they could without any weighing or checking size. I remember this because they boarded us front door and back door and people ran out of room to stash their bags and the flight attendant was pissed at two people that would not get their butts in their seats trying to find a spot for their huge duffel bag. Of course it was two Americans and the wife was yelling at the husband. The flight attendant spoke in English as she also knew.
May 26th, 2014, 12:30 PM
#49
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Now that we have completed our Lufthansa flight, I thought that I would share our experience. We packed very light and stayed under the 18 pound limit. Our bags were not weighed so I wish I had packed a bit more. As we boarded, some passengers with carryons were made to check to see if their bags would fit into the sizing thing (not sure what to call it). If the bag did not fit, it was checked at the gate. Weight did not seem to matter, only the size of the bag. It was a full flight, so perhaps they are more lax when the plane isn't packed to the gills.
I'd like to add that the seats were those thin ones and were very uncomfortable. Seat width and leg room were OK, but not as good as on our United return flight. The food on Ludthansa was not good either, while the lunch and snack we had on United were both good.
When we arrived in Frankfurt, I was given a very thorough pat down and "wanding" (though my husband was not.) We were both taken to a room where our Kindle and iPad were wiped with a pad that was put throw a machine, and these were let go. Very disconcerting.
I'd like to add that the seats were those thin ones and were very uncomfortable. Seat width and leg room were OK, but not as good as on our United return flight. The food on Ludthansa was not good either, while the lunch and snack we had on United were both good.
When we arrived in Frankfurt, I was given a very thorough pat down and "wanding" (though my husband was not.) We were both taken to a room where our Kindle and iPad were wiped with a pad that was put throw a machine, and these were let go. Very disconcerting.
May 29th, 2014, 10:10 AM
#50
When we arrived in Frankfurt, I was given a very thorough pat down and "wanding" (though my husband was not.) We were both taken to a room where our Kindle and iPad were wiped with a pad that was put throw a machine, and these were let go. Very disconcerting.>>
i know, dchris, the actions of these "security" personnel is often so inexplicable as to appear more or less random. on our trip to OZ and NZ, my DH attracted a disproportionate amount of attention from both passport and security staff wherever we went and the passport control officer this morning at our local UK airport spent several minutes interrogating some bemused germans as to the purpose of their visit to the UK. Leaving aside the fact that as citizens of a member state of the EU they are more or less entitled to go where they like within the EU, WHY? Job justification perhaps? Meanwhile the rest of us had to wait because the electronic passport readers weren't in operation, because, we were told, there were not enough staff around to host them [and they are not designed to be simple enough for travellers to manage by themselves].
but if they had been working, there would have been no opportunity to interrogate the germans anyway.
i know, dchris, the actions of these "security" personnel is often so inexplicable as to appear more or less random. on our trip to OZ and NZ, my DH attracted a disproportionate amount of attention from both passport and security staff wherever we went and the passport control officer this morning at our local UK airport spent several minutes interrogating some bemused germans as to the purpose of their visit to the UK. Leaving aside the fact that as citizens of a member state of the EU they are more or less entitled to go where they like within the EU, WHY? Job justification perhaps? Meanwhile the rest of us had to wait because the electronic passport readers weren't in operation, because, we were told, there were not enough staff around to host them [and they are not designed to be simple enough for travellers to manage by themselves].
but if they had been working, there would have been no opportunity to interrogate the germans anyway.
May 29th, 2014, 02:40 PM
#51
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<i><font color=#555555>"Our bags were not weighed so I wish I had packed a bit more."</font></i>
It's so easy to say this after the fact. Had you overpacked and then got weighed and had to pay, what would you say then?
On a foreign carrier, if you don't pack by their rules and you get caught, it will cost you. Readers need to know the risks and be prepared to pay.
It's so easy to say this after the fact. Had you overpacked and then got weighed and had to pay, what would you say then?
On a foreign carrier, if you don't pack by their rules and you get caught, it will cost you. Readers need to know the risks and be prepared to pay.
May 30th, 2014, 02:57 AM
#52
It's so easy to say this after the fact. Had you overpacked and then got weighed and had to pay, what would you say then?>>
too true, I'm afraid. when we were waiting at the bag drop yesterday, there were numerous people who had spent ages queuing, just to be told that their bags were overweight so then they had to go over to the Ryanair desk, pay the excess and come back again. We were so far underweight that we had actually paid for one bag too many!
too true, I'm afraid. when we were waiting at the bag drop yesterday, there were numerous people who had spent ages queuing, just to be told that their bags were overweight so then they had to go over to the Ryanair desk, pay the excess and come back again. We were so far underweight that we had actually paid for one bag too many!
