I'm checking with everyone for advise. We are carrying on a bag that fits Lufthansa's baggage requirements just fine. BUT, I'm worried about the personal item. Mine is 12Lx6Wx9H..it's sorta squarish and not overpacked. It's fine for AA's standards on a personal item, but Lufthansa doesn't give specifics--just handbag, camera, laptop case, etc.

Any firsthand experience with Lufthansa?

You will be fine. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks, Zoecat.

Deep breathing here...it's my first European trip! I think/hope we will be fine with our carryon as we've worked really hard to prevent gate checking!

To avoid disappointment, don't rely on us. Check their web site.

In my experience, they _do_ weigh as do Air France.

Yes, I've printed their carryon policy, and I'm in compliance--except their explanation for a personal item is very vague. A handbag, wristbag, small bag (or laptop bag). Well, what exactly is small?

Normally, check-in staff aren't concerned about any personal effects you carry, unless the flight is very full or your effects look quite bulky. If you are concerned about the size of your 'small' bag, just stuff it into your carryon bag and take it out once on the plane.

12 x 6 x 9 sounds small to me. If it is a "personal item" they aren't going to make you check it unless it truly looks like a suitcase in disguise. Is it a handbag? Then it does fit their list. Chill out and have a good trip!

One last thought, I do this at football games if they push me about not bringing in bags. If they are saying it is too big, then pull everything out and put what you can, including the bag, in your pockets and carry the rest in your hands.

Flew Lufthansa a couple of months ago from Vancouver to Frankfurt and they did not weigh or hardly look at the carry on and many people had what I would consider oversize items. Yes our flight was full and it was a terrific flight - food and service above what i have experienced lately on American ( or Canadian ) carriers. Have a great trip

Lufthansa is very relaxed about carry-on - in fact, never really cares, neither the staff at the check-in counter nor the person at the gate.

You will be fine with one piece of handbaggage and as many additional items like handbags, cameras etc. as you can carry. I am a frequent traveller with Lufthansa and never had a problem with handbaggage. The worst what can happen (sometimes in case it is a small aircraft like a Canadair jet) is that their will be a gate-check of excess handbaggage.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really appreciate the feedback and reassurance! I'm so ready for this incredible trip!

Have flown Lufthansa a few times with only carryons. The main issue is that your personal item should be able to fit under your seat. They prefer that you not put two items in the overhead compartment. My personal item is always quite a bit larger than a handbag, camera, etc. but has no problem fitting under the seat.

Thanks, JGG. That's what I was shooting for, and our personal item will most definitely fit under the seat.

We've flown LH 8 times in the last 3 yrs. On 4 of the flights, they actually weighed our carryons, then put a tag on them that said "Cabin Approved". The personal items were larger than a small camera bag; big enough to put in a laptop + a few other things. On the other 4 flights, they looked at the bags but didn't weigh them.

Sounds like you should be fine.