Lufthansa Group Cuts Free Cabin Suitcase on Short- and Medium-Haul Flights

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The Lufthansa Group, parent company of Austrian Airlines (AUA), is eliminating the option for passengers to bring a small cabin suitcase free of charge on its short- and medium‑haul routes. The airline group announced the introduction of a new “Economy Basic” fare across all its carriers, which will include only one small personal item such as a laptop bag or backpack.

Tickets under the new fare category will be available for selected routes starting April 28 for travel beginning May 19.

Airline Cites Changing Passenger Behavior

According to Lufthansa, the shift reflects evolving travel habits. The company argues that the new entry‑level fare offers an attractive, lower‑priced option particularly suited for day‑trip travelers.

The permitted personal item may measure no more than 40×30×15 centimeters. Any additional hand luggage or checked baggage can be added for a fee starting at €15.

Consumer Advocates Push Back

With its new “light” fare structure, Lufthansa aligns itself with competitors such as Air France and several low‑cost carriers including Norwegian Air, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Vueling. Many of these airlines have been criticized by the European consumer organization BEUC for their restrictive cabin baggage policies.

Consumer advocates argue that passengers should be entitled to bring both a personal item and a small cabin suitcase into the aircraft cabin, calling such an allowance “reasonable.” BEUC has initiated legal action aimed at securing this right for travelers.

Airlines Reject Mandatory Cabin Suitcase Allowance

The airline association Airlines for Europe (A4E), which includes Lufthansa, opposes the consumer groups’ demands. The association contends that millions of travelers deliberately choose low‑cost fares that include only a minimal baggage allowance. Forcing airlines to include a cabin suitcase in every fare, A4E argues, would compel these passengers to pay for services they do not want or need.