Lufthansa today introduced a new fare concept for European flights. Everyone knows what that means: they are taking the axe to free services once again.
On one hand, a new Economy Basic fare is being introduced, which will only include a personal item. Standard carry-on baggage will cost at least €20. However, almost all fare types are affected and are losing various benefits. Furthermore, Lufthansa is once again reducing status benefits for SEN/HON members.
The new fares apply to flights with Lufthansa, Lufthansa City Airlines, Austrian, Swiss, Brussels, Air Dolomiti, and Discover Airlines. The new concept will be officially introduced from April 28, 2026. Anyone booking by April 27 will therefore still benefit from the old fares.
Economy Basic Fare Without Carry-on Baggage
A centerpiece of the new fare concept is the introduction of an Economy Basic fare. This will be available for travel starting May 19, 2026, and initially only on selected routes within Europe. It remains unclear which routes these are, but more than 45 destinations and 300 routes are reportedly affected. Additionally, the name is highly confusing: on long-haul flights, Light is the cheapest fare, while Basic is the tier above it that includes checked baggage. Within Europe, it will be the exact opposite: Basic will be the cheapest, and Light will be more expensive.
The main difference compared to the previous Light fare is the reduced carry-on allowance. Economy Basic only includes one personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm). Anyone wishing to bring a larger backpack, cabin trolley, or similar will be asked to pay. When booked in advance, a large piece of carry-on baggage will cost at least €20:
The price for carry-on baggage varies depending on the time of booking and travel period; booking is available from €20.
If the carry-on baggage does not comply with the booked fare, it will be taken at the gate during boarding and transported in the aircraft’s cargo hold for a fee. The fees for this are significantly higher than for pre-booked carry-on baggage and can only be paid by credit card.
Source: Lufthansa communication to sales partners
A large piece of carry-on baggage is included in the Basic fare only for Senators, HON Circle and Star Alliance Gold members.
Furthermore, the fare is non-changeable, non-refundable, and seats are assigned randomly. This is already familiar from the current Light fare.
Significant Cuts for Other Fares
But that’s not all. Lufthansa is also revising the other fares and cutting numerous services. Here is an overview of the most important changes:
Economy Class
We have summarized the most important changes for you below:
- Economy Light:
- Name remains unchanged
- Still includes large carry-on baggage; no checked baggage
- Random seats assigned at check-in (as before)
- Will be changeable in the future for a fee (€100)
- Economy Classic:
- Will be renamed Economy Comfort
- Still includes large carry-on baggage + 23 kg checked baggage
- Seat reservation will now incur a fee. Free selection once check-in opens
- SEN/HON members can select a free Classic Seat. Exit Row will be chargeable even for status holders
- Economy Green:
- Will be renamed Economy Comfort Green
- Rebooking only possible for a fee (€80); previously only the fare difference applied
- Seat reservation will now incur a fee. Free selection once check-in opens
- SEN/HON members can select a free Classic Seat. Exit Row will be chargeable even for status holders
- Economy Flex:
- remains unchanged
It remains unclear whether status customers will continue to have an additional suitcase included from Economy Classic upwards. Under Star Alliance benefits, this should be the case. However, in the document at hand, Lufthansa only explicitly communicates this benefit for Business Class.
There is one small positive change: the personal item may now measure 40 x 30 x 15 cm (instead of 40 x 30 x 10 cm). This change has been made a few months ago. However, this is still smaller than what many low-cost carriers allow, and will be very tight even for a short trip.
Business Class
In Business Class, there are two primary changes: the checked baggage allowance is being halved, and the Green fare is losing its rebooking option:
- Business Saver:
- Will be renamed Business Comfort
- Checked baggage allowance drops from 2x 32 kg to 1x 32 kg
- Business Green:
- Will be renamed Business Comfort Green
- Checked baggage allowance drops from 2x 32 kg to 1x 32 kg
- No rebooking possible at all (previously possible for the fare difference)
- Business Flex:
- Services and name remain unchanged
Conclusion
A growing number of traditional airlines are ditching included carry-ons, with Lufthansa now joining the likes of SAS and Finnair. It was a move many saw coming, but it remains a bitter pill for loyal customers. At Lufthansa’s premium price points, passengers expect more than a budget experience. Ultimately, we’re getting low-cost service at flagship prices, because let’s be honest, no one expects the ticket prices to actually go down.
The cuts to the other fares are more surprising, as they don’t even spare Business Class. Now, even status members are expected to book the expensive Economy Flex fare if they want to avoid ending up in a middle seat. Many travelers surely considered upgrading to the Classic fare when it included seat selection along with baggage. The Flex fare, by contrast, is prohibitively expensive.
Reading through this list of changes, I can’t stop shaking my head. One can only hope that the EU finally implements its proposals for minimum standards for carry-on baggage. Until then, I am all the happier for my Easyjet Plus status, thanks to the recent discount promotion.
Source: Lufthansa communication to sales partners