I’m not sure what’s worse — that Lufthansa is getting rid of carry-on bags on its cheapest fares, that the airline is marketing this as a positive, or just how damn complex Lufthansa’s fare structure will be.
In this post:
Lufthansa overhauls short & medium haul fare structure
For tickets booked as of April 28, 2026, and for travel as of May 19, 2026, Lufthansa Group is expanding its fare portfolio for short and medium haul flights.
As part of this, we’re seeing the introduction of a new entry-level fare, marketed as Economy Basic, which will gradually be introduced on select routes, and will apply across Lufthansa Group airlines (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines, and Air Dolomiti).
The key difference with the new Economy Basic fare is that it doesn’t include a full size carry-on bag. Instead, it just includes one personal item, such as a laptop bag or small backpack, and those who wish to bring more luggage can add carry-on or checked baggage as an add-on service, or choose another fare.
The new Economy Basic fare is separate from the Economy Light fare, which was previously Lufthansa’s cheapest economy fare. What are the differences between the fares? The Economy Basic fares don’t include a carry-on and are non-refundable and non-rebookable, while the Economy Light fares include a full size carry-on, and while they’re non-refundable, they can be rebooked for a fee of €100. Below you can see a comparison of the fares.
Lufthansa markets how in the future, travelers “will have four clearly differentiated fare options in Economy Class and three in Business Class” (which isn’t quite accurate, as there are actually five, if you include the Economy Comfort Green fares). Almost as much choice as we get in Lufthansa Allegris, how lovely!
Of course Lufthansa is marketing this as a positive, and something customers should look forward to. “The enhanced fare structure thus enables a clear, transparent selection tailored to individual needs.”
My take on Lufthansa Group’s economy fare overhaul
To Lufthansa Group’s credit, the airline group isn’t the first of the “big three” European airline groups to introduce some sort of fare without a full size carry-on allowance (as KLM already has this on some fares). However, it is the first airline group to roll this out on a widespread basis, across member airlines.
I find it a little problematic how “full service” airlines in Europe often charge such high fares while offering very little. What’s really the difference between EasyJet and one of the network carriers in Europe, in terms of passenger experience? Often not a whole lot.
So what’s my issue with this change? First, Lufthansa Group is just a master at gaslighting customers, framing every negative change as a positive. In 2021, when Lufthansa introduced a buy on board concept in economy, and eliminated free food & drinks, the airline claimed that was due to “customer feedback.” Right. This is a fare increase, plain and simple intended to get people to buy up to higher fares.
Second, Lufthansa just has such an issue with complexity. Having Economy Basic and Economy Light fares sure seems like it’s going to confuse some customers. Might as well add some Economy Diet and Economy Zero fares into the mix, just to create even more confusion.
Third, it just seems like there’s such little good news at Lufthansa Group nowadays. Like, last week flagship airline Lufthansa was grounded for five consecutive days due to back-to-back-to-back strikes, and this week the airline announces it’s eliminating carry-on bags on the cheapest economy fares, for those lucky enough to be on a Lufthansa flight that’s actually operating. 😉
Bottom line
Lufthansa Group is overhauling its short and medium haul fare structure, with the introduction of new Economy Basic fares, which don’t include a carry-on bag, and can’t by changed. Lufthansa will now have four to five types of economy fares to choose from, and the airline highlights how great it is that customers will have so much choice.
Something tells me that most customers won’t be quite as excited about this as Lufthansa is…
What do you make of Lufthansa’s short haul economy fare overhaul?
I'm fine with whatever they do. If I'm flying within Europe my strategy is to take a non stop if available, even if it's Easyjet or Ryanair (which I will do later this year). If the route has a non stop with a major carrier, I'll just buy EuroBusiness and get the lounge and extra checked weight and bags. I checked a few Frankfort to somewhere in Europe routes on LH. They did not show...
I'm fine with whatever they do. If I'm flying within Europe my strategy is to take a non stop if available, even if it's Easyjet or Ryanair (which I will do later this year). If the route has a non stop with a major carrier, I'll just buy EuroBusiness and get the lounge and extra checked weight and bags. I checked a few Frankfort to somewhere in Europe routes on LH. They did not show the new, more restrictive fares. But, unless they are crazy low, I'm fine with business.
I'm actually positive about these changes as they should make it even easier to board last without worrying whether there's enough space for my hand luggage. I'm not worried about fares as the low cost airlines keep them pretty restrained - I have seen business class on Lufthansa going for less than a Jet2 ticket plus checked in luggage. The only outrageous thing from my perspective is that they're keeping the cheap business class fares...
I'm actually positive about these changes as they should make it even easier to board last without worrying whether there's enough space for my hand luggage. I'm not worried about fares as the low cost airlines keep them pretty restrained - I have seen business class on Lufthansa going for less than a Jet2 ticket plus checked in luggage. The only outrageous thing from my perspective is that they're keeping the cheap business class fares completely inflexible instead of allowing date changes for a penalty
AF-KL and other SkyTeam Elite status members gets a free checked bag on AF-KL flights even on hand-baggage only fares. The same cannot be said about Lufthansa Group airline flights for Star Golds.
"What’s really the difference between EasyJet and one of the network carriers in Europe, in terms of passenger experience?"
The difference is that EasyJet will probably get you to your destination nonstop while the network carriers will route you through their hubs.
And Lufthansa are being punitive about it toward their SEN/HON elite status members too.
When will they also cut out Lufthansa lounge access on some of these fares? This seems to be the trend Lufthansa is going in.
Where is LH-fanboy oliver2002 on these changes?
Who are the big 3? All BA fares permit a full size carry on.
@ Andrew -- My mistake, I was stupidly thinking of British Airways' hand luggage only fares, which do include a full size carry-on. The post has been updated!