Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Aer Lingus or Lufthansa?

Aer Lingus: 55 × 40 × 24 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.4 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). Aer Lingus allows the larger bag.

Where do Aer Lingus and Lufthansa fly from?

Aer Lingus's main hubs are Dublin (DUB). Lufthansa's are Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Aer Lingus and Lufthansa partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Aer Lingus: none; Lufthansa: Star Alliance), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

EI vs LH · 2026 comparison

Aer Lingus vs Lufthansa

Q: Do Aer Lingus and Lufthansa include a carry-on on basic economy?

Aer Lingus: Saver fares on European routes include only a small bag; transatlantic fares include a 10 kg carry-on. Lufthansa: Economy Basic, on every European route from October 27, 2026, includes only a personal item; you can buy a carry-on online but not at the airport. Long-haul fares start at Economy Light, which keeps the 8 kg carry-on.

Aer Lingus wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Lufthansa doesn't clearly win any category. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Aer Lingus

Wins 3 categories

A bigger carry-on
A more generous carry-on weight limit
A bigger personal item

Lufthansa

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Aer Lingus wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Lufthansa doesn't clearly win any category. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Aer Lingus: 55 × 40 × 24 cm · Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Aer Lingus: Not on some basic fares · Lufthansa: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Aer Lingus: 1 free bag · Lufthansa: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Aer Lingus	Lufthansa
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 24 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	10 kg (22 lb)	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 20 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	None	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	AerClub	Miles & More
Main hubs	DUB	FRA, MUC

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Aer Lingus allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 24 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.4 in), and Lufthansa up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), so Aer Lingus's is roomier.

Aer Lingus's Saver can be personal-item only, while Lufthansa's Economy Basic / Light can be personal-item only.

Carry-on weight limits: 10 kg (22 lb) on Aer Lingus, 8 kg (17.6 lb) on Lufthansa.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Aer Lingus, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Lufthansa.

Aer Lingus includes one bag with Smart on flights between the U.S. and Ireland, and Lufthansa includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Europe.

Basic economy

Aer Lingus (Saver): Saver fares on European routes include only a small bag; transatlantic fares include a 10 kg carry-on.

Lufthansa (Economy Basic / Light): Economy Basic, on every European route from October 27, 2026, includes only a personal item; you can buy a carry-on online but not at the airport. Long-haul fares start at Economy Light, which keeps the 8 kg carry-on.

Loyalty and where they fly

Aer Lingus is not in an alliance and Lufthansa is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: AerClub (Aer Lingus) and Miles & More (Lufthansa).

Aer Lingus's main hubs are Dublin (DUB). Lufthansa's are Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Aer Lingus if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
nonstops from DUB

Choose Lufthansa if you want…

to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from FRA, MUC

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.