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

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). Lufthansa allows the larger bag.

Are American and Lufthansa partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (American: oneworld; Lufthansa: Star Alliance), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AA vs LH · 2026 comparison

American vs Lufthansa

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

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. 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.

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Lufthansa wins on a bigger carry-on. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

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

American

Wins 3 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit
A bigger personal item

Lufthansa

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Quick verdict

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item; Lufthansa wins on a bigger carry-on. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Lufthansa: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · Lufthansa: 1 free bag

Side by side

	American	Lufthansa
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	None published	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	18 × 14 × 8 in	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	oneworld	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	Miles & More
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	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

American allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), and Lufthansa up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), so Lufthansa's is roomier.

American includes it on every fare, while Lufthansa's Economy Basic / Light can be personal-item only.

Lufthansa caps carry-ons at 8 kg (17.6 lb); American publishes no limit.

Personal items: 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Lufthansa.

A first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, and Lufthansa includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Europe.

Basic economy

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

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

American is in oneworld and Lufthansa is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and Miles & More (Lufthansa).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). 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 American if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

Choose Lufthansa if you want…

a bigger carry-on
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.