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

Delta: 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 Delta and Lufthansa partners?

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

DL vs LH · 2026 comparison

Delta vs Lufthansa

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

Delta: Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. 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.

Delta wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit; 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

Delta

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit

Lufthansa

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Quick verdict

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

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

Side by side

	Delta	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	Must fit under the seat	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	SkyTeam	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	SkyMiles	Miles & More
Main hubs	ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC, JFK	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

Delta 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.

Delta 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); Delta publishes no limit.

Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Delta, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Lufthansa.

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

Basic economy

Delta (Delta Main Basic): Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. 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

Delta is in SkyTeam and Lufthansa is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: SkyMiles (Delta) and Miles & More (Lufthansa).

Delta's main hubs are Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC), New York (JFK). 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 Delta if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from ATL, DTW, MSP

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.