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

Discover: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb).

Where do Discover and Lufthansa fly from?

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

Are Discover and Lufthansa partners?

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

4Y vs LH · 2026 comparison

Discover vs Lufthansa

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

Discover: Economy Light includes the carry-on and personal item but no checked bag. 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.

Discover wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; 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

Discover

Wins 1 category

A carry-on on its cheapest fare

Lufthansa

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Discover wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; Lufthansa doesn't clearly win any category. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Discover: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Discover: Included on every fare · Lufthansa: Not on some basic fares

Side by side

	Discover	Lufthansa
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	8 kg (17.6 lb)	8 kg (17.6 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Network
Alliance	None	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Miles & More	Miles & More
Main hubs	FRA, MUC	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

Both airlines allow a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in).

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

Carry-on weight limits: 8 kg (17.6 lb) on Discover, 8 kg (17.6 lb) on Lufthansa.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Discover, and 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Lufthansa.

Basic economy

Discover (Economy Light): Economy Light includes the carry-on and personal item but no checked bag.

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

Discover is not in an alliance and Lufthansa is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: Miles & More (Discover) and Miles & More (Lufthansa).

Discover's main hubs are Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC). 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 Discover if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
nonstops from FRA, MUC

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.