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

Iberia: 56 × 40 × 25 cm (22 × 15.7 × 9.8 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). Iberia allows the larger bag.

Where do Iberia and Lufthansa fly from?

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

Are Iberia and Lufthansa partners?

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

IB vs LH · 2026 comparison

Iberia vs Lufthansa

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

Iberia: Long-haul Basic fares include a carry-on; on European routes, check your fare. 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.

Iberia wins on a bigger carry-on and a more generous carry-on weight limit; 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

Iberia

Wins 2 categories

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

Lufthansa

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: Iberia: 56 × 40 × 25 cm · Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Iberia: Not on some basic fares · Lufthansa: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Iberia: 1 free bag · Lufthansa: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Iberia	Lufthansa
Bags
Carry-on size	56 × 40 × 25 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 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	1 free bag
Network
Alliance	oneworld	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Iberia Club	Miles & More
Main hubs	MAD	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

Iberia allows a carry-on up to 56 × 40 × 25 cm (22 × 15.7 × 9.8 in), and Lufthansa up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), so Iberia's is roomier.

Iberia's Basic 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 Iberia, 8 kg (17.6 lb) on Lufthansa.

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

Iberia includes one bag with Optima on flights between the U.S. and Spain, and Lufthansa includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Europe.

Basic economy

Iberia (Basic): Long-haul Basic fares include a carry-on; on European routes, check your fare.

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

Iberia is in oneworld and Lufthansa is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: Iberia Club (Iberia) and Miles & More (Lufthansa).

Iberia's main hubs are Madrid (MAD). 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 Iberia if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from MAD

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.