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

Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 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). Lufthansa allows the larger bag.

Where do Icelandair and Lufthansa fly from?

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

Are Icelandair and Lufthansa partners?

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

FI vs LH · 2026 comparison

Icelandair vs Lufthansa

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

Icelandair: Economy Light includes a carry-on and a 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.

Icelandair 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

Icelandair

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

Icelandair 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: Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm · Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Icelandair: Included on every fare · Lufthansa: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Icelandair: 1 free bag · Lufthansa: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Icelandair	Lufthansa
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 20 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	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	None	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Saga Club	Miles & More
Main hubs	KEF	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

Icelandair allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), and Lufthansa up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), so Lufthansa's is roomier.

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

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

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

Icelandair includes one bag with Economy Standard on flights between the U.S. and Iceland, and Lufthansa includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Europe.

Basic economy

Icelandair (Economy Light): Economy Light includes a carry-on and a 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

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

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

Icelandair's main hubs are Reykjavík (KEF). 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 Icelandair if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
nonstops from KEF

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.