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

Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). Ryanair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Lufthansa allows the larger bag.

Where do Lufthansa and Ryanair fly from?

Lufthansa's main hubs are Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC). Ryanair's are Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Lufthansa and Ryanair partners?

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

LH vs FR · 2026 comparison

Lufthansa vs Ryanair

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

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. Ryanair: The Basic fare includes only the small under-seat bag.

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

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

Lufthansa

Wins 3 categories

A bigger carry-on
A carry-on on its cheapest fare
Cheaper checked bags

Ryanair

Wins 2 categories

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

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · Ryanair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Lufthansa: Not on some basic fares · Ryanair: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Lufthansa: 1 free bag · Ryanair: $20–$56

Side by side

	Lufthansa	Ryanair
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	55 × 40 × 20 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Costs extra on basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	8 kg (17.6 lb)	10 kg (22 lb)
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	40 × 30 × 20 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$20–$56
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	None
Loyalty program	Miles & More	None
Main hubs	FRA, MUC	DUB, STN

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

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

Lufthansa's Economy Basic / Light can be personal-item only, while Ryanair charges for it on its cheapest fare.

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

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Lufthansa, and 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) on Ryanair.

Lufthansa includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Europe, and a first checked bag on Ryanair costs $20–$56 on flights within Europe.

Basic economy

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.

Ryanair (Basic): The Basic fare includes only the small under-seat bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

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

Loyalty programs: Miles & More (Lufthansa) and none (Ryanair).

Lufthansa's main hubs are Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC). Ryanair's are Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Lufthansa if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a carry-on on its cheapest fare
cheaper checked bags
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from FRA, MUC

Choose Ryanair if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
nonstops from DUB, STN

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.