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

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

Do Lufthansa and SWISS 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. SWISS: Economy Basic on European routes includes only a personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm), no carry-on, checked bag or seat choice. Economy Light keeps the 8 kg carry-on, and Miles & More Senators and Star Alliance Gold members may still bring one.

Where do Lufthansa and SWISS fly from?

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

Are Lufthansa and SWISS partners?

Yes. Both belong to Star Alliance, so you can usually earn miles and use elite benefits across the two.

LH vs LX · 2026 comparison

Lufthansa vs SWISS

Lufthansa and SWISS are closely matched on the things we compare. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

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

Lufthansa

No clear category wins

SWISS

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Lufthansa and SWISS are closely matched on the things we compare. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

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

Side by side

	Lufthansa	SWISS
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 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	8 kg (17.6 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	Star Alliance	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Miles & More	Miles & More
Main hubs	FRA, MUC	ZRH

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).

Lufthansa's Economy Basic / Light can be personal-item only, while SWISS's Economy Basic can be personal-item only.

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

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

Lufthansa includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Europe, and SWISS includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Switzerland.

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.

SWISS (Economy Basic): Economy Basic on European routes includes only a personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm), no carry-on, checked bag or seat choice. Economy Light keeps the 8 kg carry-on, and Miles & More Senators and Star Alliance Gold members may still bring one.

Loyalty and where they fly

Both are Star Alliance members, so status and miles can work across the two.

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

Lufthansa's main hubs are Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC). SWISS's are Zurich (ZRH). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Lufthansa if you want…

to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from FRA, MUC

Choose SWISS if you want…

to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from ZRH

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.