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

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

Where do Lufthansa and Turkish fly from?

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

Are Lufthansa and Turkish partners?

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

LH vs TK · 2026 comparison

Lufthansa vs Turkish

Q: Do Lufthansa and Turkish 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. Turkish: EcoFly fares include the 8 kg carry-on and a personal item.

Lufthansa doesn't clearly win any category; Turkish wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and cheaper checked bags. 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

Turkish

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
Cheaper checked bags

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · Turkish: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Lufthansa: Not on some basic fares · Turkish: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Lufthansa: 1 free bag · Turkish: 2 free bags

Side by side

	Lufthansa	Turkish
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Included on every fare
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	2 free bags
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Miles & More	Miles&Smiles
Main hubs	FRA, MUC	IST

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 Turkish includes it on every fare.

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

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 Turkish.

Lufthansa includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Europe, and Turkish includes two bags with ExtraFly on flights between the U.S. and Türkiye.

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.

Turkish (EcoFly): EcoFly fares include the 8 kg carry-on and a personal item.

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&Smiles (Turkish).

Lufthansa's main hubs are Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC). Turkish's are Istanbul (IST). 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 Turkish if you want…

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

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.