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

Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). United: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Lufthansa allows the larger bag.

Do Lufthansa and United 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. United: Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

Are Lufthansa and United partners?

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

LH vs UA · 2026 comparison

Lufthansa vs United

Lufthansa wins on a bigger carry-on; United 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 1 category

A bigger carry-on

United

Wins 2 categories

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

Quick verdict

Lufthansa wins on a bigger carry-on; United 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 · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Lufthansa: Not on some basic fares · United: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Lufthansa: 1 free bag · United: $45

Side by side

	Lufthansa	United
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
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)	None published
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	17 × 10 × 9 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	1 free bag	$45
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Miles & More	MileagePlus
Main hubs	FRA, MUC	ORD, DEN, IAH, EWR, SFO

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 United up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so Lufthansa's is roomier.

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

Lufthansa caps carry-ons at 8 kg (17.6 lb); United publishes no limit.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Lufthansa, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.

Lufthansa includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Europe, and a first checked bag on United costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights.

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.

United (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

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 MileagePlus (United).

Lufthansa's main hubs are Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC). United's are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). 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
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from FRA, MUC

Choose United if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from ORD, DEN, IAH

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.