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

Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), up to 10 kg (22 lb). Lufthansa allows the larger bag.

Where do Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic fly from?

Lufthansa's main hubs are Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC). Virgin Atlantic's are London (LHR). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Lufthansa: Star Alliance; Virgin Atlantic: SkyTeam), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

LH vs VS · 2026 comparison

Lufthansa vs Virgin Atlantic

Q: Do Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic 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. Virgin Atlantic: Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

Lufthansa wins on a bigger carry-on; Virgin Atlantic wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit. 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

Virgin Atlantic

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit

Quick verdict

Lufthansa wins on a bigger carry-on; Virgin Atlantic wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Lufthansa: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Lufthansa: Not on some basic fares · Virgin Atlantic: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Lufthansa: 1 free bag · Virgin Atlantic: 1 free bag

Side by side

	Lufthansa	Virgin Atlantic
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	56 × 36 × 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)	10 kg (22 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	SkyTeam
Loyalty program	Miles & More	Flying Club
Main hubs	FRA, MUC	LHR

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 Virgin Atlantic up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), so Lufthansa's is roomier.

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

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

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 Virgin Atlantic.

Lufthansa includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and Europe, and Virgin Atlantic includes one bag with Economy Classic on flights between the U.S. and the UK.

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.

Virgin Atlantic (Economy Light): Economy Light includes a carry-on and a personal item, but no checked bag.

Loyalty and where they fly

Lufthansa is in Star Alliance and Virgin Atlantic is in SkyTeam.

Loyalty programs: Miles & More (Lufthansa) and Flying Club (Virgin Atlantic).

Lufthansa's main hubs are Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC). Virgin Atlantic's are London (LHR). 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 Virgin Atlantic if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from LHR

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.