Lufthansa removes free hand luggage, and it also applies to Swiss
From 19 May 2026, only one personal item included in the base fare. Here's what changes for passengers
Contesto
New low-cost fare for Lufthansa and Swiss Starting from May 19, 2026, the Lufthansa Group will introduce a new low-cost fare called 'Economy Basic' on short and medium-haul flights. This novelty concerns not only Lufthansa, but also other group companies, including Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines, and Air Dolomiti. Booking for the new fare will be available starting from April 28, 2026. The new 'Economy Basic' fare will include only one personal item, such as a laptop bag or a small backpack. The standard carry-on baggage will only be available from the second most economical fare, the 'Light'. This fare, which until now included a carry-on bag of up to eight kilograms and the accumulation of miles with Miles & More, will undergo changes. In the future, booking changes will only be possible by paying a fee. ### What does the new 'Economy Basic' fare include? The new 'Economy Basic' fare includes only one personal item, such as a laptop bag or a small backpack. No standard carry-on baggage will be included. Additionally, passengers will have four fares available in Economy class: Basic, Light, Classic, and Flex. The 'Light' fare will be updated, and booking changes will only be possible by paying a fee. The Lufthansa Group justifies this choice with the evolution of travel habits. According to the company, those who travel for short trips, particularly for day trips, often do not need bulky baggage and can thus benefit from a lower base price. At the moment, the Lufthansa Group has not indicated how the new fare will affect the prices of existing offers. ### Comparison with existing low-cost fares With this introduction, the Lufthansa Group is approaching the fare levels of low-cost airlines such as Ryanair,...
Dettagli operativi
• ## Implications for passengers and cross-border workers The new 'Economy Basic' fare will have a significant impact on passengers, particularly cross-border workers who frequently travel between Switzerland and Italy. With the introduction of this fare, passengers will have to choose between a more economical fare with fewer baggage services and a more expensive fare that includes standard hand luggage. ### What changes for cross-border workers? Cross-border workers who frequently travel between Switzerland and Italy will have to adapt to the new 'Economy Basic' fare. If they choose this fare, they will be limited to one personal item, such as a laptop bag or a small backpack. This could be a problem for those who need to carry more luggage, for example for work reasons or for longer trips. ### Comparison with the previous situation Before the introduction of the new 'Economy Basic' fare, the most economical fare of Swiss was the 'Light', which included hand luggage up to eight kilograms and the accumulation of miles with Miles & More. With the new fare, passengers will have four fares available in Economy class: Basic, Light, Classic and Flex. The 'Light' fare will be updated and booking changes will only be possible by paying a commission. ### What to do if you need more luggage? If you need to carry more luggage, you can choose one of the more expensive fares, such as 'Light', 'Classic' or 'Flex'. These fares include standard hand luggage and, in the case of 'Flex', also the possibility to change the booking without paying a commission. However, these fares are more expensive than 'Economy Basic'. ## Useful tools to protect your net income To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.
Punti chiave
What to do for passengers If you are a frequent traveler with Lufthansa or Swiss and often travel with bulky luggage, it is important to carefully consider the new 'Economy Basic' fare. If you need to bring more than one personal item with you, it might be convenient to choose one of the more expensive fares, such as 'Light', 'Classic', or 'Flex'. ### Steps to follow 1. Evaluate your travel needs: Before booking a flight, it is important to evaluate your travel needs. If you need to bring more than one personal item with you, it might be convenient to choose one of the more expensive fares. 2. Compare fares: Compare the 'Economy Basic', 'Light', 'Classic', and 'Flex' fares to understand which one best suits your travel needs and budget. 3. Book the flight: Once you have chosen the fare that best suits your needs, you can proceed with booking the flight. Remember that booking the new 'Economy Basic' fare will be available starting from April 28, 2026. 4. Check baggage conditions: Before departing, check the baggage conditions of the chosen fare. Make sure you know which baggage is included and which might incur additional costs. ### Useful tools To help you compare fares and make the right choice, you can use the fare calculator available on the site. Additionally, if you need further information on fares and baggage conditions, you can consult the official Lufthansa or Swiss website. Source: tio.ch
Punti chiave
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the new 'Economy Basic' fare include?
- The new 'Economy Basic' fare includes only one personal item, such as a laptop bag or a small backpack. No standard hand luggage is included.
- When will the new 'Economy Basic' fare be available?
- Booking for the new 'Economy Basic' fare will be available starting from April 28, 2026, and the fare will be applied to flights starting from May 19, 2026.
- What changes for cross-border workers who frequently travel between Switzerland and Italy?
- Cross-border workers who frequently travel between Switzerland and Italy will need to adapt to the new 'Economy Basic' fare. If they choose this fare, they will be limited to one personal item, such as a laptop bag or a small backpack.