British Airways vs Lufthansa
Side-by-side comparison of British Airways and Lufthansa: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
United Kingdom
Germany| British Airways | Lufthansa | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom | Germany |
| Founded | 1974 | 1953 |
| Type | Full-service airline | Full-service airline |
| Alliance | oneworld | Star Alliance |
| Main hubs | Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport | Munich Airport, Frankfurt Airport |
| Aircraft types | 10 | 10 |
| Cabin bag weight | 23 kg (51 lb) | 8 kg (18 lb) |
| Cabin bag size | 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in) | 55 × 40 × 23 cm (22 × 16 × 9 in) |
| Checked bag (Economy) | 1 piece · 23 kg (51 lb) | not included |
| First checked bag fee | from 45 GBP (≈ 61 USD) | - |
| Extra bag fee | from 45 GBP (≈ 61 USD) | from 90 USD |
| Online check-in opens | 24 h | 30 h |
| Online check-in closes | 1 h | 40 min |
| Airport check-in fee | free | free |
| Customer service phone | +44 20 8738 5050 | - |
Key differences
- British Airways allows a heavier cabin bag: 23 kg (51 lb) vs 8 kg (18 lb) at Lufthansa.
- Lufthansa opens online check-in earlier (30 h before departure vs 24 h).
- Lufthansa lets you check in online closer to departure (40 min vs 1 h).
- British Airways is a oneworld member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
- Lufthansa is a Star Alliance member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
Other comparisons
Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.