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Lufthansa Overhauls Instrument Carry-On Policy, Adopts 125-Centimeter Combined-Size Limit From March 1

The change follows a high-profile complaint by violinist Carolin Widmann that exposed risks of forcing valuable instruments into the hold.

Overview

  • The update replaces the previous 55-centimeter length cap and covers small cases such as violins, trumpets and ukuleles across Lufthansa Group carriers.
  • Packed instruments may now total up to 125 centimeters in height plus width plus depth, with the policy taking effect on March 1, 2026.
  • Passengers may also carry an additional 40×30×15 centimeter item, and instruments weighing more than eight kilograms require purchasing a second seat.
  • For larger instruments booked in the cabin, Lufthansa permits placement on the floor before the seat up to 155×42×25 centimeters and 75 kilograms, as specified in the update.
  • Lufthansa attributes the change to customer feedback, underscoring the EU’s lack of a unified instrument-carriage rule compared with U.S. FAA requirements.