The airline industry has a way of surprising you when you think you've got the system figured out. Just when you believe your small backpack or laptop bag travels free, Brussels Airlines and the entire Lufthansa Group decided to charge for the privilege. Starting with bookings made from April 28, 2026, for travel after May 19, 2026, passengers on short and medium-haul routes to cities like Budapest, Prague, and Stockholm will face new carry-on restrictions.
Under the revamped "economy basic fare," travelers can now bring only one small personal item measuring 40 x 30 x 15 centimeters into the cabin. That translates to a laptop bag, a modest handbag, or a compact rucksack. Want something bigger? That'll be extra. Your carry-on is your best friend now, and the airlines are making sure you pay for the friendship.
The pricing starts at just 15 euros to add a standard-sized carry-on bag (55 x 40 x 23 centimeters), but that cost can spiral depending on when you book. Wait until you're at the gate and realize your bag doesn't comply with the new rules? The airline will gate-check it straight into the hold, and you'll pay at least four times the advance price. That's a lesson in planning ahead the expensive way.
Who this affects and what's actually allowed
This shift applies across the entire Lufthansa Group, which includes Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa itself, Lufthansa City, and Swiss. So if you fly any of these carriers on qualifying routes, the new baggage regime applies to you. The airline frames this as an "enhanced fare structure" that offers budget-conscious travelers an attractive entry-level price, though frequent flyers might see it differently.
Some items get a pass. Duty-free purchases, children's strollers, folding garment bags, and musical instruments (with special handling) can travel alongside your tiny personal item. Lufthansa has been making strategic changes across its operations, and this baggage overhaul fits into a broader pattern of fleet optimization and revenue restructuring.
What happens if your bag doesn't fit the rules
Picture this scenario: you arrive at check-in with what you thought was a standard-sized carry-on, only to be told it violates your fare category. The airline removes it right there and sticks it in the cargo hold at your expense. Or imagine boarding a flight that's completely full. Even if your bag is the correct size, crew might pull it from the overhead bin and send it below because there's simply no room. The airline will warn you about this risk before departure and offer to gate-check your bag for free if you're concerned, but once you're airborne, your luggage is gone from the cabin.
Here's what the airline asks travelers to do in these situations: extract any valuables, medications you need during the flight, and battery-powered devices like tablets, smartphones, laptops, and power banks before your bag heads to the hold. That's sound advice, especially on longer flights where you might need your phone or medications accessible.
Why airlines are tightening the squeeze
This isn't some random decision. The shift reflects what airlines see happening on their flights. Ryanair, Europe's largest carrier by passenger count, recently noted that roughly 80 percent of its customers prefer traveling light and actively select fares based on baggage allowances. Travelers are voting with their wallets, choosing cheaper tickets and minimal bags over premium fares with generous allowances. Airlines are simply following the money.
For anyone booking trips to Central Europe's best urban destinations, the message is clear: pack smart and book your baggage allowance in advance if you need more than a personal item. A few euros spent upfront beats the surprise fee at the gate. The era of the free carry-on bag, at least with Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa, is officially over.
