Editorial Team
Our content team
5 min read
3 centimeters. Doesn't sound like much, right? But if you've ever tried to shove your suitcase into Condor's baggage sizer at the gate, you know every centimeter counts.
Since May 1, 2026, Condor has updated its carry-on baggage rules. The quick version: your trolley can be deeper, your personal item too, and the rules now apply uniformly across all routes. No more guessing whether flights to Majorca have different rules than flights to Cancun. Honestly, this was long overdue.
What Actually Changed
Here's the side-by-side comparison:
| Before | From May 1, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 55 x 40 x 23 cm |
| Personal item | 40 x 30 x 10 cm | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Weight limit | 8 kg | 8 kg (unchanged) |
| Route-dependent? | Yes, varied by destination | No, uniform across all routes |
The depth on the trolley grows by 3 cm, and the personal item gets a full 5 cm extra depth. According to Condor's official newsroom, the new dimensions bring Condor in line with international standards.
What I think is the bigger win: the rules now apply to all routes equally. Previously, you had to check whether your destination fell into Zone 1 or Zone 5 because the baggage allowances varied by region. Pretty confusing, especially for infrequent flyers.
Two Things to Watch Out For
Before you get too excited, keep two things in mind.
The 8 kg weight limit stays. That's still on the tight side. A typical hard-shell cabin suitcase weighs about 2.5 kg empty, leaving you roughly 5.5 kg for your stuff. Not exactly generous for a week-long trip.
Not every fare class includes carry-on. This detail tends to get buried in the booking flow, as t-online reports. Double-check what your ticket actually includes before assuming you can bring a trolley. Otherwise, you might face surcharges at the gate.
Checked Baggage Gets More Generous in 2027
There's a second change coming. Starting May 2027, Condor is increasing checked baggage allowances too:
| Class | Current | From May 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 20 kg | 23 kg |
| Premium Economy | 25 kg | 32 kg |
| Business | 2 x 30 kg | 2 x 32 kg |
That Premium Economy bump is pretty significant. 7 kg more is the difference between leaving your running shoes at home or packing them. According to Frankfurtflyer, this comes in response to customer feedback.
Condor COO Christian Schmitt framed it as part of Condor's evolution from a leisure carrier to a network airline with its own city routes and international partner airlines. Standardizing baggage policies to match international norms is, in his words, the logical next step.
Condor vs. Lufthansa: Going in Opposite Directions
Here's where it gets interesting. While Condor is loosening its baggage rules, Lufthansa is tightening theirs with the new Economy Basic fare (Coming Soon).
Since May 19, 2026, Lufthansa's cheapest fare on short and medium-haul flights only includes a small personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm). Want to bring a carry-on trolley? That's at least an extra EUR 15.
| Condor (from May 2026) | Lufthansa Economy Basic | |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item free | Yes, 40x30x15 cm | Yes, 40x30x15 cm |
| Trolley free | Yes (fare-dependent), 55x40x23 cm | No, EUR 15+ add-on |
| Carry-on weight limit | 8 kg | 8 kg |
| Direction | More space | Less included |
Two German airlines, two completely different strategies. Condor is trying to attract customers with better value. Lufthansa is squeezing the base fare to sell add-ons. For you as a traveler, the takeaway is simple: factor in baggage costs before booking. That Condor flight might end up cheaper than you thought once you add Lufthansa's carry-on surcharge.
Will Your Suitcase Still Fit?
With the new dimensions of 55 x 40 x 23 cm, you've got a bit more flexibility on Condor now. Most standard cabin trolleys at 55 x 40 x 20 cm fit easily. And if you're shopping for a new one, you've got 3 cm of extra depth to play with. Our carry-on luggage test has a rundown of current models.
For the complete Condor carry-on rules we have a detailed guide. And if you want to compare carry-on dimensions across airlines, we've got that covered too.
