Brussels Airlines to drop free hand luggage in new Lufthansa Group fare shake-up

Air travellers flying with Brussels Airlines will soon need to rethink what they pack—and what they pay for it. As part of a broader overhaul by the Lufthansa Group, the Belgian carrier is introducing a new entry-level ticket that no longer includes free hand luggage on short- and medium-haul flights.

The new “Economy Basic” fare, set to roll out from April 28 on selected routes for travel starting May 19, will only include a small personal item such as a laptop bag or backpack. Passengers wishing to bring a standard cabin bag will have to pay extra or opt for a higher fare tier.

Until now, Brussels Airlines’ lowest fare—Economy Light—allowed travellers to bring both a personal item and a cabin bag at no additional cost. The shift brings the airline more in line with competitors, many of whom have already unbundled luggage from their cheapest tickets.

The move is part of a wider strategy across the Lufthansa Group, which also includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines and Air Dolomiti, all of which will progressively introduce the new fare structure.

According to the group, the aim is to offer more choice and clearer pricing. The Basic fare targets passengers travelling light—particularly day-trippers—while allowing others to customise their ticket by adding baggage or selecting more inclusive fare options.

At the same time, the existing Economy Light fare is being upgraded: it will now include a paid rebooking option, giving travellers more flexibility if their plans change.

Once fully implemented, passengers will be able to choose from four fare types in Economy Class and three in Business Class. The group says this clearer segmentation is designed to help travellers better match ticket options to their needs—but for many, it will also mean paying extra for services that were previously included.

For Brussels Airlines customers, the most immediate impact is clear: the era of free hand luggage on the cheapest tickets is coming to an end.