Lufthansa has introduced a new economy product it says is ideal for someone seeking bargain fares, who doesn’t need flexibility and is travelling light – ideally day-trippers and business travellers.

Germany’s flag carrier charging budget airfares – could there be a catch? Well…

Starting from April 2026, travellers can take advantage of the German airline’s Economy Basic flights for trips on 18 May onwards, available on selected short and medium haul flight routes across Lufthansa Group carriers.

“The Economy Basic fare is the ideal choice if you’re travelling only with one personal item and know when you plan to fly, as tickets cannot be rebooked and are excluded from refunds,” according to the airline.

As the “basic” label implies, the product does not include carry-on bags, checked baggage or seat reservation. However, for an additional fee, these can all be added.

What is included, you might ask? One personal item, a backpack or handbag, limited to 40 x 30 x 15 cm, making it the smallest cabin allowance of any airline in Europe.

But just how does Lufthansa’s Economy Basic cabin allowance compare to other carriers?

Ryanair and Wizzair

Ryanair’s single-class economy operations includes one small personal bag, no larger than 40 x 30 x 20 cm, as part of the airfare. Cabin and checked baggage allowances all come with an extra fee.

Wizz Air also follows a near-identical baggage allowance model to Ryanair with one small personal item no larger than 40 x 30 x 20 cm included in the base fare, with other luggage coming at an additional cost.

Last December, Wizz Air shifted gears slightly – piloting its WIZZ Class premium service on trail routes to London, Rome, Warsaw, Bucharest and Budapest. The slightly upmarket service includes an additional two cabin bags as part of the fare, alongside complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks onboard.

British Airways

Lufthansa isn’t the only European flag carrier to offer an “Economy Basic” product.

The British Airways rendition of Economy Basic on Euro Traveller flights includes a handbag allowance, which also should have dimensions no larger than 40 x 30 x 15cm. However, passengers are also entitled to a cabin bag no larger than 56 x 45 x 25cm and able to fit into the overhead compartment without any troubles.

BA Euro Traveller flies to over 100 destinations across the continent from London, with a flight to Malaga starting at £49 (€56.57).

easyJet

EasyJet’s standard fares include allowance for a cabin bag no larger than 45 x 36 x 20 cm in dimension, with the option for paid add-on seat reservation or hold luggage.

As minuscule as all of these dimensions may sound, the European Union’s current position is that: “limits on the size of cabin baggage and the number of items you are allowed to take on board are set by the airlines so check with your airline before you travel”. This may soon change if the bloc is able to withstand pressure from big aviation.

In January 2026, Members of the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of bolstering passengers’ rights, including requiring airlines to allow one personal item and one small piece of hand luggage for free as part of base airfares.

“Parliament wants passengers to have the right to carry with them onto the airplane, at no additional cost, one personal item (such as a handbag, backpack or laptop) and one small piece of hand luggage with maximum dimensions of 100 cm (combined length, width and height) and seven kilograms,” the European Parliament press release said.

EU legislators have nearly exhausted the EU legal procedures to revise the airline passenger rights law, originally adopted in 2004. If EU countries don’t approve the Parliament’s text, a special committee will be convened to find an agreement on the final shape of the bill.

Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet, dismissed the proposal as “terrible for the consumer”, especially those flying with his airline, which can only accommodate the cabin bags of around two-thirds of passengers.

“There just isn’t the space in the cabin, so that’s another lunatic idea. We would go back to the days of having to offload cabin bags and put them in the hold – it was one of the number one causes of delayed boarding in the old days.”

Credits: Lufthansa

The post This airline just launched Europe’s smallest free cabin allowance (and it’s not a budget carrier) first appeared on AircrewNews.com.

Wizz Air has released a Sunday afternoon statement to travellers confirming its flight arrangements. The budget airline’s latest announcement follows new official measures unveiled earlier today, Sunday, May 3, by the government

The Government has introduced a temporary regulatory change permitting airlines to consolidate passengers from separate flights onto fewer aircraft as part of efforts to conserve fuel. This comes amid concerns over a potential jet fuel shortage ahead of the busy holiday season should the Strait of Hormuz remain closed.

When asked this morning whether holidaymakers heading overseas are likely to encounter difficulties this summer, Ms Alexander told Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “I’ve spent every week of the last two months in close contact with airlines and airports.

“On Thursday of this week, airlines told me very clearly that they have good visibility over the next six to eight weeks of jet fuel supply. There is no current disruption to jet fuel supplies.

“We are, for example, importing more jet fuel from America. We have asked the refineries in the UK to maximise their production. We’ve got four refineries here, refineries in West Africa are also producing more.”

She continued: “The last thing I want is for people to turn up at a departure gate and have last minute cancellations. I am confident, sat here today on the basis of the information that I have available to me, that the majority of people who are traveling this summer will have a similar experience to that which they had last year.”

Her comments come as airlines around the globe take steps in the wake of rising jet fuel prices. The increases have resulted from Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, blocking one of the world’s crucial routes for jet fuel distribution to other countries.

Lufthansa recently revealed plans to axe 20,000 flights as it reduces capacity to manage the jet fuel shortages. British airlines have also made statements aimed at reassuring passengers.

Jet2, one such carrier, confirmed it will not impose surcharges on any booked flights or holidays to offset rising costs, including jet fuel. Wizz Air has now released a fresh statement following the government’s latest proposals.

Speaking today, an airline spokesman said: “Wizz Air acknowledges today’s announcement by the UK government and would like to reassure customers that its operations remain fully stable and unaffected.

“The airline confirms that it plans continue to operate its full summer schedule, flying passengers safely and reliably to their destinations across its extensive network. Wizz Air is working closely with its partners to ensure seamless operations throughout the peak travel season.

“Customers can book with confidence on Wizz Air’s wide selection of routes from more than half a dozen airports across the UK, connecting travellers to popular destinations across Europe and beyond.”

New government plans announced amid jet fuel shortage

The Government’s airline regulation changes could result in passengers being transferred from their originally booked service to a comparable alternative to cut down on fuel wastage from operating aircraft that haven’t reached full capacity and may otherwise have been cancelled.

Consumer group Which? has voiced criticism, arguing that regulations should not be “bent in favour of airlines”. Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said families could find themselves “herded on to a different plane, at a time of the airline’s choosing”I’ve spent every week of the last two months in close contact with airlines and airports.

“The honest message is that Britain is exposed to fuel supply risks that a properly energy-secure country would not face,” he added.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for private jets to be grounded to save fuel. “While ordinary people pay the price, the super rich are simply getting in their private jets at will – wasting huge amounts of jet fuel on unnecessary trips,” he said.

Credits: Wizz Air

The post Wizz Air Confirms Flight Plans in May 3 Update first appeared on AircrewNews.com.