Lufthana - "Option" to check carry-on bag

I have had this on domestic flights as well, sounds like they’re trying to speed things along so as not to cause delays with last minute checking of bags. If you don’t want to, don’t. Usually it seems like enough people are happy to be rid of bags (aka check) that it works well for those determined to carry on.

If not, yes they’d gatecheck your bag.

I just went through this yesterday on Lufthansa. It was totally optional and yes, a way to try to free up inside space since they normally charge for a checked bag.

However it was also totally crowded and full on the flight. I boarded early for one of my flights (Budapest to Munich) so didn’t see if anyone at the end had to gate check like happens in the US sometimes. But I was almost last for the second flight (Munich to the UK) and still didn’t see anyone being forced to gate check.

I wouldn’t worry.

" How "optional" is this?"

I've received that email for my MUC to EWR flight last week and I've received it right now for my return flight tonight. As far as I could judge it, in Munich it was optional in the proper sense of the word. Not the slightest attempt of enforcement, and I don't expect anything else today.

How "optional" is this? I really would prefer to keep my bag with me. Is this just a way to get others to check their bags and free up space ahead of time? If there's truly no space, they'd just gatecheck my bag, right?

Yes. They are trying to encourage people to check bags voluntarily so they don’t have to require people to gate check their bag after the bins fill up. The last minute scrambling can delay the flight.

More people are carrying on bags. A couple of weeks ago, the gate agent on my United flight announced that they’d need to gate check about 27 bags as the flight was full and the bins wouldn’t be able to hold all carry ons. They advised people to remove their meds, electonics, and anything they needed for the flight in case their bag needed to be gate checked. You may want to arrange things in your bag so that you can easily extract any essentials.

Give carrying on your bag a shot. If the bins are full when you get on the airplane, the airline will Gate Check the bag into the hull of the airplane at no cost. You have a better than 50/50 shot of finding an open overhead bin.

After previous suitcase problems, we never check a bag unless it's absolutely necessary.

If this were a return flight home, I would use that option.

I've got that message twice from Lufthansa last summer. Ignored it, and nothing happened. Carried the bag right on the plane, put it in the overhead bin.

Checking your carry on is optional until it isn't. If the overheads are full, and you can not find a place in the cabin, it would have to be gate checked and retrieved as a "checked bag". Keep your must have stuff in you underseat personal bag.

Will you be boarding early or last?

Just flew back from Munich yesterday and received the same notice. I was planning on checking my bag in on the way back anyways since I was bringing back a couple of new kitchen knives so this saved me a checked bag fee. However, there was plenty of room left on the plane (probably from others also taking them up on the offer) that I could have easily carried it on.

Lately, I have been checking my bag on the return trip. Never on the way over as Lufthansa has lost my bag for over 24 hours on one of the three trips so far.

Since most if not all airlines allow for a free checked bag on international flights to and from the US, you likely won't have as many people rushing to volunteer to check their bags with this offer. Unless you are in one of the last boarding groups, you'll likely be fine.