Florence to Newark via Frankfurt - luggage question

If it's all on one ticket, then your bag should be checked through to Newark.

You should always check the tag attached to your bag by the arline and make sure the right airport is listed. In this case Newark (EWR)

You won't go through customs in Frankfurt. You will go through exit immigration.

The big question..,does your bag meet the luggage limitations for your fare on Air Dolomiti? If economy, 8 kg in weight and a total (L x W x H) of 115 cm?

How long is your connection? Download the apps so you can keep track of changes in flights etc.

Air Dolomiti is a member of the Star Alliance, so you can check your bag all the way through and NOT have to deal with picking up bag in FRA. As you're heading home, I would check the bag all the way through & put whatever is essential like medications in your carryon personal item. I never carry my bag when transiting on way back to USA, it's just extra hassle without any benefits. Some forum members worry about souvenirs making it back, those you could carry on. Good luck!

I am fanatical about carryon on the way over—we hit the ground running and rarely stay in our arrival city, so a delay is catastrophic (once had a delayed suitcase delivered by helicopter to Gozo from Malta). But on the way home, I check it and forget it. It will make running through Frankfurt airport so much easier. I kid, but I’ve had several tough transits through Frankfurt. We always made it, but having to schlep bags would have slowed us down.
How long is your layover?

You say you don’t intend to check your bags then make sure your bags fit the airline carryon dimensions for your connecting flight. Swiss Air gate checked our RS Ravenna’s in Zurich even though we had them with us on the International flight over. We also check our bags going home now, as others have noted, it’s not worth the hassle.

We have a three hour layover in Frankfurt.

Three hours should be fine. I’d still check the bag through so you can grab lunch etc with ease, as if there is the slightest hiccup you may not have time to check it in FRA.

Remember that the Florence airport is a tiny one with a very short runway. Only small aircrafts can take off, and not too heavily loaded if weather is not optimal. So even if the transatlantic flight has a larger baggage and hand luggage allowance, expect flights to/from Florence to be much more limited and large hand luggage may be inappropriate for the small aircrafts.