Heiko Reitz, member of the Lufthansa Airlines Board and Hub Manager Munich, says: “We are proud that the Airbus A350-1000—Airbus’s most modern long-haul aircraft—is coming to Munich. The introduction of the new A350-1000 is part of the largest fleet modernization in the history of the Lufthansa Group and a key driver on the path to more sustainability. Our new flagship features 40 percent more Business and Premium Economy seats. To put it simply: The A350-1000 strengthens our premium hub in Munich.”

The delivery of the “Deutschland” in mid-November marks several milestones at once: The first Airbus A350-1000, with the registration D-AIFA, is the 700th aircraft that Airbus delivers to the Lufthansa Group and the seventh aircraft in the Lufthansa anniversary fleet, that features a special livery on the occasion of the company’s 100th anniversary.

In total, the Lufthansa Group has ordered 15 aircraft of this type, which will be delivered by 2030. The first ten A350-1000s will fly for Lufthansa and be based at the Munich hub.

With a length of 73.80 meters, the Airbus A350-1000 is seven meters longer than the Airbus A350-900 and seats 300 passengers in four travel classes: 3–4 seats (two single suites and one “Suite Plus”) in First Class, 49 seats (including 8 seats in suites) in Business Class, 35 seats in Premium Economy Class, and 212 seats in Economy Class.

The Airbus A350-1000 combines state-of-the-art aerodynamics with two highly efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and the use of lightweight materials. The aircraft consists of advanced materials, including over 50% composites, titanium, and modern aluminum alloys. Together, these technologies contribute to a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions compared to previous-generation aircraft. The aircraft also meets the strictest noise standards and is certified well below the latest ICAO Chapter 14 noise standards.

“TAP Air Portugal is a strong and profitable airline, our long-standing partner in Star Alliance and internationally successful as a leading carrier on South Atlantic routes. It is known for its outstanding employees and has a compelling business model. With today’s decision, the Portuguese government has paved the way for TAP Air Portugal to continue this success story together with Lufthansa Group. At the same time, this allows us to consistently pursue our internationalization strategy and sustainably strengthen our position in the South Atlantic market. Our company has enjoyed a close and trusted partnership with Portugal for many years. For decades, we have invested in the country, created and secured highly skilled jobs, and connected Portugal with Europe and the world. We look forward to a shared future with TAP Air Portugal and to continuing our constructive cooperation with the government in Lisbon!”

Lufthansa Group welcomes today’s announcement by the Portuguese government to initiate the process for the full privatization of TAP Air Portugal. Previous acquisitions have shown that a majority stake creates additional benefits for all parties involved.

Lufthansa Group has offered a purchase price of EUR 1.025 billion for the 44.9 percent stake. This amount could increase to up to EUR 1.2 billion for the acquisition of a 49.9 percent stake, due to up to 5 percent of shares initially offered to employees as well as a ticking fee.

Lufthansa Group has been active in Portugal for more than 70 years. The Group’s airlines currently offer 353 weekly flights to six destinations in Portugal, representing a 75 percent increase in capacity compared with 2019. More than 500 skilled professionals currently work for Lufthansa Group companies in Portugal. With the construction of the new Lufthansa Technik site in Santa Maria da Feira near Porto, where ground was broken in June, this number is expected to increase to more than 1,000 direct jobs by 2030.

Lufthansa Group is now working together with the Portuguese government and Parpública to finalize the transaction documents and expects to complete and sign the agreements for the acquisition of the stake shortly. Completion of the acquisition remains subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

This award was presented in Singapore and recognises leading companies across Asia’s travel and tourism industry. Winners were selected through votes from travel trade professionals across the region.

According to Gilles Burgat, General Manager, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei:

"Being named Best Airline (Europe) by Travel Weekly Asia is a tremendous honour and a testament to the trust our customers and travel partners place in Lufthansa. As we celebrate 100 years of Lufthansa, we are simultaneously looking ahead with the recent introduction of our Future Onboard Experience (FOX) and the new Allegris cabin, which will commence service to Singapore from October. Together, these investments represent our commitment to setting new standards in premium travel and delivering an even more personalized experience for our customers."

Lufthansa continues to strengthen its presence across Asia while investing substantially in its long-haul customer experience. Central to this is the ongoing introduction of Lufthansa Allegris, the airline’s new generation of travel products across First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class. The first Lufthansa Allegris flights to Southeast Asia arrive in both Singapore and the newly launched destination of Kuala Lumpur on October 26^th, 2026.

Lufthansa is also further developing its connectivity between Asia and its European hubs, providing customers with access to Lufthansa Group’s extensive network across Europe and beyond.

The Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards recognise outstanding organisations across the airline, hospitality, cruise, destination and travel services sectors. The 2026 awards included 46 categories and were determined by readers and travel industry professionals across Asia.

About Lufthansa Group

The Lufthansa Group is a global aviation group with operations worldwide. With more than 100,000 employees from 164 nations, the Group carried more than 135 million passengers and generated revenue of €39.6 billion in 2025. The Group’s largest business segment is Passenger Airlines, complemented by other key businesses including Logistics and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). Additional companies and Group functions, including IT and Lufthansa Aviation Training, form complementary components of the Group. All Lufthansa Group airlines and business segments hold leading positions in their respective markets.

Lufthansa Resumes Frankfurt–Nagoya Service

For the 2027 summer flight schedule, Lufthansa is resuming its Frankfurt–Nagoya route on a seasonal basis. The route is scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Starting March 29, 2027, outbound flight LH736 will depart Frankfurt at 2:10 p.m. and arrive in Nagoya the following day at 9:35 a.m. local time. The return flight, LH737, will depart Nagoya at 11:30 a.m. and arrives in the Rhine-Main metropolitan area at 6:30 p.m. local time.

Nagoya is one of Japan’s most important industrial and economic centers. Aichi Prefecture is the main center for the country’s automotive industry and other manufacturing companies. Rich in samurai history, Nagoya also offers direct access to key destinations in the region, such as the ancient imperial city of Kyoto. Via Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub, travelers from Nagoya can connect to numerous destinations in Europe and South America.

Daily service from Frankfurt to Tokyo-Narita

Starting March 28, 2027, Lufthansa will launch a daily flight LH710 from Frankfurt to Tokyo-Narita. The outbound flight departs Frankfurt at 1:45 p.m. and lands in Narita the following day at 9:30 a.m. local time. The return flight, LH711, departs Tokyo-Narita at 11:20 a.m. and lands in Frankfurt at 6:40 p.m. With this daily service to Narita, Lufthansa is expanding its offerings for business and leisure travelers in the Tokyo metropolitan area on a seasonal basis for Summer 2027. The airline also continues to fly daily from both Munich and Frankfurt to Tokyo-Haneda, the region’s second international airport.

Lufthansa will operate both routes with its Boeing 787-9 in the latest Allegris configuration - Lufthansa’s new premium cabin product - featuring 28 seats in Business Class, 28 seats in Premium Economy Class, and 231 seats in Economy Class.

“Japan is a key market for the Lufthansa Group, and we are pleased to further strengthen our presence with additional capacity and the resumption of flights to Nagoya. Together with our expanded Tokyo services, these investments provide our customers with more travel options and support the continued diversification of our intercontinental network. As the leading European airline group in Japan, we remain committed to connecting people, cultures and economies between Europe and Japan”, says Dieter Vranckx, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa Group.

More Connections with Lufthansa Group Airlines

SWISS is also expanding its service to Japan in the summer of 2027, with up to seven weekly flights from Zurich to Tokyo-Narita.

In total, the Lufthansa Group’s hub airlines - Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SWISS, and ITA Airways - will offer up to x50 weekly flights to four destinations in Japan in the summer of 2027: Tokyo-Haneda, Tokyo-Narita, Osaka, and Nagoya.

The Lufthansa Group airlines are further strengthening their market leading position amongst European airline groups in the Japanese market, as measured by number of weekly flights.

In addition, numerous additional booking options are available through the Lufthansa Group’s Joint Venture partner, ANA, providing more options and choice for passengers to Japan and beyond.

Flights are available for booking now.

Lufthansa Resumes Frankfurt–Nagoya Service

For the 2027 summer flight schedule, Lufthansa is resuming its Frankfurt–Nagoya route on a seasonal basis. The route is scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Starting March 29, 2027, outbound flight LH736 will depart Frankfurt at 2:10 p.m. and arrive in Nagoya the following day at 9:35 a.m. local time. The return flight, LH737, will depart Nagoya at 11:30 a.m. and arrives in the Rhine-Main metropolitan area at 6:30 p.m. local time.

Nagoya is one of Japan’s most important industrial and economic centers. Aichi Prefecture is the main center for the country’s automotive industry and other manufacturing companies. Rich in samurai history, Nagoya also offers direct access to key destinations in the region, such as the ancient imperial city of Kyoto. Via Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub, travelers from Nagoya can connect to numerous destinations in Europe and South America.

Daily service from Frankfurt to Tokyo-Narita

Starting March 28, 2027, Lufthansa will launch a daily flight LH710 from Frankfurt to Tokyo-Narita. The outbound flight departs Frankfurt at 1:45 p.m. and lands in Narita the following day at 9:30 a.m. local time. The return flight, LH711, departs Tokyo-Narita at 11:20 a.m. and lands in Frankfurt at 6:40 p.m. With this daily service to Narita, Lufthansa is expanding its offerings for business and leisure travelers in the Tokyo metropolitan area on a seasonal basis for Summer 2027. The airline also continues to fly daily from both Munich and Frankfurt to Tokyo-Haneda, the region’s second international airport.

Lufthansa will operate both routes with its Boeing 787-9 in the latest Allegris configuration - Lufthansa’s new premium cabin product - featuring 28 seats in Business Class, 28 seats in Premium Economy Class, and 231 seats in Economy Class.

“Japan is a key market for the Lufthansa Group, and we are pleased to further strengthen our presence with additional capacity and the resumption of flights to Nagoya. Together with our expanded Tokyo services, these investments provide our customers with more travel options and support the continued diversification of our intercontinental network. As the leading European airline group in Japan, we remain committed to connecting people, cultures and economies between Europe and Japan”, says Dieter Vranckx, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa Group.

More Connections with Lufthansa Group Airlines

SWISS is also expanding its service to Japan in the summer of 2027, with up to seven weekly flights from Zurich to Tokyo-Narita.

In total, the Lufthansa Group’s hub airlines - Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SWISS, and ITA Airways - will offer up to x50 weekly flights to four destinations in Japan in the summer of 2027: Tokyo-Haneda, Tokyo-Narita, Osaka, and Nagoya.

The Lufthansa Group airlines are further strengthening their market leading position amongst European airline groups in the Japanese market, as measured by number of weekly flights.

In addition, numerous additional booking options are available through the Lufthansa Group’s Joint Venture partner, ANA, providing more options and choice for passengers to Japan and beyond.

Flights are available for booking now.

Eurowings is expanding its route network from Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg, Hanover and Stuttgart in Winter 2026. New destinations and additional winter connections will link these airports with Northern and Southern Europe, the Canary Islands, Egypt and the Middle East.

Wide range of Middle East connections

Eurowings will offer an extensive Middle East network in winter 2026/27. Baghdad is brand new to the schedule, with two weekly direct flights planned from both Berlin and Düsseldorf from 10 December 2026. The new connections complement the existing services to Iraq and strengthen the range of routes in the region.

Dubai will be served daily from Berlin, four times a week from Stuttgart and three times a week from Cologne/Bonn – a total of 14 weekly flights. Eurowings will fly to Jeddah twice a week from both Berlin and Stuttgart and three times a week from Cologne/Bonn. Direct services to Erbil will be available from Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Hamburg, Hanover and Stuttgart. Tel Aviv will be served three times a week from Dusseldorf. Beirut will be connected with Stockholm, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hanover, Prague and Salzburg. Eurowings will also operate two weekly flights between Stuttgart and Amman, Jordan.

More comfort with the Premium BIZ Seat

From 1 December 2026, the Premium BIZ Seat will be available on all Eurowings flights to Dubai and selected connections to London Heathrow, Mallorca and Málaga. The new seating concept offers eight seats across the first two rows of the Airbus A320neo in a spacious 2x2 layout. Wider seats, more legroom, greater recline and adjustable leg rests create more personal space.

About Eurowings

Eurowings is the value airline of the Lufthansa Group and thus part of Europe's largest airline group. With its clear positioning as Europe's value carrier for leisure and business travellers, Eurowings clearly distinguishes itself from the ultra-low-cost carrier segment, allowing its customers to fly affordably and flexibly with numerous booking options and extras as well as customer-friendly services. With its value concept, the German airline is responding to the core needs of today's air travellers: even greater flexibility, comfort and ease. Eurowings offers direct flights to around 150 destinations within Europe. With 11 international bases – including Mallorca as Europe's number one vacation island – the Lufthansa subsidiary is one of the largest leisure airlines in Europe. It currently has a fleet of around 100 aircraft and employs 5,500 people.

The latest accolade continues a decade-long track record of being the world’s best for Star Alliance lounges across the global travel industry, reflecting the Alliance’s continued focus on elevating customer journeys and its commitment to making multi-airline travel more effortless.

The award was presented at a ceremony at The Langham Hotel in London, bringing together airline leaders and senior representatives from across the global aviation industry.

Celebrating the recognition, Star Alliance Vice President - Customer Experience Ambar Franco said: “We are incredibly proud to see our Paris Charles de Gaulle Lounge recognised as the World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge for a third consecutive year, and our Los Angeles lounge securing second place. This recognition reflects the continued commitment of our member airlines, teams, and partners to creating experiences that help journeys flow more effortlessly. We want every touchpoint to feel intuitive, welcoming and connected, helping bring greater harmony to the multi-airline experience.”

Located in Terminal 1 at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, the 1,300-square-metre Star Alliance lounge opened in October 2023. The lounge combines contemporary design with distinctive French touches, offering travellers a range of spaces to relax, work and dine before their flight. Among its signature features are a dedicated welcome bar, an immersive wine section inspired by France’s rich wine culture and views across the airport’s runway.

The Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport also ranked second in the World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge category, further recognising the strength of Star Alliance’s lounge experience across its network.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, said: “We are pleased to congratulate Star Alliance for winning the World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge award for their lounge at Terminal 1, Paris CDG Airport, and also for securing the second place for the Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport. These awards underline Star Alliance’s continued efforts to deliver a well - coordinated airport experience that appeals to today’s international customers.”

Accepting the award on behalf of Star Alliance, Virginie Auriol, Star Alliance France - Managing Director, said: “It is a great honour to accept this award on behalf of everyone who has helped make our Paris lounge exceptional. Since opening in 2023, the lounge has become an important part of the Star Alliance experience at Paris Charles de Gaulle, and seeing it recognised by travellers for a third consecutive year is incredibly rewarding.”

Known as the “Oscars of the aviation industry,” the Skytrax World Airline Awards are based on an independent international passenger survey and recognise excellence across the global aviation industry. The awards are determined by the votes of travellers from around the world and are widely regarded as a benchmark for airline and airport customer experience.

At present, 21 Star Alliance member airlines serve Paris: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, avianca, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, ITA Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. Together, they operate more than 800 weekly flights to over 30 destinations across more than 20 countries.

About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, Star Alliance was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Today, guided by a vision for a world effortlessly connected, Star Alliance enriches customer journeys and reinforces loyalty by creating tailored solutions that empower member airlines beyond their individual capabilities.

The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, ITA Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, United.

Star Alliance unites 26 of the world’s leading airlines, providing travellers with seamless access to over 1,150 airports across 190 countries - covering 90% of the world. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.

Star Alliance Press Office: +65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com

"For 20 years, our long-haul crews have swapped their uniforms for Bavarian traditional costume during Oktoberfest season: the first traditional costume crew departed on 1 September 2006 from Munich to New York. With the current, modern design, we are continuing the long-standing tradition of traditional costume flights from Munich. The details speak for themselves: this costume was created exclusively for Lufthansa's cabin crews and is truly one of a kind," says Heiko Reitz, Divisional Board Member of Lufthansa Airlines and Hub Manager Munich.

Premiere on Flights to Beijing, Bangalore and Singapore

The new traditional costume makes its airborne debut at the very start of the Wiesn on 19 September: from Munich, the traditional costume crew takes off on two international routes — to Bangalore, India (LH764) and to Beijing (LH722). One week later, on 27 September, LH768 brings the Wiesn atmosphere to Singapore.

Bavarian Delicacies On Board and in Lufthansa Lounges

The Oktoberfest spirit extends well beyond the three traditional costume flights:

From 1 to 30 September, Lufthansa is bringing Bavarian cuisine to the skies on selected intercontinental flights from Munich and Frankfurt. Across all travel classes, guests can look forward to a specially created menu. The selection ranges from traditional starters including white sausage terrine and pretzel tree, through hearty Oktoberfest classics such as Wiesn roast duck and fried chicken, to sweet highlights like apple strudel. Passengers on continental routes are also catered for: in Business Class, Lufthansa will serve an Oktoberfest menu from 17 September to 6 October.

All German Lufthansa Lounges will also be tapping the barrel right on time for the festival's opening — "O'zapft is". Alongside typical Bavarian beers, classic dishes and atmospheric décor create the perfect ambience.

The popular Lufthansa Wiesn amenity kits are also appearing in new designs for Oktoberfest 2026. Until the end of September, guests on all long-haul flights departing Germany in First, Business and Premium Economy Class will receive hygiene and travel items in modern felt pouches that double as stylish Oktoberfest accessories.

Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), has been appointed for a further three-year term through June 30, 2030. She has been a member of the Executive Board since 2024 and is responsible for Technology, IT, and Innovation. In 2030, Grazia Vittadini will reach the standard age limit for Executive Board members at Lufthansa Group.

Dr. Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has been reappointed for an additional term of five years, through September 14, 2032. He has been a member of the Executive Board since 2024 and is responsible for the Finance division. His areas of responsibility include Controlling and Risk Management, Corporate Finance, Accounting and Financial Statements, Taxes, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Investor Relations.

Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), has also been reappointed for a further five-year term through June 30, 2032. He has been a member of the Executive Board since 2024. As Chief Commercial Officer, Dieter Vranckx is responsible for, among other areas, the Group’s Commercial Customer Offering, the Customer Journey, as well as Sales and Marketing.

Delivery of the newly ordered Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft is scheduled to begin in the early 2030s. By exercising the first 20 options, Lufthansa Group further strengthens its long-term capacity planning. The new aircraft are intended to gradually replace older Airbus A320 family aircraft across the Group.

The Boeing 737 MAX 10 is the largest member of the Boeing 737 MAX family and offers additional comfort for Lufthansa Group customers. It provides greater seating capacity than the Boeing 737 MAX 8 already on order.

Compared to the older aircraft it is intended to replace, the Boeing 737 MAX 10 consumes around 30 percent less fuel. At the same time, its higher seating capacity reduces unit costs by approximately 20 percent. The new aircraft will therefore make an important contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions and further improving efficiency on European routes.

The order, with a list value of approximately USD 3.4 billion, forms part of Lufthansa Group’s ongoing fleet modernization program. By 2035, the airline group expects to take delivery of more than 250 new aircraft, continuing its investment in an efficient and sustainable fleet. 

For many Lufthansa passengers, the Munich hub serves as their first point of contact with Bavaria. The Stopover Program offers ideas on how to utilize a layover for a visit to Munich and the region. Currently, twelve partners are involved in the program, providing hotel accommodations, rental cars, sightseeing opportunities, and shopping options. Visitors can plan their time flexibly, with stays ranging from 24 hours to seven days. The Stopover Program can be booked via the Lufthansa website (www.lufthansa.com).

"Many passengers want to do more than just transfer at our hub; they want to discover Munich and Bavaria as an additional travel destination. With the Lufthansa Stopover Program, we offer the opportunity to enrich their air travel with an extra destination, allowing them to experience local culture, cuisine, and tourist attractions. In the long term, we plan to expand the program to include further markets and tourism partners, offering international travelers an even wider range of attractive options in Munich and Bavaria," says Heiko Reitz, Lufthansa Executive Board Member and Hub Manager Munich. "Bavaria is one of Germany’s most popular travel destinations. Through the stopover program, we are working with Lufthansa to create additional opportunities to attract international travelers to Munich and the region. Local tourism providers and other businesses stand to benefit from this. The project demonstrates how Munich Airport and Lufthansa can link international demand with what the region has to offer," says Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport.

About Lufthansa Group

The Lufthansa Group is a global aviation group with operations worldwide. With more than 100,000 employees from 164 nations, the Group carried more than 135 million passengers and generated revenue of €39.6 billion in 2025. The Group’s largest business segment is Passenger Airlines, complemented by other key businesses including Logistics and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). Additional companies and Group functions, including IT and Lufthansa Aviation Training, form complementary components of the Group. All Lufthansa Group airlines and business segments hold leading positions in their respective markets.

Onboard Delights: More Choices on Short- and Medium-Haul Flights

With Onboard Delights, Lufthansa offers a selection of fresh meals, snacks, and beverages for purchase in Economy Class on short- and medium-haul flights. Passengers can pre-order some of these food items before departure. The program was introduced in February 2023 and has been continuously expanded since then.

Starting 1 September, 2026, five hot meals will be added to the menu. They are available exclusively via pre-order and can be placed from four weeks to 24 hours before departure.

Five hot meals to choose from

The following hot meals are available on continental routes with a flight time of two hours or more:

·       Beef roulade with potato dumplings

·       Chicken teriyaki

·       Tortellini in tomato sauce with zucchini

·       “Die Echte” currywurst from Dönninghaus

·       Cheeseburger from “HANS IM GLÜCK”

The beef roulade, chicken teriyaki, and tortellini are served with a dessert, while the currywurst is served the classic way with a roll.

Olaf Mauthe, Head of Hospitality Catering Management at Lufthansa, says:

“With these hot meals, we’re expanding Onboard Delights to offer our passengers on longer continental flights an additional selection. Pre-ordering guarantees our guests that their desired meal will be waiting for them on board - for a relaxed and predictable journey.”

New Offering in Business Class as well

Lufthansa is also offering a new service to Business Class passengers on long-haul flights. Since August 2023, they have been able to pre-select their main course on flights departing from Frankfurt and Munich. Starting 1 September, 2026, this service will be expanded to most long-haul flights returning to Germany. Passengers will benefit from a wider selection: Starting four weeks up to 24 hours before departure, they can now choose from six main courses instead of the previous three.

The leading provider Starlink is collaborating with the Lufthansa Group to equip a total of 850 aircraft across all of its airlines. The system is supported by low-earth satellite technology and enables watching video content, cloud-based work, and other high-speed applications during the flight. This makes Lufthansa Group the largest airline group in Europe to equip its fleet with this modern high-speed internet product. With its ambitious project timeline, the Lufthansa Group is moving quickly to bring the new technology to guests.

The project is part of the Lufthansa Group’s extensive investments in new aircraft as well as product and service innovations across the entire travel chain. The group-wide rollout of the new high-speed internet service is intended to provide all passengers with a consistently high-quality online experience on board.

“I am excited to announce the launch of the new Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi on board our Group aircraft. With it, we’re making high-speed internet an integral part of the travel experience - across all travel classes and on all Lufthansa Group airlines: That is how we understand premium. By 2029, all of the Group’s approximately 850 aircraft will be equipped with the technology. Our product promise doesn't end with the seats or the menu - today, connectivity is also an integral part of a truly outstanding onboard experience”, said Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group.

In addition to Lufthansa, the other Group airlines SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa City Airlines, and Eurowings are currently preparing to roll out the new technology.

The new Wi-Fi that is being installed will allow guests to browse the web and includes terms of use that apply to all passengers. These were developed based on passenger surveys and thus reflect the wishes of the majority of Lufthansa Group customers. Among other things, passengers are required to always wear headphones when playing audio and video content, to refrain from making voice and video calls, and not to broadcast live streams from aboard the aircraft. The Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi is sponsored by Mastercard, which has already been a partner of the previous FlyNet.

The new internet service will be free of charge for all Miles & More customers and Travel ID users – across all travel classes.

Lufthansa’s inaugural flight featuring the new Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi powered by Starlink will take place on August 19.

“Today, we reflect on a challenging second quarter that was once again marked by multiple geopolitical crises and uncertainties. Despite our further improvement in load factor and a significant increase in yield, we were unable to fully offset the considerable rise in fuel costs. The continued strong global demand for air travel—primarily in the premium classes—had a particularly positive impact. Our numerous investments in premium products such as Allegris, Swiss Senses, and the FOX service upgrade are beginning to pay off. At the core Lufthansa brand, all three elements of the turnaround program are now taking effect: fleet and product renewal is making visible progress, capacity at the highly efficient Discover Airlines and Lufthansa City Airlines is being continuously expanded, and competitiveness is being enhanced through numerous productivity and efficiency measures. At the same time, the positive trend in the cargo business continues. Lufthansa Cargo significantly increased its operating profit, achieving a margin of over 11 percent in the second quarter. Lufthansa Technik also delivered a solid second quarter and increased its revenue by 11 percent. Especially in a volatile environment, it is apparent that our business model is robust, adaptable, and increasingly resilient.”

Second-quarter 2026 result shaped by high kerosene prices

The Lufthansa Group increased its revenue in the second quarter of 2026 by eight percent year on year to 11.1 billion euros (prior year: 10.3 billion euros). The company recorded an operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) of 383 million euros, a significant decline compared to last year (prior year: 870 million euros). The primary drivers of the earnings decline were fuel costs that were approximately 750 million euros above the prior-year level, as well as financial burdens of at least 150 million euros caused by strikes. Offsetting these were improved yields, which were more than 13 percent above the prior-year level on Asian routes.

The Adjusted EBIT margin contracted to 3.4 percent (prior year: 8.4 percent). Group net income also declined to 123 million euros (prior year: 1.0 billion euros), mainly due to a lower operating result, valuation effects, and one-off tax effects in the prior year. Adjusted free cash flow fell to -365 million euros (prior year: 138 million euros).

Network airlines partially offset costs through strong demand

The Group's network airlines offered 3 percent less capacity in the second quarter than in the comparable prior-year quarter, with the decline attributable primarily to six strike days in April as well as the group-wide optimization of short-haul operations, including the removal of CityLine's flight operations from the schedule. The load factor of the group network carriers edged up slightly to 81.6 percent and unit revenues rose sharply by 6.4 percent year on year. Both figures underscore robust demand. This demand strength was driven in particular by the premium segment and by Asian routes.

Due to the sharp rise in kerosene prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East, fuel costs at the network airlines rose by more than 600 million euros year on year. Unit costs excluding fuel and emissions expenses increased by 3.1 percent year on year mainly as a result of the lower capacity. The key cost drivers were higher personnel expenses and depreciation. Taking last year's capacity into account, unit costs rose by only about one percent, which demonstrates the consistent cost discipline in the core business.

Overall, the network airlines generated an Adjusted EBIT of 137 million euros, 490 million euros less than in the prior year. This figure also includes an equity result that was 108 million euros lower than in the prior year, attributable mainly to negative currency driven valuation effect of lease liabilities at ITA Airways.

Point-to-point airlines record strong intra-European demand

Eurowings reduced its capacity by six percent compared to the second quarter of the prior year. Unit revenues rose by 9.4 percent, driven primarily by a strong European business. Against the backdrop of the crisis in the Middle East, Eurowings has temporarily suspended flights to the Gulf region — which had previously seen strong growth — and is instead operating additional routes to the Mediterranean region.

Unit costs excluding fuel and emissions expenses rose by 10.9 percent, driven in particular by the reduced capacity as well as higher expenditure on aircraft maintenance and increased charges for fees, catering and personnel in preparation for the introduction of the Boeing 737-8 MAX into the fleet.

The equity result from the SunExpress joint venture was 29 million euros below the prior-year level, due primarily to a challenging demand environment on routes to Turkey.

Overall, Adjusted EBIT in the point-to-point airlines segment fell by 101 million euros in the second quarter of 2026 to -37 million euros. Here too, the primary driver was the sharp rise in fuel prices, which caused a cost increase of 71 million euros year on year.

Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cargo post earnings increases

Demand for Lufthansa Technik's maintenance, repair and overhaul services remains consistently high. Revenue rose by 11 percent year on year to 2.2 billion euros (prior year: 2.0 billion euros), with revenue from external customers even increasing by 23 percent. Operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) of 157 million euros slightly exceeded the prior-year level (prior year: 149 million euros).

Lufthansa Cargo was able to expand its capacity in the second quarter by two percent year on year. This was attributable in particular to increased cargo space capacities, including the marketing of ITA Airways' belly capacity.

Against the backdrop of the crisis in the Middle East, demand in the air freight business remained persistently high. Consequently, yields rose considerably by 27 percent year on year. Unit costs were higher than the previous year, though this was due to passed-on kerosene costs. Overall, Lufthansa Cargo generated a markedly improved Adjusted EBIT of 116 million euros (prior year: 73 million euros).

The Lufthansa Group's balance sheet remains consistently stable

Operating cash flow fell by approximately 600 million euros in the first half to around 2.3 billion euros. The change is primarily driven by a lower operating result as well as lower advance ticket payments as of end of June, owing to shorter booking cycles compared to the prior year. Net investments of 1.0 billion euros (prior year: 1.6 billion euros) were attributable mainly to final payments for eight aircraft deliveries as well as advance payments for future fleet additions. Adjusted free cash flow in the first half of 2026 stood at 1.0 billion euros, roughly in line with the prior-year level.

The Group also maintained a stable balance sheet in the second quarter of 2026. As of 30 June 2026, net financial debt including net pension obligations stood at 8.3 billion euros, in line with the level at year-end 2025. As of end of June 2026, total liquidity available to the company amounted to 10.7 billion euros, likewise matching the figure at year-end 2025.

Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG:

“The second quarter was characterized by exceptionally high fuel costs and heightened geopolitical uncertainty. Nevertheless, thanks to robust demand, rising yields and the strong performance of Lufthansa Cargo, we were able to achieve a positive result. At the same time, our balance sheet remains consistently strong at 10.7 billion euros in liquidity. Even though uncertainties for the second half of the year remain high, we are confident that the consistent execution of our strategy, cost discipline, network optimizations and persistently high demand will offset a significant portion of the cost increases. However, the growing volatility of fuel prices in recent times, as well as the considerably shorter booking cycles in the passenger airline business, are making forecasting increasingly difficult. For this reason, we are now projecting a full-year earnings range of 1.7 to 2.2 billion euros in Adjusted EBIT — the upper end of this range therefore continues to represent a result significantly above the prior year.”

Outlook: Range added due to high kerosene price volatility

The Lufthansa Group now expects an Adjusted EBIT of between 1.7 and 2.2 billion euros for fiscal year 2026. The upper end of the range continues to represent a result significantly above the prior year and thus remains in line with the previous earnings ambition. The range reflects the heightened uncertainty stemming from high kerosene price volatility and shortened booking cycles in the passenger business. Key influencing factors for the further earnings development include the trajectory of fuel costs, unit revenues, the operational stability of flight operations and the air freight business. The Lufthansa Group now expects full-year capacity to be in line with the prior-year level. The forecast for Adjusted free cash flow of approximately 0.9 billion euros remains unchanged.

Further information

Further information on the results of individual business segments will be published in the report for the second quarter of 2026. This will be published simultaneously with this press release on 4 August 2026 at 7:00 a.m. CEST at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/investor-relations.html.

Traffic figures for the second quarter of 2026 will also be published at 7:00 a.m. CEST at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/financial-reports-publications/traffic-figures.html

Edelweiss
Edi Wolfensberger will become the new CEO of the Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss as of 1 October 2026. He will succeed Bernd Bauer, who is leaving the Lufthansa Group. Edi Wolfensberger has served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Eurowings to date. The Swiss national began his career in the aviation industry in 2008 at Swiss International Air Lines. In the years that followed, he held numerous leadership positions at various Group companies. For example, he served as Managing Director of Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland and as COO and Accountable Manager of Belgian airline Brussels Airlines.

Eurowings
Matthias Spohr will succeed Edi Wolfensberger as COO of Eurowings as of 1 October 2026. He has headed Lufthansa Aviation Training since 2021. He has held various management positions within the Lufthansa Group since 2013. Among other roles, he served as Head of Fleet at Germanwings and subsequently headed flight operations at Eurowings. Matthias Spohr holds an instructor licence for the Airbus A320 family. In addition to his management responsibilities, he currently flies as a captain for Lufthansa Airlines. A decision on the appointment of a successor at Lufthansa Aviation Training will be made as soon as possible.

Lufthansa City Airlines
Michael Kircher will become the new CEO and Accountable Manager of Lufthansa City Airlines as of 1 November 2026. In addition, he will assume the role of Co-Managing Director of Lufthansa Aviation GmbH. He will succeed Peter Albers, who—as planned for some time—will focus entirely on his role as a captain with Lufthansa Airlines. Michael Kircher joins Lufthansa City Airlines from Austrian Airlines, where he currently serves as Nominated Person Crew Training and Head of Training, as well as a captain on the Airbus A320 family. He also temporarily assumed the role of Accountable Manager at Austrian Airlines on an interim basis.

Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss, will leave the Lufthansa Group as of 1 October 2026. He began his aviation career in 1994 at Crossair and held various leadership positions at SWISS from 2002 onwards before becoming CEO of Edelweiss in 2014. From 2022 to 2025, he also served as CEO of Lufthansa’s leisure airline Discover Airlines, successfully positioning the young airline in the German private travel and tourism market.

Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, says:
“Throughout his exceptional career within the Lufthansa Group, Bernd Bauer has played a decisive role in advancing the Group’s leisure airline business and has thereby made a significant contribution to the success of the Group as a whole. He successfully steered Discover Airlines through a challenging period and developed Edelweiss into a flagship airline within the Lufthansa Group—always demonstrating entrepreneurial vision and courage, passion, a strong team spirit and outstanding leadership qualities. Through his excellent management, Bernd Bauer laid the foundations for sustainable—and therefore successful—growth at both airlines.”

Peter Albers has served as CEO of Lufthansa City Airlines since October 2024, leading the youngest airline in the Lufthansa Group. He also serves as Co-Managing Director of Lufthansa Aviation GmbH. Previously, he held numerous leadership roles within the Lufthansa Group. Among other positions, he served as Accountable Manager for Lufthansa Cargo’s transport management.

Heiko Reitz, Member of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Airlines, says:
“Peter Albers assumed responsibility during a challenging period and, together with his team, successfully developed Lufthansa City Airlines following its establishment. From its foundation and the start of operations to the present day, he has shaped Lufthansa Aviation. With determination, creativity and a clear objective, he laid the foundations for strong and sustainable growth at City Airlines in the future. I look forward to working with Michael Kircher, who has achieved a great deal at Austrian Airlines and will use his experience and expertise to successfully develop Lufthansa City Airlines further.”

Carsten Spohr, CEO of the Lufthansa Group, says: “The Lufthansa Group stands for a long-standing, trusted, and strategic partnership with Portugal. For decades, we have been investing in Portugal, creating and securing skilled jobs, and connecting the country with Europe. Our interest in taking a stake in our Star Alliance partner TAP Air Portugal is the next logical step. We want to strengthen Portugal’s national airline as part of the Lufthansa Group and as the leading airline for the South Atlantic, with Lisbon as a strategic hub. With SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways, we have demonstrated how the European integration of our Lufthansa Group secures prospects and growth for our home markets and hubs.”

The Lufthansa Group has been active in Portugal for more than 70 years. Currently, the Group’s airlines offer 353 weekly flights to and from Portugal. The company employs over 500 skilled professionals in the country. With the construction of a new Lufthansa Technik facility for the repair of engine parts and aircraft components in Santa Maria da Feira near Porto, this number is expected to rise to over 1,000 by 2030. The Lufthansa Group’s offer to Portugal therefore goes beyond a financial investment. It combines seven decades of industrial presence with rising employment figures and growing investments, complemented by social engagement. Not least, the recent establishment of help alliance Portugal, the aid organization’s first European location outside Germany, demonstrates Portugal’s great importance to the Lufthansa Group. In this way, the Lufthansa Group is presenting an offer that combines strategic, industrial, social, and financial aspects.

The Lufthansa Group has already successfully developed national airlines such as SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and most recently ITA Airways, while preserving their national identities. As the largest airline group outside the U.S., the Group offers the necessary scale, experience, and financial stability to create sustainable value and strengthen TAP Air Portugal’s role as the country’s ambassador around the world.

The partnership would strengthen Lisbon’s position as a strategically important Atlantic hub within the Lufthansa Group’s network. Connectivity between Europe and other regions, such as Latin America, Africa, and North America, could be expanded.

Alongside leading the Belgian airline, Lorenza Maggio will assume the role of “Executive Board Representative to the European Commission.” Her predecessor, Dorothea von Boxberg, is leaving the company at her own request with effect from 31 August 2026. The date for Lorenza Maggio’s transition from Rome to Brussels will be determined shortly. 

Dieter Vranckx, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SN Airholding and Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, says: “Lorenza Maggio is a highly accomplished and internationally experienced airline executive. She knows the industry and our group from various leadership positions at different companies. With her proven expertise, she will lead Brussels Airlines as an integrated hub airline within the Lufthansa Group. I am particularly pleased that we were able to appoint a successor from within our own ranks, following Dorothea von Boxberg, whom I wish to thank sincerely for her many years of successful service to the Lufthansa Group.” 

Lorenza Maggio (48), an Italian national, has been a member of the Board of Directors of ITA Airways since January 2025. In her role as Chief Strategy and Integration Officer, she is responsible for the integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group as well as shaping the airline’s strategic development. Previously, Lorenza Maggio served as Vice President Sales, overseeing sales for the Lufthansa Group’s network airlines in Europe (excluding home markets), the Middle East, and Africa. 

Prior to this, Lorenza Maggio was responsible for brand and customer strategy at Eurowings, and before that, she served as Managing Director of a subsidiary of the LSG Group.

The Airbus A350-1000 is scheduled to be transferred from Toulouse to Munich this fall. Until then, several test flights, further work on the aircraft’s interior, and the final acceptance inspection are still pending. The A350-1000 will bear the registration number D-AIFA and the name “Deutschland.” An official naming ceremony is scheduled to take place at a later date. What makes this first A350-1000 special is that it will be the 700th aircraft that Airbus has delivered to the Lufthansa Group.

With a length of 73.80 meters, the Airbus A350-1000 is exactly seven meters longer than its smaller brother, the Airbus A350-900. This long-haul aircraft can accommodate a total of 300 passengers across four travel classes: First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. Fifteen aircraft of this type have been ordered and will be delivered by 2030.

The new A350-1000 is the seventh aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet to feature a special livery commemorating the airline’s 100th anniversary. Already in service on long-haul routes are an Airbus A350-900, an Airbus A380, a Boeing 787-9, and a Boeing 747-8, as well as two short- and medium-haul Airbus A320neo aircraft featuring this special design. The special livery is attracting a great deal of attention and enthusiasm from passengers and plane spotters worldwide.

The Portuguese Prime Minister said: “We are here for the benefit of the country, promoting a development strategy alongside our partners, Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Group. We are the primary stakeholders in ensuring the longevity of this partnership. I am confident that we will reinforce our political, economic, and working relationship with Germany.”

The new facility of Lufthansa Technik Portugal, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik, is dedicated to the repair of engine parts and aircraft components. As part of the Lufthansa Group, Lufthansa Technik is the world’s leading provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. With its three-digit million-euro investment in Portugal, the company will further expand its capabilities and strengthen its global network. Start of operations is expected in 2028.

Carsten Spohr, CEO Lufthansa Group, stated: “Today’s groundbreaking in Santa Maria da Feira is a visible and powerful symbol of what the Lufthansa Group stands for in Portugal: a reliable, long-term industrial partner. For more than 70 years, we have been present in this country. With this investment by Lufthansa Technik, we are creating 700 highly skilled jobs and positioning Portugal as a cornerstone of European aviation maintenance. Portugal has become one of the most strategically important locations for our Group beyond our home markets, and this facility reflects the confidence we place in Portuguese talent, capabilities, and ambition. This depth of commitment across industry and innovation also underpins our strong interest in TAP Air Portugal as a natural extension of the partnership with Portugal we have been building for decades – with the country serving as Europe’s gateway to South America, Africa and the Portuguese-speaking world.”

The groundbreaking marks a visible milestone for the Lufthansa Group in Portugal within a broader industrial vision. This investment extends well beyond a single facility, spanning maintenance excellence, a new TravelTech and AI Hub in Northern Portugal and a new Portuguese entity of help alliance, the aid organization of the Lufthansa Group, Associação help alliance Portugal. It is the first time a help alliance organization has been founded outside of Germany in Europe, underscoring the social commitment of the Lufthansa Group in the home market. The Group’s engagement in Portugal reflects a multi-dimensional approach: today, seven Lufthansa Group airline brands (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, Eurowings and Discover Airlines) operate 353 weekly flights to the Portuguese destinations Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira and the Azores. With more than 500 employees already working across the Lufthansa Group’s entities in Portugal, and a combined ambition to create in total more than 1,000 direct jobs across various businesses in the years ahead, the Lufthansa Group is establishing one of its most significant employment platforms outside its home markets.

Harald Gloy, Chief Operations Officer of Lufthansa Technik, commented at the event: “Lufthansa Technik has big plans and strong ambitions, and Portugal will be a key pillar of our continued growth and long-term success. With this new facility in Santa Maria da Feira, we will put a key part of our strategy into action and build a site that will play an important role in the aviation industry. Establishing Lufthansa Technik Portugal here was only possible due to the close and trusted partnership we have built with Portuguese policymakers. Therefore, I would like to sincerely thank the Government, the trade and investment agency AICEP and the City of Santa Maria da Feira for their strong support and shared commitment. Today’s groundbreaking marks the start of an exciting chapter and clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when the right partners work closely together with a common purpose.”

During the event, Lufthansa Technik Portugal and AICEP (Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal) also signed their final agreement on investment incentives for economic development – further underscoring AICEP’s strong support, which has been instrumental in making the construction of the new facility possible.

Madalena Oliveira e Silva, Chairwoman and CEO of AICEP, said: “The investment contract being signed today represents one of the most significant aerospace projects ever supported by AICEP. By creating 700 highly qualified jobs and bringing cutting-edge capabilities to Portugal, this investment will reinforce the country’s position as a leading aviation and MRO hub in Europe. We are proud to have been side by side with Lufthansa Technik throughout this process and look forward to supporting the company’s continued growth and success in Portugal. The groundbreaking ceremony of Lufthansa Technik’s new facility in Santa Maria da Feira marks an important milestone for Portugal’s aerospace industry and a strong vote of confidence in the country.”

Also Amadeu Albergaria, the Mayor of Santa Maria da Feira, has closely supported the project since its inception in 2024 and stated in his speech: “The groundbreaking ceremony of Lufthansa Technik is a milestone in the recent history of Santa Maria da Feira and a source of particular pride for me, both as a citizen and as Mayor of Santa Maria da Feira. This structural investment opens a new chapter for our region, bringing more industry, more skilled jobs, more development, and greater international recognition.”

Torsten Raabe, Managing Director of Lufthansa Technik Portugal, added: “Standing here today to celebrate the groundbreaking of Lufthansa Technik Portugal is deeply meaningful to me personally, and it is a tribute to the entire team that has worked so hard to bring us to this point and lay the foundation for what lies ahead. It is great to see what we have already achieved together and how we will keep building on it in the years to come. We will create something truly significant for Lufthansa Technik Portugal and for everyone who joins us on this journey.”

Caption: (from left to right) Torsten Raabe (Managing Director of Lufthansa Technik Portugal), Madalena Oliveira e Silva (Chairwoman and CEO of AICEP), Harald Gloy (Chief Operations Officer of  Lufthansa Technik), Luís Montenegro ( Prime Minister of Portugal), Carsten Spohr (CEO Lufthansa Group), Manuel Castro Almeida (Minister of Economy), Amadeu Albergaria (Mayor of Santa Maria da Feira) und Daniela Schlegel (German Ambassador).

Since joining Star Alliance in 2003, Asiana Airlines has played a valued role in delivering seamless customer experiences across the network. On behalf of all member airlines, Star Alliance thanks Asiana Airlines and its employees for contributing to the exceptional customer experience that the Alliance is known for worldwide.

Star Alliance and Asiana Airlines will work closely together to ensure a seamless and coordinated experience for customers in the lead-up to the airline’s departure from the Alliance. Customers enrolled in any Star Alliance member airlines’ frequent flyer program may continue to earn miles on Asiana Airlines-operated flights departing on or before October 15, 2026. Customers may also continue to redeem miles for Star Alliance award tickets and upgrades on Asiana Airlines for travel completed on or before December 16, 2026, subject to the redemption policies and timelines of their respective frequent flyer programme. Customers are encouraged to consult their respective frequent flyer programme for details. Additionally, Star Alliance Gold and Silver status customers may continue to enjoy alliance status benefits, including priority services, when travelling on Asiana Airlines until December 16, 2026. Star Alliance Gold customers may also continue to enjoy lounge access, including at eligible Asiana Airlines lounges when travelling on the Star Alliance network.

Following Asiana Airlines’ departure from Star Alliance, 14 Star Alliance member airlines will continue to operate to and from Incheon International Airport, including Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, EVA Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, SWISS, Singapore Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, and United. Today, these member airlines operate more than 1,900 direct flights each month from Incheon International Airport to 29 destinations worldwide.

Effective December 17, 2026, Star Alliance will comprise 25 member airlines, continuing to make multi-airline global journeys effortless for customers.

Lufthansa Group has prepared early for this transition to ensure continuity for customers, including the reprotection of existing tickets from September 2026 on Korean Air.

In parallel, Lufthansa Group is adapting its market approach in Korea. Given that the vast majority of our passengers travel to Seoul as their final destination, the focus is on maintaining a strong and attractive offering through a combination of air and ground connectivity, including continued lounge access at Incheon Airport and enhanced domestic connections within Korea. This has led to a deepening of our partnership with Jeju Air, as well as building up an intermodal partnership with South Korean national railways, Korail.

About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, Star Alliance was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Today, guided by a vision for a world effortlessly connected, Star Alliance enriches customer journeys and reinforces loyalty by creating tailored solutions that empower member airlines beyond their individual capabilities.

The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, ITA Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, United.

Star Alliance unites 26 of the world’s leading airlines, providing travellers with seamless access to over 1,150 airports across 190 countries - covering 90% of the world. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.

Star Alliance Press Office:

+65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com

The Lufthansa A320neo, registered D-AING, is part of the anniversary fleet commemorating the founding of the first Lufthansa 100 years ago. The aircraft, featuring the iconic Lufthansa crane in XXL format on a blue fuselage, represents more than a century of aviation history and the continuous modernization of the Lufthansa Group fleet.

At ILA 2026, the Lufthansa Group will place a particular focus on Lufthansa Technik Defense. Since 2023, Lufthansa Technik has brought together its defense activities for the German Armed Forces and its NATO partners under this brand. The company is involved in various military modernization and procurement programs, including the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, the PEGASUS signals intelligence system, and the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift transport helicopter. In addition, Lufthansa Technik Defense, together with Lockheed Martin, Rheinmetall, and ESG, provides technical support for Germany’s future F-35 fleet.

At its 144-square-meter exhibition stand, Lufthansa Technik Defense will showcase these programs as well as additional capabilities in the maintenance, repair, overhaul, and modification of military aircraft.

Visit us at ILA Berlin 2026: The Lufthansa A320neo can be seen at the Airbus Static Display (S4). The Lufthansa Technik Defense stand is located in Hall D, Stand 395.

The Italian airline’s entry into the largest Joint Venture between Europe and Japan will enable deeper cooperation in many key areas. It will include the European network of ITA Airways, including Italy domestic and the Maghreb as well as its long-haul route between Rome Fiumicino and Tokyo-Haneda. This complements the existing scope of the Joint Venture in Italy with the current ANA connection from Tokyo-Haneda to Milan-Malpensa.

The focus is on ITA Airways’ hub, Rome-Fiumicino Airport. From there, Italy’s flagship carrier offers a daily nonstop flight to Tokyo-Haneda. Both airports have been awarded the highest possible rating of five stars by Skytrax. Starting this autumn, this intercontinental flight can be booked by customers of ANA, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and SWISS and can be flexibly combined with their own flights. Additionally, the provision of a joint offer will roll out sequentially from autumn 2026 onwards. The customers will be informed once this possibility is offered.

Since the Joint Venture also includes feeder flights operated by ITA Airways to Rome, travelers to or from Japan now have additional connecting options. Especially for destinations in Southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, and North Africa, the flight times to and from Japan via the southern hub in Rome will be shorter. Beyond Tokyo-Haneda, ANA offers ITA Airways passengers numerous onward connections with its domestic network in Japan. All passengers can also use the respective lounges in Rome and Tokyo. Tickets as well as the loyalty programs of both airlines are mutually recognized.

The Europe Japan Joint Venture was founded in 2012 by Lufthansa and ANA. In the following years, SWISS and Austrian Airlines also joined. Since then, this joint project has enabled deeper cooperation and coordinated product planning. The necessary antitrust approval (antitrust immunity) was granted by Japanese authorities several weeks ago. As part of this Joint Venture, the participating airlines can, for example, coordinate their flight schedules to better distribute departure times throughout the day. Customers of all five participating airlines will find a coordinated and comparable range of services and products on their flights between Japan and Europe. With the ability to combine all long-haul flights with full flexibility, including regional feeder flights at both Tokyo-Haneda and five Lufthansa Group hubs, passengers have significantly more travel and connection options. Between Europe and Japan alone, this Joint Venture now offers a choice of 160 weekly long-haul flights.

Juichi Hirasawa, President and CEO of All Nippon Airways, said: “As we approach the 15th anniversary of our Joint Venture next year, our long-standing partnership with Lufthansa Group has allowed us to offer our passengers a seamless and high-quality travel experience between Japan and Europe. With ITA Airways joining us to open up the gateway to Rome, we look forward to offering travelers exceptional service and even more convenient access to Italy, Southern Europe, the Mediterranean and beyond.”

Joerg Eberhart, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of ITA Airways, said: “We are very proud to join the Europe Japan Joint Venture between ANA and Lufthansa Group. This agreement represents a key milestone in the international development of ITA Airways and further strengthens the airline’s connectivity to the Asia-Pacific region, an area of major strategic importance. We thank our partners Lufthansa Group and ANA for this important opportunity, which will allow us to offer our customers more travel options, more efficient connections, and an increasingly integrated travel experience.”

Note to the Editor: Photo taken at yesterday’s signing ceremony at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro (from left to right): Juichi Hirasawa (CEO and President of All Nippon Airways), Carsten Spohr (CEO of the Lufthansa Group) and Joerg Eberhart (CEO of ITA Airways)

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Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines: “We are delighted to fly the German men’s national soccer team to the U.S. Soccer and we share the common goal of connecting and bringing people together worldwide. We are proud of this long-standing partnership. On behalf of all Lufthansa employees worldwide, I wish the team a successful tournament and hope the cheering fans experience many exciting, unforgettable, and ultimately joyful moments.”

To ensure the DFB team starts the tournament under optimal conditions, the squad is traveling in the multi-award-winning Lufthansa Allegris premium cabin concept aboard an Airbus A350-900, one of the most modern aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet.

On board, the players and the coaching and support staff were welcomed by the 14-member crew led by Captain Freddy Niedner, Senior First Officer Corvin Jacobs, and First Officer Johanna Thoma, as were numerous passengers, some of whom only learned about the special flight when they boarded. As a welcome gift and to get everyone in the mood for the World Cup, all guests received an exclusive jersey designed in partnership with the DFB and Adidas.

The flight had another surprise in store for the DFB team and the passengers—to be seen starting June 3 on the Lufthansa Instagram channel.

Note to editors: You can download video footage free of charge here: https://f.io/Qyls6pbf

Mr. Vranckx, most European airlines are confident that there will be no jet fuel shortage this summer. Customers can book flights with confidence, they say. Do you share that view?
Yes, that applies to us as well. At all six European hubs of the Lufthansa Group — Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome — as well as abroad, there are no signs from our suppliers that fuel supply will be at risk this summer.

Isn't that a little optimistic?
Just under a quarter of jet fuel shipments destined for Europe needs to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. To compensate for any shortfalls in those deliveries, imports are now increasingly reaching us from other continents — for example from North America and Africa. In addition, European refineries have ramped up their jet fuel production to maximum capacity.

So everyone can safely book their summer holiday?
Absolutely – fuel supply is stable so summer’s good to go. We offer our customers a unique route network across Europe and the entire world, covering more than 300 destinations in over 100 countries. Whether it's a city break or a beach holiday, a short-haul or long-haul flight, whether Seville or Los Angeles — we have the right destination and the ideal flight connection for every customer.

But what if the crisis in the Middle East were to cause further flight cancellations after all?
As I said: we do not anticipate that. Should fuel shortages occur contrary to expectations, and flights be cancelled as a result, the customer has a choice: either they are rebooked, or they receive a full refund of the ticket price as a 'money-back' guarantee — it's that simple. These cancellation and rebooking rules apply without restriction to all airlines in the Group.

“Our airlines are ready for summer, our network is strong — our customers can rely on us.”

Dieter Vranckx

So the message to all customers is: book your travels with confidence?
Yes — and I want to emphasize once more: should a flight be cancelled, the full ticket price will be refunded promptly upon the customer's request. We are not alone, incidentally, in our assessment that customers can look forward to a comprehensive flight offering this summer: our partner airlines are also planning to operate with a near-complete flight schedule during this year's peak season. Precisely because demand for air travel around the globe remains consistently strong. People want to fly, to discover new countries and cultures, to visit family and friends, to meet business partners, or simply to enjoy their well-deserved holiday. I say this with full conviction: our airlines are ready for summer, our network is strong — our customers can rely on us.

The new service will operate five times weekly beginning in October 2026, offering customers seamless access between southern India and SWISS’s global hub in Zurich, with onward connections across Europe and North America through the Lufthansa Group network.

Bengaluru becomes SWISS’s latest destination in India and reflects the airline’s continued focus on expanding its presence in strategically important growth markets.  The new route is designed to meet strong demand from business travellers, the technology sector, premium leisure customers, and the growing Indian diaspora across Europe and beyond.

According to Kevin Markette, Lufthansa Group Senior Director – Regional Sales South Asia:

“India remains a strategically important market for the Lufthansa Group, and we are delighted to welcome Swiss International Air Lines to Bengaluru – one of the world’s leading technology and innovation hubs. As our third Lufthansa Group gateway from the city, alongside Frankfurt and Munich, this new SWISS service significantly enhances connectivity for travellers from southern India. Customers can now enjoy a truly premium Swiss travel experience – including First Class on every flight – combined with seamless access to Europe and North America via our Zurich hub.”

Customers travelling on this new route will enjoy SWISS’s award-winning onboard service across First, Business and Economy Class, including premium lounges, high-quality Swiss cuisine, and effortless onward connections through Zurich Airport.

As highlighted by Girish Nair, Chief Operating Officer of Bangalore International Airport Limited, “The introduction of SWISS’ direct BLR–ZRH service is a strong validation of the market maturity and long-term potential that Bengaluru continues to demonstrate. This non-stop link meets surging corporate and leisure demand, connecting India’s Silicon Valley with a premier global financial capital. Supported by BLR Airport’s domestic network spanning 78 destinations, the new service will also enable efficient single-ticket transfers for passengers across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India.”

SWISS’ new Bengaluru service reinforces the broader commitment of the Lufthansa Group to the Indian market, where the Group continues to expand connectivity and customer choice through its portfolio of airlines, offering 70+ weekly flights in the Winter 2026 schedule.

Tickets for the new Zurich–Bengaluru route are available for sale beginning today through swiss.com and via travel agency partners.

About Lufthansa Group

The Lufthansa Group is an aviation group with operations worldwide. With 100,000+ employees from 164 nations worldwide, Lufthansa Group carried more than 135 million passengers and generated revenue of €39.6bn in 2025. Our largest business segment is Passenger Airlines while other key business segments include Logistics and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). Other companies and Group functions such as IT companies and Lufthansa Aviation Training form complementary components of the Group. All airlines and business segments play leading roles in their respective markets.

By a large majority, they thereby granted discharge to the members of the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board for the fiscal year 2025.

The agenda items for the Annual General Meeting included, among other things, the appropriation of retained earnings, which provides for the distribution of a dividend of 0.33 euros per share, as well as the election of members of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Dr. Johannes Teyssen, former Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of E.ON SE, and Wolfgang Nickl, member of the Executive Board and CFO of Bayer AG, were newly elected to the Supervisory Board. Karl Gernandt, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kühne Holding AG, was re-elected to the Supervisory Board.

The shareholders bid farewell to Dr. Karl-Ludwig Kley, who had been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2013 and its Chairman since 2017. In his speech, CEO Carsten Spohr addressed Karl-Ludwig Kley and thanked him for his service: “You have shaped our transformation. Our shared path to success, with its highs, lows, achievements, and crises. And especially during crises, you have always been a unique source of support for me personally.”

Following the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting, the Supervisory Board elected Dr. Johannes Teyssen as its new Chairman at its constituent meeting.

The acquisition of the additional 49 percent stake will take place at a previously agreed purchase price of 325 million euros. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, primarily from the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027. Following this, ITA Airways will be fully integrated into the Lufthansa Group, both organizationally and financially.

Since 17 January 2025, Deutsche Lufthansa AG has held a 41 percent stake in ITA Airways as a minority shareholder. Upon the conclusion of the purchase agreement with the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) in June 2023, an annually recurring option for Deutsche Lufthansa AG to acquire an additional 49 percent stake in ITA Airways was agreed upon. This option is now being exercised along with the accompanying acquisition of a majority stake in the Italian flagship carrier. The seller is the MEF, which will initially continue to hold the remaining 10 percent of the shares in ITA Airways. In 2028, this tranche may also be acquired by Lufthansa.

Carsten Spohr, CEO of the Lufthansa Group and Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said at today’s Annual General Meeting:
“Following the acquisition of the first 41 percent stake in ITA Airways last year, we promised the fastest airline integration in our history. We aimed to complete all major integration steps into the Lufthansa Group within just 18 months.

We have not only kept this promise. We were even faster: All customer-facing interfaces are already integrated today—with the exception of North Atlantic flights, where, as is well known, regulatory approval for our merger is still pending.

Passengers already experience ITA Airways as an integrated part of the Lufthansa Group. With unified booking, sales, and fare systems, the Miles and More frequent flyer program, Star Alliance membership, and access to our global network of premium lounges.

Integration is also progressing in the cargo business. Since last year, Lufthansa Cargo has been marketing ITA Airways’ cargo capacity, which alone corresponds to the additional capacity of three Boeing 777 freighters. In light of this success story, we decided to exercise our option to acquire an additional 49 percent stake as early as June of this year.”

Note to editors:
ITA Airways' key figures are available at this link About us | ITA Airways

The election of members of the Supervisory Board is also on the agenda. In addition to the proposal to elect Dr. Johannes Teyssen, former Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of E.ON SE, and Wolfgang Nickl, member of the Executive Board and CFO of Bayer AG, the agenda also includes a proposal for the re-election of Karl Gernandt, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kühne Holding AG, to the Supervisory Board.

Other agenda items include, among other things, the cancellation and creation of a new Authorized Capital A and a new Contingent Capital.

Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, says: “By ordering 20 additional long-haul aircraft, we are making a sustainable investment in the future of the Lufthansa Group. It is a clear commitment to a modern fleet, to premium quality, and to further reducing CO2 emissions. After all, aircraft featuring the latest technology are the most powerful tool for more climate-friendly air travel. The state-of-the-art Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 are more fuel-efficient, quieter, and have lower emissions than their respective predecessors. We are thus continuing the largest fleet modernization in our history.” 

The Airbus A350-900 and the Boeing 787-9 will replace older and therefore less efficient models starting in 2032. The decision regarding which airline and which hub the ordered aircraft will be deployed at will be made at a later date. 

The gradual standardization of the fleet reduces complexity and increases efficiency, operational flexibility and operational stability. At the same time, maintenance and operating costs will be reduced. Additionally, further synergies will arise, for example in the areas of cockpit and cabin crew licensing and spare parts management. 

Including today’s order, the Lufthansa Group currently has a total of 232 state-of-the-art aircraft on its order list, including 107 next-generation long-haul aircraft. 
 

"In the first quarter, we significantly improved on the previous year’s financial results, with Adjusted EBIT up by 110 million euros and net income up by 220 million euros. Group revenue rose by eight percent to 8.7 billion euros — a new record for a first quarter. We are achieving what we set out to do and delivering on what we promised. From our customers' perspective, this applies in particular to our product and fleet renewal. With seven new aircraft deliveries, including five long-haul aircraft, we are fully on track in the first quarter of the year.

But the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, combined with rising fuel costs and operational constraints, poses enormous challenges for the world as a whole, for global air travel, and for our company as well. However, we are resilient in our ability to absorb these impacts. This applies both to our above-average hedging against fuel price fluctuations and to our multi-hub, multi-airline strategy, which provides us with greater flexibility in our route network and fleet development. Complemented by a successful Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa Technik, together with our team of 110,000 employees, we will therefore — as so often in the 100 years of our history — emerge from this crisis even stronger.”

Significantly improved result in first quarter 2026

Lufthansa Group increased its revenue in the first quarter of 2026 by eight percent year-on-year to 8.7 billion euros (prior year: 8.1 billion euros). The company posted an operating loss (Adjusted EBIT) of 612 million euros, a significant improvement compared to the previous year (prior year: -722 million euros).

The Adjusted EBIT margin improved to -7.0 percent (prior year: -8.9 percent). The net income rose to -665 million euros (prior year: -885 million euros). Adjusted Free Cash Flow increased by 65 percent to 1.4 billion euros (prior year: 835 million euros).

Network airlines benefit from high demand and network flexibility

The Group's Network Airlines kept their capacity nearly stable compared to the first quarter of the prior year. Slight growth in long-haul traffic compensated for minor capacity reductions in short- and medium-haul segments. Seat load factor increased to 81.9 percent, and unit revenues rose by 3.3 percent compared to the prior year. Both metrics were primarily driven by a strong surge in demand in March following capacity reductions via Middle Eastern hubs. This also significantly overcompensated for the fact that some connections to destinations in the Middle East could no longer be served.

Lufthansa Group's airlines adjusted their flight schedules in response to increased demand, particularly on Asia and Africa routes, adding additional flights. The strong demand was also reflected in higher yields in the premium segment. Unit costs excluding fuel and emission expenses increased by 2.5 percent compared to the prior year. This resulted from lower-than-planned capacity growth while costs increased due to higher personnel expenses and depreciation. Overall, the Network Airlines' Adjusted EBIT amounted to -605 million euros, representing an improvement of 135 million euros compared to the prior year.

Point-to-Point Airlines shift capacity from Gulf region to Europe

Eurowings increased its capacity by five percent compared to the first quarter of the prior year. Unit revenues rose by 6.8 percent, primarily due to strong European business in March. Against the backdrop of the Middle East crisis, Eurowings has temporarily removed flights to the previously high-growth Gulf region from its program.

Unit costs excluding fuel and emission expenses increased by 5.1 percent, primarily due to higher maintenance expenses and costs from weather-related flight irregularities.

The equity result from the SunExpress joint venture was 10 million euros below the prior year due to the challenging market situation in Turkey.

Overall, Adjusted EBIT in the Point-to-Point Airlines segment decreased by 14 million euros to -215 million euros in the first quarter of 2026.

Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cargo with strong earnings contribution

Demand for maintenance, repair, and overhaul services as well as other products from Lufthansa Technik remains consistently high. Revenue increased by 12 percent compared to the prior year to 2.3 billion euros (prior year: 2.0 billion euros), with revenue from business with external customers rising by as much as 19 percent. Material shortages in the global market weighed on the result, as did personnel shortages and costs for necessary qualification measures, so that the operating result (Adjusted EBIT) of 158 million euros remained at prior-year level (prior year: 161 million euros).

Lufthansa Cargo substantially expanded its capacity by seven percent in the first quarter compared to the prior year. This was primarily due to increased belly capacity, including through the marketing of ITA Airways' cargo space.

Against the backdrop of the Middle East crisis, momentum in the air cargo business continued to accelerate towards the end of the quarter. Particularly in March, yields improved further compared to the prior year. At the same time, unit costs were four percent below the prior year thanks to lower maintenance expenses and consistent cost management. Overall, Lufthansa Cargo achieved a significantly improved Adjusted EBIT of 83 million euros (prior year: 62 million euros).

Increased Adjusted Free Cash Flow further reduces net debt

Operating cash flow rose to around 2.1 billion euros in the first quarter (prior year: 1.8 billion euros). The development is primarily based on a strong increase in liabilities due to increased business activity. Combined with reduced net capital expenditures thanks to proceeds from aircraft sales, this led to an improvement in Adjusted Free Cash Flow to 1.4 billion euros (prior year: 835 million euros).

The Group also maintained a strong balance sheet in the first quarter of 2026. Net debt of 5.3 billion euros was significantly below the level at year-end 2025 (December 31, 2025: 6.4 billion euros). Net pension obligations amounted to 1.9 billion euros and were thus at the level of year-end 2025 (December 31, 2025: 1.9 billion euros). At the end of March 2026, the company had liquidity of 10.3 billion euros available (December 31, 2025: 10.7 billion euros).

Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG:

"We are satisfied with the first quarter: the earnings improvement of 110 million euros already represents a substantial portion of what we had planned for the full year. At the same time, the current situation compels us to rigorously examine every lever available to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and mitigate risks in order to maintain our ability to act decisively. Our annual profit will likely be lower than originally anticipated. Nevertheless, based on current booking trends, we expect to be able to largely offset the high fuel costs successively - especially in the second half of the year. And the cargo business, which continues to perform well, provides additional support to the earnings situation. Provided there are no fuel supply bottlenecks or further strikes, I therefore remain confident, despite increased risks, that we can achieve a full year result significantly above prior-year levels."

Outlook under increased uncertainty: opportunities and risks persist

Global demand for air travel remains high and continues to prove resilient even in times of crisis. Against this backdrop, Lufthansa Group again expects a strong travel summer. Additional momentum comes from shifts in passenger flows: travelers are increasingly shifting from airports in the Gulf region to Lufthansa Group hubs against the backdrop of the Middle East crisis.

At the same time, the current closure of the Strait of Hormuz is leading to a shortage in kerosene supply and thus to a significant increase in kerosene prices. This places a substantial burden on the cost base of Lufthansa Group airlines. Although kerosene requirements for the current year are already approximately 80 percent hedged through fuel price hedging via derivatives on various petroleum products, the increased kerosene prices currently lead to additional costs of 1.7 billion euros in 2026. The Group intends to offset this additional financial burden in the following quarters through increased revenue from ticket sales, optimized network planning, and further cost-saving measures. While no restrictions in kerosene supply are currently expected at any of the Lufthansa Group hubs, potentially reduced fuel availability later in the year represents an additional risk factor.

Due to these uncertainty factors, the risk-opportunity profile has shifted toward risks. Nevertheless, Lufthansa Group maintains its guidance for the full year to achieve an operating result (Adjusted EBIT) significantly above the prior year (1,960 million euros).

Further information

Further information on the results of individual business segments will be published in the quarterly report. This will be published at the same time as this press release on May 6, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. CEST at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/investor-relations.html

The traffic figures will also be published at 7:00 a.m. CEST at Traffic figures - Lufthansa Group Investor Relations

The offering is integrated directly into the booking process on lufthansa.com and is available for all travel classes. During booking, customers can add the Munich stopover option for either the outbound or return journey and flexibly set the stay duration between 24 hours and seven days. Depending on the selected route combination, a surcharge may apply. If desired, suitable hotel accommodation, rental cars, and leisure activities in Munich can be added through integrated partners 24 hours after the flight booking.

Heiko Reitz, Member of the Lufthansa Airlines Board and Hub Manager Munich says:
"With our new stopover program, we are turning a layover in Munich into real added value for our guests. We are excited to give travelers the opportunity to flexibly incorporate one of Europe's most attractive cities and regions into their journey, enhancing their flight with a truly personal travel experience."

Munich marks the launch of the new program. The stopover in the Bavarian capital is initially available for flights from Singapore and the U.S.

The program will be gradually expanded to additional regions and destinations over the course of the next year.  In the future, additional stopover offers are also planned for other hubs within the Lufthansa Group.

Cologne Mayor Torsten Burmester: “Cologne is proud to have played a major role in Lufthansa’s corporate history since World War II. Cologne is growing as an aviation hub, because in addition to being home to the headquarters of EASA and the DLR, as well as the prospect of a European space hub, Cologne/Bonn Airport is the cargo hub of Western Europe. I hope that the relationship between Cologne and Lufthansa will intensify again even beyond this anniversary year. I therefore congratulate all Lufthansa employees from the bottom of my heart on the company’s 100th anniversary.”

Carsten Spohr, CEO of the Lufthansa Group: “In Cologne, Lufthansa’s tradition, new beginning, and future come together in a special way. Air travel has been a growth industry for a hundred years and will remain so in the future. We want to preserve and further develop aviation in a sustainable way for generations to come. Lufthansa and the entire industry have grown through crises over the decades—and have emerged from each one stronger.”

Together with Carsten Spohr, a Lufthansa flight attendant, and a Eurowings flight attendant, Dr. Karl-Ludwig Kley, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG and a self-proclaimed resident of Cologne by choice, also signed the City of Cologne’s guest book during the ceremony. Kley is deeply committed to his hometown on the Rhine and serves, among other roles, as Chairman of the Board of the “Freunde des Wallraf-Richartz-Museum und des Museum Ludwig” association.

The relationship between Cologne and Lufthansa is long and multifaceted: as early as April 6, 1926, when the first Luft Hansa began flight operations, a plane flew from Berlin to Cologne. The Dornier Komet III D-580 flew from Tempelhof via Magdeburg to Butzweilerhof Airport. On board: a single passenger. In 1953, the Aktiengesellschaft für Luftverkehrsbedarf was founded in Cologne, which was renamed Deutsche Lufthansa AG a year later. Since then, Cologne has been Lufthansa’s headquarters. Seven aircraft have borne or currently bear the name “Cologne”—currently a Boeing 747-8 with the registration D-ABYU.

In addition, the in-flight entertainment system has been upgraded. In Business Class, guests can now enjoy feature films, TV series, music, digital newspapers and magazines on an 18-inch Panasonic screen and can also use, for example, their own headphones via Bluetooth. Also new are an interactive 3D moving map, cinema-quality sound, flight cameras, and a new intuitive user interface in all cabin classes.

Following the successful retrofit and the ferry flight to Munich two days prior, the first flight for D-AIMC “Mike-Charly” will depart for Los Angeles on Thursday, April 23. The aircraft will take off from Munich as flight LH452 at 12:15 p.m. local time and land in Los Angeles around 3:15 p.m. local time.

After just under twelve weeks, the retrofit of the first A380 was completed. Work on modernizing the next aircraft, D-AIMH “Mike-Hotel” in its blue anniversary livery featuring the XXL crane, began on the very same day, meaning that two Lufthansa A380s were in Dresden on Tuesday.

The retrofit program began in early February at the Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden. In addition to the modernization of the Business Class, routine maintenance work is also being performed on the aircraft. All eight A380s are scheduled to be retrofitted by mid-2027.

The new Basic fare offers day travelers, for example, an additional option at an attractive entry-level price. It includes one personal item, such as a laptop bag or a small backpack. Those who wish to bring more luggage can flexibly add carry-on or checked baggage as an add-on service within this particularly affordable fare or choose a fare option with expanded baggage allowances. The enhanced fare structure thus enables a clear, transparent selection tailored to individual needs. The existing Light fare is also being enhanced: In the future, travelers will benefit from the option to rebook their reservation for a fee — a boost in flexibility for greater planning security.

In total, travelers will have four clearly differentiated fare options in Economy Class and three in Business Class. 

The schedule adjustments reduce the number of unprofitable short-haul flights across the Lufthansa Group network. The planned consolidation of the European network is being carried out across Lufthansa Group's six hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome. Passengers will therefore continue to have access to the global route network, particularly long-haul connections. However, due to the increase in jet fuel prices, this will be achieved significantly more efficiently than before. Lufthansa Group is also accelerating a further key strategic step in the consolidation of European networks within its hub airlines — Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways.

Following this approach, the first 120 daily flight cancellations were implemented yesterday, effective through the end of May, and affected passengers have been notified. With the cancellation of routes from Frankfurt to Bydgoszcz and Rzeszów (Poland) as well as Stavanger (Norway), at least three destinations have been temporarily removed from the current flight schedule. Ten connections are being consolidated within the Group via other hubs: HDF, ORK, GDN, LJU, RJK, SBZ, STR, TRD, TIV and WRO.

The medium-term route planning for the coming months is being revised considering the capacity reduction and will be published in late April or early May. This will include optimizations to the short-haul offering for the entire summer season, thereby ensuring schedule stability for the flight plan period.

For the flights scheduled in the summer timetable, the Group expects a largely stable fuel supply. Lufthansa is pursuing a range of measures to this end, including the physical procurement of jet fuel as well as price hedging.

Glossary:

HDF = Heringsdorf

ORK = Cork

GDN = Gdańsk

LJU = Ljubljana

RJK = Rijeka

SBZ = Sibiu

STR = Stuttgart

TRD = Trondheim

TIV = Tivat

WRO = Wrocław

As a first immediately effective step, the 27 operational aircraft of Lufthansa CityLine will be permanently removed from the flight program starting the day after tomorrow, in order to reduce further losses of the loss-making airline. The Canadair CRJ aircraft are nearing the end of their technical operational capability and have comparatively high operating costs.

In the second step, long-haul capacity will be reduced by a total of six intercontinental aircraft at the end of the summer flight schedule. To this end, the last four remaining Airbus A340-600s will leave the fleet in October, thus bringing the era of this aircraft type at Lufthansa to a definitive end. Additionally, two Boeing 747-400s will be grounded from October onwards for the coming winter. The final farewell to this aircraft type is planned for next year.

In the coming 2026/27 winter flight schedule, the third step will take place with a reduction in the capacities of the Lufthansa core brand as part of the envisaged consolidation of short- and medium-haul traffic across six hubs of the Lufthansa Group. This additional capacity reduction corresponds to five aircraft of the Lufthansa core brand.

The package of measures generates a disproportionate savings effect on fuel costs. On the one hand, particularly inefficient aircraft are being removed from flight operations early. On the other hand, the saved kerosene quantity reduces the unhedged portion of the Group's fuel requirements.

The kerosene consumption of the Lufthansa Group's passenger airlines is hedged at an above-average rate of around 80 percent based, among other things, on crude oil prices. However, the remaining 20 percent must still be purchased at significantly increased market prices. This particularly expensive portion of fuel requirements will be reduced by around 10 percent.

Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer and CFO of Lufthansa Group, says: "The package for accelerated implementation of fleet and capacity measures is unavoidable in light of the sharply increased kerosene costs and geopolitical instability. The goal is to focus our short- and medium-haul platforms more clearly and make them more competitive. In this regard, we had already identified the prospective removal of CityLine from our program as part of our strategic development for some time, independently of the current geopolitical crisis. The current crisis is now forcing us to implement this measure earlier. This is a painful step, particularly with regard to the colleagues at Lufthansa CityLine. It is therefore all the more important now to find continued employment opportunities within the Group."

With the implementation of the first package of measures, the Group is accelerating its intended consolidation of short- and medium-haul traffic. The early retirement of older aircraft types also corresponds to the strategy of reducing the number of different sub-fleets as quickly as possible. The planned allocation of nine additional Airbus A350s to Discover Airlines is taking place within the framework of medium-term fleet planning.

To further reduce administrative costs, new savings targets for staff recruitment, internal events, and external consulting services have been decided. They support the existing reduction target of 4,000 administrative positions group-wide by 2030.

Against the background of the scheduled end of flight operations of the Canadair jets at Lufthansa CityLine by the end of the year at the latest, and a possible termination of all flight operations, offers for follow-up employment have already been made to all employee groups in the past:

• Ground staff have already received employment at the newly founded Lufthansa Aviation GmbH
• Cockpit and cabin crew were already offered transfer options at the turn of 2024/2025, which provided for employment at Lufthansa City Airlines with multi-year comparable compensation conditions to Lufthansa CityLine. According to this offer, any differences in working conditions were to be offset by a compensation payment.
• The goal remains to enable crews of Lufthansa CityLine to have options for a professional perspective within the Lufthansa Group.

In addition, discussions will be initiated with the employee representatives of Lufthansa CityLine GmbH regarding a reconciliation of interests and social plan.

Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa Group: "100 years ago, the founding of the first Lufthansa marked the beginning of an unprecedented success story. From it emerged our present-day Lufthansa Group. With 110,000 employees across 14 airlines today, at Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa Technik, at six hubs in 5 home markets in the heart of Europe. As an international group, we will continue to fulfill our mission in the future: to connect people, cultures and economies in a sustainable way. Because air transport has been a growth industry for a hundred years and will remain so in the future."

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid tribute to the significance of the anniversary in his speech: "Lufthansa is an integral part of the history of the Federal Republic and a key company for Germany as a business location. For a century, it has connected people and markets around the world. Lufthansa's success is above all the merit of over 100,000 Lufthansa employees who, day after day, hour after hour, ensure that passengers and cargo arrive safely. I wish Lufthansa continued success for the next 100 years."

Dr. Karl-Ludwig Kley, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG: “We are ready for the future. And we want the future. We are prepared to contribute to prosperity and growth in Europe. To do so, we are focusing on innovation. On new technologies in aviation. On artificial intelligence and digitalization. On further internationalization. Civil aviation is more important today than ever before. For people all over the world, it means connectivity beyond their own borders. It means economic growth and jobs. We at Lufthansa are ready for the future.”

Kley thanked the Chancellor for his loyalty to Lufthansa, which he had once again demonstrated with today’s visit.

Among other things, the ceremony paid tribute to the people who have shaped the Lufthansa brand over a century. For example, the youngest apprentice in the Lufthansa Group was interviewed on stage. The artistic program impressively showcased the company's eventful history. Guests included numerous ambassadors and top political representatives from federal, state and European levels, including Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder (CDU), Hessian Minister-President Boris Rhein (CDU), and numerous members of state governments from Hesse, Bavaria and Berlin.

Lufthansa Group today makes a significant contribution to Germany's position among the world leaders in aviation. Around 65 percent of the group's more than 100,000 employees work in Germany. In Frankfurt am Main alone – the company's largest location – more than 35,000 people are employed. The Lufthansa Group Hangar One, which opened today, enables new forms of collaboration for the company's employees. For customers, business partners and aviation enthusiasts, it is intended to be a place where Lufthansa's pioneering spirit and the future of aviation can be experienced firsthand. The main attractions are the historic Lufthansa aircraft Junkers Ju 52 and Lockheed Super Star, which have been extensively restored and are now on permanent display. Among other features, guests can explore numerous exhibits from Lufthansa's corporate history on an open gallery, some of which are accessible to the public for the first time. Lufthansa Group Hangar One will open to the general public in early summer.

With this press release, we are sending you a very special photo! Over 200 employees from various departments positioned themselves in front of an Airbus A350 in anniversary livery to mark Lufthansa's 100th founding anniversary. Technicians, flight attendants, pilots, baggage handlers, administrative staff – all working together to ensure that Lufthansa aircraft take off and land. This photo was taken in March during the anniversary event in Munich.

The majority of Lufthansa City Airlines’ flight crew has chosen ver.di as its union representative. The agreement with ver.di reflects the employees’ wishes regarding the representation of their interests and thus reflects the union’s majority status within the company. “We are very pleased with the successful start to our social partnership with ver.di. This collective labor agreement paves the way for positive development for our employees and provides the planning security we need for our growth and the opportunities that come with it,” emphasizes Peter Albers, Chief Operating Officer of Lufthansa City Airlines.

The agreement provides a stable foundation for continued growth while addressing the economic challenges of the highly competitive European short-haul market. It also enhances the competitiveness of short-haul traffic at the hubs in Munich and Frankfurt am Main.

Comprehensive package with a three-year term

The collective agreement package consists of two key components. The pay agreement includes adjustments to the pay structure, while the framework agreement governs the working conditions for crews. Through negotiations with ver.di, uniform working conditions were established for both flight and cabin crew. This alignment promises greater operational stability, which is in the interest of both passengers and employees.

In addition, the collective labor agreements include provisions on company pension plans and performance-based compensation, among other things. The collective labor agreements will take effect retroactively on April 1, 2026, and will remain in force for three years. The conclusion of the collective labor agreement is subject to approval by the relevant committees.

Travelers can now also freely combine ITA Airways flights with those of other Lufthansa Group hub carriers in a single booking. Existing bookings for ITA Airways flights can be transferred to the new app or website. The new online channels will also be expanded gradually: In the future, Travel ID and Miles & More accounts will be accessible directly through the new app. Additionally, the app will soon offer direct login, automatic email and push notifications, as well as a check-in process standardized with other Lufthansa Group Airlines.

The new ITA Airways app and website are designed to offer passengers optimal support and useful information at every stage of their journey. From inspiration to flight search, from booking to payment, from additional services to useful travel information and post-flight services, the new digital solutions provide a comprehensive range of information. The new ITA Airways online platforms are available in nine languages.

The division responsible for development—the Lufthansa Group Digital Hangar—has carried out the development during the last twelve months the extensive programming for ITA Airways’ new app and website. The goal is to provide a consistent, modern experience across all digital touchpoints with the customer. This includes simple and intuitive user guidance during booking, seamless integration of services, and personalized travel information. With the switch to the Lufthansa Group platform, ITA Airways now has a modern app. This Group platform was already recognized internationally as the “Best Airline App” in 2024.

Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer Lufthansa Group says: "With our shared platform, we are creating real added value for ITA Airways customers. The new app is intuitive, easy to use, and designed to be a trusted companion throughout the journey to deliver a seamless travel experience. With more than 200,000 daily users, ITA Airways’ digital channels already play a key role in our interactions with customers.”

A Boeing 787-9 and an Airbus A350-900, both in blue anniversary livery featuring a white XXL crane, had taken off from Frankfurt and Munich that morning. On board: hundreds of Lufthansa employees with their partners, who, as lucky winners of an internal raffle, had been invited by the company to join the anniversary flights and be there in person in Berlin on this special day. A total of more than 600 guests, including passengers on the fully booked special flights as well as invited guests from the political and aviation sectors, celebrated the highlight of the anniversary year at a festive event in Berlin. Among them was Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner. A special highlight: The Boeing 787-9 in anniversary livery was officially named “Berlin” during the ceremony.

Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines, emphasized in his speech: “Today, Lufthansa is celebrating its birthday! Driven by a pioneering spirit and passion, it all began here in Berlin. Exactly 100 years ago, the first flights of the original Lufthansa took off from here. Today, Berlin is one of our company’s largest locations. Around 2,000 Lufthansa employees live and work in the capital region. Lufthansa and the Group’s airlines will remain strong partners in Berlin in the future.”

Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, emphasized in his welcoming remarks: “100 years of Lufthansa is an impressive anniversary. On April 6, 1926, two flights departed from Berlin to Zurich and Cologne, thereby establishing Lufthansa’s long-standing connection with Berlin. To this day, Lufthansa remains an outstanding partner for Berlin - and I am delighted that, on the occasion of this special anniversary, we are naming the Boeing 787-9 ‘Berlin.’”

Routes of the inaugural flights re-enacted

Around 3:15 p.m., the Boeing 787-9, which had previously been named “Berlin,” and the Airbus A350-900 with the registration D-AIXL then departed the capital for Zurich and Cologne. On their journey, the special flights flew over the locations where stopovers were made on April 6, 1926. The Boeing 787-9 flew from Berlin via Halle, Erfurt, and Stuttgart to Zurich, while the A350-900 flew via Magdeburg to Cologne. The flight numbers of the two flights, LH1926 and LH2026, also commemorated the special anniversary.

Lufthansa will celebrate its 100th founding anniversary in 2026. Berlin plays a special role in the airline’s history: the first Lufthansa was founded here on January 6, 1926. Today, the Lufthansa Group is one of the four largest airlines worldwide and the largest airline group in Europe. In Berlin, the company is the clear market leader. Around 30 percent of all flights in the capital are operated by airlines within the group.

The ceremonial highlight of Lufthansa’s anniversary year will take place on April 15 with a ceremony in Frankfurt. On this day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also expected to attend at Lufthansa Group Hangar One, the new conference and visitor center at Frankfurt Airport.

On Monday morning, two long-haul aircraft will take off from Lufthansa’s hubs in Frankfurt and Munich bound for the capital. A Boeing 787-9 will depart from Hesse, and an Airbus A350-900 from Bavaria. On board: more than 400 passengers, consisting of Lufthansa Group employees and their partners, who have been invited by the company. Also on board the flights: influencers and journalists. Both aircraft feature the special blue livery with a white XXL crane to mark Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary.

More than 600 guests are expected at a celebratory event at Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport.

On April 6, 1926, a Fokker Grulich F II took off from Berlin-Tempelhof Airport bound for Zurich, and a Dornier Komet III D-580 took off for Cologne. The flight to Zurich carried a newlywed couple, while the flight to Cologne had only a single passenger.

On Easter Monday, the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350 will reenact these historic maiden flights. Both aircraft are scheduled to take off simultaneously from Berlin at around 3:00 p.m. Numerous spectators and aviation enthusiasts are expected on the BER visitor terrace for this special parallel departure.

The Dreamliner D-ABPU will depart for Zurich, and the Airbus D-AIXL for Cologne. They will also pass over the locations where the planes made stops on April 6, 1926. LH1926 (Boeing 787) flies from Berlin via Halle, Erfurt, and Stuttgart to Zurich, while LH2026 (Airbus A350) flies from Berlin via Magdeburg to Cologne. 100 years later, however, naturally without a stopover, but only as waypoints flown over in the air. Many aviation fans are also expected in Zurich and Cologne. Tickets for the two special flights sold out within a few days.

In addition, Lufthansa is planning to offer around 540 additional flights in Europe from its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich for the period between April and October 2026, serving both high-demand tourist destinations in Southern Europe as well as selected destinations in the far North. Among other things, capacity to the Iberian Peninsula, Greece, and Italy will be significantly expanded.

Around 700 flights from Austrian Airlines from Vienna, over 100 flights from SWISS from Zurich, and around 170 flights from Brussels Airlines from Brussels are to be added. Thus, the offering of the Lufthansa Group Airlines expands to around 1,600 additional departures from their hubs, distributed throughout summer 2026.

The additional capacities are being created through an adjustment of the flight program for the Middle East, whereby free resources can be efficiently utilized. This measure enables Lufthansa and the other airlines of the Group to respond flexibly to the changed booking behavior of travelers, influenced by geopolitical developments.

With the expansion of the summer flight program, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group are creating a greater choice of travel connections and improving availability during the peak travel season.

However, the geopolitical environment remains highly volatile, characterized by short-term changes and market fluctuations. In particular, sharp increases in ticket prices due to higher fuel costs could impact demand. At present, however, demand for travel remains high, even though ticket price increases have already been implemented.

Nevertheless, in parallel with the expansion of flight offerings, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group are currently developing and evaluating scenarios to enable a rapid response to changes in the market environment, for example through the cancellation of unprofitable routes or the early retirement of older aircraft.

ITA Airways marked its entry into the Alliance during a ceremony held at the Piazza di Spagna Lounge, Rome Fiumicino Airport Terminal 3. The ceremony was presided over by ITA Airways Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Joerg Eberhart, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Theo Panagiotoulias, and Lufthansa Group Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vranckx, in the presence of media and institutional guests.

Starting April 1, ITA Airways will be fully connected into the Alliance’s global network, linking its Rome Fiumicino hub and Milan Linate airport, served by 17 Star Alliance members collectively, with more than 1,150 destinations worldwide. Customers travelling across the network can now benefit from through check-in, reciprocal frequent flyer recognition and access to Star Alliance lounges, creating a more seamless customer experience, in and out of Italy.

Celebrating the milestone, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Theo Panagiotoulias said: “On behalf of our members, I am delighted to welcome ITA Airways as the 26th member of Star Alliance. This is the result of a focused and collaborative integration effort. With ITA Airways on board, we not only expand our network to and from Italy, but also elevate the connected experience of our customers when travelling across multiple airlines, through access to the world’s largest network of airport lounges, more comprehensive loyalty benefits, and other benefits like baggage tracking - all designed to enhance the journey at every step.”

Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, said: “Joining Star Alliance marks a historic milestone for ITA Airways and a defining step in our growth. By becoming part of the world’s largest and most established global airline network, we significantly expand our international reach while offering our passengers a more seamless, consistent and high‑quality travel experience, with access to over 1,150 destinations worldwide, smoother connections, integrated services and a stronger premium proposition. At the same time, we enter Star Alliance bringing with us our distinctive Italian identity, enriching the Alliance and reinforcing ITA Airways’ role in connecting Italy with the world, combining global standards of excellence with the warmth and elegance that define the Italian way of flying.”

ITA Airways’ induction into the Alliance has been mentored by the Lufthansa Group, and expert teams across the group airlines have facilitated an intense integration programme over the last several months.

Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa Group, said: “The Star Alliance membership is only possible thanks to the strong commitment and close collaboration of dedicated teams at ITA Airways, Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance. We are pleased to introduce ITA Airways as fully fledged hub airline into the Lufthansa Group and into the Alliance, expanding options for travellers across Europe and the world. Together, ITA Airways and the Lufthansa Group, are unlocking a joint value proposition that will benefit our customers, our partners, and the Star Alliance ecosystem.”

ITA Airways, which flies over 16 million customers every year, adds more than 350 daily flights to the Alliance network, supported by a strong domestic and regional footprint. The addition expands travel options across Italy and Europe, while improving connectivity between Southern Europe and key international markets.

As part of its membership, eligible customers can enjoy priority services, lounge access across the Alliance network, and reciprocal frequent flyer programme recognition, including earning and redeeming miles. Star Alliance Gold customers will also have access to ITA Airways lounges in Rome, Milan and Catania.

With the addition of ITA Airways, Star Alliance now comprises 26 member airlines, offering more than 17,500 daily flights across a global network spanning over 190 countries.

About ITA Airways

ITA Airways is the Italian reference carrier. The Company is 59% owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and 41% by Deutsche Lufthansa AG. ITA Airways operates both passenger and cargo air transport services, providing Italy with high-quality connectivity to international destinations, supporting tourism and foreign trade, as well as domestic connectivity within the Country, also leveraging integrated mobility.

Through strong digitization of processes to ensure the best possible experience and personalized services, ITA Airways places customer service at the core of its strategy. This is combined with a commitment to sustainability, which encompasses environmental aspects (such as a young, technologically advanced fleet to reduce environmental impact), social aspects (a strong focus on its employees and the communities in which it operates), and governance aspects (integrating sustainability into internal strategies and processes).

ITA Airways is a member of Star Alliance, the world’s leading global airline alliance, connecting customers to a seamless travel experience across its member airlines worldwide.

For press information:
Pietro Caldaroni, Chief Communication Officer
Mail: media@ita-airways.com

About Lufthansa Group

Lufthansa Group is a global aviation group with worldwide operations and a total of more than 300 subsidiaries and equity investments. The company’s mission is to connect people, cultures, and economies in a sustainable manner. Furthermore, safety, quality, reliability, and innovation are main priorities. The Lufthansa Group comprises the Passenger Airlines and Aviation Services segments.

The Italian airline ITA Airways is the newest member of the Lufthansa Group, with the Group having a 41 percent stake in the airline. Now, the network carriers consist of Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways. These airlines offer their customers a premium experience, with high-quality products and services. The multi-hub strategy offers passengers a comprehensive route network along with the greatest possible flexibility for their journey. Eurowings is positioned as a carrier with an exclusive focus on point-to-point traffic on European short- and medium-haul routes. The Passenger Airlines segment also includes the regional airlines Lufthansa CityLine, Lufthansa City Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss Air, Discover Airlines and the equity investment in SunExpress, the joint venture with Turkish Airlines. Since the summer of 2021, Discover Airlines has complemented the Lufthansa Group's offering in the growing segment of leisure travel.

Aviation Services comprises the segments Logistics and MRO, as well as additional businesses, which in particular include Lufthansa Aviation Training and Lufthansa Systems.

The Lufthansa Group is currently investing in its onboard product, with both Lufthansa’s Allegris and SWISS Senses showcasing an entirely new travel experience. Lufthansa’s Allegris can already be experienced on certain long-haul routes. The full revamp will also include lounges, ground processes, individuality, and exclusivity.

Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines are already members of the Star Alliance.

About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, Star Alliance was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Today, guided by a vision for a world effortlessly connected, Star Alliance enriches customer journeys and reinforces loyalty by creating tailored solutions that empower member airlines beyond their individual capabilities.

The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, ITA Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, United.

Star Alliance unites 26 of the world’s leading airlines, providing travellers with seamless access to over 1,150 airports across 190 countries - covering 90% of the world. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.

Star Alliance Press Office:
+65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com

“To mark our 100th anniversary, we are redefining onboard service with FOX – in all classes and on all long-haul flights. We are investing more than 70 million euros in our long-haul service and, with it, in the customer experience. Our new offering combines outstanding comfort with the highest degree of individuality, creating moments that are truly unique. Every detail of our new onboard experience has been designed with the aim of setting new standards in premium travel – not only in First Class, but in all four travel classes,” says Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines.

New in First Class:
In addition to new tableware, a varied gourmet breakfast – including caviar upon request – and an expanded beverage menu featuring new cocktails, long drinks, and mocktails, the First Class menus in particular are set to be a memorable experience: They showcase modern, light fine dining – conceived by two-Michelin-starred chef Christoph Kunz. With his restaurant Komu in Munich, he is one of the defining voices of modern and creative haute cuisine. With FOX, First Class travelers enjoy a curated selection of smaller courses, consisting of trilogies for the amuse-bouche, the appetizer, and the dessert. For the main course, guests have a choice and can decide between a single dish and a tasting menu. Together, Christoph Kunz and Lufthansa have created a high-quality yet surprising concept.

Aside from the new FOX menus, First Class travelers on Lufthansa will continue to enjoy the popular caviar service, which has been one of the “Lufthansa Signature Moments” since the introduction of First Class. In addition to the excellent caviar served with the traditional accompaniments of lemon, egg, shallot, and crème fraîche, blinis are now also served – traditionally on a mother-of-pearl spoon, which is also new on board.

Lufthansa is also offering First Class guests an even more premium champagne selection: For the first time, the airline is serving the exquisite Prestige cuvée La Grande Dame from the renowned Veuve Clicquot. In addition to the rotating selection of premium champagnes, which will continue to be offered as before, First Class guests can now enjoy the exceptional quality of La Grande Dame on every flight.

The innovative amenity kit from BABOR rounds out the premium travel experience in FOX First Class. With the amenity menu, guests can individually select cosmetics and skincare products that perfectly suit them and their skin’s needs. The crew then brings guests the chosen products directly to their seats.

The new FOX Premium Service is available on all long-haul flights.

With more than 350,000 passengers connecting between Star Alliance member airlines at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) each year, it is one of the Alliance’s most critical global transfer hubs.

Designed to support passengers with tight connections between two Star Alliance member airline flights, SCC proactively identifies customers at risk of missing their onward journey due to their delayed incoming flight and expedites them to their next flight.

“Every moment matters when connections are tight, and our goal is to make multi-airline journeys feel seamless,” said Ambar Franco, Vice President - Customer Experience at Star Alliance. “At Star Connection Centres, our member airlines come together as one to ensure that, regardless of which airline passengers are flying with, they are supported from an Alliance perspective. This is what Star Alliance stands for — delivering a smooth experience across our global network. Our latest Star Connection Centre at LAX will benefit our members and customers alike.”

For Star Alliance passengers, the experience is simple: a smooth and seamless connection. Behind the scenes, however, teams across Star Alliance member airlines work together to make that possible. Dedicated agents monitor transfer windows using specialised software and step in to coordinate support — meeting passengers at the arrival gate and guiding them swiftly to their next flight.

Star Alliance has been operating Connection Centres for more than a decade, supporting both passenger and baggage transfers across key hubs worldwide. This is also the case in Frankfurt. In 2025, with its support, more than 20,000 passengers and over 15,000 pieces of baggage were able to reach their connections on time, and over 26,000 passengers were rebooked onto alternative connections.

In addition to Frankfurt and Los Angeles, Star Connection Centres are located in Brussels (BRU), Chicago (ORD) and Toronto (YYZ), while dedicated baggage-focused SCC operate in Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), Washington Dulles (IAD) and San Francisco (SFO).

At present, 16 Star Alliance member airlines serve Los Angeles: Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Copa Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines and United. Together, they operate more than 2,000 weekly flights to over 80 destinations across more than 20 countries.

About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers over 18,000 daily flights to more than 1,150 airports in over 190 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.

Star Alliance Press Office:

+65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com

Visit our website or connect with us on social media:      

Michael Niggemann, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG responsible for Human Resources and Legal Affairs, says:

“This agreement sends a clear message in times of geopolitical crises and their resulting impact on the global economy: We are a responsible employer for our employees. Furthermore, the long-term nature of the agreement guarantees reliability. This provides a solid foundation for continuing to invest in the Lufthansa Group and thus also in the future of our employees.

After challenging negotiations, we succeeded in reaching a good compromise together at the negotiating table – without industrial action and without burdens - to our customers or additional economic disruptions. This was only possible because both sides were aware of their collective bargaining responsibilities toward the Lufthansa Group and there was a shared commitment to reaching an agreement. With this understanding as a foundation, we have agreed that we also intend to coordinate crisis measures in terms of safeguarding jobs, should the impact of the geopolitical conflicts on the Lufthansa Group intensify.”

Key points of the agreement:

• Employees of Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cargo will receive a 2.2 percent pay increase retroactive – from January 1, 2026. A further increase of 2.4 percent will follow on March 1, 2027.
• Ground staff at Deutsche Lufthansa AG will receive a 2.2 percent pay increase effective January 1, 2027. A further increase of 2.4 percent will take effect on March 1, 2027. The delayed payment of the first stage of the pay increase is due to the challenging economic situation at Lufthansa Airlines.
• The Ground Staff Collective Bargaining Agreement (VTV) has a minimum term of 26 months, effective retroactively as of January 1, 2026.

The conclusion of the collective bargaining agreement is subject to approval by the relevant committees.

The T-Pier is scheduled to open in 2035 and will increase Terminal 2’s handling capacity by an additional 10 million passengers per year. The joint agreement paves the way for the concrete planning phase of the construction project and sets the course for the continuation of the successful partnership between Lufthansa Group and FMG. The planned growth trajectory opens up positive economic prospects for both companies, creates additional secure and attractive jobs in the airport region, and strengthens Germany as an aviation hub.

Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, says:

“Trust-based, long-term partnerships are a key factor in our success as a leading global airline group. In Munich, this is particularly evident in the fact that, together with FMG and its shareholders, we have created a high-performance hub that has been among the world’s top airports for many years. With premium quality, reliability, and customer focus, Munich has become a central pillar of our hub network. The jointly planned expansion of Terminal 2 and the resulting increase in capacity will further contribute to our unique partnership and shared success story. This investment in the future is far more than an infrastructure project—it is a clear commitment to Bavaria as a gateway to the world, to Germany as a business location, and to the global competitiveness of European aviation hubs. The current geopolitical crises demonstrates once again how important state of the art infrastructure is as part of independent global connectivity. We will also continue to invest in our passenger and cargo hub in Frankfurt in the coming years. Like no other company, the Lufthansa Group stands for connecting Germany and Europe with the world.”

Dr. Markus Söder, Bavarian Minister-President, says:

“Congratulations on Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary! Bavaria is a hub for aviation, and Munich Airport is our gateway to the world. Since 2003, the airport and Lufthansa have maintained  a globally unique and successful partnershipon a global scale. Together, we plan to further expand the satellite at Terminal 2 to ultimately accommodate up to an additional ten million passengers per year. In addition, Lufthansa will expand its long-haul network in Munich with additional long-haul aircraft and even greater quality and service. This is a landmark deal and a milestone for the aviation hub. As the Bavarian state government, we strongly support aviation: We will continue to expand our hubs, further develop our expertise and capacity, and advocate for a reduction in air traffic tax. As an export nation, we need the aviation industry. Only in this way will we succeed in international competition. Thank you for the excellent cooperation and all the best for the future!”

Munich: Unique partnership and success story

The partnership between Lufthansa and Munich Airport in establishing and expanding hub operations began as early as the 1990s. With the opening of Terminal 2 at Munich Airport in 2003, both companies launched a joint venture that remains unique in Europe to this day: Munich Airport and Lufthansa jointly bear the operational responsibility for the airport infrastructure they use. Today, Munich is established as an efficient hub and, as a 5-star hub, ranks among the best airports in the world. Just eight years after opening, Terminal 2 in Munich reached its planned capacity limit of 25 million passengers per year. The satellite building, which went into operation in April 2016, marked the first joint expansion phase. Just three years later, the satellite also approached its capacity limit of 11 million passengers per year. Terminal 2 is used exclusively by the airlines of the Lufthansa Group and its partner airlines. Passengers appreciate Terminal 2’s short distances and quick transfer options, as well as the high quality of service and the modern, light-filled atmosphere. In 2025, Terminal 2 served more than 32 million passengers. Munich Airport holds a 60 percent stake in the Terminal 2 operating company, while Lufthansa Group holds 40 percent.

Frankfurt: Consistent further development also necessary at Germany’s largest air traffic hub

Alongside the expansion in Munich, the Lufthansa Group is also driving forward the further development of its largest hub in Frankfurt. The hub is set to continue growing in intercontinental traffic at Terminal 1 over the next few years. In addition, Lufthansa Cargo is investing over 600 million euros in a new cargo handling center at its key location in Frankfurt. With the opening of Terminal 3 in the south in April 2026, there will also be an opportunity starting this year to strengthen the airport’s core operations in the north over the long term.

Thus, the Lufthansa Group, together with Fraport and FraAlliance, aims to optimize hub operations in the northern part of the airport around Terminal 1. To this end, the “Campus North” project was launched earlier this month. The goal is to further improve operational efficiency and, consequently, the travel experience for guests of the Lufthansa Group and its alliance partners in Terminal 1.

Registration for Miles & More will also be possible via the airline's online portal ita-airways.com and its app, starting 1 April. Passengers of the Italian airline will benefit from Europe's leading frequent flyer program with its global network of 35 airlines and over 135 additional program partners from the very first mile. These include renowned hotels, global car rental companies, and numerous products and shopping brands. Miles & More members can also earn miles on all Lufthansa Group airlines, all Star Alliance airlines, and other partner airlines. These miles can then be redeemed for award flights, travel-related awards, and numerous selected products and services. In addition, new members can earn “Points” to achieve or maintain frequent flyer status within the Lufthansa Group. For ITA Airways customers who already have frequent flyer status, an attractive offer to switch to the Miles & More program via a status match will also be published. The partnership between ITA Airways and Miles & More will be further expanded with additional offers over the course of the year.

By adding ITA Airways, Miles & More is further expanding its leading position. All 39 million Miles & More members will now have the opportunity to earn miles in the ITA Airways route network, redeem them for flights, and earn Points toward the coveted frequent flyer status.

Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer Lufthansa Group, says: "Welcoming ITA Airways to the Miles & More program is a unique milestone, not only from a program offer perspective but also from the airline’s customers perspective. With this step, we continue to be on track integrating ITA Airways as Hub Airline. The ITA Airways customers will get access to an industry-leading program, which will further expand its excellent position and create additional synergies for its worldwide customer base. ITA Airways has made the strategic decision to use Miles & More as a large and globally anchored loyalty program and to offer its customers a worldwide route network for earning miles in the future. ITA Airways will thus integrate further into our Lufthansa Group airline commercial powerhouse."

About Miles & More GmbH

With over 30 years of experience in the loyalty sector and more than 25 years in the retail and financial environment, Miles & More GmbH is an absolute expert in personal and successful customer targeting and retention. Gerald Schlögl is the Managing Director of the wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, based in Frankfurt am Main.

As the loyalty program of the Lufthansa Group, Miles & More offers more than 39 million members access to an exclusive world with more than 170 international partners along the entire travel chain and in everyday life. The core of this diverse world of programs and offers with attractive benefits and exclusive travel privileges lies in earning and redeeming miles for awards and earning Points to achieve frequent flyer status. In addition, the program offers numerous financial services, most notably the successful Miles & More credit card portfolio in cooperation with various banks in over 20 countries. As the operator of the Worldshop, Miles & More GmbH is also responsible for the online shop worldshop.eu with over 400 premium brands and more than 4,500 articles and is represented with a total of six Worldshop stores at the airports of Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and Vienna.

Further information:

·         Miles & More GmbH: https://miles-and-more.company

·         Miles & More: https://www.miles-and-more.com

·         Worldshop: https://www.worldshop.eu/en/about-us

Miles & More Press Office                                     

Phone +49 69 719168-159                       

presse@miles-and-more.com

ITA Airways Press Office

media@ita-airways.com

Alongside the new Rovaniemi connection, Lufthansa has announced additional adjustments to the winter flight schedule 2026/27. Flights on the Frankfurt–Tromsø (Norway) and Munich–Tromsø routes will each increase by two weekly connections. Seasonal increases are planned for February to March 2027: Frankfurt–Rovaniemi will gain a third weekly flight, Frankfurt–Kuusamo (Finland) a second frequency, and Munich–Kittilä (Finland) a second and third weekly connection.

The Lufthansa Group reflects on the successful expansion of its services in the Nordic countries. Besides Lufthansa, other airlines in the Lufthansa Group, such as Austrian Airlines, Edelweiss, Eurowings, and Discover Airlines, also serve the Nordics, contributing to the region’s growing popularity.

In 2015, Lufthansa operated its first flight to Kittilä, an exclusive winter sports destination in Lapland. Since then, the region has evolved into a popular year-round travel destination. Today, the Lufthansa Group operates up to 69 weekly flights to nine Arctic Circle airports. This includes Tromsø, a standout success story since its opening in 2016. With up to 22 weekly flights from eight airports, Tromsø ranks among the best-connected destinations in the region.

All mentioned routes are now available for booking through Lufthansa’s sales channels.

“The union publicly presents the pension plans of, for example, KLM or BA as exemplary. These competitors have an integrated pension system and do not require a separate transitional pension. We are open to this option preferred by the VC and would like to resume negotiations with the union on this matter.

The particular disadvantage of the ÜV in the cockpit is that it lapses for colleagues who, due to their career or individual life plans, continue to fly until they reach the statutory retirement age.

It would also be important in such a model to ensure that planning certainty is maintained for the affected colleagues. Colleagues who are foreseeablely approaching retirement must be able to rely on their retirement benefits.

As part of the transition of the pension plan for cabin crew, we have taken a similar approach in the past and were able to enhance the company pension plan accordingly.

Roughly speaking, transferring the ÜV could result in an improvement of the company pension plan of up to 50 percent. This would not increase the company’s total costs for the pension systems, but would substantially improve the company pension plan.”