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

 “Our order today underscores our great confidence in our long-standing, close and successful partnership with Airbus. With the state-of-the-art A350 long-haul jets, we are accelerating the largest fleet modernization in our history. We are investing more than ever before in our history to make air transport more sustainable, to achieve our CO₂ reduction targets and at the same time offer our customers the highest level of comfort with a first-class travel experience. 

Including today's order, the Lufthansa Group has ordered 770 aircraft from Airbus throughout its history and is proud to be the Airbus’ largest customer worldwide. With the upcoming integration of ITA Airways in January, the Airbus fleet of Lufthansa Group Airlines will grow by another 100 short- and long-haul aircraft.”  

New aircraft biggest lever for CO₂ reduction 

With a current fleet of around 740 commercial aircraft, the Lufthansa Group is pursuing a long-term fleet strategy focused on premium quality, cost efficiency and emissions reduction. Including the latest aircraft order, the Lufthansa Group currently has a total of around 250 new, fuel-saving aircraft on its order list, including 100 long-haul aircraft of the latest design. In the medium term, the highly efficient twin-engine long-haul jets are slated to replace four-engine aircraft types that are gradually being phased out. These include the Boeing 747-400, Airbus A340-600 and Airbus A340-300 aircraft types.  

Compared to their predecessors, the new additions to the Lufthansa Group fleet consume up to 35 percent less fuel consumption and emit correspondingly less CO₂. The Lufthansa Group aims to halve its net CO₂ emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 through reduction and compensation measures, and to achieve a neutral CO₂ balance by 2050. 

The Lufthansa Group has already ordered ten A350-1000s back in March 2023, with deliveries due to start in April 2026. This aircraft type is 242 feet (73.8 meters) long and offers around 15 per cent more capacity than the A350-900.  

For more information:

Lufthansa Group

Corporate Communications, The Americas

Tal Muscal / tal.muscal@dlh.de / +1 917 385 4069

Christina Semmel / christina.semmel@dlh.de / +1 631 839 5231

Follow us on Twitter: @lufthansaNews            

http://newsroom.lufthansagroup.com/

Lufthansa’s expansion in North Carolina not only strengthens its presence in the region but provides Carolinians with even more options for direct travel to Europe. The new Raleigh-Durham to Frankfurt route, coupled with the existing Charlotte to Munich flight, creates a robust network for seamless connections across Europe and beyond. North Carolina residents now have a world of possibilities at their fingertips, including a direct link to the main business hubs, hi-tech companies and R&D centers of Europe, as well as to high-in-demand places for business travel, such as the Middle East and India. The airline has been flying to Charlotte for nearly 20 years, and together with the RDU flight, Lufthansa now serves North Carolina with 12 weekly frequencies to both of its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich.

"Lufthansa is thrilled to bring Raleigh-Durham International Airport its first-ever nonstop connection to Frankfurt, and Germany as a whole," said Dirk Janzen, Vice President Passenger Airlines Sales, The Americas, Lufthansa Group  "This new route will provide travelers throughout North Carolina with seamless access to Lufthansa Group’s worldwide network, opening up a world of possibilities for business and leisure travel, and helping to further the Group’s goal of connecting people, cultures, and economies."

Flight LH408 departs Frankfurt (FRA) at 10:20am and lands at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) at 1:50pm. The return flight LH409 departs Raleigh-Durham at 3:40pm and arrives back in Frankfurt at 6:05am the following day. All times are local. The new Raleigh-Durham service will operate five times weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with an Airbus A330-300 in a three-class configuration. The aircraft includes 42 Business Class, 28 Premium Economy and 185 Economy Class seats to accommodate 255 passengers.

“The launch of service to Frankfurt was 10 years in the making, dating back to our early conversations with Lufthansa in 2014 and culminating in today’s arrival of the first nonstop flight from Germany to RDU,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “We are thrilled to welcome Lufthansa as RDU’s newest international airline partner and provide convenient service to another European gateway."

Frankfurt and beyond

Frankfurt, Germany’s most international city, offers a rich culture and history. The Frankfurt Rhine-Main metropolitan region is one of Europe’s leading economic centers and home to many tourist attractions and sights, including world-class ballet, opera, theaters and art exhibitions. As Germany’s fifth largest city, it is the nation’s financial powerhouse—home to the German Central Bank and the European Central bank, which manages the euro. It is also the gateway to Germany’s robust hi-tech scene.

Lufthansa at Frankfurt Airport

When arriving in Frankfurt, most passengers usually connect to other flights. With Lufthansa Group, customers can easily connect to over 300 destinations worldwide through Lufthansa Group carriers, as well as code share flights with United Airlines and Air Canada, the airline group’s North American partners.  Lounge offerings in Frankfurt offer a variety of options for those premium passengers that find themselves waiting for the next leg of their trip. Lufthansa lounges vary from a Welcome Lounge that has private showers, warm breakfast offerings and quiet spaces to rest or work to a multitude of First and Business Class lounges that provide a tranquil respite for guests.

Lufthansa expansion across the United States

Following a summer of exciting route expansions, Lufthansa's newest addition of Raleigh-Durham marks the Group carriers’ 26^th gateway in the United States. With this, Lufthansa and its group subsidiaries now operates some 400 weekly flights to the United States.  This dedication to expanding the Lufthansa footprint across North America is further evidenced by the recent launches of a non-stop route from Seattle to Munich and Minneapolis-Saint Paul to Frankfurt, as well as increased capacity from Munich to Washington D.C. with an A380.

The New Service in Brief

"We are thrilled to connect the vibrant Twin Cities, and the entire state of Minnesota, with Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub, offering a direct link for Minneapolis-St. Paul residents to Lufthansa Group's extensive network across Europe and beyond,” said Dirk Janzen, Vice President Passenger Sales, The Americas, Lufthansa Group. “The launch of this route serves as a main bedrock of our summer expansion plan in the United States, the most important market outside of the Group’s home markets, and we could not be happier to add more opportunities and capacity into and out of the U.S.,” he added.

Flight LH482, operated with a Boeing 787-9, departs Frankfurt Airport at 11:10 a.m. touching down at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport at 1:15 p.m. Eastbound flight LH483 departs Minneapolis-Saint Paul at 3:05 p.m. and will land at 6:30 a.m. the following day in Frankfurt. All times are local. This non-stop route operates five times weekly on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, Saturday, and Sundays.

“We are excited to welcome Lufthansa to MSP as our newest international airline,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates MSP. “This new service addresses growing demand for travel to Germany and other European destinations. More than 35,500 passengers are projected to travel from MSP to Germany, while nearly 365,000 are expected to fly to Europe from MSP. Lufthansa not only helps meet that demand, but also gives passengers new options for reaching other parts of the globe.”

The Boeing 787-9

The new Minneapolis-Saint Paul service will operate with a Boeing 787-9 in a three-class configuration (30 Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy seats and 215 Economy Class seats). Contributing to Lufthansa’s commitment to a sustainable future in aviation, the aircraft consumes up to 30 percent less kerosene than predecessor models and produces correspondingly lower emissions. In addition, the Boeing 787-9 offers Lufthansa customers the best view of the sky by providing the largest windows that have ever been fitted on an aircraft. Their elevated position ensures stunning views even from the middle row. Plus, with a simple touch, you can adjust the window's shade to create your perfect level of in-flight ambiance.

Vast worldwide network

With the launch of Minneapolis-Saint Paul service, the Lufthansa Group carriers will operate to 26 gateways in the USA, offering some 400 weekly flights during the current summer schedule. Lufthansa Group aims to continually develop its offerings and is dedicated to expanding its network within North America with several route launches occurring in the summer season 2024. Already, Lufthansa launched a new non-stop route from Seattle to Munich, and increased capacity to Washington D.C. with an A380 from Munich. Following the Minneapolis-Saint Paul launch, Lufthansa will start direct service from Raleigh-Durum to Frankfurt on June 6^th. SWISS, also part of Lufthansa Group, recently began flights to both Washington DC and Toronto, Canada,

With easy worldwide connectivity as a main priority for customers, Lufthansa is well equipped to respond to this need. Minneapolis-Saint Paul customers will benefit from the direct link to Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub. Additionally, as a member of the Lufthansa Group, one of the world’s leading aviation organizations, Lufthansa offers customers access to an extensive worldwide network.  Lufthansa Group is comprised of Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, and Discover and has code share flights with United Airlines and Air Canada, as a result of the Atlantic Joint Venture.

The New Service in Brief

Flights are now available at http://www.lufthansa.com

Flight LH488 departs Munich (MUC) at 3:35pm and lands at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) at 4:59pm. The return flight LH489 departs Seattle at 6:50pm and arrives back in Munich at 1:45pm the following day. All times are local. The SEA-MUC flight will operate three times per week, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

“Adding direct access to Munich, Lufthansa’s Bavarian hub alongside Frankfurt, is a welcome development for our customers throughout the Pacific Northwest, as well as the United States at large,” said Dirk Janzen, Vice President Passenger Sales, The Americas, Lufthansa Group Airlines. “The United States is Lufthansa Group’s most important market outside of the home markets, and so this new nonstop service between Munich and Seattle marks a significant step forward in connecting travelers and fostering economic ties between Germany and the U.S. west coast.”

The A350-900 serves as a commitment to comfort and choice

Lufthansa's A350-900 aircraft boasts superior fuel efficiency and a modern cabin design, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable journey across the Atlantic. Passengers can choose from a variety of cabin classes to suit their travel needs, including Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. In addition to the comfort and convenience offered onboard, Lufthansa remains committed to sustainability. The airline is actively pursuing initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including the use of fuel-efficient aircraft like the A350-900 and investment in sustainable aviation fuels.

Enhanced worldwide connectivity

Passengers can now enjoy a faster and more seamless travel experience between Seattle and Munich, a major European hub, as well as top-notch connectivity throughout Germany, all of Europe and the world. This expansion complements Lufthansa Airlines’ growing North American network, which include new direct routes launching this summer from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), both to Frankfurt (FRA). Additionally, Lufthansa is bolstering capacity on the Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Munich route with the introduction of the A380.

Moreover, as part of the Lufthansa Group, one of the world's leading aviation organizations, Lufthansa Airlines is part of the bigger puzzle of North American summer expansion. The Group, which includes Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, and Discover, is committed to actively growing its presence across the continent. This summer has already seen SWISS launch new direct flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Zurich. Further solidifying the Group's commitment, this summer Austrian Airlines will launch flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and will also place the modern 787-9 aircraft on its popular New York JFK – Vienna route. With this collective effort, the Lufthansa Group offers travelers even more possibilities for seamless connections throughout North America and Europe. The new Seattle-Munich route is an important part of the strengthen Lufthansa Group's position as a leading transatlantic carrier.

The New Service in Brief

Flights available at http://www.lufthansa.com.

Flight LH414 departed Munich at 4:25pm and arrived in Washington D.C. at 7:25pm. The return flight, LH415, is scheduled to leave Dulles International Airport at 10:20pm and arrive back in Munich at 12:20pm the following day. All times are local. The Washington DC–Munich route will operate daily.

Lufthansa Group in Washington DC

The United States is the Lufthansa Group’s most important market outside of its home markets in Europe. Washington DC, along with New York’s JFK Airport, are the only two gateways that cater to all Group passenger airlines, including Austrian, Brussels, Lufthansa, and since March 28^th, 2024, SWISS. Not only does this make IAD a “flagship gateway” for the Lufthansa Group in the US, but it also provides those residents in the surrounding region a multitude of travel options and smooth connections spanning the entire globe due to the Group’s vast network.

The A380 aircraft

The Airbus A380 offers a unique blend of size, efficiency, and passenger comfort.  This remarkable aircraft boasts impressive fuel efficiency, burning roughly 12 percent less fuel than other wide-body jets, while operating 30 percent quieter than current-generation counterparts.

With 509 seats, the airline’s A380 has around 80 percent more capacity than its Airbus A340-600, which currently flies on the Washington DC-Munich route. The seats are spread out across four classes of travel: 8 seats in First Class, 78 seats in Business Cass, 52 seats in Premium Economy and 371 seats in Economy Class.

Located on the upper deck, the First Class cabin is one the quietest cabins in commercial aviation and boasts an air humidification system – the first of its kind to be installed on a commercial aircraft – that improves air humidity to help fight off jet lag. Two large, luxurious bathrooms with separate changing and lavatory areas offer enhanced personal space and storage. The cabin’s eight generously proportioned, ergonomic seats measure 6’9” feet in length and 2’7” feet in width and provide the ultimate in comfort and innovation for an exceptional travel experience.

Also located on the upper deck is the Business Class cabin with 78 seats featuring improved functionality, including more storage and a power supply that works with all worldwide connections.  

For those desiring 50 percent more legroom and an elevated level of personalized service, 52 dedicated Premium Economy seats on the main deck's forward compartment provide a comfortable and convenient option. Premium Economy passengers receive generous baggage allowances – two pieces of luggage weighing 51 lbs. each, a personalized in-flight dining experience served on fine chinaware, and a complementary amenity kit.

The Economy Class cabin is also found on the main deck.  Each of its 371 seats features an in-seat video screen, an optimized ergonomic design and a slimmer seat back that adds two inches of personal space per passenger.

This flight schedule offers good transfer connections from Israel to North America and back via the Lufthansa Group hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna and Zurich.

The flight schedule will be published on Monday, 18 December 2023. Flights can be booked from this date onwards.

Safety is always a top priority for the airlines in the Lufthansa Group. The Lufthansa Group continues to monitor the security situation in Israel closely and is in close contact with the local and international authorities. Possible flight schedule adjustments must be expected due to changing conditions.

Lufthansa Group Airlines suspended its scheduled flights to and from Tel Aviv on 09 October 2023.

The flight schedule starting 08 January 2024 at a glance:

The carbon-removal credits will be issued by Airbus through its ACCO (Airbus Carbon Capture Offer) service. The certificates will be available from 2026 and an annual purchase of carbon-removal credits of 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ has been agreed on over a period of four years. The signing of the contract follows a joint declaration of intent from 2022.

“The Lufthansa Group is strongly committed to making air transport more sustainable and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This includes billion-euro investments in continuous fleet modernization and our strong commitment to Sustainable Aviation Fuels. Technical CO₂ removal solutions, like advanced and direct carbon capture and storage processes, will play a complementary role in achieving our decarbonization goals,” said Caroline Drischel, Head of Corporate Responsibility at the Lufthansa Group.

“The Lufthansa Group was one of the very first aviation companies to work with Airbus to explore the potential of direct air carbon capture and storage solutions,” said Nicolas Chrétien, Head of Environment & Sustainability at Airbus. “As the aviation industry moves towards net zero CO₂-emissions by 2050, carbon removal will play an important role in addressing remaining emissions. We are very pleased to go one step further with the Lufthansa Group and keep up the momentum to make decarbonized air travel a reality.”

This is how DACCS technology works

Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage is a high-potential technology that involves filtering CO₂ emissions directly from the air using high powered fans. Once removed from the air, the CO₂ is stored deep underground in geologic saline formations. As the aviation industry cannot capture CO₂ emissions released into the atmosphere at source, a direct air carbon capture and storage solution would allow the sector to extract CO₂ emissions from its operations directly from atmospheric air. In addition to the comprehensive measures that companies are taking to reduce CO₂ emissions, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), carbon removal is required to support the achievement of net-zero targets.

Additionally, the Direct Air Carbon Capture technology will be an important building block for the production of next-generation Sustainable Aviation Fuels. For SAF production from renewable energies with the innovative Power-to-Liquid or Sun-to-Liquid technologies, for example, CO₂ is captured from the atmosphere and processed further. For this, a Direct Air Capture infrastructure will be needed. In IATA’s Infrastructure Roadmap, the development and the promised success of SAF are closely linked to the adoption of Direct Air Capture infrastructures. The Lufthansa Group is involved in numerous initiatives to bring these promising next generation SAF technologies to market maturity.

The Airbus carbon-removal initiative is based on Airbus’ partnership with 1PointFive that includes the pre-purchase of carbon-removal credits of 400,000 tonnes of CO₂ to be delivered over four years. The US-based company is working closely with leading organizations to develop practical pathways to achieve global climate targets.

Lufthansa Group pursues ambitious sustainability goals

The Lufthansa Group has set itself ambitious climate protection goals and aims to achieve a neutral CO₂ balance by 2050. Already by 2030, the Lufthansa Group wants to halve its net CO₂ emissions compared to 2019 through reduction and compensation measures. The reduction share of the 2030 target was validated by the independent Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in August 2022. The Lufthansa Group was the first airline group in Europe with a science-based CO₂ reduction target in line with the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. For effective climate protection, the Lufthansa Group is focusing, in particular, on accelerated fleet modernization, the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the continuous optimization of flight operations, and offers for its private travelers and corporate customers to make a flight or the transport of cargo more sustainable. In addition, the Lufthansa Group has been actively supporting global climate and weather research for many years. The Lufthansa Group's commitment to sustainability is rated positively and above the industry average by independent rating organizations.

Simple, easy-to-book and individual offers for more sustainable flying

"People want to fly and be mobile, they want to explore the world, visit friends and family or seal deals in person. The growing demand for our Green Fares show that more and more people want to travel as sustainably as possible. We support them with suitable offers. The Green Fares test on long-haul flights will provide us with important insights for the further development of our portfolio for more sustainable travel," said Christina Foerster, Member of the Lufthansa Group Executive Board responsible for Brand & Sustainability.

Harry Hohmeister, Member of the Lufthansa Group Executive Board responsible for Global Markets & Network, said: "The Lufthansa Group continues to expand its innovative services for more sustainable flying. We are pioneers worldwide with simple, easy-to-book and individual offers for our customers. I am delighted that we are now also offering Green Fares on selected long-haul flights on all hub airlines. This also clearly demonstrates the strength of our multi-hub and multi-brand strategy."

In February, the Lufthansa Group successfully introduced Green Fares for routes within Europe and to North Africa, and increasingly, more customers are booking the offer. Since the launch, more than half a million passengers have already opted for a Green Fares flight.

Further development of the CO₂ compensation portfolio

The fare includes full offsetting of individual, flight-related CO₂ emissions with just one click through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and a contribution to high-quality climate protection projects. With SAF, a reduction of 10 percent of CO₂ emissions is achieved, while the remaining 90 percent is offset through climate protection projects. The Lufthansa Group ensures that the amount of SAF required for offsetting is fed into the airport infrastructure within six months of purchase.  Tagged as a "drop-in" fuel, SAF is mixed with fossil fuel before being transported to the airport. There is no refueling of individual flights with SAF. The Lufthansa Group's compensation portfolio is constantly being further developed and now comprises 15 projects, including, most recently, technology-based projects for the long-term binding of CO₂. In this way, the Lufthansa Group wants to promote the development of the CO₂ compensation market towards new technologies and offers. The providers are myclimate, Climate Austria, SQUAKE and ClimatePartner. All projects in the Lufthansa Group climate project portfolio are certified according to the highest available standards.

Twelve selected test routes

The Green Fares long-haul fare will be available on the following routes from the end of November. The Lufthansa Group airlines participating in the test are Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and SWISS, which offer the connections - if included in the respective route network - via their booking sites.

• Zurich - Los Angeles (ZRH - LAX) 
• Frankfurt - Miami (FRA - MIA) 
• Sao Paulo - Zurich (GRU - ZRH) 
• Frankfurt - Bengaluru (FRA - BLR) 
• Munich- Seoul (MUC - ICN) 
• Brussels - Kinshasa (BRU - FIH) 
• Singapore - London (SIN - LHR/LCY) 
• Nairobi - Frankfurt (NBO - FRA) 
• Bangkok - Vienna (BKK - VIE) 
• Hong Kong - London (HKG - LHR/LCY) 
• London - Hong Kong (LHR/LCY - HKG) 
• Paris - Bangkok (CDG/ORY - BKK)

Lufthansa Group pursues ambitious sustainability goals

The Lufthansa Group has set itself ambitious climate protection goals and aims to achieve a neutral CO₂ balance by 2050. Already by 2030, the Lufthansa Group wants to halve its net CO₂ emissions compared to 2019 through reduction and compensation measures. The reduction share of the 2030 target was validated by the independent Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in August 2022. The Lufthansa Group was the first airline group in Europe with a science-based CO₂ reduction target in line with the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. For effective climate protection, the Group is focusing, in particular, on accelerated fleet modernization, the use of SAF, the continuous optimization of flight operations, and offers for its private travelers and corporate customers to make a flight or the transport of cargo more sustainable. In addition, the Lufthansa Group has been actively supporting global climate and weather research for many years. The company’s commitment to sustainability is rated positively and above the industry average by independent rating organizations.

Flight LH453 will depart Los Angeles at 6:30pm and arrive into Munich at 1:40pm, the following day. Flight LH452 will depart Munich at 12pm and arrive back in Los Angeles at 4:15pm. All times are local. The already daily operating flights, now have increased capacity due to the placement of the A380.

Due to the sharp rise in demand for travel and the delayed delivery of ordered aircraft, Lufthansa decided in 2022 to reactivate the Airbus A380, which is particularly popular with passengers and crews. By the end of 2025, a total of eight A380s will once again be deployed for service to and from Munich.

The A380 aircraft

The Airbus A380 is one of the world’s most fuel-efficient aircraft, burning about 12 percent less fuel than other wide-body jets, and is approximataely 30 percent quieter than the current generation of wide-body aircraft. With 509 seats, the airline’s A380 has around 80 percent more capacity than its Airbus A340-600, which currently flies on the Boston – Munich and JFK routes. In total, Lufthansa’s A380 offers four classes of travel: 8 seats in First Class, 78 seats in Business Class, 52 seats in Premium Eco and 371 seats in Economy Class.

Located on the upper deck, the First Class cabin is one the quietest cabins in commercial aviation and boasts an air humidification system – the first of its kind to be installed on a commercial aircraft – that improves air humidity to help fight off jet lag. Two large, luxurious bathrooms with separate changing and lavatory areas offer enhanced personal space and storage. The cabin’s eight generously proportioned, ergonomic seats measure 6’9” feet in length and 2’7” feet in width and provide the ultimate in comfort and innovation for an exceptional travel experience.

Also located on the upper deck is the Business Class cabin with 78 seats featuring improved functionality, including more storage and a power supply that works with all worldwide connections.  

The main deck is home to Lufthansa’s Premium Economy class, where 52 seats are situated in the forward most compartment of the A380’s main deck. In addition to more private space with up to 50 percent more legroom, Premium Economy allows guests to travel with two pieces of luggage weighing 51 lbs. each. On board, every passenger is greeted with a welcome drink and in-flight meals are presented on menu cards and served on fine chinaware. Premium Economy passengers will also find an amenity kit at their seats which includes practical travel accessories, an electrical plug, and a bottle of water.

The Economy Class is found on both levels of the aircraft.  Each of its 371 seats features an in-seat video screen, an optimized ergonomic design, and a slimmer seat back that adds two inches of personal space per passenger.

Lufthansa Group is meeting this boom in pent-up demand by launching additional flights to the USA on short notice. Lufthansa and SWISS, for example, will be offering a combined total of three daily flights to Miami on short notice starting in November.

There is very strong demand for flights to the USA for the coming December. New bookings in the past week for this month were as high as they were for 2019 for the same time period. Flights to New York – traditionally in high demand during the Christmas season – have already been bolstered with additional connections. The airlines of the Lufthansa Group are offering up to 55 weekly connections to New York from their various European hubs in Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland in December. A further short-term expansion of services is currently under consideration.

Alone to New York and Chicago, Lufthansa Group airlines offer more daily connections from Europe in November than flights to the entire Asia-Pacific region. Lufthansa Group expects that the opening of the U.S. to vaccinated EU travellers will be a signal for other countries and regions to make international air travel easier again and roll back travel restrictions.

Additional flights also within Germany

Lufthansa Group is also increasing German domestic flights to its European hubs as demand for U.S. flights continues to soar. For example, compared with July, Lufthansa is increasing its domestic German flights by 45 percent from starting in October. This means, among other things that as of October there will be nine instead of six daily flights from Frankfurt to Berlin. Flights from Frankfurt to Hamburg will increase from six to eight flights daily. The situation is similar for Munich: The current five daily connections to Berlin will be increased to seven starting in October; instead of six daily flights from Munich to Hamburg, there will be up to 11 daily flights in the future. And also starting in October, Lufthansa will again operate hourly flights from Hamburg and Berlin to its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich in the morning and in the evening.

With the flight schedule expansion more connections are available throughout the day. This means business travellers who often want to fly in the morning or the evening will benefit from an improved flight schedule as will other travellers.