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

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 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.

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.

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.

In the winter flight schedule, the Dreamliner currently flies from Frankfurt to Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Austin, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Toronto. When the summer schedule begins on March 29, the 787-9 will fly to Austin, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Cape Town, Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Hong Kong. Starting in June, the destinations will include New York JFK and Los Angeles, followed by Delhi in July.

When booking, travelers now also have the option to select special Allegris seats in Business Class. Reserving a Classic Seat remains free of charge; this seat offers all the benefits of the new travel class. Optionally, passengers can also book seats with additional comfort (the Business Class Suite, the Extra Space Seat with extra legroom, the Privacy Seat by the window, and the Extra Long Bed with a 2.20-meter reclining surface) in advance via the seat reservation system for an additional fee.

Since October 9, 2025, Allegris has been flying the Boeing 787-9 out of Frankfurt. Currently, ten brand-new aircraft have arrived in Frankfurt, nine of which are currently in service. In total, Lufthansa Airlines plans to have 29 Boeing 787-9s by the end of 2027.

Lufthansa Airlines plans to add several extra flights at short notice in the coming weeks. Four extra flights from Munich to Singapore and back, as well as two special flights from Frankfurt to Cape Town and back, are already available for booking. In addition, two extra flights from Frankfurt to Riyadh are planned.

Austrian Airlines has already set up 10 special flights from Vienna to Bangkok and back. 

The flights that have already been published can be booked through all sales channels. The Lufthansa Group is constantly monitoring current market developments. We will communicate any further additional flights.

Flight LH 704 is set to depart at 9:30 PM from Frankfurt arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 4:40 PM local time the following day. The return flight LH 705 is scheduled for departure at 11:55 PM from Kuala Lumpur landing at 6:00 AM the following day in the Rhine-Main hub. These flight times are optimally coordinated with Lufthansa's worldwide network from Frankfurt and offer travelers ideal and seamless connection possibilities.

The flight will be operated by the new Boeing 787-9, the most modern and efficient aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet. Equipped with 287 seats in a three-class configured cabin, offering the new Allegris cabin.

Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines, said: "With the new nonstop connection to Kuala Lumpur and the deployment of our state-of-the-art Dreamliner, we are creating ideal conditions to participate in the growth in Southeast Asia. The innovative Allegris cabin offers our guests the highest level of comfort and underscores our premium aspiration to offer both leisure and business travelers a first-class travel experience." 

Malaysia: Attractive destination for tourism and business

Malaysia is a very popular destination for both leisure travelers and business travelers. With 42.2 million visitors in 2025, Malaysia was the most visited country in Southeast Asia. The country's cultural diversity, natural beauty, and historical significance make it a unique travel destination.

Malaysia is also economically strong and growing rapidly. Germany is Malaysia's most important trading partner in the European Union, and over 700 German companies are based in Malaysia. Lufthansa sees significant growth potential in the region and is specifically focusing on the development of this destination.

From the Lufthansa Group home markets (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy), Lufthansa Airlines will be the only airline operating nonstop flights to Malaysia. This makes Kuala Lumpur the forth Lufthansa Group destination in Southeast Asia, alongside Bangkok, Singapore and Phuket.

On February 16, the Lufthansa Group had already announced that the seats would be available for booking from April 15. Now, Business Class on the Boeing 787-9 can be booked with virtually no restrictions for flights from the end of March and thus also for Easter holiday travel. At least ten Dreamliners are expected to be in service from Frankfurt by then. With 25 Allegris seats available for booking starting today, over 200 additional business class seats in the state-of-the-art and successful Allegris class will go on sale every day.

From Frankfurt, Allegris will fly to Austin, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Cape Town, Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Hong Kong at the start of the summer flight schedule. From June, the destinations will be New York JFK and Los Angeles, followed by Delhi in July. The Dreamliner will also fly to Toronto, Montréal, Lagos, and Malabo, initially with some flights featuring Allegris and others without.

The Boeing 787-9 has been flying with Allegris from Frankfurt since October 9, 2025. Nine brand-new aircraft have already arrived in Frankfurt, and 20 more Dreamliners have been ordered. Lufthansa Airlines plans to have a total of 29 Boeing 787-9s by the end of 2027.

The agreement is specifically designed to capitalize on new growth opportunities arising from the recently concluded free trade agreement between India—the world's most populous country—and the European Union (EU). The EU states are India's largest trading partners for goods. Bilateral trade in goods currently totals €180 billion per year. Both economic powers account not only for a quarter of the world's population, but also for a quarter of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP). The latest agreement creates nothing less than the world's largest free trade area.

Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Chief Executive Officer of the Lufthansa Group:

"Today's agreement with our long-standing Star Alliance partner Air India is a strong signal of our mutual determination to open a new chapter in aviation between the EU and India following the landmark trade agreement between both economic regions. Together with Air India, we will strengthen our access to the aviation market with the highest growth rates worldwide. The Lufthansa Group is already the most successful and most popular European airline group among customers in India. In the future, we will contribute to deepening economic and cultural relations between India and Europe with even more connections. With our new long-haul aircraft and Lufthansa Allegris and SWISS Senses on board, we are offering a significantly improved premium travel experience in all classes on more and more routes, including to India.”

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India: “This milestone in our deepening relationship with the Lufthansa Group is great news for travellers and enterprises alike between India and Europe. As Air India continues to expand its global footprint with a fast-modernising fleet and transformed product and service offerings, this framework enables us to explore closer cooperation on multiple fronts to meet the growing trade, commerce, and people-to-people ties between our respective regions. This would unlock greater value for our common customers and respective shareholders, and we look forward to progressing these initiatives together with the Lufthansa Group.”

The immense growth of the Indian aviation market with a rapidly growing and affluent middle class offers enormous potential. Routes between the European home markets and India have already become the second most important premium market for long-haul flights for the Lufthansa Group after the USA. Deepening cooperation with Air India, the country's largest long-haul airline and a long-standing partner of the Lufthansa Group, opens up additional growth potential for both partners.

Currently, the Lufthansa Group airlines and Air India offer codeshare flights on 146 routes to 22 countries. The joint network comprises 15 Indian and 27 European destinations. Lufthansa offers its customers the most connections to India from Frankfurt: to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. From the 5-star hub Munich, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore are served. While SWISS flies from Zurich to Delhi and Mumbai, ITA Airways connects Rome with Delhi. This means that the newest member of the Lufthansa Group, ITA Airways, is also part of the Memorandum of Understanding. This extensive offering is complemented by Air India with long-haul connections from Delhi to Frankfurt, Zurich, Vienna, and Milan as well as from Mumbai to Frankfurt.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed today focuses in a first step on expanding and jointly marketing flight offerings with the goal of providing customers with a better connected and seamless travel experience between the Lufthansa Group's home markets—Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy—and India. A second step envisions incorporating the remaining EU countries and the Indian subcontinent. The exact scope, including specific routes and markets, will be determined following the completion of the commercial Joint Business Agreement, subject to required regulatory and antitrust approvals.

Looking ahead, the cooperation is to be expanded in several areas, particularly regarding the customer travel experience. The focus will be on further coordination of flight schedules and route networks in selected markets so that passengers can benefit from better connections and shorter transfer times. In addition, both partners want to combine their sales and marketing activities for flights between the Lufthansa Group's European home markets and India, better integrate frequent flyer programs, and optimize airport processes for improved customer comfort.

Lufthansa can look back on more than 60 years of shared history with India. The airline first landed in Delhi as early as 1959. This connection has been continuously expanded. A codeshare agreement with Air India has existed since 2004, and in 2014 the Indian airline joined the Star Alliance co-founded by Lufthansa. In February 2025, the Lufthansa Group and Air India announced the expansion of codeshare agreements between Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Air India.

After further important milestones in the certification process were reached in recent weeks, nothing now stands in the way of the approval of Allegris Business Class in the Boeing 787-9 – with the exception of three seats in the second row of the compartment. As of today, 25 of a total of 28 seats in Business Class can be booked for travel from April 15. 

When booking, travelers have the option of selecting special Allegris seats in Business Class. Reservations for Classic Seats remain free of charge and offer all the benefits of the new travel class. Passengers can also optionally book seats with additional comfort (the Business Class Suite, the Extra Space Seat with extra legroom, the Privacy Seat by the window, and the Extra Long Bed with a 2.20-meter lying surface) in advance via seat reservation for an additional charge.

From Frankfurt, the Boeing 787-9 with Allegris will fly to Austin, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Cape Town, Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Hong Kong at the start of the summer flight schedule. New York JFK and Los Angeles will be added in June, followed by Delhi in July. 

Jens Ritter, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Airlines: “Our guests love Allegris. More than one million passengers have traveled in the new cabin since summer 2024. We are delighted to be able to offer significantly more passengers this top-of-the-range product for bookings from Frankfurt starting today. Allegris is an experience in all classes; the approval of the majority of seats in Business Class on the Boeing 787-9 is an important milestone for Lufthansa – and above all, great news for our customers!”

Allegris has been flying in the Boeing 787-9 from Frankfurt since October 9, 2025. Eight brand-new aircraft have already arrived in Frankfurt, and 21 more Dreamliners have been ordered. Lufthansa Airlines plans to have a total of 29 Boeing 787-9s by the end of 2027.

The modern and completely redesigned area consists of two exclusive areas: the Business Lounge and the Senator Lounge. Entry is via an automated and digital access control system. Both areas feature different zones to meet the individual needs of passengers. Whether working, reading, relaxing, or enjoying undisturbed privacy, every guest can tailor their lounge visit to their individual needs. A wide selection of food, beverages, magazines, and newspapers round out the visit. The Senator Lounge also features a barista coffee bar, where coffee specialties are freshly prepared using beans from a local roaster. 

The lounge offers a revamped concept that combines the Lufthansa brand world with the character of the Stuttgart location. The three guiding principles of “dynamic, industrial, and mobile” shape the conceptual and architectural approach. They are incorporated into the design and create a subtle reference to the local identity, which is reflected in the materials, shapes, and spatial staging. 

Heiko Reitz, Hub Manager Munich & CCO Lufthansa Airlines: “Many status guests sorely missed ‘their lounge’ in Stuttgart during the closure. I am therefore all the more delighted that we can finally reopen the Business and Senator Lounges after extensive renovation and with a new concept.” 

The Lufthansa Group flies from “STR” to more than 60 destinations in 21 countries, primarily with Eurowings and Lufthansa. In addition, the Lufthansa Group airlines Austrian Airlines and SWISS also fly to the “Manfred Rommel” airport in the capital of Baden-Württemberg. This year, Lufthansa celebrated its 70th anniversary at Stuttgart Airport.

The Lufthansa Group airlines now offer their guests over 14,000 weekly connections to 330 destinations in around 100 countries via their hubs in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and Italy.

New at Lufthansa Airlines from Frankfurt and Munich:

A stable and reliable flight schedule with an increase in the number of connections to attractive destinations is the focus of Lufthansa Airlines for summer 2026. Next summer, Lufthansa will fly from Frankfurt to St. Louis and Cape Town five times a week, to Rio de Janeiro six times a week, to Raleigh/Durham and Nairobi daily, and to Washington fourteen times a week.

Due to continuing high demand for Scandinavian destinations, Lufthansa will be adding Trondheim (Norway) to its flight schedule from Frankfurt four times a week for the first time from May 1, 2026. Supplemented by the service in Munich, Lufthansa will then fly at least once a day from Germany to Norway's third-largest city. Other Northern European destinations such as Bergen, Stavanger, and others will also be expanded.

In Munich, the summer season will be extended: two long-haul destinations added in winter 2025/26 will also continue to be operated next summer. Sao Paulo in South America will be included in the summer flight schedule with three weekly flights, as well as Johannesburg in South Africa. All destinations will be served by the Airbus A350-900, one of the most modern aircraft in the world.

Due to the high cost burden for flights to and from Germany, Lufthansa Airlines will reduce more than 50 frequencies on feeder routes from the 2026 summer flight schedule, for example between Munich and Cologne, Düsseldorf and Berlin, or between Frankfurt and Leipzig or Nuremberg. Other connections, such as from Munich to Münster/Osnabrück or Dresden, are under review.

In addition, the connections from Frankfurt to Toulouse and from Munich to Tallinn and Oviedo will be discontinued next spring for economic reasons. Tallinn and Oviedo will still be accessible to Lufthansa guests from Frankfurt, and Toulouse via Munich.

New at SWISS:

From March 29, 2026, SWISS will offer flights from Zurich to Poznan, Poland's fifth-largest city, for the first time. During the summer months of July and August, SWISS will also add the Croatian port city of Rijeka on Kvarner Bay to its schedule. In addition, the airline is increasing frequencies from Zurich on various European routes, including Alicante, Valencia, Manchester, Montpellier, Tirana, Budapest, and Venice. On the long-haul route, SWISS will offer daily flights to Tokyo in April, May, and October; during the rest of the season, there will be flights to the Japanese capital will five times a week.

New at Austrian Airlines:

Austrian Airlines' 2026 summer flight schedule is diverse. Greece, Spain, and Italy are traditionally at the top of the popularity scale for travelers – with some new destinations being added and frequencies increased. And a success story continues – thanks to strong demand last summer, the “coolcation” destinations (such as Sylt, Edinburgh, and the Lofoten Islands) will be resumed and even expanded in 2026.

New at ITA Airways:

As a small preview of its 2026 summer flight schedule, ITA Airways announces its return to London Heathrow with the resumption of the Rome Fiumicino–London Heathrow route, which will be operated twice daily. ITA Airways' detailed summer schedule will be published at a later date.

In addition, during the peak summer season, direct flights will be offered from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate to popular vacation destinations in Greece, Spain, and the Italian islands, providing summer vacationers with more travel options.

Throughout the summer season, ITA Airways will continue to work hard to expand connections from its Rome Fiumicino hub, while offering Italian hospitality, style, innovation, and connectivity to meet the changing needs of travelers worldwide.

New at Brussels Airlines:

Brussels Airlines will add Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) to its route network. It is the Belgian airline's eighteenth destination in sub-Saharan Africa and strengthens Brussels Airlines' position as an Africa expert within the Lufthansa Group. From June 2026, Kilimanjaro will be connected twice a week. In addition, Brussels Airlines will increase flights to Freetown (Sierra Leone) from five to six flights per week and add an additional flight on Thursdays.

Within its European route network, Brussels Airlines is increasing capacity on existing routes, particularly in Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

New at Edelweiss:

Edelweiss is expanding its long-haul offering from Zurich in summer 2026. From June, there will be twice-weekly flights to Windhoek in Namibia. The airline is also increasing the frequency of flights to Seattle, Punta Cana, and Tampa and extending its seasonal flights to Halifax, Cape Town, and Colombo. Edelweiss is thus responding to the growing demand for diverse and attractive holiday destinations.

New at Discover Airlines:

Discover Airlines is expanding its short-haul services and will fly to Shannon in Ireland and Brindisi in Italy for the first time. Both routes will operate twice weekly from Frankfurt.

The island of Cyprus is also included in Discover Airlines' flight schedule for the first time. From the end of March, there will be daily flights from Frankfurt and Munich to the port city of Larnaca – one of the oldest cities in the world. There will be two flights a day from Frankfurt on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, as well as two flights a day from Munich on Fridays and Sundays. These routes were previously offered by Lufthansa.

On the long-haul route, the connection from Frankfurt to the Seychelles, which was originally only planned for the winter season, will now be offered year-round. In addition, there will be an additional fifth flight from Frankfurt to Las Vegas every Saturday.

Commenting on the achievement, Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias said: “Our commitment at Star Alliance is to create seamless and connected journeys for travellers, and our lounges play an important role in this. This recognition is especially meaningful, reflecting the trust of travellers and industry experts and the continued excellence of the LAX lounge. We’re proud to see it honoured as a leader year after year.”

Mr Panagiotoulias added his appreciation: “This achievement is thanks to the dedicated team whose hard work keeps the LAX lounge running smoothly every day, and to our member airlines whose collaboration has been instrumental to its success.”

The Star Alliance lounge at Los Angeles International Airport has long been regarded as one of the world’s premier airport lounges, consistently collecting accolades from across the industry. With a spacious 18,000 square foot layout, the LAX lounge is known for its outdoor terrace featuring firepits, a tranquil water wall, and sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills. From relaxed daytime charm to a vibrant evening setting, it offers travellers a unique space to dine, work or simply unwind before their flight.

The World Travel Awards, established in 1993, celebrates excellence across travel, tourism and hospitality, and is widely recognised as among the most prestigious honours in the industry.

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

The offer is valid for intercontinental one-way and round-trip tickets, except for trips to and from Japan, Canada, and the USA, and can be booked via the airline websites. To take advantage of this offer, students must verify their Travel-ID via Sheer ID with proof of university enrollment. With its student fare, the Lufthansa Group is setting an example in supporting academic mobility and international exchange.

In this context, Lufthansa Group Airlines generally recommend installing the airlines' app and creating a Travel-ID profile. Travel-ID helps to make travel easier: among other things, it allows travel documents to be integrated and personal data to be stored for future and past bookings. Further services will follow gradually. In addition, travelers with Travel-ID receive personalized information and suggested solutions. More than 15 million customers within the Lufthansa Group have already created a digital profile.

This year, Lufthansa is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its first flight to Saudi Arabia. Together with Eurowings and ITA Airways, it will be flying to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. These three Lufthansa Group airlines will offer their passengers a total of 22 weekly departures to Saudi Arabia in future. In total, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group fly to the region more than 120 times a week.

Riyadh is the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a population of just under eight million. The city is growing steadily and is home to numerous universities, museums and monuments. The metropolis is centrally located in the interior of the country, surrounded by desert, and has been the capital of Saudi Arabia since the country's independence in 1932. Historically, it is a very important stopover on the pilgrimage routes to Mecca and Medina, the most important pilgrimage sites in Islam. In the future, Riyadh will host major events, such as the annual ‘Riyadh Season’ in winter, Saudi Arabia's largest festival. The World Expo will take place in Riyadh in 2030, as will the FIFA Men's World Cup in 2034.

Lufthansa punctuality has significantly improved: Ranked fifth last summer among European network airlines, it is now among the top three in Europe. For arrival punctuality, crucial for guests, Lufthansa was in first place this spring.

“A stable and punctual flight operation is a prerequisite for good customer experience. Despite the challenging economic situation, Lufthansa invested 200 million euros to stabilize flight operations. and it is now paying off for our guests and employees. Lufthansa punctuality is now at its best in ten years,” says Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines. “Our investments in the travel experience of our guests are also paying off. From upgrading our food offerings and lounges to our new Allegris long-haul cabin equipment, we are seeing a positive trend in customer satisfaction and customer interaction.”

Lufthansa Airlines was recently named the world’s most family-friendly airline at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards. In addition, the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt received the world’s best First Class Lounge award.

Just in time for summer, Lufthansa has further optimized its digital services. For example, the Lufthansa app – voted the world’s best airline app – now allows travelers to simply upload their passport during check-in and check their ESTA travel authorization during online check-in. The app is also a helpful companion during a flight providing information about the current gate, updates on departure times via the “Live Activity” option, and baggage status.

There is also something new regarding baggage. In cooperation with technology provider AirPortr, Lufthansa now offers all travelers departing Frankfurt a new, innovative baggage pick-up and check-in service. The principle is as simple as it is convenient: guests can have their luggage picked up at home or at their hotel. It is then sealed, transported to the airport, and checked in. Travelers receive real-time updates via a personalized tracking link and a digital baggage tag receipt. This allows passengers to travel to the airport without heavy check-in baggage and proceed directly to security – receiving their baggage at their destination.

“Lufthansa is looking forward to bringing its guests to their summer holiday destinations. In recent weeks, and especially during the Easter and Pentecost holidays. Once again, we are flying reliably and punctually and are ready for the busiest travel season of the year. Our teams on board and on the ground are doing outstanding work to provide our guests with the best possible travel experience,” emphasizes Jens Ritter.

Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, said:
"The harmonization of our Frequent Traveler status benefits across the Lufthansa Group marks a significant step for our most loyal guests. It underlines our commitment to a first-class and seamless travel experience. By expanding lounge access and introducing additional privileges for Lufthansa Group status customers, we are offering more convenience and flexibility."

Marcus Frank, Vice President Loyalty at Lufthansa Group, adds:
"The new benefits for our guests are part of our ongoing efforts to further improve our loyalty program and offer added value to our status customers."

The new benefits at a glance

Extended lounge access: All status customers can relax in the lounges of Lufthansa Group Airlines and in the ITA Airways lounges in Milan, Rome and Catania. This significantly expands their available lounge network, especially at Italian airports.

Further status benefits: Additional privileges for Frequent Travelers, Senators and HON Circle Members are offered on ITA Airways flights to ensure an even more seamless travel experience.

All Lufthansa Group status passengers flying with ITA Airways benefit from priority check-in, additional baggage allowance and waiting list priority.

Senators and HON Circle Members also enjoy priority boarding, fast lane access, accelerated baggage handling and free seat reservations.

Benefits already implemented for passengers

Since ITA Airways became the Lufthansa Group's fifth network airline, the travel experience for the Group's passengers has already been improved in several ways. Since February 2025, Miles & More members have been able to earn and redeem miles on all ITA Airways flights and earn Points, Qualifying Points and, in Business Class, HON Circle Points.

In March, ITA Airways moved into Terminal 1 in Frankfurt and Terminal 2 in Munich, meaning that all Lufthansa Group network carriers now operate "under one roof" at all Lufthansa Group hubs. Since the 2025 summer timetable, customers have also benefited from a codeshare partnership with over 100 new connections within Europe. The new codeshare offers for long-haul flights from ITA Airways will be available from July 1, 2025. The planned entry of ITA Airways into the Star Alliance at the beginning of 2026 will mark another important milestone.

"A stable, punctual, and reliable flight schedule for all Lufthansa Group airlines for the winter, especially for the Christmas holidays, is our top priority. Our employees at the airports will ensure that everything runs smoothly. In addition, with the expansion of the Allegris offering at Lufthansa Airlines, we are bringing a significant upgrade in the premium segment to many core markets," said Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer Lufthansa Group.

Winter flight schedule highlights for Lufthansa:

For the 2025/2026 winter flight schedule, Lufthansa will offer additional long-haul flights whereby passengers can enjoy the new Allegris cabin in all classes: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class. Starting October 26, the new aircraft, with state-of-the-art cabin interiors, will fly daily from Munich to New York (John F. Kennedy and New Jersey-Newark), Chicago, Miami, Shanghai, Cape Town and Tokyo. In addition, Bengaluru in India will be served three times a week. This is the largest number of Allegris destinations operating simultaneously since its debut. Passengers already booked with these flights can now look forward to the Allegris seat.

Ten A350-900s with the new cabin interior are already flying for Lufthansa in the winter schedule. More than half a million passengers in all classes have now enjoyed the new seats with extremely high satisfaction rates of nearly 100 percent. This year, Lufthansa also plans to introduce Allegris in Frankfurt with the Boeing 787-9 and the retrofitting of its existing fleet, starting with the Boeing 747-8.

More news from Lufthansa: due to high demand, flights from Frankfurt to Bydgoszcz (Poland) and from Munich to Oradea (Romania) will continue next winter. These connections were added to the flight schedule in summer 2025. The winter season Airbus A380 destinations from Munich have also been confirmed: A380 enthusiasts can look forward to flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Bangkok andDelhi with the A380, which is extremely popular with guests and crew alike.

Further news from Lufthansa Group Airlines:

Austrian Airlines will add Amsterdam as a fourth destination from Innsbruck this winter, in addition to its existing connections to Brussels, Warsaw, and Copenhagen. Austrian Airlines is also expanding its service from Vienna to Bangkok: up to two daily connections are now on the flight schedule. From October 26, 2025, Austrian Airlines will now fly to Linate Airport instead of Malpensa for all flights to Milan. This change was made by taking over the corresponding slots from ITA Airways, which, like Austrian Airlines, has been part of the Lufthansa Group since the beginning of the year. Linate Airport is much closer to Milan, significantly reducing the travel time to the city center for passengers.

SWISS is expanding its service to the Polish city of Krakow. In addition, the destinations Cluj-Napoca (Romania) and Košice (Slovakia), which were served for the first time last winter, will continue to be served from Zurich. The long-haul destination Washington D.C. (USA) will also continue from Zurich this winter. From Geneva, SWISS is focusing on connections to and from the UK, Ireland, and Scandinavia – especially for winter sports travelers planning a vacation in Switzerland.

Brussels Airlines is continuing to expand its services from Brussels to Africa. Lomé (Togo), Dakar (Senegal), Conakry (Guinea), Monrovia (Liberia), Accra (Ghana), and Freetown (Sierra Leone) will all receive additional weekly connections. Brussels Airlines is thus strengthening its role as the “Africa expert” within the Lufthansa Group.

Eurowings, Germany's largest leisure airline will connect Berlin with Abu Dhabi with three non-stop flights per week beginning in November 2025. After Dubai and Jeddah, this will be the third long-distance route for the German capital within a short space of time. The Berlin service to the booming metropolis of Dubai will also be expanded: Eurowings will fly to Dubai up to eleven times a week (instead of the previous seven times a week). Eurowings is also providing a real winter highlight in Lower Saxony: With the inaugural flight on November 4, there will be three direct flights a week from Hanover to Dubai. The third new destination will be reached from Baden-Württemberg: Eurowings will connect Stuttgart with Jeddah in Saudi Arabia twice a week going forward. The program to Egypt is also being expanded: In the new winter flight schedule 25/26, Eurowings will be flying to Marsa Alam from Cologne, Hamburg and Berlin.

Discover Airlines is adding another highlight to its route network: Starting in winter 2025/26, the holiday airline will fly from Frankfurt to the Seychelles for the first time. Flights to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, are also on the schedule – the only direct connection from Munich to the popular Caribbean vacation destination. Discover Airlines is also adding Alta in Norway to its schedule from Frankfurt for the first time.

Celebrating the milestone, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Theo Panagiotoulias stated: “In early 2026, ITA Airways is expected to officially join the Star Alliance network as a full member. The decision by our Chief Executive Board underscores the strong confidence our members have in ITA Airways. As a gateway for Italy, its addition strengthens our global network, offering seamless and connected journeys to more travellers worldwide.”

Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, said: “We are excited to join the Star Alliance network and to bring the excellence of Made in Italy into the alliance, further enhancing its global reach. This is a significant milestone in ITA Airways’ growth, and we look forward to offering our customers the future privileges of the world’s largest airline network."

ITA Airways will add 360 daily flights to the Alliance network, further strengthening the Alliance’s footprint in the European region. The biggest growth will come from its home cities, especially Rome and Milan, which are currently served by 16 Star Alliance members collectively.

Leveraging their legacy within the Alliance, Lufthansa Group is mentoring ITA Airways through its integration journey into Star Alliance.

“I am proud that ITA Airways will become the fifth hub airline of the Lufthansa Group to join Star Alliance. As the mentor of the membership process, we will do our utmost to ensure a smooth and swift integration. ITA Airways’ future membership will provide Star Alliance customers with many new opportunities for personalised travel planning. I am confident that ITA Airways will be an excellent addition to the Star Alliance portfolio,” said Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group.

Upon completing induction, the Star Alliance network will grow to 26 member airlines, offering over 18,000 daily flights connecting 192 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 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in 189 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.

Star Alliance Press Office:

+65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com

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).

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.

For press information:

Thomas Jachnow, Senior Manager Media Relations

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

lufthansa-group@dlh.de

"I am delighted that we are offering our guests Lufthansa Allegris on more and more routes. For flights to the USA alone, customers can choose between five destinations from Munich," says Heiko Reitz, Chief Customer Officer Lufthansa Airlines. "We currently have nine A350-900s with Allegris on board at Lufthansa, six of which already offer our customers the new, highly exclusive First Class. Overall, our new cabin interior is extremely popular with guests – with satisfaction rates in Business Class of well over 90 percent."

All Allegris destinations from March 30 at a glance:

-         San Francisco

-         Shanghai

-         Chicago

-         New York-Newark (from April 15)

-         San Diego

-         Charlotte (continuously to Charlotte from August)

-         Bengaluru

For bookings in Business Class, the Classic Seat reservation remains free of charge. This offers all the benefits of the new Allegris travel class. Passengers can also book seats with additional comfort (the Business Class Suite, the Extra Space Seat with extra space, the Privacy Seat by the window and the Extra Long Bed with a reclining area of 2.20 meters) in advance via the seat reservation for an additional charge. Passengers can choose between the Privacy Seat and the Extra Long Bed from as little as 100 euros and the Extra Space Seat from 130 euros.

The Lufthansa Business Class Suite is characterized by higher walls, sliding doors, extended personal space and a monitor measuring up to 68 centimeters. Passengers can reserve their personal suite in advance from 400 euros. Economy Class passengers can reserve a seat with more legroom for as little as 50 euros.

As before, the suites in First Class can be reserved in advance free of charge. Guests can reserve the Suite Plus for single use for a surcharge from 1900 euros. The Suite Plus also combines maximum comfort for the individual guest with the unique opportunity to travel together with a travel partner in a suite. In this case, First Class guests can book exclusively via the First Class Hotline at special rates.

The most loyal Lufthansa Group frequent flyers enjoy very special benefits, for whom up to 80 percent of the seat options in Business Class can be selected free of charge, depending on their status.

The Allegris Business Class has been honored with the International Design Award 2024 and the German Design Award 2025. The juries were particularly impressed by the innovative seating options, which meet the different needs of travelers. The integration of innovative elements such as seat heating and cooling offers an outstanding comfort experience and enables a customizable travel environment. The high recognizability of the airline brand is also underlined by the convincing seating concept.

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

According to Brendan Shashoua, Lufthansa Group Senior Director Sales – Southeast Asia and the Pacific:

“Since 1988 Austrian Airlines has been connecting Vienna, the capital of Austria, with the Thai metropolis of Bangkok.  Thailand is an incredibly attractive destination for Europeans, and we are responding to strong demand by increasing our weekly frequencies from Vienna from 7 to 13 flights.    Last year we introduced the A380 – the world’s largest passenger aircraft – on flights from Bangkok to Munich and this latest news from Austrian Airlines reflects our strong commitment to the Thai market.  Thanks to this investment, Thai passengers now have more choice and more options when choosing to travel to Europe with Lufthansa Group.”

Thailand and Austria have had diplomatic relations for more than a century and the two nations have been connected by the national airline of Austria for more than 35 years.    Austrian Airlines, a member of both Star Alliance and Lufthansa Group, connects the world with Austria via its hub in Vienna.    Due to increased demand and a strong commitment to the Asia Pacific region, Austrian Airlines is pleased to announce this significant increase in capacity on the Bangkok-Vienna service. 

About Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines is Austria’s largest airline, operating a worldwide network from its Vienna hub. Since its founding in 1957, Austrian Airlines has transported over 305 million passengers and more than 6,000 employees ensure that approximately 220 flights take off every day. Austrian Airlines’ current fleet consists of 66 aircraft, including 9 long-haul and 57 short & medium haul) aircraft.

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.

With humble beginnings that included a stopover in Alaska, the acceleration of Lufthansa’s presence in the Korean peninsula continues today.  For the first time outside of Europe, a partnership with Korean rail provider KTX offers an intermodal (Rail & Air) sustainable transport solution for passengers in Korea.

With this partnership, Lufthansa passengers are now able to travel to and from Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN) to 8 KTX destinations nationwide including Busan, Dongdaegu, Gwangju, Ulsan, Pohang, Yeosu, Mokpo and Jinju on one ticket.  Passengers utilizing our Rail & Air solution with KTX, as well as all passengers taking the AREX Airport Railroad Express from Seoul Station to Incheon International Airport, can now enjoy a seamless travel experience with Lufthansa. They have the convenience of obtaining their boarding passes, checking their bags at Seoul Station City-Airport Terminal, and completing immigration procedures before reaching the airport.

According to Lufthansa Group Country Manager - Korea, Leandro Tonidandel:

“At Lufthansa Group, we are transforming the travel journey with every step. Our pioneering check-in facility at Seoul's main train station redefines convenience while championing sustainability, offering travelers a seamless and eco-friendly journey.”

Lufthansa is the only foreign airline offering such services to passengers in Korea as a truly unique service which launches today.    Having recently announced 17 weekly frequencies between Europe and Korea, as well as the first direct connection between Seoul and Zurich, this new check-in facility at Seoul Station City-Airport Terminal represents Lufthansa Group’s commitment to Korea.

About Lufthansa Group

The Lufthansa Group is an aviation group with operations worldwide. With 100,000+ employees, Lufthansa Group generated revenue of €35.4bn in the financial year 2023. 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 complimentary components of the Group. All airlines and business segments play leading roles in their respective markets.

With a winning combination of natural beauty and modernity, Zurich offers a unique travel experience to explorers and culture aficionados alike.  In addition to leisure travelers, business travelers will benefit from the strong ties between the two countries with South Korea being Switzerland’s fourth-biggest Asian trading partner.

According to Mr. Leandro Tonidandel, General Manager Korea SWISS:

“We are delighted to welcome SWISS to Korea.  With 17 weekly flights, Lufthansa Group now operates non-stop services to Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich where we offer Korean passengers direct connections from our hubs to the largest network in Europe.    We have connected Korea with Europe for 40 years and the introduction of flights with the national airline of Switzerland represents our commitment to this important market.”

Last year Korea and Switzerland celebrated 60 years of bilateral relations.   Today we witnessed the first direct flight between these two nations.  With various exchanges in the realms of education, economics and culture, the first direct connection between Switzerland and Korea aims to further strengthen ties between these two nations.  

About Swiss International Air Lines 

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is Switzerland’s leading air carrier. With one of Europe’s most advanced aircraft fleets, SWISS is a premium airline that provides direct flights from Zurich and Geneva to keep Switzerland connected with Europe and the world. Its Swiss WorldCargo division offers an extensive range of airport-to-airport airfreight services for high-value, time-critical and care-intensive consignments. SWISS embodies its home country’s traditional values and is dedicated to delivering the highest product and service quality. The company has also set itself ambitious CO₂ goals and plans to halve its 2019 net CO₂ emissions by 2030 and make its business and operations entirely carbon-neutral by 2050, particularly by promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group, and is also a member of Star Alliance, the world’s biggest airline network.

For the first time, travelers can now also view a seat map for all Allegris flights from 1 May in the familiar booking channels with all special Allegris seats, such as the five options in Business Class. A photo gallery with important additional information on the various options gives travelers a detailed picture of the product benefits.  

Guests who are already booked on these flights will be notified of their "upgrade" to the new cabin. Seat reservations in Business Class are free of charge in the first few months and can be made and changed conveniently via the familiar booking channels. Passengers can see whether a flight is equipped with the Allegris product three weeks before departure.

About Lufthansa Group

The Lufthansa Group is an aviation group with operations worldwide. With 100,000 employees, the Lufthansa Group generated revenue of €35.4 bn in the financial year 2023. Its largest business segment is the Passenger Airlines. Other key business segments include Logistics and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) as well as other companies and Group functions such as IT companies and Lufthansa Aviation Training. All airlines and business segments play leading roles in their respective markets.

While a lot has changed in the past 55 years, the relationship between Lufthansa Group and Japan remains strong and continues to grow.   Late last year Lufthansa reintroduced Japanese catering in all cabins on flights between Japan and Germany (and vice versa), while sister airline SWISS introduced Japanese catering in Business Class for connections between Switzerland and Tokyo (and vice versa). 

The Lufthansa Group network into Japan includes direct connections to Haneda, Narita and Osaka airports with 31 weekly flights during the 2024 summer schedule.   In fact, connections from Munich to Kansai airport will be increased significantly this year. According to Larry Ryan, Senior Director Sales, Japan and South Korea:

“Based on customer needs, we’re extremely pleased to be able to return to daily operations from Kansai to Munich, enabling connections via our 5-star hub to the entire European continent and beyond.   This is particularly exciting as we see so many of our partners gearing up for Expo’25 in the Kansai area.”

In recognition of Japan’s strong heritage and our deep ties to the country, Lufthansa Group is pleased to commemorate this important anniversary by increasing capacity and strengthening our investment in the Kansai region of Japan.

About Lufthansa Group

The Lufthansa Group is an aviation group with operations worldwide. With 100,000+ employees, Lufthansa Group generated revenue of €35.4bn in the financial year 2023. 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 complimentary components of the Group. All airlines and business segments play leading roles in their respective markets.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, will receive its first-ever SWISS services in summer 2024. This metropolis offers a perfect blend of traditional charm and contemporary flair and delights visitors with sights like the Gyeongbokgung Palace and futuristic landmarks such as the N Seoul Tower. Similarly, Switzerland offers a mix of natural beauty and modernity with its majestic Alpine landscapes, including the Matterhorn and Jungfrau peaks, as well as the vibrant economic and cultural entre of Zurich.

“We are delighted to be further growing our network,” says SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Heike Birlenbach. “As well as our new long-haul destinations of Washington, DC and Toronto, which we’ve already announced, we’ll be adding the extremely attractive destination of Seoul to our Asian network in summer 2024. The capital of South Korea has a lot to offer leisure and business travellers alike. And our new Seoul service will help us even better meet our customers’ needs for non-stop services to and from the world’s key cities.” 

According to Leo Tonidandel, General Manager Korea, Lufthansa Group Airlines: “We are excited to launch Seoul as the first new destination in Asia for SWISS in 2024. As a premium carrier, SWISS will offer four cabins including First Class and Premium Economy Class and provide Korean passengers with more choices when traveling to Europe with direct flights from Seoul/Incheon to Zurich and beyond with connections in Zurich. In addition, SWISS, as a member of Lufthansa Group Airlines, gives Korean customers the opportunity to enjoy combined services with Lufthansa, including the same mileage program and various benefits.”

SWISS will commence its thrice-weekly non-stop service between Zurich and Seoul on 7 May 2024. The flights will be operated with an Airbus A340 equipped with First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class. The eastbound flight LX122 will leave Zurich at 13:40 on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, landing in Seoul at 08:25 the following day.  The westbound LX123 service will depart from Seoul on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 09:55, arriving in Zurich at 16:50.