Lufthansa Wins Prestigious Skytrax Award For World’s Best First Class Onboard Dining

If you are looking for the ultimate culinary experience at 35,000 feet, Lufthansa is officially setting the global standard. At the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards in London, the German flag carrier took home the highly coveted title for "World's Best First Class Onboard Dining."

From left to right: Olivier Krüger (Head of Guest Experience & Marketing Lufthansa Airlines), Yana Holzmann (Head of Customer Experience Design & Lounges Lufthansa Airlines), Jens Ritter (CEO Lufthansa Airlines), Olaf Mauthe (Head of Hospitality Catering Management Lufthansa Airlines).

A Global Passenger Mandate

The Skytrax awards are often referred to as the "Oscars of the aviation industry," and this win carries significant weight. The results are based on an extensive international passenger survey involving 24.8 million travelers from over 100 countries. For Lufthansa, securing the top spot in this category is a major validation of its recent investments in the premium cabin experience.

The Winning Formula: Michelin-Starred Partnerships

What exactly pushed Lufthansa's First Class catering to the number one spot worldwide? In March 2026, the airline launched a completely revamped fine-dining concept in collaboration with two-Michelin-starred chef Christoph Kunz and catering partner gategourmet.

The new culinary offering—part of Lufthansa's broader Future Onboard Experience (FOX) initiative—focuses on greater choice, personalization, and elevated presentation. Here is a look at what makes the award-winning service stand out:

• Modern Tasting Menus: Passengers departing from Germany are treated to a modern fine-dining concept featuring a sequence of small, highly refined courses. Travelers have the flexibility to combine several dishes into a personalized tasting menu.
• Dine on Demand: True to the First Class ethos, passengers dictate the schedule. You decide exactly when you would like to eat, rather than conforming to a rigid cabin service timeline.
• Elevated Details: The experience is complemented by premium touches, including a dedicated caviar service, fine bone china by Dibbern, and the airline's new house champagne, Veuve Clicquot's prestige cuvée 'La Grande Dame'.

With this prestigious Skytrax win, Lufthansa has solidified its position as a top-tier choice for luxury travelers who refuse to compromise on gastronomy, even when flying high above the clouds.

Lufthansa Group Is Heading Back to Dubai: Flights Resume Late October 2026

✈️

Great news for travelers looking to escape to the sun-soaked luxury of the UAE! Following a period of suspended services, the Lufthansa Group has officially announced that its airlines will gradually resume flight connections to Dubai, starting at the end of October 2026.

Whether you’re a business traveler with meetings in the financial district or a leisure seeker craving winter sunshine and world-class shopping, this update brings a much-needed boost to Middle Eastern travel options.

📅 The Flight Plan: What You Need to Know

Here are the key details of the resumption:

• When does it start? The gradual roll-out of resumed services kicks off in late October 2026.
• How often will they fly? Once peak operations are reached, airlines under the Lufthansa Group umbrella will offer up to 36 weekly flights to and from Dubai.
• Who is flying? While the group includes carriers like Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines, the combined network will give passengers more routing options across Europe into the UAE.

🌍 Why This Matters

The return of the Lufthansa Group to Dubai is a significant milestone for connectivity. According to the airline group, this gradual resumption is designed to strengthen their presence in the Middle East while "significantly expanding travel options for both business and leisure customers".

For European travelers, it means more competitive fares, better schedule flexibility, and the return of premium cabin options on a major legacy carrier. For Dubai, it’s yet another strong indicator of a bustling winter tourism season ahead.

🧳 Ready to Pack Your Bags?

With the end of October just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning your winter getaway. From the towering Burj Khalifa to the sprawling desert dunes, Dubai is ready to welcome you back—and soon, Lufthansa Group will be ready to take you there.

Travelore News: Lufthansa Expands Its Summer Service To St. Louis

Lufthansa is increasing its operations in St. Louis, MO, by expanding its service from three weekly flights to five weekly flights. This seasonal increase will run from June 1st, 2026, through October 23rd, 2026. Flights beginning in June will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

"We are deeply grateful for St. Louis's exceptional community support over the past four years, which has enabled Lufthansa to fulfill our mission of connecting people, cultures, and economies by successfully linking Lambert International Airport and all of Missouri to the group’s global network," said Dirk Janzen, Lufthansa Group Vice President for Passenger Sales of the Americas. He added, “The additional frequencies demonstrate our strong commitment to this route and will further strengthen connections between the region's world-class academic institutions and Fortune 500 companies with Europe and beyond.

“We are glad to see this increase in service by Lufthansa on the fourth anniversary of non-stop service to Frankfurt,” said Airport Director and CEO Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge. “The reported loads on the Frankfurt service have remained high from the inaugural flight back in June of 2022 and this is an acknowledgement of the support our regional travelers have shown to Lufthansa.”

Lufthansa, the only European carrier connecting the “Gateway City” with Europe, originally operated three weekly flights from St. Louis Lambert International Airport to Frankfurt Airport since June of 2022. Flights between both cities continue to be operated with an Airbus A330-300 in a three-class cabin configuration of 255 seats, offering customers Business Class (42), Premium Economy (28), and Economy Class (185).

St. Louis is one of 26 US gateways served by the Lufthansa Group. The Lufthansa Group airlines 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.

Lufthansa’s "Allegris" Cabin Expanding To New North American Destinations This October

If you have been keeping an eye on premium airline experiences, you already know that Lufthansa’s brand-new Allegris cabin is one of the most talked-after upgrades in the sky. Featuring customized privacy, state-of-the-art tech, and a completely redefined First and Business Class experience, Allegris has been rolling out to selective global routes over the last year.

Now, we have some incredible news for trans-Atlantic travelers. Starting October 25, 2026, for the upcoming winter aviation season, Lufthansa is dramatically expanding its network, bringing the coveted Allegris product to an array of new long-haul destinations across North America.

If you are planning a winter getaway to Europe or a business trip to Germany, your flight just got a major upgrade. Here is everything you need to know about where Allegris is flying next.

The New North American Allegris Destinations

Lufthansa is systematically rolling out the Allegris product across its state-of-the-art aircraft fleets. Depending on whether you are flying out of Lufthansa’s primary hub in Frankfurt or its premium hub in Munich, you can expect to see the new cabins on multiple major North American routes this winter.

According to the latest network schedules from the Lufthansa Group, key cities joining the Allegris map include:

✈️ Expanding from Frankfurt & Munich Hubs

The New Additions: Cities like Vancouver, Houston, Denver, Atlanta, and Detroit are officially joining the premium roster.

The Sun & Business Essentials: High-traffic hubs like Miami, Los Angeles, and San Diego will see continued and expanded Allegris deployment on the Airbus A350 fleet to handle the peak winter demand.

The East Coast Favorites: Multiple daily flights out of New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), and Chicago will feature the Allegris product as travelers head across the Atlantic.

Note on Aircraft: Depending on your route, the Allegris cabin will be flying on Lufthansa’s newly delivered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, retrofitted Airbus A350-900s, and select retrofitted double-decker Airbus A380s.

Why the Allegris Cabin is a Game-Changer

What makes the Allegris experience worth booking over standard long-haul cabins? Lufthansa spent years re-engineering the layout to focus entirely on passenger choice and personalization.

1. Business Class Like You've Never Seen It

The new Business Class is not just one standard seat type. Passengers can actually choose from seven different seat options depending on their travel style:

The Front Row Suite: Extra space, a personal wardrobe, and sliding doors for ultimate privacy.

The Extra-Long Bed: Perfect for tall travelers needing a full night's sleep on an overnight flight to Germany.

The Double Seat: Center seats that can be combined for couples traveling together.

2. High-Tech Comforts Across All Cabins

Every seat in the Allegris cabin—including Premium Economy and Economy—comes equipped with a high-definition 4K entertainment screen, Bluetooth connectivity so you can use your own wireless headphones, and individually adjustable heating and cooling systems.

How to Make Sure Your Flight Has Allegris

Because Lufthansa is still in the process of retrofitting its massive long-haul fleet, not every single flight to Frankfurt or Munich will feature the new cabin immediately.

If you want to ensure you are flying on an Allegris-equipped aircraft for the winter 2026/2027 season, keep these tips in mind:

Check the Seat Map: When booking on the Lufthansa Website, look for the special Allegris designation during the seat selection process. The distinct 1-2-1 / 1-1-1 alternating Business Class layout is an immediate giveaway.

Look for the 787-9 and A350-900: The newest deliveries of these aircraft are the primary homes for the Allegris cabin.

Book Early: Winter holiday travel to Europe fills up quickly. Securing your tickets ahead of the October rollout will give you the best selection of seat configurations.

Runway Views & Skyline Bars: Inside The Massive New Star Alliance Lounges Coming To JFK

If you’ve flown a Star Alliance carrier out of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) recently, you know the premium ground experience has been a bit of a mixed bag. Navigating the outdated spaces in Terminal 1 or Terminal 7 hasn't exactly felt like the cutting edge of luxury.

But a massive $4.2 billion airport transformation is underway, and Star Alliance flyers are about to get a major upgrade.

Thanks to the redevelopment of JFK Terminal 6 and the upcoming New Terminal One, two Star Alliance heavyweights—Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines—are building stunning, massive new flagship lounges that will redefine pre-flight luxury at JFK.

Here is everything you need to know about the mega-lounges coming to New York’s premier gateway.

The Mega-Hub at Terminal 6: Lufthansa’s 36,000 Sq. Ft. Oasis

The biggest news comes out of the brand-new Terminal 6. The Lufthansa Group (including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, and Brussels Airlines) is moving its operations here, and they are bringing Star Alliance siblings ANA and Air Canada along with them from Terminal 7.

To accommodate this massive influx of premium passengers, Lufthansa is building a sprawling, multi-tiered lounge precinct.

The Footprint: A staggering 36,000 square feet, making it one of the largest lounge spaces at JFK. Travelers will take an escalator directly from the departures level straight into the premium complex.

The Design: The lounges will ditch the sterile, older German aesthetic for Lufthansa's fresh, warm design language—similar to the acclaimed lounges that debuted at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Think warmer woods, softer lighting, and design cues inspired by their flagship Allegris cabins.

The Highlight: The Skyline Bar: The centerpiece of the lounge will be the Skyline Bar, a sleek concept serving everything from barista-crafted coffee by day to premium cocktails, fine wines, and local New York craft beers by night.

First Class & HON Circle Perks: While it's still being decided if there will be a standalone First Class Lounge, elite passengers can expect a private, walled-off dining sanctuary featuring high-end à la carte menus, top-tier Champagne, and ultra-personalized service.

Direct Boarding: In the ultimate convenience flex, the lounge will feature direct boarding to three of Terminal 6’s ten departure gates. No need to leave the lounge early to stand in a gate line—you go straight from your glass of wine onto the jet bridge.

Double the Size: The New Turkish Airlines Lounge

Not to be outdone, Turkish Airlines—renowned globally for its spectacular food and legendary hospitality—is getting a massive upgrade of its own.

As part of the shift into the New Terminal One, Turkish Airlines is abandoning its cramped, 5,000-square-foot footprint in the old Terminal 1.

The Footprint: The new space will measure 11,000 square feet, more than doubling its current size.

The Vibe: Known for bringing the flavors of Istanbul to the airport, expect an incredible spread of live cooking stations, fresh mezze, and traditional Turkish tea and coffee.

The Views: The new space will boast expansive, floor-to-ceiling views of the JFK airfield, making it a paradise for aviation geeks and relaxed travelers alike.

Who Gets Access?

While airline lounges can sometimes feel like a puzzle to unlock, access rules for these new Star Alliance spaces will follow the alliance's reliable standard structure:

Passenger Class / Status - Access Level

International First Class - Access to First Class/Senator sections + 1 guest

International Business Class - Access to Business Class lounges (No guests)

Star Alliance Gold Elites - Access to Senator/Business lounges + 1 guest (must be on the same flight)

Note for United flyers: If you hold Star Alliance Gold status through United MileagePlus, remember that standard rules apply—you generally need to be on an eligible international itinerary to access these partner lounges within the U.S.

The Bottom Line

For years, Oneworld passengers have bragged about the excellent joint American Airlines and British Airways lounges in Terminal 8, while SkyTeam flyers have enjoyed Delta’s massive Sky Clubs. Now, Star Alliance is finally swinging back with some serious heavy artillery.

Whether you’re heading to Frankfurt on Lufthansa Business Class or catching a late-night flight to Tokyo on ANA, JFK is about to become a whole lot more welcoming. Stay tuned for official opening dates as construction on Terminal 6 and the New Terminal One wraps up!

Lufthansa Now Serving La Grande Dame by Veuve Clicquot In First Class

Champagne and First Class: two things that simply belong together. Lufthansa has been serving the exclusive sparkling wine on board ever since the introduction of First Class. Starting in April, the airline started serving the exquisite Prestige cuvée La Grande Dame from the renowned Veuve Clicquot winery on all long-haul flights for the first time, thereby once again underscoring its commitment to premium service.

La Grande Dame is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with a significantly higher proportion of Pinot Noir, which gives the champagne an intense character. On the palate, La Grande Dame is robust and rich, with a pleasant balance of fruit, acidity, and complexity. Guests can taste citrus aromas of lime and yuzu, along with white peach and pear, underpinned by floral notes, chalk, and a hint of toasted almonds. La Grand Dame is considered exceptional and, for many, is champagne for special occasions.

“With La Grande Dame, we are bringing a truly special champagne on board. The opportunity to enjoy this exceptional champagne as a permanent feature in Lufthansa First Class is a real highlight for our guests. This new champagne also reflects our uncompromising commitment to quality. Culinary excellence is an essential part of our hospitality, and for us, an outstanding champagne is naturally part of that. In First Class, every moment should be a pleasure,” explained Olaf Mauthe, Head of Hospitality Catering Management.

To mark its 100th anniversary, Lufthansa is offering its guests a completely redesigned travel experience on long-haul flights: With FOX, the “Future Onboard Experience,” all onboard service elements and processes are being revamped this year. In addition to upgraded cuisine in all travel classes, new tableware, and new amenities, the exclusive First Class champagne La Grande Dame is also part of the premium experience on board Lufthansa.

Lufthansa’s New Premium On-Board Experience: FOX Launches In First Class

Lufthansa’s new premium onboard experience, FOX (Future Onboard Experience), was successfully launched in First Class on March 29. FOX represents one of the largest investments in the onboard customer experience in Lufthansa’s history. The program was developed over a two-year period, involving more than 110 test flights, and incorporating feedback from over 500 crew members and more than 9,000 guests. With its new service concept, Lufthansa is revamping all service elements and processes on board across all long-haul flights and throughout all travel classes, with First Class leading the way.

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

New in First Class:

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

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

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

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

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

Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Seats In The Boeing 787-9 Now Available For Booking

With Allegris, Lufthansa introduced a completely redesigned cabin concept for long-haul flights in the summer of 2024. The Allegris cabin has been flying around the world from Munich in the Airbus A350-900 for over a year and a half, and since October 2025, Allegris has also been flying from Frankfurt in a brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

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 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 New Personalized Premium Menu Plan From The Lufthansa Group Allows You To Pre-Order Your Meals And Drinks

What food options are available on my flight, and which meal would I like to pre-order? What drinks would I like? How can I ensure that I will receive my favorite meal?

Due to the Lufthansa Group's new “Culinary Journey,” guests flying with Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines, will find it even easier to pre-order and enjoy their favorite meals and snacks. The “Culinary Journey” bundles all food and beverage offerings for the entire flight experience, regardless of whether guests are flying with one or more Group Airlines on their trip. It includes the digital menu, pre-order options, and a feedback function. The offerings vary depending on the airline and travel class.

Premium in all travel classes

Customers can access the new offer either directly via the Lufthansa Group app, the website, or via a link in the information email sent before departure. The appropriate culinary selection is automatically provided for each guest based on their booking. Whether it's a short-haul flight in Economy Class or a long-haul flight in First Class, the “Culinary Journey” offers a tailor-made experience in all travel classes.

Guests also benefit from this new offer if they have a connecting flight and are flying with more than one Lufthansa Group airline. For example, a guest who has booked a trip with several flights can travel with Austrian Airlines from Vienna to Frankfurt and from there with Lufthansa to New York – and select their meals and drinks in advance for both flights via the “Culinary Journey.”

Tailor-made cuisine on every flight

“For the first time, customers flying with Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines can see all their food and beverage options for their flight at a glance - even on connecting flights with different airlines,” explained Caroline Drischel, Senior Vice President Customer Journey for the Group. “The ‘Culinary Journey’ makes the comprehensive range of services offered by the Lufthansa Group, which we represent with our premium airlines, even more consistent and enjoyable for our customers than ever before.”

More choice and guaranteed favorite dishes

Additionally, customers often benefit from an expanded range of meals that may not be available later on board. For example, passengers on long-haul flights can choose from up to nine main courses, including exclusive creations prepared especially for users of the new service. The “Culinary Journey” also gives travelers the certainty that they will always receive exactly the meal they want.

On shorter flights, guests can choose from a range of tasty buy-on-board products such as sandwiches, bowls, salads or cakes. These guests also benefit from an exclusive 10 percent discount. Pre-orders enable better planning for flight catering, which helps reduce food surpluses.

The offer also includes a direct option for providing feedback and preferences so that customer opinions can be incorporated into the further development of the “Culinary Journey.”

The Largest Passenger Plane Can Hold 850 Seats - Here's Which Airlines Use It

Airbus is one of the most familiar names in aerospace design and manufacturing, with more than 12,000 aircraft, both commercial and freight, in service worldwide. The company was established in 1969, but it can trace its roots back to a 1967 agreement between France, Germany, and England that coordinated efforts to advance the field of aviation. The first Airbus model, the A300B1, took flight in 1972. Thirty-five years later, in 2007, the largest passenger aircraft in the world, the Airbus A380, entered service — and several airlines still use it today.

The A380 is the only commercial airplane with a full-length double-deck design. This allows carriers to devote one deck to premium seats and one deck to economy seats and still accommodate more than 400 economy passengers. When it's configured for only economy passengers, this massive jet can hold 853 people. One of its closest competitors, the Boeing 747-8, can't come close, with most configurations holding about 460 passengers.

It's not only unique to fly on, the A380 is also hard to miss in the sky above you. Its distinctive shape and 262-foot wingspan, along with its four massive engines, make it a favorite for plane spotters. 

A380s in the air today

Airbus ceased production of the A380 in 2021, but it's still used for long-haul flights all over the world. The airlines that operate the A380 are British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qantas, Etihad, Asiana, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, All Nippon Airways, and Qatar Airways. Though it has a maximum capacity of more than 850 seats, many airlines have it configured for fewer. The three-class layout with about 500 seats is popular.

Since 2007, the A380 has logged more than 800,000 flights, carrying more than 300 million passengers all over the world. Emirates has the largest fleet of A380s of any airline, which is not surprising when you consider the aircraft's range of about 8,000 nautical miles. Its flights between Dubai and London's Heathrow airport are the busiest routes consistently flying A380s.

While some airlines reportedly had big plans for the A380 when they first took flight, envisioning the ultimate luxury, casinos, and even gyms, those visions never came to fruition. In 2020, Business Insider reported that some analysts see the A380 as Airbus's biggest mistake, designed for a non-existent market. While there are still thousands of A380s in the air, commercial aviation is gravitating toward smaller, more fuel-efficient planes that can still fly long distances with fewer passengers. The Airbus A350-1000, which Qantas selected to replace its fleet of A380s, seats up to 400 passengers and has a range of 9,000 nautical miles.

https://www.slashgear.com/author/carolineanschutz/

Lufthansa Offering New Incentives For More Sustainable Flying With Miles And Points For CO2-Offsetting Packages

Miles & More, the loyalty program of the Lufthansa Group, now awards miles and Points for more sustainable flying with bookable Lufthansa. By choosing to fly more sustainably, customers can now achieve their desired frequent flyer status more quickly.

Since 2023, Miles & More members have been able to earn extra miles and Points when booking the Green Fares tariff. This is now also possible with CO2-offsetting packages, which can also be redeemed with miles that have already been earned. With this step, Miles & More aims to encourage its customers to make more sustainable travel choices and thus contribute personally to climate protection.

“Responding to our passengers' wishes with a wide range of services”

The offers include the full offset of calculated individual flight-related CO2 emissions through the subsequent use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and a contribution to the Lufthansa Group's high-quality climate project portfolio. Depending on the SAF share booked, up to 80 percent more Points and Qualifying Points, and up to 20 percent more HON Circle Points, can be collected when choosing a CO2-offseting package in addition to the Points credited for the flight. The higher the SAF proportion, the more Points are credited. Additionally, members can earn up to 6 miles per 1 euro spent. This allows them to reach their status or desired reward faster. The new offering complements the awarding of miles and Points for the Green Fares, which have been bookable since 2023: When booking this flight tariff, Miles & More members benefit from up to 20 percent additional miles and Points already today.

“We want to further raise awareness among our customers for more sustainable flying,” said Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer Lufthansa Group. “Our goal is to respond to our passengers' wishes with a wide range of offers and to provide them with attractive benefits. By choosing to make their flights more sustainable, Miles & More members can benefit from additional miles and Points and achieve their status or desired award faster. With our numerous offers for more sustainable flying, we at the Lufthansa Group are global pioneers.”

Flexibility and ease of use

CO2-offseting packages can be booked directly during flight booking, before departure in the personal booking area, and even after the flight on Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa, and SWISS websites. They can also be booked after the flight via the Miles & More app or on miles-and-more.com. Additional miles and Points are now automatically awarded for all newly booked additional packages. If Miles & More members booked a CO2-offseting package for their flights since January 2025, the corresponding miles and Points will also be credited retroactively. This offers Miles & More customers maximum flexibility.

Both the CO2-offseting packages and the Green Fares as a separate tariff option enable passengers to offset their calculated flight-related CO2 emissions through the subsequent use of SAF and a contribution to the Lufthansa Group's high-quality climate project portfolio. The calculation of flight-related emissions per passenger considers various factors such as flight distance, average fuel consumption, travel class, and load factor. Increasingly, guests are choosing the Lufthansa Group's diverse offerings for more sustainable travel (currently, nearly five percent).

Lufthansa's Miles & More Members Can Now Earn Points Toward Frequent Flyer Status When Staying Within Marriott Bonvoy’s Portfolio Of Hotels

Miles & More, the Lufthansa Group's loyalty program, and Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's award-winning travel platform, are entering into a strategic partnership with immediate effect. This partnership will enable Miles & More members to earn up to 120 Miles & More Points per year for their frequent flyer status when staying at over 30 hotel brands at over 10,000 destinations within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio – in addition to the Points they already earn on flights. The new partnership will allow more than 36 million Miles & More members to achieve or maintain their status more quickly. At the same time, they will benefit from the exclusive advantages of one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programs without any additional qualifications – for example, Senators and HON Circle Members will automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.

Tapping growth potential and taking a holistic view of loyalty

"Our groundbreaking partnership with Marriott Bonvoy opens up a whole new world of experiences for our customers," said Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group. "This milestone is an important step in our comprehensive loyalty strategy, which focuses on exclusive travel and lifestyle benefits. By offering our members privileged access to one of the world's leading hotel loyalty programs, we are delivering a truly unique value proposition and strengthening customer loyalty for both partners."

“Marriott Bonvoy and Miles & More each represent excellence in their respective spheres — hospitality and aviation. This partnership is a fantastic alignment of two trusted names, united by a shared commitment to enriching the travel experience. Together, we are unlocking distinctive benefits for our members, offering them greater flexibility, recognition, and reward," said Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.

Earn Miles & More points on hotel stays

For the first time, once members have linked their Miles & More and Marriott Bonvoy accounts online, they can earn Miles & More Points when staying at participating Marriott Bonvoy accommodations with access to over 30 hotel brands – just as they do when flying with Lufthansa Group Airlines, Miles & More airline partners or Star Alliance airlines. Forty Miles & More Points will be credited per stay. Up to 120 points can be earned per year. To achieve Frequent Traveler or Senator status, members still need at least 50 percent of Qualifying Points, which can only be earned on Lufthansa Group flights. HON Circle Members qualify exclusively through Business and First Class flights with Lufthansa Group Airlines and co-issuing Miles & More airline partners.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status for Senators and HON Circle Members

Another benefit of the strategic partnership is automatic status match for Senators and HON Circle Members, who will receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. With this Marriott Bonvoy status, members receive 25 percent more Marriott Bonvoy points for eligible hotel bookings, as well as room upgrades and late check-out (subject to availability).

Strategic importance for both partners

With over 30 hotel brands in more than 10,000 destinations worldwide, Marriott Bonvoy offers Miles & More members attractive additional benefits in the air travel and loyalty segment with this expansion and opens up new growth potential for the Lufthansa Group.

The expanded cooperation also promotes customer loyalty, as Miles & More members are now even more motivated to travel within the joint ecosystem in order to earn Miles & More Points for their status with Marriott Bonvoy and benefit from additional advantages during hotel stays.

For more information, visit https://onlineshopping.miles-and-more.com/marriott_bonvoy?l=en and marriottbonvoy.com/milesandmore

Swiss To Resume Flights To Tel Aviv At End Of September

Swiss International Airlines, part of the Lufthansa group, will resume flights to Tel Aviv in Israel on September 29, the airline said on Wednesday after deciding in June to suspend the route as regional tensions escalated.

"A renewed assessment of the situation has shown that an earlier resumption is possible," it said in a statement, adding flights to Beirut in Lebanon would resume, as planned, from August 3.

Lufthansa Reopens First Class Lounge In Munich

The Lufthansa First Class Lounge in Terminal 2 at Munich Airport is now open again. First Class travelers can enjoy the stylish lounge with its modern design and comfortable ambience on over ten thousand square feet. A newly designed gastronomic area with an "à la carte" restaurant, a front cooking buffet and a newly designed bar offers the highest level of exclusivity.

The lounge also offers a variety of amenities such as quiet retreats, elegant washrooms, well-equipped work areas with printers and photocopiers as well as extensive entertainment facilities with TV areas and a large selection of newspapers and magazines. From now on, the lounge will be open daily from 05:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The reopened lounge rounds off the Lufthansa First Class experience at Munich Airport and is part of a major premium offensive. Among others, First Class guests can also look forward to a renovated First Class check-in area in Munich. In this summer timetable, the new Lufthansa Allegris First Class in the A350-900 will fly from Munich to the destinations Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Shanghai and Bengaluru. It sets new standards with two individual suites and the extraordinary Suite Plus.

Lufthansa Introduces Its New First Class Premium Experience

The travel experience in Lufthansa First Class with the new cabin interior on long-haul flights is now even more exclusive. The Allegris First Class cabin can be experienced in the summer timetable on flights from Munich to San Francisco, Chicago, San Diego, Shanghai and Bengaluru. Travelers can additionally enjoy the new cabin product in Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class on flights to New York-Newark (from mid-April), and from the beginning of August, also to Charlotte.

Since February, nine A350-900s with the new cabin interior have already been flying for Lufthansa, eight of them with the new First Class. Almost half a million passengers in all classes have now enjoyed the new cabin. This year, the retrofitting of the existing fleet with Lufthansa Allegris will commence, beginning with the Boeing 747-8.

"We are completely reinventing the Lufthansa First Class travel experience with Allegris and making it even more exclusive," said Jens Ritter, Chief Executive Officer Lufthansa Airlines. "Our new First Class, with its unique suites, defines the concept of privacy like never before and is unrivaled worldwide. We are also investing in exclusivity and comfort on the ground by completely redesigning our First Class check-in areas and lounges in Munich and Frankfurt."

Three exclusive suites in the Allegris First Class

First Class sets new standards with two individual suites and the extraordinary Suite Plus: guests can heat or cool their almost one-meter-wide seats in the individual suites, according to their personal needs. The separate cabins, with ceiling-high walls and a lockable door, large table and wide seat, an up to 43-inch-wide screen and wireless "over-ear" headphones, define a new standard of comfort and individuality. Generous storage space is provided by a personal wardrobe in the suite, so that travelers can comfortably change and have all their items at hand. Furthermore, individual lamps allow travelers to create their very own “feel-good” atmosphere.

The distinctive double cabin, Suite Plus, with two wide seats that can be combined into a comfortable double bed if required, creates a unique travel experience. The flying private room impresses with maximum comfort and individuality. For the single passenger, the Suite Plus offers exclusivity, with the unique option of using the double cabin as a couple.

The new First Class is part of a major Lufthansa premium initiative. Among the enhancements, First Class guests can also look forward to renovated First Class check-in areas in Frankfurt and Munich, as well as the redesigned First Class Lounge at Munich Airport.

Service improvements for all Lufthansa passengers

There are sustainable improvements not only for First Class guests, but for all travelers. For example, Lufthansa is offering all passengers departing from Frankfurt a new, innovative baggage collection and check-in service. Since last year, travelers have been able to use the Apple AirTag location function to provide the location of their AirTag via the familiar digital channels of Lufthansa baggage tracing. From the summer, Lufthansa will also offer unlimited free chatting on its intercontinental flights. Passengers will be able to send and receive any number of messages, including photos, on their own smartphone or tablet via the familiar apps during the flight, regardless of their travel class.

Lufthansa is additionally revising all service components on long-haul flights in all classes: the entire culinary offering, tableware, pillows, blankets, amenity kits and the onboard service. The introduction of the upgraded service is scheduled to commence in time for Lufthansa's 100th anniversary next year.

There are also many new features, especially for Business Class guests and frequent flyers. Since the end of February, a new catering concept on short- and medium-haul flights in Business Class offers travelers more hot and cold meal choices, as well as completely new menus. The lounges in Newark and London Heathrow have been entirely redesigned, and the renovation of a further 30 lounges will follow this year.

Integration Of ITA Airways Into The Lufthansa Group Has Commenced

From the use of frequent flyer programs, moving of flight operations at airport terminals, lounge access, code sharing, coordinated European flight schedule – customers will already be able to see the benefits of the integration, shortly after the Lufthansa Group's concluded participation in ITA Airways. At a press conference in Rome, Carsten Spohr, CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Sandro Pappalardo, Chairman of ITA Airways, and Joerg Eberhart, CEO of ITA Airways, presented the first concrete steps and improvements for customers.

With immediate effect, 36 million Miles & More members can earn and redeem miles on all ITA Airways flights. At the same time, the 2.7 million members of the ITA Airways frequent flyer program Volare can earn and redeem their points on all flights operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines.

With the start of the summer flight schedule on March 30, 2025, passengers of ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group can enjoy the following benefits:

Under one roof in Frankfurt and Munich: Using the same terminal is an essential prerequisite for quick and comfortable transfers at the Lufthansa Group's hubs. With the start of the upcoming summer flight schedule, ITA Airways will move into the Lufthansa Airlines terminals in Frankfurt and Munich – into Terminal 1 in Frankfurt and into Terminal 2 in Munich. This will significantly reduce passengers' transfer times. At all other hubs of the group, as well as in Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Linate, the Lufthansa Group airlines already offer their flights in the same terminal areas as ITA Airways.

Lounge access: Starting 30 March, ITA Airways passengers will also be able to visit and use the approximately 130 lounges of the Lufthansa Group and its partners on their travels. The lounges of ITA Airways will also be open to Lufthansa Group passengers from this date.

Code sharing: By adding ITA Airways flights to the route networks of Lufthansa Group Airlines, customers will have more choice and greater flexibility. With the start of the summer flight schedule, more than 100 flight connections will initially share their flight numbers and can thus be more easily combined. These code-shares make it possible to combine flights of different airlines in the group into a single booking. Once fully implemented, this code-sharing will give ITA Airways passengers access to over 250 destinations of the Lufthansa Group. For passengers of the Lufthansa Group airlines, the offer will be expanded to include ITA Airways domestic flights to Sicily, Sardinia, Calabria and Puglia. All codeshare connections can be booked from 25 February through all global sales channels, including online and via the Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways apps.

Coordinated flight schedules between the hubs: The flight connections between the Lufthansa Group's hubs (Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna and Brussels) and ITA Airways' two main airports (Rome and Milan) are optimized and better distributed throughout the day to offer guests more travel flexibility. Coordinated departure times mean less waiting time for guests and better connections to long-haul destinations.

Change of airline alliance: In the future, ITA Airways passengers will also be able to take advantage of all the product benefits of the Lufthansa Group. The Italian airline's admission to Star Alliance, the biggest global aviation alliance, is of crucial importance for this. Preparations have already begun. ITA Airways' official accession to the Star Alliance is planned for the first half of 2026. Accordingly, ITA Airways already initiated the withdrawal from the SkyTeam alliance.

The cooperation between ITA Airways and Lufthansa Cargo is also to be quickly intensified in the airfreight sector. The first joint offers for freight customers will be available on selected routes as early as the upcoming summer.

Carsten Spohr, CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, says: “Now that ITA Airways has become a member of our airline family a few days ago, we want to push ahead with the merger quickly, so that ITA and its passengers, as well as the guests of our other passenger airlines, can quickly benefit from the advantages of an expanded Lufthansa Group. We are also confident that ITA Airways will realize a profit as early as this year. All in all, we are convinced that today, the start of the integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group, marks the beginning of a joint success story for customers, employees and shareholders of ITA Airways and the Lufthansa Group.”

Free Messaging On All Lufthansa Long-Haul Flights Coming Summer 2025

Communicate with your loved ones online, free-of-charge, on a flight to the USA, Brazil or Japan? Yes, please! Beginning this summer, Lufthansa will offer unlimited free messaging on its intercontinental flights. Passengers will be able to send and receive any number of messages during the flight, including photos, on their own smartphone or tablet via the familiar apps, regardless of their travel class.

“The introduction of free messaging on long-haul flights is another important step in continuously improving our customers' overall travel experience,” said Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer Lufthansa Group. ” We will continue to focus our efforts on services that are highly relevant to our customers.”

“What is already a great success on short and medium-haul flights will also be very popular with our guests on long-haul flights,” said Heiko Reitz, Chief Customer Officer at Lufthansa Airlines. “Being reachable even during a long flight has long been a basic need and a decisive factor when choosing an airline. Free messages, as well as in-flight internet, for example, offer a portfolio of digital services that is very attractive to our customers.”

The Lufthansa Group airlines, SWISS and Austrian Airlines, will also offer free messaging on selected long-haul flights. The service has been available on short and medium-haul flights with Lufthansa, and on numerous Austrian Airlines aircraft, since 2024 and has been a great success.

Lufthansa Allegris Seats Can Now Be Booked For Flights From March 30, 2025

-Booking start on flights from Munich to Shanghai, San Francisco and Chicago

-Individual seat selection in First and Business Class

-Second A350 with all four Allegris classes on board in scheduled service from December

From March 30, 2025, travelers will have the opportunity to book flights with the new cabin configuration on long-haul routes, Lufthansa Allegris, and to select special Allegris seats. The first routes on which targeted booking of Allegris seats will be offered are flights from Munich to Shanghai, San Francisco and Chicago. In the following weeks and months, more and more destinations will gradually be added for which it will be possible to select an individual seat.

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, 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 with a personal wardrobe is characterized by higher walls, sliding doors, extended personal space and a monitor measuring up to 68 centimeters. Travelers can book this option in advance from 400 euros. Economy Class passengers can reserve a seat with more legroom for as little as 50 euros.

As before, First Class suites can be reserved in advance free of charge. A surcharge from 1900 euros will only be charged if guests wish to reserve the large Suite Plus for single use. The Suite Plus also combines maximum comfort for the individual guest with the unique option of traveling 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 prices for seat reservations at Allegris in detail:

First Class: Surcharge for single use of the Suite Plus: from 1900 euros

Business Class:

Privacy Seat and Extra Long Bed from 100 euros Extra Space Seat from 130 euros Business Class Suite from 400 Euro Economy Class seat with more legroom: from 50 Euro

The most loyal Lufthansa Group customers 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 was recently honored with the German Design Award 2024.

Lufthansa Announces Year-Round Flights From Munich To Vancouver Beginning With Upcoming Winter Schedule

Various enhancements and exciting changes will occur during Lufthansa’s upcoming 2024 winter flight schedule. Increased capacity will be brought to Canada’s west coast in the winter season with new, year-round service between Munich and Vancouver. Flight LH476 will depart Vancouver at 12:20pm and land in Munich at 1:50pm, the following day. All times are local. This route will be served with an Airbus A350 on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Canadians on the west coast will now be connected to the heart of Bavaria on a year-round basis.

Enhanced routes around the world

In the upcoming winter flight schedule, Lufthansa will also be flying to further destinations with its new premium Allegris cabin product. In addition to Shanghai and San Francisco, which will already offer the new product this summer, Lufthansa will introduce Allegris service on flights to and from Bangalore, India and Cape Town, South Africa.

Furthermore, the largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, continues to thrill fans all over the world while increasing capacity on popular routes. Lufthansa guests will be able to experience the double-decker aircraft at three destinations this coming winter: From Munich, it will fly to Los Angeles, Bangkok, and Delhi.

Back to Brazil

Lufthansa passengers can once again travel non-stop from Munich to South America. Beginning December 9, an Airbus A350 will fly to Sao Paulo, Brazil on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. LH504 will depart from Munich at 11:45 a.m. and arrive in the Brazilian metropolis at 8:15 p.m. local time.

Travelore News: Lufthansa Brings Its A380 Back To New York's JFK

Great news for Lufthansa customers in the New York area! The airlines much loved Airbus A380 returned to John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport on July 4th, as the United States commemorated its official day of independence With its return to JFK, Lufthansa’s A380 sharply increases capacity this summer season to the important New York market with one of the world’s most technologically-advanced and largest aircraft. Furthermore, with this flight, Lufthansa continues to expand its premium offering at its Munich hub, especially with additional seats in Business and First Class. In addition to New York, Lufthansa introduced its A380 service to Boston Logan on June 1st and will resume flights to Los Angeles’ LAX in the upcoming winter season.

Flight LH410 departed Munich at 12:10pm and arrived in New York at 3pm. The return flight, LH411, left JFK at 5:30pm and arrived in Munich at 7:35am today. All times are local. The New York JFK – Munich route will operate daily.

Due to the sharp rise in demand in 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 2023, a total of four 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 approximately 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 route. 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.