Lufthansa's first Airbus A350 aircraft with upgraded business class, named "Munich" and deployed on routes to Canada

The German city of Munich has a new ambassador  - An Airbus A350-900 with the registration D-AIVC was christened today at Munich Airport by the Bavarian Minister-President Dr Markus Söder and the first Lufthansa with the revamped business class.

  

Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG said: "The A350 is the quietest and most fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft in our fleet. With a significantly improved Business Class onboard, this aircraft also represents the beginning of one of the largest product modernizations in Lufthansa's history. This aircraft is sustainable and offers customers a premium flight experience. The "Munich" is a worthy ambassador of the Bavarian capital to the world."

The aircraft will now be deployed on routes between the Bavarian hub for various cities in Canada, including  Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. 

Premium travel experience with improved Business Class

The "Munich" is the first aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet to offer its guests an improved Business Class. All seats have direct access to the aisle, can be easily and quickly converted into a two-meter-long bed and offer more storage space. In addition, travellers have significantly more space in the shoulder area.

The introduction of the improved Business Class marks the beginning of an extensive renewal of Lufthansa's cabins. Next year, the airline will introduce a new top product in all travel classes, Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First Class, that is unparalleled in the market.

Lufthansa Group aid organization now active in 24 countries with 17 new projects

Despite the still noticeable effects of the Corona pandemic on project work, The Lufthansa Group’s aid organization is now supporting 17 new projects focusing on education, work and income, including for the first time in Argentina, Italy, Iraq, Cameroon, Colombia and the Philippines. As in the past, the projects were selected from suggestions by employees and are supervised and managed by them on a voluntary basis. In total, help alliance is now involved in 51 aid projects in 24 countries for disadvantaged young people.

“The Corona pandemic has further exacerbated the global education crisis. That’s why there is so much for us to do as an aid organization right now. The new help alliance projects are designed to help provide equal opportunities for children and young people after this difficult time. Education is the key to a successful future,” says Andrea Pernkopf, Managing Director of help alliance.

In the global south, school closures have had a particularly negative impact on the educational opportunities of children and young people. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), insufficient digitization and a lack of equipment prevented at least one-third of students worldwide from learning from home during the pandemic.

Through its work, help alliance is making an important contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of “Quality Education” (SDG 4) and “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (SDG 8).

For detailed information on the 17 new help alliance projects Front Page - help alliance

Germany: New ways to learn to read

The project ensures that children with special needs are not left behind and supports them in learning to read parallel to their school lessons.

Italy: More participation for young people in Milan

The project aims to make children and young people aware of their abilities, potential and skills and to help them develop their talents so that they can consciously choose and shape their future.

Philippines: Best school equipment for Filipino children

By providing school materials, LCD projectors and school meals for disadvantaged children, the project aims to ease the burden on teachers and parents and create an improved learning environment for all students.  

South Africa: Houses of Hope in Cape Town

Ubomi houses offer children and young people from the poorest parts of Cape Town, a place for education, and cultural activities and thus create perspectives beyond the dangers of the township.

Iraq: Running for more self-confidence

Outdoor activities not only promote physical fitness but also offer women and girls the opportunity to develop their skills and competencies. As a result, they gain more self-confidence and contribute to positive change in a war-torn society.

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Lufthansa Group agrees inaugural revolving credit facility of €2.0 billion

Deutsche Lufthansa AG has signed its first Revolving Credit Facility with a broad syndicate of international relationship banks.

The total facility amount is 2.0 billion euros and will be available for a period of three years plus two one-year extension options. Other than customary group guarantees, the facility is unsecured, has no financial covenants and serves as undrawn backup liquidity. It replaces existing undrawn bilateral credit lines of approx. 0.7 billion euros. The facility therefore further increases available liquidity of Lufthansa Group by approx. 1.3 billion euros.

First Revolving Credit Facility of Lufthansa Group

• Unsecured facility without financial covenants

• Facility further bolsters liquidity and increases the efficiency of Lufthansa Group’s balance sheet

Remco Steenbergen, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, says:  “The signing of our first syndicated revolving credit facility further strengthens our liquidity reserve, increases the efficiency of our balance sheet in securing our liquidity target of 6-8 billion euros and demonstrates our strong long-standing relationships with our core banking group.”

HSBC Continental Europe S.A., Landesbank Baden-Württemberg and UniCredit Bank AG acted as coordinating bookrunners and mandated lead arrangers.

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Emission-free aircraft towing - Lufthansa using electric tugs at Frankfurt

Lufthansa is the launch customer of the all-electric towbarless aircraft tug Phoenix E

Photo goldhofer.com

The Goldhofer Phoenix E moves aircraft with a take-off weight of up to 352 tons

New e-vehicle powered by green electricity in operation at Frankfurt Airport for up to ten hours a day

Lufthansa Group to be CO2-neutral on the ground in its home market by 2030

Photo goldhofer.com

Lufthansa LEOS, the ground handling specialist of the Lufthansa Group, is the launch customer of the all-electric towbarless aircraft tractor Phoenix E from German manufacturer Goldhofer. The purely battery-electric vehicle operates at Frankfurt Airport. It can move aircraft with a take-off weight of up to 352 tons over short and long distances between parking areas, maintenance hangars, and departure positions.

Photo goldhofer.com

Emission-free aircraft towing at up to 25 kilometres per hour

After extensive testing and training, Lufthansa LEOS added the electric vehicle to the fleet. The advantages of the electric tug are apparent; it moves aircraft without emissions and noise or vibration.

With a battery capacity of 165-kilowatt hours and a drive power of 240 kilowatts, aircraft can be moved at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour. Because the nose wheel of the aircraft is lifted and locked, the tug can move relatively quickly and is easier to manoeuvre than tugs with a tow bar.

Photo goldhofer.com

Up to 20 towing jobs a day - all-electric

When controlling the operation of the towbarless aircraft tractor, it is necessary to consider how the state of charge develops for a day because aircraft tow tractors are “workhorses.” They taxi to new parking positions in Frankfurt with the aircraft in tow for up to ten hours a day. The daily energy requirement for up to 20 towing jobs per vehicle is almost twice as high as the battery capacity. The thermo-controlled lithium-ion battery system allows rapid recharging even during short interruptions to work, which is carried out utilizing a dedicated charging infrastructure. Charging is done with green electricity. And this is already from the point of energy generation.

Photo goldhofer.com

Lufthansa LEOS has been committed to sustainability on the ground for many years. Since 2014, the company has been testing novel, sustainable ground handling concepts with Fraport as part of the E-PORT AN initiative. In addition to the all-electric towbarless aircraft tractor, it already has two hybrid tow vehicles in operation at Frankfurt Airport.

On the ground: conversion to CO2-neutral mobility by 2030

Since 2020, the Lufthansa Group has been sourcing exclusively green electricity in its home market. As a further measure, the Group is converting there to CO2-neutral mobility on the ground by 2030.

Photo goldhofer.com

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Lufthansa offers more than 50 additional flights from and to Frankfurt and Munich as Easter demand jumps

From Frankfurt more than 30 additional flights to Palma de Mallorca, Faro, Funchal and Larnaca

From Munich more than 20 additional flights to Faro, Heraklion, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca

The easing of travel restrictions across Europe is giving many airlines a noticeable surge in demand for the Easter vacations. Last week was the most successful booking week for the German airline Lufthansa in the last two years, with a four-fold increase in new bookings compared to the same week in 2021.

To meet the high demand, especially of “sun seekers,” Lufthansa is now offering at short notice or the upcoming Easter holidays more than 50 additional flights to and from Frankfurt as well as Munich. From Frankfurt, vacationers can look forward to more than 30 additional flights to the south during the Easter vacations. Five additional connections from Frankfurt to Palma de Mallorca (Spain), five connections to Faro (Portugal), three connections to Funchal on Madeira (Portugal) and two connections to Larnaca (Cyprus) are now also in the flight schedule.

More than 20 extra flights will be operated from Munich, flying guests to the most beautiful vacation regions in Europe. The following connections from Munich will be added to the already expanded flight schedule: twice to Faro (Portugal), twice to Heraklion (Greece), twice each to Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and a connection to Palma de Mallorca (all Spain).

The most popular countries for travel of Lufthansa guests for the Easter holidays as well as the coming summer are Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. Particularly worth mentioning is the comeback of city breaks. Barcelona, London, Rome, Oslo and Athens are in particular demand for city trips in the coming spring and summer. The number of connections to these and many other cities has doubled compared with the previous year.

The current entry and quarantine regulations apply to travellers. Lufthansa continues to offer all customers maximum booking security and flexibility. This enables risk-free vacation planning: all fares can still be rebooked. Customers can find the latest information on entry requirements at lufthansa.com.

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Lufthansa and Fraport recycle up to 4 million PET bottles annually

Fraport AG and Lufthansa Optimize Recyclable Material Cycle

“Closed Loop" recycling project implemented in just a few months

In a move that is making a sustainable contribution to climate and environmental protection, Fraport and Lufthansa have teamed up to transfer recyclable PET bottles directly from the aircraft into a sustainable and closed recycling loop. Frankfurt Airport is the first airport in Europe involved with this process. PET (polyethene terephthalate) is the name of a clear, strong, lightweight and 100% recyclable plastic. Lufthansa and Fraport, together with Hassia Mineralquellen, a company that markets some of the finest mineral waters of Germany, intensely tested a closed loop recycling project in late 2021 and upon a successful completion, immediately transferred it to regular operation in Frankfurt.

Bottles are 100 percent recycled

Around 60 percent of the waste weight from an aircraft is accounted for by returned PET bottles and their contents. These bottles are collected separately, after landing, and handed over to Hassia Mineralquellen, which integrates the bottles into its own recycling process. The recovered PET granulate is then used to make new bottle blanks, which are filled with beverages again. This means that the collected PET bottles are 100 percent recycled. 

Based on Lufthansa's current air traffic volume, it is expected that around four million PET bottles weighing 72 tons can be collected this year alone. Based on flight movements and the load factor for 2019, the project partners could collect up to 10 million PET bottles per year in the future.

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Lufthansa Cargo digitalizes worldwide cargo handling of special products & services with IBS Software's iPartner Handling solution

                       In a major step towards digitalization and improving quality in worldwide cargo handling, Lufthansa Cargo is partnering with IBS Software to digitalize critical handling processes for special products and services like dangerous goods, pharmaceuticals and fresh produce. The deployment represents significant progress for Lufthansa Cargo's "Mobile Digital Handling" initiative, created to eliminate paper-based processes across its operations by digitalizing tasks and process checks carried out by its Ground Handling Agent (GHA) partners.

The initiative leverages IBS Software's latest iPartner Handling solution to extend Lufthansa Cargo's special checks and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to its extensive global GHA network. The solution seamlessly integrates with airlines running IBS Software's iCargo cloud platform for air cargo management to provide a single access, easy to use set of mobile and web tools that GHAs can use to carry out specialised workflows and tasks. Through the iPartner Handling solution, rich information captured by GHAs is made available to Lufthansa Cargo on a real-time basis, enhancing the quality and service levels of all of its cargo products. The platform also offers digital connectivity options for GHAs via APIs and has been architected keeping future industry initiatives such as ONE Record in mind.

The roll out has been planned in two phases, the first of which will see 30+ Lufthansa Cargo stations across Europe, Asia and the Americas going live, followed by additional stations and several new use-cases and enhancements being added to the solution. The first wave of five stations has already successfully gone live.

Flights to USA are booming says Lufthansa

About a week after the planned end of U.S. travel restrictions, Lufthansa Group airlines are experiencing a further boom for flights to the United States. On certain days in the last week, flights across the Atlantic increased three-fold over the week before. 

Demand in the last week on certain routes almost reached pre-crisis levels. Flights with SWISS from Zurich and Lufthansa from Frankfurt to New York and from Frankfurt and Zurich to Miami had the highest bookings from both leisure and business travellers. In Premium Economy, Business and First Class more tickets to the USA were bought than in the same period in 2019.

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

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

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

Additional flights also within Germany

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

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

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Airbus’ new Single-Aisle Airspace cabin enters into service with Lufthansa Group

Lufthansa Airbus A321neo with Airspace Cabin  Photo Airbus

The German airline Lufthansa has started operations with its first A320 Family aircraft – an A321neo – featuring Airbus’ new Single-Aisle Airspace cabin. In doing so, the airline becomes the first operator in Europe to introduce the new Airspace cabin features for passengers on board A320 Family aircraft. In 2018 Lufthansa Group, a long-time A320 Family customer, chose to equip more than 80 of its new A320 Family aircraft on order from Airbus with Airspace cabins.

The new Airspace features include: slimmer sidewall panels for extra personal space at shoulder level; better views through the windows with their redesigned bezels and completely integrated window shades; the largest overhead bins for 60% more bags; the latest full LED lighting technologies; LED-lit ‘entrance area’; and new lavatories with hygienic touchless features and antimicrobial surfaces.

“Lufthansa has once again made a choice of innovation and passenger appeal, raising the bar for the flying public at large to experience next-level, Airbus leading cabin innovations”, said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International. “I am delighted to welcome one of our long term partners, Lufthansa, to become the first European operator for the A320neo Family Airspace cabin. I can’t wait to fly on one of these aircraft.”

"Regardless of the crisis, we continue to focus emphatically on a premium product for our guests," emphasizes Heike Birlenbach, Head of Customer Experience, Lufthansa Group. "For us, premium means providing high-quality, individualized and relevant offers for all our passengers at all times. With the new Airspace Cabin, we are significantly improving the travel experience on short-haul routes and setting a new industry benchmark."

Lufthansa has been operating the A320-family since the 1980s and has been the very first operator of the A321 and the A320neo. The airline group is one of the biggest Airbus operators worldwide.

 

At the end of July 2021, the A320neo Family had received more than 7,400 orders from over 120 customers worldwide.

 

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Lufthansa Group generates positive cash inflows again in the second quarter - Adjusted free cash flow at 340 million euros

Adjusted EBIT in the second quarter at -952 million euros: 43 percent better than in the same quarter a year earlier

Significant cost reductions and strong bookings for all Group Airlines stop cash outflows: Adjusted free cash flow at 340 million euros positive for the first time since the beginning of the crisis

Lufthansa Cargo on record course: good long-term prospects for air freight

Good response: Voluntary programs in Germany and Switzerland above expectations

Still high demand for tourist destinations and gradual recovery of business travel expected in the second half of the year

In the second quarter, the Lufthansa Group benefited from a significant market recovery with increasing passenger and booking numbers. Relaxation of travel restrictions in international air traffic and a great pent-up demand among passengers drove both demand and activity. In June alone, the number of bookings was more than twice as high as at the beginning of the quarter. As planned, the capacity offered at the end of June was 40 percent of the pre-crisis level.

Carsten Spohr, CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, says: "All Lufthansa employees worldwide have made great efforts to significantly lower costs in all areas. As a result, we have been able to stop the outflow of funds in the current phase of reviving our business and generate a positive cash flow for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. The fact that more than 30,000 colleagues have left us in the process so far hurts us all, but is unavoidable to sustainably save the more than 100,000 remaining jobs. This unique crisis is also a unique opportunity for us to accelerate the transformation of Lufthansa in order to consolidate our global leadership role."

Quarterly loss limited - return to positive free cash flow

Thanks to the positive development of the airlines, record results at Lufthansa Cargo and the continued recovery of Lufthansa Technik and the LSG Group, operating losses in the second quarter of 2021 declined significantly by 43 percent to -952 million euros compared to the first quarter of 2021.

Adjusted free cash flow in the second quarter was positive at 340 million euros, mainly due to strong bookings. Operating cash flow was positive at 784 million euros due to positive working capital effects related to strong bookings in the second quarter. Excluding these effects, the cash drain averaged 200 million euros per month.

Lufthansa supports German federal government with airlift

Special flights to form an air bridge from Tashkent, Uzbekistan and Doha, Qatar to Germany

First special flight lands in Germany already this night

Lufthansa prepares further flights also from other neighboring countries on behalf of the German government

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Lufthansa is setting up an air bridge to Tashkent and Doha at short notice to support the German government with special flights during the evacuation. The first special flight chartered by the German government will depart from Tashkent this evening. An Airbus 340-300 long-haul aircraft will be used.

Within just a few hours, Lufthansa is thus quickly and flexibly enabling the first special flight from the Central Asian country, which no airline in the Lufthansa Group currently flies to on a regular basis. Traffic rights were applied for at short notice, crew deployment planning was carried out and the aircraft was released for the mission.

Lufthansa will operate further flights from Tashkent, Doha or other neighboring countries in the next few days as part of the airlift and in coordination with the German government.

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Sleep well on board of Lufthansa flights to São Paulo, Los Angeles and Singapore

Sleeper’s Row available on long-haul flights starting on 2 August

Enjoy entire row of seats to yourself starting at 159 euros

As of 2nd August, Lufthansa guests travelling in Economy Class on select long-haul flights will have the option of booking a Sleeper’s Row at the check-in or at the gate, before their flight. With this new attractive offer, passengers will receive an entire row of seats for themselves, consisting of three to four adjacent seats, for the entire duration of the flight. This offer comes with a comfortable pillow, blanket and mattress topper of Business Class quality, allowing passengers to fully relax while onboard before reaching their final destination. The Safety during the flight is ensured by a special seat belt, which remains fastened even when the passenger is lying down, including separate safety instructions. Furthermore, passengers who book a Sleeper’s Row can benefit from pre-boarding, allowing them enter the aircraft earlier than other guests. 

Lufthansa offers the Sleeper’s Row on long-haul flights of approximately eleven hours or more, for example on routes to the Far East, the United States’ west coast, Central and South America, or southern Africa. The surcharge is between 159 and 229 euros per route. A maximum of three Sleeper’s Rows are offered per flight. Reservations in advance are not possible.

Lufthansa tested the Sleeper’s Row on the route Frankfurt - São Paulo - Frankfurt for several weeks at the end of last year. The offer received much positive feedback from passengers and was in high demand. The Sleeper’s Row is a further step towards more product diversity in Economy Class to meet passengers’ wishes for more comfort and individuality. By equipping the new long-haul aircraft, Lufthansa is providing its passengers additional services to make flying even more pleasant.

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Lufthansa reactivating some Airbus A340s as it looks to boost first class offering from Munich

Apparently, Munich Airport is Europe’s only 5-star hub and has been super popular for Lufthansa's more wealthy passengers. It is the gateway to Bavaria, as well as a hub to the world for the German carrier.  Due to increased demand, Lufthansa is bucking the trend in the industry to sink to the bottom, by reintroducing first class -  so much so that it will reactivate fice of its stored Airbus A340 aircraft featuring the premium cabin. 

Reactivation of five Airbus A340-600 offering First Class

Airbus A350-900s to offer First Class from summer 2023

Now as the global travel industry is returning to prior levels of activity, Lufthansa is strengthening its premium services from Munich Airport and will again offer First Class on selected routes. This means Lufthansa is temporarily reactivating five Airbus long haul A340-600 aircraft with four flight classes, including the award-winning First Class with eight seats.

Commencing in summer 2022, the A340-600 will fly from Munich primarily to North American and Asian destinations. The decision to reactivate these aircraft is due to growing premium demand, for business as well as leisure travel.

In late summer 2023, the first Airbus A350-900, offering First Class, will join the fleet and take off from Munich, bolstering the premium offering at Lufthansa’s 5-star hub.

Lufthansa starts vaccination of employees in Germany

The German airline Lufthansa has begun vaccinating the first employees in Germany. In the first week, 2,000 vaccine doses will be available and can be administered by the Group’s Medical Service in Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg. The initial focus is on those colleagues who have personal contact with customers, such as aircraft crews or employees at the stations.

Initially up to 2,000 weekly vaccinations will be available 

Michael Niggemann: “Lufthansa employees make important contribution to society.”

Crews and employees with personal customer contact receive vaccination offer first

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, our employees have also been making an important contribution to society. With our flight and cargo services, we give travellers the security of being able to perform socially or economically important tasks, for example. We are pleased to now be able to offer our employees a vaccination,” says Dr. Michael Niggemann, Chief Human Resources Officer Lufthansa Group.

Lufthansa recommends that its employees take advantage of the opportunity to be vaccinated.

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Lufthansa First Class Lounge in Terminal 1 of Frankfurt Airport reopens

As summer approaches, the desire to travel continues to grow, declining infection rates and the easing of travel restrictions are making more and more people want to fly again. Therefore, as a direct result of that, plus rising booking, the German carrier Lufthansa has decided to reopen the Lufthansa First Class Lounge in Terminal 1 of Frankfurt Airport.  

Relaxing while waiting for departure

The lounge offers an exclusive and comfortable place to relax, while travellers are waiting for their departure. The range of products offered in the lounges have been adjusted to meet current regulations. At present, food and beverage consumption is only permitted outside of the lounge. A take-away offer is available in the First Class Lounge, with a good selection of food and beverages. The popular “á la carte” service will also be resumed as soon as official regulations allow us to do so.

First Class guests can now also enjoy the usual personal service. The First Class Lounge is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Lufthansa lounges open their doors to guests

Lufthansa guests can already access some of the lounges in Germany as well as abroad, such as New York. In the upcoming weeks, additional Lufthansa lounges will gradually be re-opening for customers. Soon, the First Class Terminal and the associated limousine service will also be made available again. A variety of measures, such as maintaining distance and wearing a mouth and nose covering, ensure that the lounge stay meets high safety and hygiene standards.

For more information on lounges and on-site conditions, visit https://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/lounges

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Lufthansa reopens first class lounge at Frankfurt Airport

As summer approaches, the desire to travel continues to grow, declining infection rates and the easing of travel restrictions are making more and more people want to fly again. Therefore, as a direct result of that, plus rising booking, the German carrier Lufthansa has decided to reopen the Lufthansa First Class Lounge in Terminal 1 of Frankfurt Airport.  

Relaxing while waiting for departure

The lounge offers an exclusive and comfortable place to relax, while travellers are waiting for their departure. The range of products offered in the lounges have been adjusted to meet current regulations. At present, food and beverage consumption is only permitted outside of the lounge. A take-away offer is available in the First Class Lounge, with a good selection of food and beverages. The popular “á la carte” service will also be resumed as soon as official regulations allow us to do so.

First Class guests can now also enjoy the usual personal service. The First Class Lounge is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Lufthansa lounges open their doors to guests

Lufthansa guests can already access some of the lounges in Germany as well as abroad, such as New York. In the upcoming weeks, additional Lufthansa lounges will gradually be re-opening for customers. Soon, the First Class Terminal and the associated limousine service will also be made available again. A variety of measures, such as maintaining distance and wearing a mouth and nose covering, ensure that the lounge stay meets high safety and hygiene standards.

For more information on lounges and on-site conditions, visit https://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/lounges

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Lufthansa offers even more flights to the sun

Lufthansa is now offering even more flights to attractive sun destinations. From June 3 to 6, the airline is increasing its flight offerings to vacation destinations in Spain, Portugal and Greece. Additional flights will take off from both Munich and Frankfurt to dream destinations such as Crete, the Algarve and the Balearic Islands. Lufthansa is adding more flights at short notice to Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Ibiza, Faro, Lisbon and Heraklion, for example. In total, beginning of June, passengers can choose from 20 additional flights. Travel enthusiasts can book conveniently, comfortably and quickly on the lufthansa.com website, among others. The flights are available for booking now, combined with attractive and flexible rebooking options.

Airline increases flight offerings over Corpus Christi weekend

Additional frequencies to vacation destinations in Greece, Portugal and Spain

Flights from Munich and Frankfurt to Mallorca, Faro or Crete, among others

With more than 100 vacation destinations, Lufthansa and Eurowings are offering more vacation destinations this summer than ever before. For example, Lufthansa is flying non-stop from Germany to twelve dream destinations in Greece for the first time. Passengers can also choose from attractive long-haul offers to top vacation destinations such as Male (Maldives), Cancún (Mexico) or Punta Cana (Dominican Republic).

Lufthansa always facilitates travel under the highest safety and hygiene regulations, taking into account the overall pandemic situation.

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Two court victories for Ryanair over state aid to European carriers.

The Irish budget carrier Ryanair has won two court victories, news agency Reuters is reporting in the low-fare-high-fee airline's battle against state aid to rivals airlines in Europe. 

The Luxembourg-based General Court has annulled the support given to Amsterdam based KLM and Portugal's Transportes Aereos Portugueses - TAP saying regulators failed to justify the huge cash injections given to the national carriers at the height of the global pandemic. However, the court said the annulments - and the recovery of the money - would be suspended pending new decisions by the Commission.

The court advised "The General Court annuls the Commission's decision to approve the Netherlands financial aid for the airline KLM amid the COVID-19 pandemic on the grounds of inadequate reasoning," They also rejected the EU executive's clearance of state support for TAP saying "an inadequate statement of reasons".

Previously, the EU cleared a €3.4-billion/ $4.15 billion Dutch government bailout for struggling airline KLM and a €1.2 billion rescue package for TAP

More job losses on the way at SWISS as airline restructures and reduces in size

There are more job losses on the way at the Zurich based SWISS as it undergoes a restructuring and reduction in size as a result of the pandemic.  The Lufthansa Group airline has announced a period of mass change is upon it as it looks to shore up the carrier and cut losses which will see the fleet be reduced by about 15%.

The airline is also shedding even more staff as a complete restructuring of the company now seems unavoidable.  SWISS says its fleet will be downsized from its 2019 extent by a projected 15%.  The airline will retire all Airbus A320 family aircraft, its medium-haul fleet will be reduced from 69 to 59 aircraft. With its long-haul fleet SWISS plans to reduce its fleet from 31 to 26 aircraft, by withdrawing five of its long-haul Airbuses.

Lufthansa Group and BASF roll out sharkskin technology

From 2022, Lufthansa Cargo will equip all Boeing 777 freighters with AeroSHARK

Innovative surface technology from Lufthansa Technik and BASF improves fuel efficiency and helps airlines to reach sustainability targets

The lower the frictional resistance of an aircraft in the air, the lower the fuel consumption. Using nature as a role model, the aviation industry has been intensively researching ways to reduce aerodynamic drag for many years. Now Lufthansa Technik and BASF have succeeded in making the breakthrough as part of a joint project. AeroSHARK, a surface film that mimics the fine structure of a shark’s skin, is to be rolled out on Lufthansa Cargo’s entire freighter fleet from the beginning of 2022, making the aircraft more economical and reducing emissions.

The surface structure consisting of riblets measuring around 50 micrometers imitates the properties of sharkskin and therefore optimizes the aerodynamics on flow-related parts of the aircraft. This means that less fuel is needed overall. For Lufthansa Cargo’s Boeing 777F freighters, Lufthansa Technik estimates a drag reduction of more than one percent. For the entire fleet of ten aircraft, this translates to annual savings of around 3,700 tons of kerosene and just under 11,700 tons of CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of 48 individual freight flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai.