Information on Lufthansa Flights

If you’re considering flight options to Germany – or elsewhere in Europe, for that matter – Lufthansa is likely among them. The Munich-based German flag carrier is one of Europe’s largest airlines. Traditionally, Lufthansa has been known for mostly reliable service and solid, if not especially memorable, passenger experience. But the latter is changing thanks to the carrier’s current cabin and service overhaul, the largest investment of its kind in the history of parent company Lufthansa Group. If you’re not familiar with Lufthansa, now is an ideal time to consider the airline for your next trip. Here’s what to know, based on my flights as a former resident of Germany.

Why book with Lufthansa

Lufthansa is not a budget carrier, but its prices are often lower than other major airlines operating in Europe and beyond. The airline serves dozens of cities across Europe, and its main hubs of Munich and Frankfurt have the most long-haul options. On that note, Lufthansa’s innovative cabin upgrade on long-haul flights, known as Allegris (more on that below), and expanded fleet of next-generation aircraft are excellent incentives to consider the carrier for an upcoming flight.

More options for flying Lufthansa long-haul

Travelers based in North America now have more options than ever to fly Lufthansa to Europe (and beyond) following the carrier’s recent route expansion in the United States and Canada. Recently added U.S. markets include Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), and San Francisco (SFO). Long-haul routes to Canada currently include Vancouver and Toronto, with more on the horizon.

What is Lufthansa Allegris: An overview of the new cabin concept

More good news for long-haul passengers: Lufthansa is amidst a rollout of its much-anticipated Allegris concept, which spans all cabins (economy, premium economy, business, and first). Allegris received plenty of buzz in aviation circles when the product was finally launched after significant delays. With good reason: Allegris cabins are as attractive as they are technologically advanced. When fully launched, (deployment also includes a retrofit on some existing aircraft) Allegris is poised to elevate long flights into a much more comfortable and luxurious experience.

General booking tips for Lufthansa economy class

Lufthansa has four categories within Economy: Light, Classic, Green, and Flex. Economy Light is the most restrictive, with no seat selection and just one small carry-on bag included. Economy Flex, meanwhile, comes with the most extras, including seating in a preferred zone and the ability to take an earlier flight on the same day.

Depending on the route, I’ve noticed that Lufthansa’s Flex option is often not that much more expensive than the Light fare. Considering everything that comes with Flex tickets (luggage, a preferred seat, and plenty more), it offers tons of value – and it can easily justify the higher cost.

What to expect on Lufthansa economy class

The passenger experience on Lufthansa’s economy class depends largely on the aircraft and the route. The average age of Lufthansa’s fleet is 13.4 years, and some planes look and feel, well, plain tired (especially on shorter flights). But as Lufthansa expands its fleet with new generation aircraft, including A350-900s, A321-neos, and Boeing 787-300s, this will no doubt upgrade the economy experience, too.

Allegris in economy cabins: An elevated experience

The Allegris roll-out on long-haul aircraft will significantly enhance the passenger experience in economy. From an aesthetics standpoint, I love the refreshed color scheme, featuring a palette of calming blues and bursts of yellow. Seats, arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration, are quite comfortable. Thanks to a slim design, the respectable 31 inches of pitch feels like even more. Headrests, too, are top-notch, with adjustable wings and up-and-down functionality that makes it easier to sleep.

In addition, the seatback pocket has several separate compartments that make it a cinch to keep essentials – phone, book, eyeglasses – nearby and organized.

Extra attention has been paid to other elements, too. The tray table features a bi-fold design with a clever beverage holder that can be used even when the table is upright. This small but super handy feature is one I really appreciate. It’s so helpful to keep a beverage firmly in place without having the entire tray table open and worrying about spills – especially when flying with small kids. (I wish more airlines, especially those based in the U.S., would add these nifty extras.)

Lufthansa economy cabins on long-haul flights

If you’re flying internationally on Lufthansa, your economy ticket will include meals, beverages (including beer and wine), and in-flight entertainment. However, a heads-up for passengers who like to enjoy a cocktail at 30,000 feet: Thanks to a recent change, you’ll now have to pay for hard liquor on long-haul Lufthansa flights.

A look at Lufthansa’s new premium economy cabin

For me, Lufthansa’s new premium economy cabins are the sweet spot, offering excellent value without the higher price tag of business- or first-class fare. There’s a lot to like, starting with hard-shell seats that allow you to recline without disturbing the passenger behind you. (In addition, no more aggravating bumps against the back of your own seat as the person behind you is a little too aggressive with their entertainment screen – one of my biggest pet peeves). Premium economy seats also come with generous recline, a big bonus on long-haul flights. If you can afford the cost, I highly recommend it.

Allegris on business and first-class cabins: A standout product

Allegris-equipped business cabins are spacious stunners, with five options for seat types (including those with extra privacy away from the aisle and front-row suites with ample storage). All seats are lie-flat and feature notable extras, including innovative seat cooling and heating features – an airline first. In addition, passengers can control the firmness of the seat cushion – a feature I wish more airlines would incorporate.

Meanwhile, the first-class cabin, which is currently available on select flights due to manufacturer delays, is Lufthansa’s most luxurious offering yet. It includes a two-person suite with an array of fancy amenities, such as floor-to-ceiling doors and a wardrobe area for changing.

Finally, Lufthansa’s new culinary program in business and first class is outstanding. Restaurant-quality dishes are accompanied by a curated wine list and cocktails created by one of Germany’s most beloved distillers. Another new extra I love: a rotating selection of freshly baked breads by an award-winning German baker.

My only gripe with Lufthansa’s new business class: While the variety of seat options is impressive (remember, you can choose from five kinds), so much choice can make booking confusing. Regardless, these new cabins are a much-needed boost for Lufthansa’s brand. I’ve only traveled in business on a short flight, but the experience was so stellar that I’m tempted to book Lufthansa for future transatlantic flights, especially if I can score a good deal or book with points.

How to score extra room in Lufthansa economy

If you’re looking to spread out a bit on a long-haul flight in economy, Lufthansa has several options. First, consider the “Free Neighbor Seat” option, which lets you book the adjacent seat for a reasonable extra fee. In addition, as is the case with other carriers, keep in mind that business class fare on Lufthansa flights within Europe essentially means the seat next to you remains empty.

For flights of 11 hours or more, consider the “Sleeper’s Row,” a unique offering from Lufthansa that essentially means you can spread out across three (or even four) seats. You’ll also be given a thin mattress and a business-class blanket and pillow (no word on how to fend off fellow passengers who try to encroach on your paid-for space). The Sleeper’s Row option, which costs far less than full-fare seats, is subject to availability (meaning, if the seats can be sold, they will be). And you can only book it upon check-in or at the gate prior to departure.

I have mixed feelings about such offers. On the one hand, booking more seats is a failsafe way to guarantee the holy grail of a long-haul flight in economy: more room to stretch out (and even sleep) for a relatively low price. On the other, it feels like yet another way that airlines are squeezing passengers for the occasional bonus that used to be free (like scoring an empty row).

Lufthansa’s Miles & More frequent flyer program

Lufthansa is a founding member of the Star Alliance, a global network of 26 airlines that also includes Lufthansa Group subsidiaries like Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Condor, and Swiss International Air Lines. All Lufthansa Group airlines are part of the Miles & More frequent flyer program. (The notable exception is the newly launched Lufthansa City Airlines, which, confusingly, will operate along with Lufthansa CityLine. Unlike CityLine, City Airlines flights are not eligible for earning or redeeming miles and elite perks.)

Passengers can earn miles redeemable for award tickets in several ways, including flying Lufthansa or partner airlines and using its branded credit card. But Miles & More has one major flaw passengers should be aware of: You can’t transfer points from bank loyalty programs, which many other major carriers allow. As a result, passengers are limited in options for building up points in their Miles & More account.

One workaround I recommend: booking Lufthansa flights via a number of the airline’s partnerships with other loyalty programs, including United, Air Canada, and Swiss. But you’ll have to do this on the other airline’s website, which can take a little know-how.