Lufthansa

http://www.lufthansa.com

Types of Travelers

Business Travlers

4/5

Good in-flight services, including communications

Family Traveler

4/5

Kids friendly entertainment

Backpacker
Adventure Traveler

4/5

Service to many popular ski destinations

Student
Budget Traveler

3/5

Average pricing

Elderly
Disabled Traveler

4/5

Above average accessibility

Long Term Traveler

4/5

Good reach as part of alliance

Novice Traveler

4/5

Helpful on the ground and in-flight

Introduction

Deutsche Lufthansa is the flag carrier of Germany. It is currently one of the largest airlines in the world. It has part or full ownership of some of its region’s other carriers, including Swiss Airlines and Austrian Air. As a founding member of the Star Alliance, it is one of Europe’s most influential airlines.

After World War II, the airline began to modernize its fleet. It grew during the early part of the Jet Age in the 1960s. It became a dominant carrier in Central Europe, a role that continues today. Lufthansa is known for its decent in-flight services, wide reach and large number of affiliates and subsidiaries.

Ratings

Important Factors 4/5

Average Delay

20%

Cancelled Flights
(average per month)

Less than 1%

Customer Satisfaction Rating

4 stars (out of 5)

Types of Aircraft

Boeing 737

General 4/5

Number of Domestic Flights (Daily)

Number of International Flights (Daily)

183

Size of Fleet

274

Major Airports and Destinations Served

Berlin, Munich, London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Milan, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia

Location of Hub

Düsseldorf International Airport; Frankfurt Airport; Munich Airport

Countries Served

USA, Brazil, China, Japan, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy

Number of Routes

n/a

Most Popular Routes

Frankfurt-Berlin; Hamburg-Frankfurt; London-Berlin; Paris-Frankfurt; Munich-Frankfurt

In-Flight 4/5

Which Routes offer Meal Service?

Meals on long haul and medium range flights, snacks on domestic and short regional flights

Food Quality

above average

In-flight Menu

Sandwiches and regional specialties.

Average Leg Room

30-33 inches depending on plane type

Types of In-flight Entertainment

On most planes, each seat has a personal screen on which to watch movies, television shows and listen to music. Special kids programming for young passengers.

Baggage 4/5

Baggage Fees

None

Number of Bags Allowed

1 (Germany and Europe); 2 (all other international destinations)

Weight Limits and Restrictions

Within Germany and Europe: 44lbs, international 23 kgs. Additional allowances for ski equipment

Web Site 4/5

Online Check-in

Yes

Web Site Usability

Above average (info easily accessible)

Special Needs 4/5

Handicap Accessibility

Above average (website section on how to get around with the airline)

Pets

At least $50 for in cabin pets up to $500 USD for long haul cargo transport. Prices and locations of transport determined by weight of the animal

Special Offers /Partners 5/5

Airline Alliance Membership

Star Alliance

Hotel Partners

Miles & More

Competing Airlines

Iberia, British Airways, Scandinavian Airlines

Strengths

Good service in-flight
Huge reach
Very user-friendly airline
Good selection of routes
Regular promotions and discounts

Weaknesses

Not always the cheapest option
Confusing miles earning program for shorter flights

Frequent Flier Program and Airport Lounges

Lufthansa is the founder of the Miles and More program that is used by several other European carriers. It is also a founding member of the Star Alliance. This means that it is possible to earn miles on other Star Alliance member airlines and on partnering airlines like Swiss Airlines and Austrian Airlines. Members can also earn status points towards upgrades and other loyalty perks. Lufthansa has lounges catering to premium class and elite Miles and More fliers. They also have the First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport. After a stay in the well-staffed terminal lounges, guests are driven to their gate in luxury vehicles.

Conclusion

Lufthansa is a major player in Europe’s air travel industry. For fliers headed to Europe, they are a good option because they and their affiliates and subsidiaries offer connecting flights to many European destinations. In addition, Lufthansa is known for its above-average quality and service, and especially, user-friendliness. That makes it a good option for novice fliers and those unfamiliar with trans-ocean flights.