Business Treaveler logo

Travel news, reviews and intel for high-flyers

Lufthansa

Lufthansa, officially Deutsche Lufthansa AG, is the flag carrier and largest airline of Germany, headquartered in Cologne. Founded in 1953 as Luftag, Lufthansa has grown to be the second largest airline in Europe in terms of total number of passengers. It has one of the largest airplane fleets in the world, flying to more than 200 destinations in over 70 countries, including 24 cities in the United States. Lufthansa is one of the founding members of the Star Alliance—along with United Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International, and Air Canada—making it a great means to earn air miles for frequent fliers. Cashing in these miles by upgrading to Lufthansa’s first class cabin is one of the most luxurious and comfortable ways you can take a transatlantic flight.

by Business Traveler

October 01, 2022

Where does Lufthansa fly?

Despite being based in the German city of Cologne, Lufthansa’s central hub is Frankfurt Airport, with a secondary hub in Munich. In total, it flies to 211 cities across 74 countries, and while it has a strong European focus, it also provides numerous routes in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Popular U.S destinations include San Francisco, New York and Chicago. Lufthansa conducts nearly 900 flights each day and has over 700 aircraft, making it one of the largest fleets in the world.

FAQ

What is Lufthansa's Miles & More program?

Miles & More is the frequent flyer programme for Lufthansa and its subsidiary airlines, and it’s free to join. Once signed up, customers can earn three different types of points.

Standard Miles

Normal air miles can be earned by flying with a Lufthansa airline or any member of the Star Alliance. They can also be racked up by buying certain services, like hotel accommodation, car rentals or shopping with specially selected credit cards. These can then be redeemed in a variety of ways, and while the best value for money is purchasing airfare, customers can also spend them on other products, such as holiday experiences.

Lufthansa Status Miles

Status Miles can only be earned by flying with members of the Lufthansa group, or Star Alliance members. These points dictate what elite status a passenger is, with different levels providing certain benefits and perks when flying Lufthansa. Entry requirements and perks are listed below

Frequent Traveller - 35,000 status miles or 30 scheduled flights within 12 months

 Business lounge access
 One extra piece of luggage
 Exclusive service hotline
 Business class check-in

Senator - 100,000 status miles within 12 months

 Benefits of Frequent Traveller
 Complimentary advance seat reservation
 First-class check-in
 Priority boarding
 Senator and Star Gold lounge access
 Booking guarantee up to 48 hours before departure
 Two eVouchers upon reaching Senator status

To reach Hon Circle status, passengers need to rack up Hon Circle miles, which are only attained by flying business or first class with the Lufthansa group, or any of their partners

Hon Circle Members - 600,000 Hon Circle Miles for two consecutive years

 All of the benefits of Senator status
 Booking guarantee up to 24 hours before
 Access to first-class lounges
 Limousine transfer services
 Additional 20kg weight allowance, 2-3 bags in economy, 3 in premium and business and 4 in first class

What are Lufthansa's ticketing options?

Lufthansa has four main types of fare. Economy and Business are split into separate booking categories.

Economy

 Last to board
 Standard seating
 Free entertainment
 Free food and drink for long-haul
 Carry-on bag
 $13-$40 for seat selection

Booking categories:

Economy Light:
 Checked-in bag $70
 No changes or refunds
 No mileage upgrades
Economy Basic
 Complimentary checked-in bag
 Changes cost $300
 No refunds
 No mileage upgrades
Economy Basic Plus
 Complimentary checked-in bag
 Changes and refunds cost $300
 Mileage upgrades
Economy Flex
 Complimentary checked-in bag
 Refunds and changes just require fare difference to be paid
 Mileage upgrades available
Economy Premium
 Carry-on bag
 Two checked-in bags
 Travel kit
 11-12 inch entertainment monitors
 A more spacious, comfortable seat

Business

 2 carry-on bags
 Free Wi-Fi
 Two checked-in bags
 Travel kit
 11-12 inch entertainment monitors
 Access to business-class lounges
 Free restaurant quality food and drinks
 Priority boarding
 Larger and more comfortable seats, with more personal space

Booking categories:
Basic
 No mileage upgrades
 Changes subject to fees
 No refunds
Business Basic Plus
 No mileage upgrades
 Changes and refunds subject to fees
Business Flex
 Mileage upgrades permitted
 Refunds and changes just require fare difference to be paid

First Class

 Two carry-on bags
 Three checked-in bags
 Free Wi-Fi
 Travel kit
 15-inch entertainment monitors
 Access to business-class lounges
 Fine dining experience
 Priority boarding
 Lie flat bed

What are Lufthansa's baggage fees?

Lufthansa allows all passengers to bring one personal item and one carry-on, on all flights. Additional luggage is either included in fare type or available for purchase. Complimentary allowances per fare types are listed below

 Economy Light: One personal item, one carry-on
 Economy Basic, Basic Plus, Flex: One personal item, one carry-on, one checked-in bag (23kg)
 Economy Premium: One personal item, one carry-on, two checked-in bags (23kg)
 Business: One personal time, two carry-on bags, two-checked in bags (32kg)
 First Class: One personal item, two carry-on bags, three checked-in bags (32kg)

Additional bags can be added, with standard fees available below:

First bag (online)
 Flights within Germany: $20
 Flights within Europe: $30
 Transatlantic flights: $75
 Other long-haul flights: $70

First bag (at the airport)
 Flights within Germany: $60
 Flights within Europe: $60
 Transatlantic flights: $75
 Other long-haul flights: $100

Extra bags (online)
 Flights within Germany: $65
 Flights within Europe: $75
 Transatlantic flights: $80-$160
 Other long-haul flights: $230

Extra bags (at the airport)
 Flights within Germany: $80
 Flights within Europe: $90
 Transatlantic flights: $100-$230
 Other long-haul flights: $285

Overweight/oversized baggage fees

Oversized or overweight bags within free allowance
 Flights within Germany: $45
 Flights within Europe: $60
 Transatlantic flights: $140
 Other long-haul flights: $170

Oversized or overweight bags outside free allowance
 Flights within Germany: $125
 Flights within Europe: $150
 Transatlantic flights: $370
 Other long-haul flights: $460

Oversized and overweight bags within free allowance
 Flights within Germany: $90
 Flights within Europe: $115
 Transatlantic flights: $275
 Other long-haul flights: $345

Oversized and overweight bags outside free allowance
 Flights within Germany: $170
 Flights within Europe: $205
 Transatlantic flights: $505
 Other long-haul flights: $635