Lufthansa has established itself as one of Europe’s premier airlines and a leading global carrier. With its distinctive blue and white livery featuring the iconic flying crane emblem, the airline exemplifies German precision, service excellence, and technological innovation while connecting Germany and Europe to destinations worldwide.
German Heritage: The History of Lufthansa
Lufthansa’s modern history began in 1953 when it was reestablished in post-war West Germany. The airline quickly became a symbol of the country’s economic resurgence and growing international presence. By the early 1960s, Lufthansa had already begun to build its reputation for technical excellence and reliable service.
A significant milestone came in 1958 when Lufthansa ordered its first Boeing 707 aircraft, marking its entry into the jet age. This enabled the airline to launch jet service between Frankfurt and New York in March 1960, establishing its presence on prestigious transatlantic routes.
Throughout the decades, Lufthansa continued to expand its network and modernize its fleet. The airline benefited from Germany’s reunification in 1990, which created new opportunities for growth. In 1997, Lufthansa became a founding member of the Star Alliance, the world’s first and largest airline alliance, further expanding its global reach and connectivity options for passengers.
Today, Lufthansa stands as the flagship carrier of the Lufthansa Group, one of the world’s largest airline groups, which includes other carriers such as SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings. In 2025, the group expanded further with the acquisition of a 41% stake in ITA Airways, the Italian national carrier, making Italy another home market for the Lufthansa Group.
By the Numbers: Lufthansa Stats
Lufthansa’s position as a global aviation leader is reflected in its impressive statistics:
- Operates a mainline fleet of nearly 300 aircraft
- Together with partner airlines in the Lufthansa Group, offers more than 12,000 weekly connections
- Serves over 300 destinations in more than 100 countries
- Transported over 130 million passengers in 2023 (Lufthansa Group)
- Generated record revenues of €37.6 billion in 2023 (Lufthansa Group)
- Employs approximately 100,000 staff (Lufthansa Group)
- Operates one of the world’s most diverse wide-body fleets
Quick Facts About Lufthansa
- Headquarters: Cologne, Germany
- Main Hub: Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Secondary Hub: Munich Airport (MUC)
- IATA Code: LH
- Alliance membership: Star Alliance (founding member, 1997)
- Corporate slogan: “Say yes to the world”
- Parent company: Lufthansa Group
- Flies to all six inhabited continents
- Operates a frequent flyer program called Miles & More
- Named aircraft traditionally after German cities and regions
- Reactivated its Airbus A380 fleet for 2023-2025 operations due to strong demand
Hub Cities: Lufthansa’s Major Operations
Lufthansa operates from several key hubs across Germany:
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) – Primary global hub, offering connections worldwide
- Munich Airport (MUC) – Secondary hub with expanding international operations, including A380 services
- Other Lufthansa Group hubs include Zurich (SWISS), Vienna (Austrian Airlines), and Brussels (Brussels Airlines)
- Rome became a new Lufthansa Group hub in 2025 following the acquisition of a stake in ITA Airways
These strategically positioned hubs enable Lufthansa to efficiently serve its extensive network throughout Europe while connecting to destinations across North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Fleet and Service
Lufthansa operates one of the world’s most diverse fleets, combining aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing. The mainline fleet consists of approximately 300 aircraft, including a mix of narrowbody and widebody jets.
For long-haul operations, Lufthansa deploys a variety of widebody aircraft including the Airbus A330, A340, A350, A380, Boeing 747-400, 747-8, and the newer Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In 2025, the airline reactivated its eight remaining Airbus A380s, deploying them on routes from Munich to destinations including Boston, New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Delhi, and Bangkok.
For short and medium-haul routes, Lufthansa primarily uses aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, including both the original series and the newer, more fuel-efficient A320neo variants.
Looking to the future, Lufthansa has placed orders for additional A350s and is awaiting delivery of the Boeing 777X, which has faced production delays. The airline is also in the process of introducing its new “Allegris” cabin product across its long-haul fleet, featuring redesigned cabins in all classes, including a new First Class that won the German Design Award in 2024.
Lufthansa offers a multi-class service model on most flights, with First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class available on long-haul routes. The airline is known for its premium ground services, including an extensive network of lounges at its hub airports and key destinations worldwide.
Network Expansion
Lufthansa maintains an extensive global network with particular strength in connecting Europe to North America and Asia. For summer 2025, the airline announced new intercontinental routes including service to Windhoek, Calgary, Orlando, Halifax, and Seattle.
European expansion continues as well, with new connections to destinations like Bydgoszcz, Ålesund, Kefalonia, Bodø, Edinburgh, Sylt, Burgas, Harstad-Narvik, Niš, Montpellier, Heringsdorf, Calvi, and Terceira.
In December 2024, Lufthansa introduced direct flights between Munich and São Paulo, operating three times weekly with Airbus A350 aircraft, further strengthening its South American network.
The acquisition of a stake in ITA Airways in January 2025 has further expanded the Lufthansa Group’s presence in Southern Europe, adding nearly 70 destinations served by ITA Airways’ modern fleet of 99 Airbus aircraft.
Awards and Recognition
Lufthansa has received numerous accolades for its service excellence. The airline was previously named “Best Airline in Europe” by Skytrax, a recognition of its commitment to premium service both on the ground and in the air.
In 2018, Lufthansa became Europe’s first and only 5-Star Airline according to Skytrax, joining the elite club of the world’s top premium carriers. The airline has also won awards in categories such as “Best Airline Transatlantic,” “Best Airline in Western Europe,” and “Best First Class Lounge Dining.”
More recently, the Lufthansa Group won a prize for the best airline app at the World Aviation Festival (WAF) in 2024, recognizing its digital innovation efforts. Additionally, Lufthansa’s new Allegris Business Class product received the German Design Award in 2024.
Looking Ahead
Lufthansa continues to strengthen its position as a global aviation leader while adapting to evolving market conditions and challenges. The airline is currently implementing a comprehensive “Turnaround” program aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing complexity, and improving product quality at its core Lufthansa Airlines operation.
Fleet modernization remains a priority, with the airline expecting to take delivery of numerous new aircraft in the coming years, including additional A350s and eventually the Boeing 777X. By 2028, around 90% of Lufthansa Airlines’ long-haul fleet will feature the new Allegris cabin product, enhancing the passenger experience across all travel classes.
The integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group represents a significant strategic expansion, establishing Italy as another home market alongside Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Belgium. This move reinforces the group’s position as Europe’s leading airline group and strengthens its competitive position globally.
With a continued focus on premium service, technological innovation, and sustainability, Lufthansa is well-positioned to maintain its leadership role in global aviation as it connects Germany and Europe to the world.
Keyword: TopAirlines