Lufthansa Airlines

Lufthansa Airlines is the largest airline in Germany. It has hubs at the two biggest German airports in Frankfurt and Munich and offers its customers a premium product with transfer connections to the entire world.

The regional airlines Lufthansa CityLine, Lufthansa City Airlines, Air Dolomiti and Discover Airlines are also part of Lufthansa Airlines. Furthermore, Miles & More and the equity investment in Terminal 2 Gesellschaft in Munich belong to Lufthansa Airlines.

Fleet renewal continues

Lufthansa Airlines is driving forward the modernisation of its fleet. In the 2023 financial year, the Company took delivery of three Boeing 787 Dreamliners in Frankfurt. The Boeing 787 fleet now consists of five aircraft. Two new Airbus A350s and six new aircraft from the A320neo family were also added to the fleet. The cutting-edge new aircraft offer additional comfort, they are quieter, more economic, more efficient and emit less CO₂ than predecessor models.

To expand its capacity and in view of delays in the delivery of new long-haul aircraft combined with high demand, Lufthansa Airlines is reactivating its A380 fleet. The first of a total of four aircraft of this type entered service at the Munich hub in the reporting year. Four more A380s are to follow in 2024 and 2025.

At the end of the reporting year, the fleet of Lufthansa Airlines comprised 381 aircraft.

Private tourism travel segment to be expanded with new brand image

In September 2023, Eurowings Discover unveiled its enhanced brand image under the new brand name Discover Airlines. The new brand image refines its profile and positioning in the premium leisure and private travel segment.

The segment was strengthened further in the reporting year. Two more A330s and two more A320s went into service at Discover Airlines. The aircraft had previously been used by other Lufthansa Group airlines. The Discover Airlines fleet now consists of 13 A330s and eleven A320s.

Lufthansa City Airlines starts flight operations in summer 2024

Lufthansa City Airlines, a new addition to the Lufthansa Group, will start flight operations in the summer of 2024. The airline was established in 2022 and received its air operator certificate (AOC) from the German Federal Aviation Office in June 2023. It will offer flights from its hubs in Munich and Frankfurt, and so also fly feeder services for Lufthansa Airlines. Lufthansa City Airlines will operate in parallel to Lufthansa CityLine and Air Dolomiti.

The airline is expected to start flight operations in 2024 with A319 aircraft. The Lufthansa Group is also currently evaluating the options for using Airbus A220 or Embraer aircraft.

It is essential for the Lufthansa Group’s market position and its planned growth on long-haul routes in the German market to a make a strong, competitive addition to its short-haul network.

Customer product and services continue to expand

Lufthansa Airlines is investing in the expansion of its premium positioning and adding more products and services for its passengers.

For all of its travel classes on long-haul routes (i.e. Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First Class), the airline has introduced a new high-end product, Allegris, with new seats and a new cabin and service concept, which has been exclusively designed for the Lufthansa Group. Over 80 brand new Lufthansa Airlines aircraft such as Boeing 787-9s, Airbus A350s and Boeing 777-9s flying to destinations all over the world will offer the Allegris experience, starting in summer 2024. Many of the aircraft already in service at Lufthansa Airlines, like the Boeing 747-8, will be fitted with the new product over time. The simultaneous improvement of the travel experience in every class and the replacement of over 27,000 seats are unprecedented events in the history of Lufthansa Airlines. It underlines Lufthansa Airlines’ aspiration to be the leading Western premium airline.

Lufthansa Airlines also offers its passengers additional comfort on short- and medium-haul routes. From spring 2025, the airline will start fitting Airbus A320 aircraft that are already in service for Lufthansa Airlines with a new, innovative cabin. The new cabin offers significantly greater comfort, with larger overhead lockers, USB sockets, tablet/smartphone holders for every seat and more legroom.

In-flight service was already upgraded in the reporting year. It offers Lufthansa Airlines passengers more choice, entertainment and sustainability. The Onboard Delights catering offering was expanded. Business Class passengers on long-haul flights from Germany can choose from a larger selection of main meals. A larger entertainment range for children and young people is also available on long-haul flights.

The newly developed Lufthansa app now also functions as a digital travel assistant and makes travelling even easier and more comfortable.

Efficiency to be increased sustainably

Lufthansa Airlines is increasing its efficiency to make lasting improvements to profitability with the launch of the “Enhance Efficiency-e^2“ programme. Strengthening interdisciplinary exchanges between the different units of Lufthansa Airlines is intended to create space for innovative ideas. The focus is on measures that boost efficiency sustainably, but at the same time also deliver on the other targets in the areas of customer and employee satisfaction and sustainability.

Changes in the management of Lufthansa Airlines

Heiko Reitz has been the new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Lufthansa Airlines since 1 March 2023. He took over this role from Stefan Kreuzpaintner, who is now in charge of network, alliance and partner management for all of the Lufthansa Group’s Passenger Airlines.

Long-term wage agreement reached with the Vereinigung Cockpit pilots’ union

The Lufthansa Group and the Vereinigung Cockpit pilots’ union agreed to a long-term wage agreement for the pilots of Lufthansa Airlines in August 2023. ↗ Employees

Environmental management system is expanded

The environmental management system for Lufthansa Airlines and Lufthansa CityLine at the hub in Munich was successfully revalidated in accordance with the European EMAS Regulation (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) and extended to the Frankfurt hub.This enables Lufthansa Airlines to set an example for corporate environmental responsibility at Frankfurt too. Details of additional Lufthansa Airlines sustainability activities can be found in the section on Passenger Airlines and in the ↗ Combined non-financial declaration.

Traffic significantly expanded during the reporting year

In the 2023 financial year, Lufthansa Airlines carried 60.3 million passengers and therefore 16% more than in the previous year (previous year: 51.8 million). Capacity increased by 13% year-on-year. It was thus at 80% of its 2019 pre-crisis level. Sales climbed by 17% compared with the previous year. At 82.4%, the passenger load factor was 2.5 percentage points higher than the previous year’s level (previous year: 79.9%). Yields increased by 5.3%. Traffic revenue increased by 25% to EUR 15,011m year-on-year, chiefly due to higher traffic (previous year: EUR 11,969m)

Revenue up by 23% year-on-year, Adjusted EBIT is EUR 854m

The significant increase in demand for air travel and higher unit revenues drove up revenue year-on-year at Lufthansa Airlines by 23% to EUR 16,168m in the reporting period (previous year: EUR 13,173m). Operating income increased by 23% to EUR 16,884m (previous year: EUR 13,781m).

Operating expenses of EUR 16,025m were 13% higher than in the previous year (previous year: EUR 14,228m). Due to additional capacity, the cost of materials and services was up by 13%, mainly as a result of increased MRO expenses (+36%), higher fees and charges (+18%) and higher volume-related fuel expenses (+4%). Staff costs were 15% higher than in the previous year due to salary increases, new recruitment and a higher profit-share payment for employees.

In the 2023 financial year, Lufthansa Airlines thus achieved a positive Adjusted EBIT of EUR 854m (previous year: EUR -466m). The Adjusted EBIT margin was 5.3% (previous year: -3.5%). EBIT came to EUR 866m (previous year: EUR -432m). The difference relative to Adjusted EBIT in the reporting year is mainly attributable to impairment losses recognised on aircraft held for sale as well as book losses on aircraft and reserve engines.