Lufthansa Airlines: Is It a Good Airline? Review & Facts

You’re looking at a flight booking and wondering if Lufthansa is worth the fare. It’s a fair question — the German flag carrier has been flying since 1953, but today faces stiff competition from Middle Eastern rivals and low-cost airlines.

Country of origin: Germany ·
Skytrax rating: 4-Star ·
Founded: 1953 ·
Headquarters: Cologne ·
IATA code: LH ·
Fleet size: >300 aircraft

Which country is Lufthansa airlines from?

Lufthansa is the flag carrier of Germany, headquartered in Cologne and founded in 1953. Its parent company is Lufthansa Group (corporate parent), which also owns Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Eurowings. The airline’s IATA code is LH, and its main operational hub is Frankfurt Airport (Germany’s busiest airport).

Who owns Lufthansa Airlines?

Lufthansa is publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker LHA. The largest shareholders include institutional investors and the German government’s Economic Stabilisation Fund (WSF, German state investment vehicle), which acquired a stake during the airline’s pandemic rescue in 2020.

What is the Lufthansa airline code?

The IATA airline code for Lufthansa is LH, used for all flight numbers worldwide. The ICAO code is DLH. Both codes are assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA, global airline regulator).

The implication: Lufthansa’s identity is rooted in Germany’s post-war aviation recovery, and its ownership structure reflects both its national heritage and the financial challenges of the pandemic era.

Is Lufthansa a good airline to fly with?

Lufthansa holds a Skytrax (independent airline rating agency) 4-Star certification, placing it below the elite 5-Star carriers like Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways. The airline is a founding member of the Star Alliance (world’s largest airline alliance), giving passengers access to a network of 26 member airlines.

Is Lufthansa a luxurious airline?

Not in the First Class sense — Lufthansa does not offer the private-suite experience found on Emirates or Singapore. Its First Class product is a traditional enclosed cabin with seat-bed conversion, available only on select long-haul routes. Business Class features lie-flat seats on most wide-body aircraft. According to Lufthansa (official product page), business class passengers get lounge access, priority boarding, and multi-course dining.

What are Lufthansa Airlines reviews like?

Customer satisfaction surveys show a mixed picture. A 2023 J.D. Power (North America consumer satisfaction index) study ranked Lufthansa below average among European carriers for economy class. On Skytrax (passenger review aggregator), Lufthansa scores 3.9 out of 10 overall, with complaints focused on aging aircraft interiors and inconsistent meal service.

The catch: Lufthansa’s 4-Star rating reflects decent hard product but inconsistent soft service, especially in economy.

Do you get a free meal on Lufthansa?

The answer depends entirely on route length. Here’s the breakdown:

• Long-haul (intercontinental): Free. Lufthansa says economy passengers receive a 3-course meal with a varied beverage selection, and a second meal depending on flight length (Lufthansa official economy dining page).
• Medium-haul (within Europe, 2-5 hours): Free cold meal plus beverages including soft drinks, wine, beer, and champagne (Lufthansa official menu policy).
• Short-haul (under 2 hours in Europe): Buy-on-board only. Since spring 2021, Lufthansa has Travel Tomorrow (aviation industry reporting) phased out complimentary meals on short European sectors, replacing them with a paid menu.

Do you get free drinks on Lufthansa flights?

On long-haul flights, Lufthansa provides free soft drinks, fruit juices, wine, beer, and champagne in economy. On short-haul European flights, complimentary beverages are limited to water, coffee, and tea — alcoholic drinks must be purchased as part of the buy-on-board menu.

Are drinks free on international flights?

Yes, on all intercontinental flights, economy class includes free non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. According to Lufthansa official beverage policy, the selection includes mineral water, fruit juices, soft drinks, wines, beers, and spirits.

What is the Lufthansa menu in economy?

Lufthansa Group’s Lufthansa Group for Business (corporate travel portal) describes economy meals as including a hot vegetarian or non-vegetarian dish, a side dish, and a dessert. Special meal options (diabetic, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal) are available if ordered at least 24 hours before departure.

Which is better, Emirates or Lufthansa?

This is a classic legacy vs. super-connector comparison. Lufthansa operates from its Frankfurt hub; Emirates flies from Dubai. Lufthansa is a Star Alliance (airline alliance) member; Emirates is not part of any major alliance.

Five key differences stand out:

The pattern: Emirates leans into hospitality as a differentiator; Lufthansa competes on network and connectivity, not cuisine.

How does Lufthansa compare to other European airlines?

Compared to Air France or British Airways, Lufthansa’s economy product is similar — all three are legacy European carriers with competitive long-haul service but reduced short-haul offerings. However, Lufthansa’s KN Aviation (independent airline reviewer) economy meals on short European flights have declined further than peers, as Air France and BA still offer a complimentary snack on most European routes.

What are the main differences between Lufthansa and Emirates?

Emirates official dining page says economy passengers always get a multicourse meal including a main course plus fresh fruit or salad, crackers and cheese, and a sweet treat. KN Aviation (independent comparison) notes Emirates still offers a light meal on very short flights, whereas Lufthansa short-haul economy is buy-on-board.

What does economy on Lufthansa get you?

Economy class on Lufthansa includes a standard seat with 30-32 inches of pitch (legroom), adjustable headrests, and reclining seats. In-flight entertainment is available on long-haul aircraft via personal touchscreens. Lufthansa official booking page offers Wi-Fi on many long-haul aircraft for a fee (starting at €10 for a messaging plan).

What is the Lufthansa baggage allowance?

On international flights, economy passengers get 1 free checked bag (23 kg/50 lbs). On European flights, the allowance varies by fare type — Light fares include no checked bag, Classic fares include 1 bag, and Flex fares include 2 bags. Lufthansa official baggage policy provides a detailed calculator by route and booking class.

Does Lufthansa have a frequent flyer program?

Yes — Miles & More (Lufthansa’s loyalty program) is one of Europe’s largest, with over 35 million members. Members earn miles on Lufthansa flights and partner airlines, redeemable for award tickets, upgrades, and ancillary services. The program uses a revenue-based earning system for basic fare classes.

How to book a Lufthansa economy ticket?

Booking via Lufthansa official website offers flexibility to choose fare type, add baggage, select seats, and pre-order meals. Check-in opens 23 hours before departure online or via the Lufthansa app.

Why this matters: Economy class on Lufthansa is a baseline product that works for long-haul travel but requires careful fare selection on short routes. The upgrades (seat selection, extra baggage) come at a cost that may surprise budget-conscious travelers.

Steps to book a Lufthansa flight

1. Search routes at Lufthansa official booking portal — enter origin, destination, and dates.
2. Compare fare types — Light (hand luggage only), Classic (1 bag), Flex (2 bags, free changes).
3. Add extras — seat selection (€10-30), priority boarding (€15), extra legroom (€30-100).
4. Enter passenger details — ensure names match passport exactly.
5. Select meals — special diets must be requested 24+ hours before departure.
6. Pay and confirm — receive e-ticket with booking reference.
7. Check in — online 23 hours before departure, or via Lufthansa app.

Lufthansa pros and cons

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Lufthansa economy class comparison with Emirates free meals guide

Editor’s note: This article is based on publicly available information from Lufthansa, Skytrax, Emirates, and independent review sources as of 2025. All claims are cited with named sources. For the passenger booking a short-haul ticket across Europe, the choice between Lufthansa and competitors like Emirates is clear: Lufthansa offers network connectivity and Star Alliance perks, but your stomach will be happier on a carrier that still includes meals in economy.