Lufthansa is expanding across its network, with capacity to the United States of America – as well as other countries for a change.
Let’s go around the two hubs to see what’s been added to the long-haul agendas.
This is a sight you won’t see in a hurry – but considering some of the routes being announced, it seems fitting – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Frankfurt
Frankfurt will gain two new services to the USA, flying from Frankfurt to Minneapolis. The new service will start on the 4th of June 2024, with them planning to fly the route five times weekly.
In addition, the airline will serve Raleigh-Durham to its flight schedule. It is the airline’s second destination in North Carolina after Charlotte, which will commence on the 6th of June 2024, operating five times a week.
In addition, Hyderabad will continue to be served in the 2024 summer flight schedule with five weekly flights.
Meanwhile in Munich
Munich-based Lufthansa A350 – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
There’s going to be a lot of action in Munich, as the hub continues to grow, with A350 operations. This includes a new route from Munich to Seattle, commencing 30th May 2024 and operating daily.
Going east, Hong Kong will rejoin the Lufthansa network from Munich – with dates to be confirmed.
Additionally, Johannesburg is joining the action, with a three-times-a-week service from 3rd June 2024 – a first since 2005.
Finally, Bangalore, with flights already offered this winter that will continue through summer 2024 with up to six weekly flights.
The Rise of the A380 in Munich
It’s staying around… and probably will do for some time…
Let’s be honest – a lot of us love the A380 – not just for the size, but for the possibilities it offers in terms of passenger experience. Lufthansa is taking advantage of this, plus filling in its plane shortage with an extra aircraft and increasing the number of routes
In total, Lufthansa will station a total of six “big bird” Airbus A380s in Munich next summer, by 2025 the A380 fleet will grow to eight aircraft.
From Munich, passengers will experience the Airbus A380 on five routes at once, with Boston, Los Angeles and New York (JFK) returning. Two new capitals will be added for the first time: Washington, D.C. and Delhi.
Boosting capacity – and increasing Munich’s prominence
There’s something interesting with these announcements, and to me, it seems that Munich would be the biggest beneficiary of all these changes, with connectivity being built back into the hub – with three new routes and two new cities for the A380.
It gives Lufthansa the option to offer choice across its network and connecting traffic – whilst relieving the busy Frankfurt hub, whilst allowing that hub to add additional connectivity.
Whilst most of the routes are US-based (the joy of partnerships driving traffic that way), it is welcoming to see India keep services, as well as South America and Hong Kong gaining extra connectivity.
And those routes feed the rest of the network – connecting traffic is important for airlines as they funnel people from one place, into a hub and out again.
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