by Lufthansa Flyer | May 22, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa, Swiss, Uncategorized |
Beginning on October 1 Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian passengers will have a simplified three-tiered Economy fare choice for intra-European travel. The structure is loosely based on the current Germanwings concept that affords different ‘extras’ based on which of the 3 classes is booked.
The 3 Economy fare options will be ‘Light’, ‘Classic’, and ‘Flex’ and here is a breakdown of what the characteristics are for each of the 3:
LIGHT:
1 piece of carry-on luggage up t0 8 kilograms / 17 pounds.
Fares will be non-refundable and non-changeable.
For additional fees you can select your seat prior to check-in, check a bag (up to 50 kilograms / 23 pounds) or book seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead and exit row seating.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
CLASSIC:
1 piece of luggage up to 23 kilograms / 50 pounds.
1 carry-on up to 8 kilograms / 17 pounds.
Free seat selection at the time of booking.
For additional fees you will be able to check additional baggage or select seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead or exit row seating.
Fares can be rebooked for a fee, but are non-refundable.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
FLEX:
1 piece of luggage up to 23 kilograms / 50 pounds.
1 carry on up to 8 kilograms 17 / pounds.
Free seat selection at the time of booking.
For additional fees you will be able to check additional luggage or select seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead or exit row seating.
Fares can be rebooked for free and refundable for a fee.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
50% Award Mile Bonus.
Regardless of which fare class is booked, Miles and More members will retain their status benefits so access to lounges, priority boarding, priority security etc. will not be affected. Star Alliance Gold members also will be able to use their benefits as well, including access to Senator lounges, priority check-in, etc. However, regardless of status level, passengers will be required to pay for a seat if they wish to choose a seat at booking under a ‘Light Fare’ and will need to pay if checking a bag.
Additionally, onboard catering will not be impacted by which fare class you select. All passengers in Economy will receive the same level of beverage and meal service.
Booking for these new fare classes will be open beginning June 23 for SWISS flights while Austrian and Lufthansa will open their booking systems for these new fares starting on July 28. Remember, these fares take effect for travel beginning on October 1, 2015.
by Lufthansa Flyer | May 20, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa |
Two brands that are near and dear to my heart have partnered on a project to develop the next generation of ultra-luxury cabin appointments for aircraft.
The partnership looks to explore what the boundaries may be in creating cabin interiors for VIP aircraft by combining talents from both design teams. The initial concepts that you’ll see below are still in prototype and design phase an it may be a while before they become reality. At the same time, do not expect these kind of concept cabins to find their way aboard your flight between Chicago and Munich.
These designs are geared for the VIP / Private aircraft demographic so you don’t have to worry about having enough miles to burn in your account in order to experience something like this. You’ll need to be a member of Billionaires Club to pull this off!
But for the rest of us, we can at least get an idea of what a few lucky people may be experiencing one day (all photos courtesy of Daimler):
by Lufthansa Flyer | May 13, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa, Strike |
In a positive development concerning the drawn out saga between Lufthansa and the Union that represents the majority of their pilots, both sides have agreed to enter arbitration in an attempt to resolve differences.
Details are yet to be revealed but it appears that the process should keep the threat of strikes away during the arbitration, perhaps putting off the threat of strikes well into late summer. This should come as good news to all those planning their summer Holidays.
However, there is a moderate threat of widespread Air Traffic Controller strikes throughout Europe during June.
Apparently, Air Traffic Controllers are ‘displeased’ at an EU proposal that would centralize ATC operations under one European umbrella vs. the current system where each country maintains air traffic control for its respective airspace. The big fear that controllers have is the potential for widespread job loss due to the centralization of ATC operations. A meeting of union members next week will determine if any strikes will be called during June.
by Lufthansa Flyer | May 13, 2015 | Cargo, Featured, Lufthansa |
Recently, I posted a piece highlighting the fact that South African Airways has put in place a policy that bans the transport of any large or endangered Wildlife Hunting Trophies aboard their passenger or cargo airplanes.
In addition to SAA, Emirates has now created a policy that takes effect on May 15 that also provides for the ban of Large Trophy Game transport on its aircraft as well.
To this end, I want to bring your attention to Lufthansa’s position on the topic.
I contacted LH Cargo soon after the SAA news to confirm what Lufthansa’s position is on this very important topic. I’m glad to report that LH has policies similar to the aforementioned airlines in place. In fact I think the LH policies may go a bit beyond what SAA has in place. According to the internal memo from SAA it targets only specific animals (Rhino, Elephant, Lion, and Tiger):
This leads me to think that SAA will still allow the transport of other Game not specifically listed in their internal communications.
In an email exchange with my contacts at Lufthansa Cargo, I was able to gain confirmation that Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cargo do not engage in the transport of Large Trophy Animals or animals protected under CITES 1.
From LH Cargo:
“We definitely do not transport large game trophies and, of course, no trophies for any endangered species, complying with CITES 1 regulations”
Animals that ‘qualify’ under CITES 1 include Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Tiger, Cheetah, Leopard, Zebra, Giraffe and other large game. Based on my interpretation of CITES 1, it provides for a ban on the commercial export or import of Game that is endangered or can potentially be endangered by harvesting. It does not apply to Game that is not at risk, such as Impala, Kudu and other antelope or small game not listed as an at-risk species.
If I interpret the LH statement correctly, it appears that they go beyond what is just required by CITES and may in fact go beyond what SAA and Emirates have put into place since they suggest that they transport NO Large game, not just CITES 1 protected animals.
Personally, I would like to see airlines band together and create a standardized policy that addresses this very sensitive and important topic. If it one day becomes impossible to transport ANY Animal Trophy due to airline policies, we will have made major strides in reducing the amount of senseless murders that take place of defenseless animals.
If game hunters realize that they can’t bring home the carcass of what they senselessly slaughtered while on vacation, perhaps then the animals will have a fighting chance.
by Lufthansa Flyer | May 12, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa, Premium Economy |
Today marks the 50% benchmark of Lufthansa’s Premium Economy rollout. In total, 53 aircraft now combine to provide passengers with approximately 2,000 Premium Economy seats. As of today, 33 LH destinations have Premium Economy available to passengers.
Specifically, all 747-8i and A380 aircraft have been retrofitted. 15 out of 18 Munich-Based A340-600 along with both Dusseldorf-based A340-300s are complete as well.
Going forward, the remainder of the A340-300 fleet is scheduled to be completed in the next few weeks, followed by the 747-400s and Frankfurt-based A340-600s which will start their conversions by September, and be completed by year end. All A330 aircraft will also be finished by the end of the year. Additionally, all of the ‘JUMP’ based A340-300s will also be finished this year as well.
Keep in mind that these dates are soft targets and some adjustments to the timeline should be expected.
By the way, Lufthansa is currently running a Premium Economy Sale….
