Starting December 4, Lufthansa Group will extend its Green Fares to long-haul flights, making them available for over 850,000 flights annually across all travel classes. The Green Fares, designed for more sustainable flying, already offset individual flight-related CO2 emissions. This initiative is part of the Lufthansa Group’s efforts to broaden its sustainable travel options.
The Green Fares were first introduced for short and medium-haul routes two years ago, positioning Lufthansa Group as the first airline group to offer this tariff. Following a trial period on selected intercontinental routes, the fares are now a permanent feature for long-haul flights, adding another dimension to the company’s fare structure.
Since its official launch in February 2023, more than two million passengers have chosen the Green Fares. Through this initiative, approximately 190,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions have been offset, equivalent to emissions from over 1,300 Munich-to-New York flights using an Airbus A350. Notably, many chose Lufthansa Green Fares for their sustainable travel option.
A Commitment to Sustainable Flying
Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa Group, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “We have set ourselves ambitious goals to make flying more sustainable. To achieve this, we are investing billions of euros every year in new aircraft and pioneering technologies, among other things. With our innovative Green Fares, we are also involving our customers and offering them – as the first airline group worldwide – the opportunity to actively contribute to more sustainable aviation on more than 850,000 flights. Extending Green Fares to the Lufthansa Group’s global long-haul network is an enormously important and consistent step – not only for us, but for the entire aviation industry.”
Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer at Lufthansa Group, highlighted the company’s leadership in sustainable initiatives. “The Lufthansa Group has always contributed to the progress of aviation. As the first airline group worldwide, we have been offering our own tariff for more sustainable flying already for two years. With success: demand is continuously increasing. In addition to technological solutions, we are focusing on innovative offers for our customers to make flying more sustainable. With the Green Fares, we are now offering a solution worldwide that shows that more sustainable flying is already a reality today, also through the use of SAF. Through Lufthansa Green Fares, we will continue to lead the way in transforming the industry.”
How Green Fares Work
The Green Fares tariff simplifies sustainable travel by automatically offsetting flight-related CO2 emissions. This is achieved through a combination of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) usage and contributions to the Lufthansa Group’s climate projects.
For flights within Europe and to North Africa, 20 percent of CO2 emissions are reduced using SAF, while the remaining 80 percent is offset through climate protection projects. On intercontinental routes, 10 percent of emissions are reduced via SAF, with the remaining 90 percent offset through similar initiatives. The Lufthansa Green Fares also include additional benefits, such as extra miles and points, and the flexibility to rebook without extra charges.
These fares are available on flights operated by Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines, and Air Dolomiti. Some routes operated by other airlines or joint venture partners remain exceptions. Eurowings offers a similar option called PlanetBlu.
Expanding Sustainable Travel Options
Lufthansa Group continues to enhance its sustainable travel services. Customers can opt to offset CO2 emissions through various packages, even after completing their flight booking or after travel. These packages involve SAF usage and contributions to climate projects, aligning with the company’s vision of making sustainable flying accessible. Currently, about four percent of Lufthansa Green Fares passengers choose sustainable travel options.
Through these efforts, Lufthansa Group aims to foster sustainable flying practices while involving passengers in its environmental initiatives.
