Lufthansa revamps short & medium haul pricing structure
For tickets purchased from April 28, 2026, and for travel commencing on May 19, 2026, Lufthansa Group is broadening its fare offerings for short and medium haul journeys.
As part of this initiative, a new entry-level fare, labeled as Economy Basic, will be gradually rolled out on select routes, applicable across all Lufthansa Group airlines (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines, and Air Dolomiti).
The primary distinction with the new Economy Basic fare is that it does not encompass a full-sized carry-on bag. Instead, it only includes one personal item, such as a laptop bag or small backpack, and travelers wishing to bring additional luggage can purchase carry-on or checked baggage as an add-on option, or opt for a different fare.
The new Economy Basic fare is distinct from the Economy Light fare, which was formerly Lufthansa’s lowest economy fare. What sets these fares apart? The Economy Basic fares do not permit a carry-on and are non-refundable and non-rebookable, while the Economy Light fares do allow for a full-sized carry-on, and although they are non-refundable, they can be rebooked for a fee of €100. Below is a comparative overview of the fares.
Lufthansa promotes that, in the future, travelers “will have four clearly defined fare options in Economy Class and three in Business Class” (which isn’t completely accurate, as there are actually five, including the Economy Comfort Green fares). Nearly as much selection as we experience in Lufthansa Allegris, how delightful!
Naturally, Lufthansa is framing this as a beneficial change and something for customers to anticipate. “The enhanced fare structure thus allows for a clear, transparent selection adjusted to individual preferences.”
My perspective on Lufthansa Group’s economy fare transformation
To Lufthansa Group’s credit, the airline consortium isn’t the first among the “big three” European airline groups to implement a fare without a full-sized carry-on allowance (as KLM has already done this with certain fares). However, it is indeed the first airline group to implement this widely across its member airlines.
I find it somewhat troubling how “full service” airlines in Europe frequently charge elevated fares while providing minimal services. What’s the actual variation in passenger experience between EasyJet and one of the network carriers in Europe? Often, not much at all.
So what’s my concern with this change? First, Lufthansa Group excels at manipulating customer perceptions, portraying every unfavorable adjustment as a positive. In 2021, when Lufthansa launched a buy-on-board program in economy and removed complimentary food and drinks, the airline asserted that this shift was based on “customer feedback.” Sure. This is clearly a fare increase, intended to encourage customers to opt for higher-priced options.
Second, Lufthansa seems to struggle with complexity. Having both Economy Basic and Economy Light fares definitely appears it will perplex some customers. Might as well introduce Economy Diet and Economy Zero fares into the mix, just to add to the confusion.
Third, there seems to be a notable lack of positive news from Lufthansa Group lately. Just last week, flagship airline Lufthansa was grounded for five consecutive days due to overlapping strikes, and this week the airline announces the removal of carry-on bags on its cheapest economy fares, for those fortunate enough to be on a Lufthansa flight that’s actually running. 😉
In conclusion
Lufthansa Group is revamping its short and medium haul fare structure, with the launch of new Economy Basic fares that exclude a carry-on bag and are immutable. Lufthansa will now provide four to five varieties of economy fares to choose from, and the airline underscores how fantastic it is that customers will enjoy so much selection.
I have a hunch that most customers won’t share Lufthansa’s enthusiasm for this development…
What are your thoughts on Lufthansa’s short haul economy fare overhaul?