After a successful pilot since February 2023 that saw over 2 million passengers opt for its ‘Green Fares’, the Lufthansa Group has announced that it is expanding these fares for more sustainable flying to long-haul flights and thus to its global route network.

In a press statement, the Group led by German flag carrier Lufthansa, says that the the Green Fares will be bookable in all travel classes for more than 850,000 flights per year with effect from December 4. The company says that the more sustainable ticket already includes offsetting of individual flight-related CO₂ emissions and that these fares are part of its growing portfolio of more sustainable travel offers.

The statement adds that as the first airline group worldwide, the Lufthansa Group has been offering ‘Green Fares’ for short and medium-haul routes for almost two years. Following a successful test run on selected intercontinental routes, the fare can now be booked regularly on long-haul routes, adding an additional option to the Lufthansa Group’s existing fare structure.

Since the launch of Green Fares in February 2023, more than two million passengers have already opted for the tariff and offset almost 190,000 tonnes of CO₂ by offsetting their flight-related CO₂ emissions. This amount corresponds to the CO₂ emissions of more than 1,300 flights from Munich to New York with an Airbus A350, it says.

Dieter Vranckx

“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,” says Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer, Lufthansa Group.

“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. We will continue to lead the way in transforming the industry,” says Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer, Lufthansa Group.

The statement adds that with just one click, its ‘Green Fares’ offer a more sustainable way to fly, because the fare already includes the full offsetting of the individual, flight-related CO₂ emissions: through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and a contribution to the Lufthansa Group’s high-quality climate project portfolio. The composition of the two components differs depending on the distance of the route.

It says that for flights within Europe and to North Africa, a 20 pc reduction in CO₂ emissions is achieved through SAF, while the remaining 80 pc is offset through climate protection projects. On intercontinental routes, 10 pc of CO₂ emissions are reduced through SAF and the remaining 90 pc are offset through contributions to climate projects. The ‘Green Fare’ tariff also offers additional miles and points, as well as the option to rebook free of charge, it adds.

The aviation group says that the ‘Green Fares’ are available for flights operated by Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines and Air Dolomiti. The only exceptions are flights operated by other airlines and individual routings in selected traffic areas of joint venture partners. Eurowings also offers a tariff for more sustainable flying under the name PlanetBlu.

Lufthansa Group says it continues to expand its offers and services for more sustainable flying. Passengers can opt for CO₂ offsetting with other fares as well, during the booking process, after completing it in their personal booking area, and even after the flight has already taken place. Customers can choose between different packages, each of which offers full offsetting of CO₂ emissions through the use of SAF and a contribution to climate protection projects. Currently, around 4 pc of the Lufthansa Group passengers use an option for more sustainable flying.

Grazia Vittadini

The company clarifies that there is no refueling of individual flights with pure SAF. As a so-called ‘drop-in’ fuel, SAF is compatible with fossil kerosene and can be blended with it without any problems. Before being transported to the airport, SAF is mixed with fossil aviation fuel (blending) and then fed into the airport infrastructure. The Lufthansa Group ensures that the amount of SAF required to offset individual CO₂ emissions is fed into the Lufthansa Group’s flight operations within six months of purchase. Over its entire life cycle, the SAF from biogenic residues used by the Lufthansa Group has a CO₂ footprint that is around 80 pc lower than that of conventional kerosene made from fossil crude oil.