Lufthansa City Airlines Integrates with Star Alliance: New Routes and Seamless Travel Across Europe in 2025

Published on September 13, 2025

In a significant move for both Lufthansa City Airlines and Star Alliance, it was announced Lufthansa City Airlines officially became a member of the global airline alliance. This integration enhances air connectivity and expands the reach of Star Alliance, which now serves more than 18,000 daily flights, connecting 1,150 destinations across 190 countries.

The integration of Lufthansa City Airlines into Star Alliance is expected to bring numerous benefits to travelers. Passengers flying with Lufthansa City Airlines will now enjoy seamless luggage transport to their final destinations, lounge access for eligible travelers, priority boarding, and the ability to earn and redeem miles across all Star Alliance member airlines.

Lufthansa City Airlines: Strengthening the European Network

Lufthansa City Airlines, a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, began operations in June 2024. The airline focuses on providing short- and medium-haul flights from its hubs in Munich and Frankfurt. It operates a modern fleet that includes Airbus A319 and A320neo aircraft. These aircraft are designed to improve fuel efficiency and offer a more comfortable experience for passengers.

The airline’s operations are set to expand further with the introduction of 40 Airbus A220 aircraft, scheduled for delivery starting in late 2026. This fleet renewal marks a significant step forward in Lufthansa City Airlines’ expansion strategy and strengthens its competitive position in the European market.

Lufthansa Group’s Strategic Integration and Route Expansion

In line with its growing footprint, Lufthansa Group announced on September 12, 2025, plans to integrate its European subsidiaries more closely. This strategic move involves centralizing the management of network operations and information technology under the parent company, Lufthansa, for its short and medium-haul routes.

This change aims to increase efficiency and profitability by reducing redundancies and improving the overall coordination between Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and Lufthansa City Airlines. Despite this integration, the operational airlines will continue to handle customer experience, flight operations, and onboard services, ensuring that the distinct service qualities of each brand are maintained.

Lufthansa City Airlines Expands Its Route Network

In 2025, Lufthansa City Airlines has significantly expanded its route network, offering more options for travelers. Starting from July 1, 2025, the airline introduced daily flights to Seville, with additional services to Naples beginning on August 1, 2025. In September, the airline began a daily route to Catania, and in October, new routes to Bucharest and Alicante will be launched. These new routes will be operated with the Airbus A320neo fleet, which provides an eco-friendly and comfortable option for passengers.

This expansion is part of Lufthansa City Airlines’ strategy to strengthen its presence in Europe and meet increasing demand for both leisure and business travel in these popular destinations.

Codeshare Expansion with ITA Airways

As part of its efforts to enhance connectivity with other international carriers, Lufthansa has extended its codeshare agreement with ITA Airways. Starting September 2, 2025, this expanded partnership includes new intercontinental routes to destinations in Africa and Asia. The agreement aims to enhance travel options and provide seamless connections for passengers traveling between Italy, Germany, and beyond.

This codeshare expansion is a crucial element of Lufthansa’s strategy to broaden its network and offer more options to its customers, especially for long-haul flights to regions outside of Europe.

Star Alliance’s Recent Developments

In addition to Lufthansa’s moves, Star Alliance has been actively expanding its global network. A key development occurred on September 1, 2025, when Asiana Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, resumed its Busan–Da Nang route after a six-year hiatus. The route is now serviced with Airbus A330-300 aircraft, and the daily flights will strengthen the connectivity between South Korea and Vietnam. This marks a significant step in increasing the reach of Star Alliance in Asia.

As Star Alliance continues to expand its network, it is enhancing its commitment to offering a seamless travel experience for passengers, with Lufthansa City Airlines’ recent integration reinforcing this aim.

The Impact on Passenger Experience and Travel Connectivity

With the addition of Lufthansa City Airlines to Star Alliance and the expansion of its route network, passengers are expected to benefit from increased flight options, better connectivity, and enhanced services. These developments are expected to improve the overall travel experience by allowing for more convenient connections and greater access to global destinations. Additionally, the expansion of the codeshare agreement with ITA Airways strengthens Lufthansa’s intercontinental reach, offering travelers better access to Asia and Africa.

As Star Alliance continues to integrate more airlines and expand its network, the global airline alliance is positioned to provide passengers with a more integrated and seamless travel experience, aligning with its mission of creating a connected world through air travel.

Looking Forward: The Future of Lufthansa and Star Alliance

The integration of Lufthansa City Airlines into Star Alliance is just the beginning of Lufthansa’s strategy to grow its presence in Europe and globally. With the introduction of new aircraft, expanded routes, and strengthened partnerships, Lufthansa is poised to remain at the forefront of global aviation. For Star Alliance, the ongoing addition of airlines and expanding network routes continue to solidify its position as one of the leading global airline alliances, offering travelers unmatched connectivity and service.