Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings starts long-haul services

Eurowings builds on the foundation of Germanwings’ concept of a low-cost structure, while offering good quality and a premium option on board. Focus is on the destinations that are not hubs for Lufthansa, i.e. cities other than Frankfurt and Munich. However, there is also the opportunity of expansion, for example, to Switzerland and Austria. Initially, there are five destinations that will be serviced from the hub in Cologne/Bonn: Varadero, Punta Cana, Dubai, Phuket and Bangkok. A new Eurowings base is also being built in Vienna. The type of aircraft that will be used is an Airbus A330-200. To start with, two aircraft are to be deployed, but five more are on the way.

Lufthansa’s CEO Karl Ulrich Garnadt presenting the new Eurowings Eurowings will take over sales and marketing of what is today called 'Germanwings'. In reality, Germanwings will remain an airline, but will operate under the brand name Eurowings. The idea behind this is, above all, not to confine the airline and its operations to Germany, and they believe the Eurowings name is more appropriate when trying to market the airline to customers outside Europe. Lufthansa also hope that this will lead to, for example, Thai customers booking Eurowings to fly to Europe.

Ticket and cabin classes

Three different ticket types will be offered with three different cabin classes on board.

 is the cheapest and only includes hand luggage. Checked baggage, food, drinks and other services, including the opportunity to re-book, can be purchased as a supplement. On board you will sit in Smart/Basic with 243 seats. Leg room is 30 inches (76 cm) and the seats recline 10cm.

Eurowings Smart Basic

 is a ticket type for those who want a little extra included on board. The price includes a checked piece of baggage, Smart-meals (a hot and a cold meal) and drinks. Passengers who have a bonus card with either Frequent Traveller/Senator/HON Circle level in Miles & More also have access to the lounge at the airport, and can also earn points in Miles & More. With a Flex ticket, one has the additionally possibility to rebook or cancel for no extra charge. Passengers in ‘Smart’ will sit at the front of the economy cabin and will have 34 inches of legroom, compared to the 30 inches in the rest of economy. In Smart/Basic More Comfort, it is also possible to recline the seat slightly more than in economy (15cm compared to 10cm). In total there will be 46 seats.

Eurowings Basic Smart More Comfort

is Eurowings’ premium ticket. Passengers will sit in the premium cabin at the front and will enjoy increased legroom and a more advanced seat. ‘Best’ also includes two pieces of checked baggage, two carry-ons, priority check-in, fast track, lounge access, an à la carte meal and full choice on the in-fight entertainment system. It will be possible to earn points in Miles & More and passengers in Best will be credited with HON Circle points. On board there will be free WiFi for Best passengers. The in-flight entertainment system will include both a standard range and a premium range, which you can pay extra for (premium range is free for Best passengers). All seats have a USB socket and screens with HD resolution.

Eurowings Best There are 21 seats in Eurowings' Best cabin, three rows in a 2-3-2 configuration. Leg room is 45 inches (114 cm). The seat is basically the same seat that Lufthansa has in its new premium economy, but with a slightly different colour scheme. An example of some launch prices; the route Cologne-Dubai, from 99.99 EUR for Basic, 149.99 EUR for Smart, and 399.99 EUR for Best. Prices are one-way.

Test of the new Eurowings Best seat

We got the opportunity to test the new Eurowings Best seat just minutes after it was unveiled to the world. It is essentially the same seat that Lufthansa use in its new premium economy, but with Eurowings’ burgundy colour scheme on the headrest, table and storage space at the side of the seat. However, Eurowings’ Best seat does offer greater legroom. Lufthansa’s premium economy seat offers 38 inches, Eurowings Best has 45 inches (official figures from Lufthansa). We were on board the first flight of Lufthansa's premium economy and wrote this afterwards regarding the comfort: "The seat was very comfortable to sit in and most on board agreed. Although the seat offered no abundance of space and can not (and should not) be compared to business class, it was by no means cramped, neither in terms of width or legroom. The large backrests are somewhat constricting to the passenger behind when reclined. This might not be a problem on night flights, but it was almost impossible to sit and work when the seat in front was tilted so far backwards. It was also very tight trying to get out of the seat. " With seven extra inches of legroom, it seems that Lufthansa has heard the criticism that we gave and this should mean less impact on the person behind when the seat is reclined. Otherwise, the seat is both comfortable and spacious.

Seat in Eurowings Best

Seat in Eurowings Best

Seat in Eurowings Best

Eurowings’ Airbus A320 and Airbus A330