Lufthansa is the largest consumer of caviar in the world, purchasing 10 tons (around 5% of the entire world’s caviar supply) each year to serve to business and first class passengers.
Along with its subsidiaries (Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Euro wings, Lufthansa Cargo), the Lufthansa Group is the largest airline in Europe, boasting a fleet of more than 700 aircraft.
On 14 May 1962 Lufthansa’s inaugural flight to South Africa departed from Germany. But, unlike the direct flights the airline operates today, this one made several stops before landing on South African soil!
To celebrate 60 years of flying to South Africa, Lufthansa is offering customers a special anniversary fare to select European destinations, starting from R8,550 per person, inclusive of taxes and 1 free bag. These fares will be on sale until 31 May 2022 – contact your nearest Sure Travel agency to secure your seat (find your nearest agency here).
In the early 2000s Lufthansa introduced national costumes for its flight crews on selected routes to celebrate Oktoberfest. While the designers for the outfits differ each year, the airline’s trademark blue, yellow and white remain a constant.
When Germany won the Football World Cup in 2014 Lufthansa flew back all players to Berlin. The plane was renamed ‘Siegerflieger Fanhansa’ (Winners-plane) and was given special permission to fly at a low altitude of 700 meters in a no-flight zone in order to do a ‘fly-by’ for more than 500 000 fans waiting below.
Lufthansa’s longest scheduled flight is from Hamburg, Germany to Falkland Island, lasting 15 hours and 36 minutes. The airline’s second longest flight is from Frankfurt to Buenos Aires, clocking in at 13 hours and 55 minutes.
Lufthansa became the first in-flight provider in 2003 when it partnered with internet provider Connexion to provide on-board internet on a Boeing 747 operated flight.
Lufthansa is one of the five founding members of the Star Alliance, which now has 27 airline members with a combine fleet of more than 4,600 aircraft.
