Sustainability
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By 2030 we will have at least 190 fuel-efficient aircraft in service. It’s a major investment in the future that will lower fuel consumption and with it carbon emissions by up to 30 percent on each flight.
Technological advances are playing an important role for us in the modernization of the existing fleet too. For example, AeroSHARK is a bionic adhesive film that replicates the skin of sharks and optimizes airflow aerodynamics in particular places, thus reducing friction. SWISS will be the first passenger airline in the world to use the new AeroSHARK technology to further reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption.
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For us, the development and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are a key step on the path to carbon-neutral aviation. The fundamental concept behind SAF is to replace fossil fuels over the long-term using sustainable alternatives.
For many years the Lufthansa Group has been one of the largest purchasers of SAF. It is constantly investing in research and industrial development of various technological approaches that will make SAF available in larger quantities and more cheaply as soon as possible. The SAF currently used by the Lufthansa Group is produced from biogenic residual materials, such as used cooking oils.
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Efficient flight operations
We’re focusing intensively on all the ways of reducing waste, based on the principles of “reduce – reuse – recycle – replace” as we develop products and inflight services. We’re minimizing everything unnecessary and promoting sustainable design in our on-board products. For example, in the case of on-board meals we’re looking at food that’s produced in a resource-efficient way with environmentally friendly packaging materials. Moreover, by making fresh products in a way that is more in line with demand, less unused food has to be thrown away.
By 2025 we’re aiming to gradually replace single-use plastic articles with more sustainable materials. In addition we’re supporting innovative technologies such as the start-up “traceless materials” who are making biodegradable alternatives to plastic.
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A great paint job: less weight, less CO2 emissions
Would you have guessed that a new painting process could reduce the weight of an aircraft and thus reduce CO2 emissions?
Aircraft have to be regularly repainted, with the new layer of paint being applied on top of the old one. In the long run, this makes aircraft heavier and heavier, increasing fuel consumption and consequently CO2 emissions.
Recently, however, Lufthansa has been using a new painting process in which the old paint is chemically removed down to the primer or sanded off before the new paint is applied. This reduces the weight of a Boeing 747 by up to 750 kilograms, and an Airbus A320 by up to 250 kilograms.
30 Lufthansa aircraft have already been painted using the new method – avoiding around 1,300 tons of CO2 emissions per year. This corresponds to six flights from Frankfurt to New York and back. So you see: Every kilo, every gram counts on the way to more sustainability. #MakeChangeFly
Through Compensaid, we’re enabling our passengers to offset their carbon emissions by using Sustainable Aviation Fuel or long-term climate-protection projects, in cooperation with the highly respected myclimate foundation, for example.
Whether it’s when booking or later, through Compensaid passengers can personally decide to opt for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), to support certified carbon-offsetting projects, or simply select a combination of both.
Whether it’s traveling by train or bus to the plane, combining various modes of transport intelligently is an important way of offering an attractive and sustainable alternative on short routes. The Lufthansa Group airlines are constantly expanding their cooperation with local rail providers. For example, we’re offering a rail alternative on any domestic flight to and from Frankfurt, and are now bringing passengers from five European countries by train to our hubs.
Through smart planning and optimized processes, train or bus journeys are perfectly coordinated with flights so that passengers can enjoy a seamless travel experience regardless of the different modes of transport.
With our Green Fares – Economy Green and Business Green – you can offer your customers on flights within Europe a more sustainable fare directly at the time of booking – a fare that already includes the reduction and offsetting of individual flight-related CO2 emissions tracked in the ticket price:
- 20% of the individual flight-related CO2 emissions tracked are reduced by the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)
- The remaining 80% of the individual flight-related CO2 emissions tracked are offset by an equivalent contribution to high-quality climate-protection projects.
Bonus tip: In addition to the benefits of the Economy Classic fare or the Business Saver fare, our Green Fares offer greater flexibility (rebookable, without a change fee) as well as 20% more Points and Qualifying Points
The Economy Green fare (fare basis code: CLC) and the Business Green fare (fare basis code: BXC) are available for all flights within Europe* by Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Air Dolomiti, Discover Airlines and Edelweiss are booked exclusively through direct distribution channels:
- Lufthansa Group airlines Direct NDC API
- SPRK
- The respective airline websites
* Our Green Fares can be booked on all flights within Europe and on flights to/from Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Green Fares: now also available on intercontinental routes
(Update: December 2024)
There are many good reasons to travel. From family vacations to business meetings. And there are even more good reasons to make traveling more sustainable.
With the Green Fares from the Lufthansa Group airlines you can offer your customers an additional, more sustainable option. Green Fares are now also available on intercontinental flights* in all distribution channels (Fare Basis Code Identifier: *RG*).
Why Green Fares? By choosing Green Fares, 10% of the calculated, flight-related CO2 emissions on intercontinental flights are reduced through the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and the remaining 90% of the calculated, flight-related CO2 emissions offset through a contribution to high-quality climate protection projects.**
* Excluding flights from and to China and Japan as well as flights with a point of commencement in the USA, Canada, and Central America.
** Please note: For flights within Europe and from and to North Africa a reduction of 20% of the CO2 emissions is achieved via SAF, the remaining 80% are offset via climate protection projects.
Benefits of Green Fares:
- Many options: Green Fares are available in all travel classes. Simply choose between Economy Green, Premium Green, Business Green, and First Green
- Extra benefits: your customers receive 10% more miles, 10% more Points and Qualifying Points with Green Fares
- More flexibility: Green Fares are rebookable – without any rebooking fee
In our Green Fares overview, you can see all details at-a-glance
The Green Fares are only available for flights that are operated by Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Air Dolomiti, Discover Airlines, and Edelweiss and are booked under a Lufthansa Group flight number (OS/SN/LH/LX/EN/4Y/WK operated and marketed).