The Lufthansa Group is one of Europe's largest aviation groups, with airlines serving destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and beyond.
Its airline portfolio includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Discover Airlines, Air Dolomiti, and other affiliated carriers. ITA Airways is also part of its expanding network, following Lufthansa's investment in the Italian airline.
Each airline has a different role. Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines focus on full-service international travel. Eurowings targets travellers looking for value-oriented point-to-point flights, while Discover Airlines specialises in leisure travel.
Here is an overview of the principal airlines in the Lufthansa Group's portfolio and its closely affiliated airline network.
Airline
Main hub or base
Main role
Lufthansa
Frankfurt and Munich, Germany
Full-service international and domestic flights
SWISS International Air Lines
Zurich and Geneva, Switzerland
Full-service international travel
Austrian Airlines
Vienna, Austria
European and international connections
Brussels Airlines
Brussels, Belgium
European and long-haul international travel
ITA Airways
Rome Fiumicino, Italy
Italian domestic and international network
Eurowings
Germany, including Düsseldorf and other bases
Value-oriented point-to-point travel
Discover Airlines
Frankfurt and Munich, Germany
Leisure and holiday flights
Air Dolomiti
Verona and other Italian bases
Regional services, especially connecting Italy and Germany
Lufthansa City Airlines
Germany
Regional and short-haul services supporting Lufthansa's network
Edelweiss Air
Zurich, Switzerland
Leisure and holiday travel
Lufthansa CityLine
Germany
Regional airline historically serving Lufthansa's network; operations are being phased out
The exact corporate relationship differs by airline. Lufthansa City Airlines and Air Dolomiti are closely affiliated with Lufthansa Airlines, while Edelweiss is part of the SWISS network. ITA Airways is in a separate stage of ownership and integration.
For the latest corporate structure, consult the official Lufthansa Group company overview.
Lufthansa is the group's principal German airline and one of its best-known brands. Its main hubs are Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport, from which it operates domestic, European, and long-haul international flights.
Lufthansa offers several travel classes, including Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class, and First Class on selected aircraft and routes.
Extensive connections through Frankfurt and Munich.
Domestic German and European flights.
Long-haul services to destinations around the world.
Multiple cabin classes for different budgets.
The Miles & More loyalty programme.
Lufthansa is often a practical choice for passengers travelling to Germany or connecting between Europe and other continents. The aircraft, seat design, baggage allowance, and onboard service can vary by route, so check the specific flight before booking.
SWISS is Switzerland's national airline and a major member of the Lufthansa Group. Its principal hub is Zurich Airport, with additional services through Geneva.
SWISS connects Switzerland with destinations across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and other regions.
SWISS positions itself as a full-service airline with a focus on Swiss hospitality, onboard comfort, and international connectivity. Depending on the aircraft and route, passengers can choose Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class, or First Class.
SWISS is especially useful for travellers heading to Switzerland or looking for a connection through Zurich. The airline also has a close relationship with Edelweiss Air, which specialises in leisure travel.
Austrian Airlines is Austria's national airline and operates primarily through Vienna International Airport.
Its network includes European destinations and international services to selected long-haul markets. Vienna also serves as a connecting hub for passengers travelling between Europe and destinations farther east.
Convenient connections through Vienna.
Flights to major European cities.
International services beyond Europe.
Multiple cabin options on selected routes.
Integration with Lufthansa Group booking and loyalty arrangements.
Austrian Airlines can be a good option if your destination is Vienna or if its connections offer a shorter journey than alternatives through Frankfurt, Munich, or Zurich.
Brussels Airlines is Belgium's national airline and operates from Brussels Airport. It is an important part of Lufthansa Group's international network, particularly for flights connecting Europe with Africa.
The airline provides European flights and long-haul international services, including routes to destinations in Africa and North America. Its network makes Brussels a useful transfer point for passengers travelling between Europe and several African cities.
Brussels Airlines is a full-service network carrier rather than a low-cost airline. Its baggage allowance, seat selection, and other benefits depend on the ticket and route.
ITA Airways is Italy's national airline, based at Rome Fiumicino Airport. It operates domestic Italian services, European flights, and selected long-haul international routes.
Lufthansa acquired an initial 41% stake in ITA Airways in January 2025. In June 2026, Lufthansa exercised an option to increase its stake to 90%.
The additional acquisition remains subject to regulatory approvals and was expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, according to the group's published update.
This means ITA Airways is already connected closely to the Lufthansa Group, but its ownership and full corporate integration should not be described as complete before the transaction closes.
Lufthansa and ITA Airways have expanded cooperation in areas such as booking, sales, connections, and loyalty benefits. Passengers may benefit from more convenient itineraries across the combined network.
However, baggage rules, fare conditions, and onboard services can still differ between the airlines. Always check which carrier operates each flight on your itinerary.
Eurowings is Lufthansa Group's value-oriented airline, focusing primarily on point-to-point flights across short- and medium-haul routes.
It serves travellers who want to fly between cities without necessarily using a traditional hub-and-spoke connection.
Flights across Europe and selected nearby destinations.
Options for travellers who prioritise price.
Fare bundles with different service inclusions.
Direct routes that may avoid longer connections through major hubs.
Like many value-oriented airlines, Eurowings offers different fare options. Baggage, seat selection, and flexibility can depend on the fare purchased, so compare the complete price rather than the starting fare alone.
Discover Airlines is Lufthansa Group's German leisure airline. It operates holiday-focused services to short-, medium-, and long-haul destinations.
Its network is designed around holiday travel rather than primarily serving business connections between major cities.
Discover Airlines is worth considering if you are planning a holiday and want a flight from a German hub to a leisure destination. As with other airlines, check the aircraft, baggage allowance, meal inclusions, and fare conditions before booking.
Air Dolomiti is an Italian airline closely affiliated with Lufthansa Airlines. It plays an important role in connecting Italian cities with German hubs, particularly Frankfurt and Munich.
For travellers starting in Italy, Air Dolomiti can provide a convenient way to connect to Lufthansa's wider international network.
The airline's regional role means that passengers may travel on an Air Dolomiti-operated flight as one part of a longer Lufthansa itinerary. Check the operating carrier on your ticket, since the aircraft and onboard service may differ from those on a larger Lufthansa aircraft.
Lufthansa City Airlines and Lufthansa CityLine are associated with Lufthansa's regional network, but they should not be treated as interchangeable.
Lufthansa City Airlines is a newer airline supporting Lufthansa's short-haul and regional network. It is part of the group's plans to strengthen regional operations and modernise its fleet.
Lufthansa CityLine has historically operated regional services for Lufthansa. However, the group announced plans to remove CityLine's flight operations from its service offering as part of restructuring measures in 2026. Its status and operating role are therefore changing.
If you are booking a regional Lufthansa itinerary, check the operating carrier shown on the flight details rather than relying only on the Lufthansa brand displayed during the search.
Edelweiss Air is a Swiss leisure airline closely affiliated with SWISS. It specialises in flights to holiday destinations, including long-haul leisure routes.
Although Edelweiss is part of the broader Lufthansa Group airline network, it has a distinct leisure-focused operation. Its cabin configuration, baggage rules, and onboard services may differ from those offered by SWISS.
Edelweiss can be a useful option for passengers travelling from Switzerland to holiday destinations, particularly when its direct services are more convenient than connecting through another hub.
SunExpress is a joint venture between Lufthansa Group and Turkish Airlines. It specialises in leisure-oriented flights, particularly between Türkiye and European markets.
However, SunExpress is not simply another wholly owned Lufthansa Group airline. Lufthansa Group's reporting includes its equity investment in the joint venture alongside Eurowings' activities.
This distinction matters when researching airline ownership. An airline can be connected through a joint venture, partnership, or investment without being fully owned by one group.
No. Star Alliance membership and Lufthansa Group ownership are two different things.
Lufthansa is a founding member of Star Alliance, and several airlines in its group are also members. These relationships can provide benefits such as coordinated connections, frequent-flyer rewards, and lounge access for eligible passengers.
However, many Star Alliance airlines are independent companies and are not owned by Lufthansa Group.
For example, United Airlines, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, and ANA are Star Alliance members, but they are not Lufthansa Group airlines. They cooperate with Lufthansa in various ways, including partnerships and joint ventures, without becoming subsidiaries of the German group.
You can check the current membership list on the official Star Alliance website.
Lufthansa Group airlines have extensive cooperation through the Miles & More loyalty programme, although the exact benefits depend on the airline, fare, ticket, and membership status.
Eligible passengers may earn or redeem miles on participating airlines. Frequent-flyer status can also provide benefits such as lounge access, priority services, and additional baggage on eligible itineraries.
Before booking, check whether your ticket qualifies for mileage credit and whether the flight is operated by a group airline or a partner. The airline operating the flight can affect the benefits available.
Students planning international travel can compare Lufthansa's available student offers with standard fares before booking.
You can check this 20% off Lufthansa student discount code offer to see whether it applies to your trip. However, do not assume that the advertised discount is available on every route or fare. Verify the current offer terms, student eligibility requirements, booking conditions, and final price before making a purchase.
For the most reliable information about Lufthansa's own programmes and ticket conditions, consult the airline's official website. Compare the total price, baggage allowance, and change conditions rather than relying on a discount percentage alone.
The main airline brands and affiliated carriers include Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Eurowings, Discover Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa City Airlines, Edelweiss Air, and Lufthansa CityLine, whose operations are being phased out. Their ownership and organisational relationships differ.
Yes. SWISS is part of Lufthansa Group and operates as Switzerland's national airline.
Yes. Austrian Airlines is part of Lufthansa Group and operates primarily through Vienna Airport.
Not yet, as of October 2026. Lufthansa initially acquired a 41% stake in January 2025 and exercised an option in June 2026 to increase its stake to 90%. The additional transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and was expected to close in early 2027.
Eurowings is positioned as Lufthansa Group's value-oriented airline, focusing on point-to-point short- and medium-haul flights. Its fares and inclusions vary by booking option.
Edelweiss is closely affiliated with SWISS within the broader Lufthansa Group airline network and focuses on leisure travel.
No. Turkish Airlines is an independent airline and a member of Star Alliance. It also has a joint venture with Lufthansa Group through SunExpress.
No. United Airlines is a separate company and a Star Alliance member. It cooperates with Lufthansa Group through commercial partnerships and a transatlantic joint venture.
In many cases, yes. The group airlines offer connecting itineraries across their networks. The availability of a single ticket depends on the route, fare, and booking conditions.
Lufthansa Group includes a broad portfolio of airlines, from full-service network carriers to value-oriented and leisure-focused operators.
Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines form its core network airline brands, while Eurowings and Discover Airlines serve different travel needs.
Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa City Airlines, and Edelweiss play specialised roles in the broader network, and ITA Airways is progressing through a major ownership and integration process.
If you are booking a trip, focus on the airline operating each flight, the fare conditions, baggage allowance, and available loyalty benefits. The Lufthansa Group name can help you identify related airlines, but it does not mean every carrier offers identical services or ticket rules.