Article from BTNews 16 APRIL 2018
HBO is for Lufthansa
Lufthansa Group demonstrated the importance of the UK market by holding a high level media briefing at the Shard in London last week. Sadly, foul weather meant the press could not see Lufthansa and Swiss arrivals for London City Airport passing by.
Sales vice-president for Europe, Middle East and Africa Dr Stephan Kreuzpainter said the airline, together with Star Alliance partners Air Canada and United, will be introducing HBO (hand baggage only) fares on the North Atlantic later in the year. (See also 'Basic' goes on sale for BA in this issue).
The airline is also adamant Economy and Premier Economy should offer a quality value product, introducing a pre-booked meal selection for the two cabins on long-haul services during the summer. First and Business already have what is termed ‘restaurant service’ and attendees at the briefing were given a sneak preview of the new wide-body Business Class layout for 2020.
The combined Lufthansa, Swiss, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines (now 100% owned) and Austrian Airlines brands helped group sales to rise more than 12% to €35.6bn (£31.4bn) in 2017, while a major €582m collective bargaining deal with the German airline pilot union Vereinigung Cockpit facilitated a leap in earnings before interest and taxes of 70% to €3bn.
With the addition of Air Berlin routes and aircraft, Eurowings is now the third largest low-cost carrier in Europe.
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