It’s unfortunate that it has taken this long, but better late than never, right?
In this post:
Lufthansa City Airlines has frustrated passengers
In June 2024, we saw the launch of Lufthansa City Airlines, Lufthansa Group’s latest cost-saving subsidiary. If there’s one thing Lufthansa is good at, it’s setting up new subsidiaries in order to save on labor costs, and get around existing union contracts.
Lufthansa City operates flights in many of Lufthansa’s core regional markets, and from the perspective of customers, it’s not supposed to be any different than flying on a mainline Lufthansa flight. Let me emphasize that Lufthansa City isn’t like Eurowings, which is marketed as a low cost carrier, is supposed to have lower fares, and operates in distinct markets.
Instead, you’ll find plenty of routes where flights are operated by both Lufthansa and Lufthansa City, and pricing is identical. It’s purely about internal cost savings, with Lufthansa flights having the “LH” code, and Lufthansa City flights having the “VL” code.
However, there has been one major headache for passengers, which is that Lufthansa City hasn’t been a Star Alliance member. So while Miles & More members have received typical perks on Lufthansa City, that hasn’t been extended to those belonging to partner frequent flyer programs.
This meant that Star Alliance Gold members weren’t able to get lounge access or other priority services when flying with the carrier. That’s just plain ridiculous, because as mentioned above, the intent is that passengers don’t even know if they’re on a Lufthansa or Lufthansa City flight. So along those lines, there’s finally a positive development…
Lufthansa City Airlines will finally join Star Alliance
aeroTELEGRAPH reports that Lufthansa City Airlines will finally be joining the Star Alliance. Specifically, as of September 9, 2025, the Lufthansa subsidiary will fully be integrated into Star Alliance.
That means that Star Alliance customers with programs other than Miles & More will finally be able to take advantage of priority services, and can earn and redeem points across the network.
I understand that joining alliances can take some time, though you’d think this would be straightforward, given that this is a direct Lufthansa subsidiary. This is a huge step in the right direction, though it’s disappointing that it took more than 14 months after launch for this to happen.
Bottom line
As of September 9, 2025, Lufthansa City Airlines is finally joining the Star Alliance. This is great news, since there wasn’t supposed to be a difference for customers between flying on Lufthansa vs. Lufthansa City. Despite that, Star Alliance customers have found themselves frustrated by the lack of reciprocity due to a technicality.
What do you make of Lufthansa City finally joining Star Alliance?
Well this is where the *A rule comes in, where the points/miles are credited based on operating carrier, not marketing carrier. LH also makes exceptions for lounge access for its subsidiary airlines.
The LH flights operated by airBaltic are wet-lease arrangements, so for all miles/lounge access intent, it's treated as a LH flight.
I avoid Lufthansa like the plague, yet I must fly them within Germany in October because the German train system is even worse. Get it together, Germany!
Deutsche Bahn really has gone completely to the dogs, hasn't it? The trains - when they operate at all - are chronically behind schedule. Stations and rolling stock are filthy and poorly maintained. Advertised services on the trains are often unavailable. Twenty years ago DB was Europe's leading rail operator and today it's a disgrace. An apt metaphor for Germany as a whole. So sad to watch the country spiraling the way it is...
I'm old enough to remember the 00s, when Germany's train system was the envy of Europe (and, certainly, of American tourists coming to Europe for the first time).
It's so true. I was on a DB train last November and there was not an employee in the dining/cafeteria car which was closed due to "low staff". Still, there were just cases of warm German beer lying unstocked in the car. I saw a dude grab one, so I decided to grab one too, then before you know it an older woman was joining us. We put down between 7-10 half liters just sitting there in the dining car and nobody came by and said anything.
Couple week ago I connected from FRA to BOD (Bordeaux) on LH5704.
My boarding pass showed my *A Gold Status and the flight number „LH5704 also as EN8902“.
As it turns out, I was not allowed to use the lounge as in fact the flight was considered an Air Dolomiti flight. Also didn’t get any miles.
Then on the other hand, on „LH4889 also as WK130“ (aka LX8130) from ZRH to HRG I...
Couple week ago I connected from FRA to BOD (Bordeaux) on LH5704.
My boarding pass showed my *A Gold Status and the flight number „LH5704 also as EN8902“.
As it turns out, I was not allowed to use the lounge as in fact the flight was considered an Air Dolomiti flight. Also didn’t get any miles.
Then on the other hand, on „LH4889 also as WK130“ (aka LX8130) from ZRH to HRG I could enter the lounge even though Edelweiss is also not part of Star Alliance. Return flight was “LH4251 also as 4Y217” without Lounge as Discover is not in Star Alliance. All flights were part of one trip directly booked on the LH website on Lufthansa ticket stock.
Then there is “Lufthansa operated by Air Baltic” with Star Alliance benefits.
Sounds quite annoying. It get's even worse as EW which is also bookable over LH website doesn't offer lounge entry for some tickets even if you are M&M...
Regarding “Lufthansa operated by Air Baltic” - this is a wet lease and as such counts as the leasing airline - in this case LH.
Some Star Alliance partners negotiated some benefits on certain LH subsidiaries. For example, UA *G get lounge access when flying Eurowings through a specific agreement, even though Eurowings isn't in Star Alliance.
Will they join as a full member or only as an affiliate?