Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines expand partnership

Numerous customer benefits available from the start of the summer schedule

With the introduction of the summer timetable on 29 March 2009, Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines will provide many additional tangible benefits for their joint customers. Besides offering code-share services on cross-border flights between Germany and Belgium and to other destinations in Europe, the two airlines will launch a reciprocal frequent flyer arrangement, allowing members to earn and redeem miles throughout the partner’s network. Moreover, at the start of the summer timetable, Brussels Airlines will move into the same terminal as Lufthansa at Hamburg Airport. From then on, fares offered by both airlines on cross-border flights will be combinable. In other words, passengers in possession of a ticket for a round trip flight between Belgium and Germany will be able to take one flight with Lufthansa and the other with Brussels Airlines. From 29 March, Lufthansa’s and Brussels Airlines’ airport lounges will be open to all passengers travelling Business Class with either carrier. Status customers have enjoyed reciprocal lounge privileges already since February.

Codeshare flights on cross-border routes
From the end of this week, numerous Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines flights will be operated on a codeshare basis under the partner airline’s flight number. Reservations for these flights can be made as of today. In future, Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines passengers will have access to both airlines’ route networks. Initially, this service will apply to flights between Brussels and Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, Nuremberg and Stuttgart as well as to selected European destinations. At a later date, it will be extended to other flights, particularly to and from Munich. This agreement will benefit customers of both airlines, as it will provide them with greater choice and flexibility. Passengers will, for example, be able to fly from Berlin to Brussels with Lufthansa and return with Brussels Airlines. The two partner carriers will offer nine flights per day on this route.

Frequent flyer programme partnership
At the start of the summer timetable, the two carriers are launching a frequent flyer programme partnership. Brussels Airlines Privilege members will then be able to earn award and status miles on all flights operated by Lufthansa and also redeem any miles accumulated prior to that date for award tickets on Lufthansa flights. Conversely, Lufthansa Miles & More members will have their account credited with all the premium, status and HON Circle miles earned on flights operated by Brussels Airlines and will also be able to book award flights with Brussels Airlines.

In addition, status customers of both carriers will enjoy additional privileges such as more generous free baggage allowances and preferential baggage claim. Lufthansa status customers flying with Brussels Airlines will also be able to use Brussels Airlines’ Business Class check-in counters. Likewise, Brussels Airlines’ Platinum and Gold passengers will have access to Lufthansa’s First or Business Class check-in counters.

Joint ground operations under one roof
Whenever possible, Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines aim to locate their service desks and check-in areas close to one another at airports. At the start of the summer timetable, Brussels Airlines will therefore move into Terminal 2 at Hamburg Airport, where Lufthansa and other Star Alliance partners are located. At a later date, in line with the Star Alliance’s “Under One Roof” strategy, Brussels Airlines plans to relocate to Terminal 2 at Munich, which is used exclusively by Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners. These arrangements will eliminate time-consuming journeys between terminals and offer transfer passengers shorter and improved connecting times. The joint ground operations will be clearly visible for passengers at the airport.

Reciprocal lounge privileges
Since mid-February, both airlines have granted their premium customers reciprocal use of the partner’s lounges. Members of Brussels Airlines’ frequent flyer programme Privilege who have attained Platinum status can thus use all Lufthansa Senator and Business Lounges worldwide. Likewise, since February, Lufthansa HON Circle members, Senators and First Class passengers have enjoyed access to Brussels Airlines lounges. In addition, from 29 March, when the summer timetable goes into effect, Business Class passengers flying Brussels Airlines will be able to use all Lufthansa’s Business lounges, while Lufthansa customers will have access to Brussels Airlines’ Business Lounge at Brussels.

In the initial phase, Lufthansa is planning to take a 45 per cent stake in Brussels Airlines. This may be increased to a 100 per cent stake at a later date. The transaction is currently undergoing regulatory review by the EU Commission. Meanwhile, Brussels Airlines is making preparations for its entry into the Star Alliance. Many customer benefits have already been realised as a result of the close partnership between Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa.

Full information about the partnership and the initial customer benefits is available on the Internet at www.lufthansa.com and www.brusselsairlines.com.