Lufthansa launches intriguing “green” fares

With environmentalism becoming an increasingly hot topic in the aviation industry, we have seen many airlines introduce options for carbon offset tickets. The Lufthansa Group is taking it to the next level with the introduction of “green” fares.

Ironically, these fares almost seem more targeted at business travelers who are also points junkies than anything else. I can’t decide if these are malarkeys, some kind of genius, or both.

The basics of Lufthansa’s new green fares

For the first time, the Lufthansa Group is creating a fare package entirely dedicated to the environment, known as green fares. As advertised, these fares offer “full CO2 offset” with the price. This includes 80% offset made “through high quality climate projection projects” and 20% offset made through the use of sustainable aviation fuels.

The new green fares are initially offered on Lufthansa Group intra-European flights departing from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway and Sweden), including travel on Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines. Both economy and business class travelers can book these fares.

Customers looking for tickets on eligible routes will now see these fares alongside typical fare bands including Light, Classic and Flex. These fares will not only include carbon offsets, but will also include free rebooking and additional status and award miles.

This is part of the Lufthansa Group’s goal to halve net CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 (compared to 2019) and become carbon neutral by 2050.

What makes Lufthansa green fares so attractive

What is the price of Lufthansa green fares? Let’s take a look at the business class and economy class fares for a one-way trip from Copenhagen to Frankfurt.

In business class, the Business Green fare is identical to the Business Flex fare. What are the differences?

• Business Green fare includes carbon offsets, 20% bonus award miles and 20% bonus status miles
• The Business Flex fare includes the option to switch to an earlier flight on the day of travel, and the ticket is refundable free of charge

In economy class, the Economy Green fare is identical to the Economy Flex fare. What are the differences?

• Economy Green fare includes carbon offsets, 20% bonus award miles and 20% bonus status miles
• The Economy Flex fare includes the option to upgrade to an earlier flight on the day of travel, the ticket being refundable for a fee, priority security and priority boarding.

What I find interesting here is that green tariffs are almost designed in such a way that they can be attractive even if you don’t care about the carbon offset aspect. Maybe not for those who pay out of pocket, but for those who travel for business and have some freedom in how they book, I could see people opting for a rate that includes 20% award miles and additional status.

It’s a little ironic that the fare that offers full carbon offsets may actually be more appealing to business travelers who are also status and mileage junkies…and maybe that’s not a bad thing. thing ?

At the end of the line

Lufthansa has rolled out new “green” fare packages, initially available on select intra-European flights. As you might guess from their name, these packages allow you to offset your carbon emissions.

Running this is what I find interesting, though. Essentially, you pay the flexible fare, but forgo the flexibility (and in some cases other benefits), in order to offset your flight and earn award and bonus status miles.

I think that might entice some people with expense accounts to book these fares, even if carbon offsets aren’t the primary motivation here.

What do you think of the new green fares from the Lufthansa Group?