Lufthansa vs. Air France: routes, points, pros and cons

Curtis Duggan -

Choosing between Lufthansa and Air France for your next trip can be tough. Both airlines have their own strengths and weaknesses.

In this article, we'll compare their routes, frequent flyer programs, airport experiences, in-flight services, and more. By the end, you'll have a clearer idea of which airline suits your travel needs best.

Key Takeaways

  • Lufthansa is working on improving its loyalty program, which is currently quite complex.
  • Air France generally has lower fees compared to Lufthansa in common situations.
  • Both airlines offer high-end airport and in-flight experiences, but Air France edges out in overall preference.
  • Lufthansa is known for its on-time performance, while Air France flies to more destinations.
  • Your best choice depends on your location, travel plans, and personal preferences.

Route Networks and Destinations

Lufthansa's Global Reach

Lufthansa boasts an impressive network, connecting travelers to over 200 destinations worldwide. With 120 destinations and 1,250 weekly frequencies from Vienna, Austrian Airlines, a Lufthansa Group member, has significantly expanded its program for the 2023 summer schedule.

This extensive reach ensures that passengers can find convenient flights to major cities across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond.

Air France's Extensive Network

Air France offers a robust network, serving more than 180 destinations across the globe. The airline's strategic hubs in Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly airports facilitate seamless connections to various continents.

Air France's commitment to expanding its route network ensures that travelers have access to a wide array of destinations, making it a strong competitor in the international market.

Comparing Key Routes

When comparing key routes, both airlines offer competitive options. Lufthansa's strong presence in Europe and its extensive long-haul routes to North America and Asia make it a preferred choice for many travelers.

On the other hand, Air France's strategic positioning in Paris allows for efficient connections to Africa and the Middle East. Both airlines provide numerous options for travelers, but the choice may come down to specific route preferences and connectivity needs.

Frequent Flyer Programs

Lufthansa's Miles & More

Lufthansa's Miles & More program allows travelers to earn miles through flights, credit card usage, and partner activities. Members can redeem miles for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. The program also offers elite status tiers, which come with additional perks like priority boarding and extra baggage allowance.

Air France's Flying Blue

Flying Blue, the frequent flyer program of Air France, lets members earn miles on flights and through various partners. These miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, and other services.

The program features several elite status levels, each providing benefits such as lounge access and priority services.

Earning and Redeeming Points

Both Lufthansa's Miles & More and Air France's Flying Blue offer multiple ways to earn and redeem points. Members can accumulate miles through:

  • Paid flights
  • Credit card spending
  • Partner activities

Redeeming points is flexible, allowing for options like free flights, seat upgrades, and more. Elite status in both programs unlocks additional benefits, making frequent travel more rewarding.

Frequent flyer programs are designed to reward loyal customers, making travel more enjoyable and cost-effective.

Airport Experiences

Lufthansa's Lounges

Lufthansa offers a variety of lounges to its passengers, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing experience before flights. These lounges provide amenities such as complimentary snacks, drinks, and internet access.

Lufthansa's lounges are known for their high-quality service and comfort. Passengers can unwind in a quiet environment, making their travel experience more pleasant.

Air France's Lounges

Air France also boasts an impressive array of lounges across various airports. These lounges offer similar amenities, including snacks, beverages, and Wi-Fi.

The ambiance in Air France's lounges is designed to provide a serene and luxurious experience for travelers. Whether you're waiting for a connecting flight or just need a break, Air France's lounges are a great place to relax.

Priority Services

Both Lufthansa and Air France offer priority services to their premium passengers. These services include priority check-in, security screening, and boarding.

Such services are designed to make the travel process smoother and more efficient, allowing passengers to avoid long lines and save time.

Priority services are especially beneficial for business travelers who need to maximize their time.

For frequent flyers, the quality of airport lounges and priority services can significantly enhance the overall travel experience.

In-Flight Experience

Cabin Classes

Lufthansa offers four classes: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class. Air France provides Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and La Première (First Class).

Both airlines ensure a comfortable journey regardless of the class.

Onboard Amenities

Passengers on Lufthansa enjoy complimentary meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment in all classes. Air France also offers free meals and beverages, with a focus on French cuisine.

Business and First Class passengers on both airlines receive additional perks like amenity kits and lie-flat seats.

In-Flight Entertainment

Lufthansa and Air France both provide a wide range of in-flight entertainment options, including movies, TV shows, music, and games. Lufthansa's entertainment system is known for its user-friendly interface, while Air France offers a diverse selection of international content.

Whether you're flying Economy or upgrading to First Class, you can't go wrong with either Lufthansa or Air France. Both airlines offer a premier travel experience in the air.

Travel Credit Cards

Lufthansa Co-Branded Cards

Lufthansa offers the Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard®, which is one of the top international airline cards worth applying for.

This card allows you to earn miles on everyday purchases and offers a generous sign-up bonus. Cardholders also enjoy perks like lounge access and priority boarding.

Air France Co-Branded Cards

Air France provides the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard®. This card is designed for frequent flyers of Air France and KLM, offering miles for purchases and a substantial sign-up bonus.

Benefits include access to exclusive lounges and additional baggage allowance.

Best Options for Travelers

When choosing a travel credit card, consider your travel habits and preferences. Here are some top picks:

  • No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
  • Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
  • Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  • Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Selecting the right travel credit card can enhance your travel experience by providing valuable rewards and perks. Make sure to compare the benefits and fees to find the best fit for your needs.

Fees and Extra Charges

When flying with Lufthansa or Air France, it's important to be aware of the various fees and extra charges that can add up quickly.

Understanding these fees can help you budget better for your trip.

Fleet and Aircraft

Lufthansa's Modern Fleet

Lufthansa boasts a diverse fleet, ensuring they can serve various routes efficiently. The mainline fleet is composed of seven different aircraft families: the Airbus A320 and A320neo, Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350, Airbus A380, and Boeing 747.

This variety allows Lufthansa to offer a range of services from short-haul to long-haul flights.

Air France's Aircraft

Air France also operates a modern and varied fleet. Their aircraft include the Airbus A220, A320, A330, A350, and Boeing 777 and 787.

This mix helps Air France cover both regional and international routes effectively.

Comfort and Technology

Both airlines prioritize passenger comfort and have invested in modern technology. Lufthansa's newer aircraft, like the Airbus A350, feature advanced cabin designs and in-flight entertainment systems.

Similarly, Air France's Boeing 787s are equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, ensuring a pleasant journey for travelers.

When choosing between Lufthansa and Air France, consider the aircraft types they operate on your preferred routes, as this can significantly impact your travel experience.

On-Time Performance and Reliability

When it comes to on-time performance, Lufthansa is known for its punctuality. The airline consistently ranks high in global punctuality reports.

This reliability makes it a favorite among German travel advisors and tour operators.

Lufthansa's Punctuality

Lufthansa's commitment to being on time is evident in their operational strategies. They have a robust system in place to handle delays and ensure flights depart and arrive as scheduled.

This focus on punctuality is one of the primary reasons German travel advisors prefer Lufthansa over Air France.

Air France's Reliability

Air France also has a strong record of reliability, though it occasionally faces challenges with delays. The airline has been working on improving its on-time performance by investing in better technology and streamlining operations.

Despite these efforts, it still lags slightly behind Lufthansa in punctuality.

Factors Affecting Performance

Several factors can impact an airline's on-time performance, including weather conditions, air traffic control issues, and operational inefficiencies. Both Lufthansa and Air France are continually working to mitigate these factors to improve their reliability.

However, Lufthansa's extensive network and connectivity give it a slight edge in maintaining punctual schedules.

Customer Service and Satisfaction

Lufthansa's Service Quality

Lufthansa is known for its high-quality service. Many passengers appreciate the professionalism and friendliness of the staff. The airline has a strong reputation for handling issues promptly and efficiently.

However, some travelers have reported mixed experiences, especially during peak travel times.

Air France's Customer Care

Air France also prides itself on excellent customer care. The airline's staff is often praised for their courteous and helpful nature.

They offer multiple channels for support, including phone, email, and social media. Despite this, there are occasional complaints about long wait times and inconsistent service quality.

Passenger Reviews

Passenger reviews for both airlines are generally positive but vary widely. On review sites, Lufthansa has a large number of reviews, with many passengers sharing their experiences.

Similarly, Air France has a significant number of reviews, with mixed feedback. Some passengers highlight the comfort and service, while others point out areas for improvement.

When choosing between Lufthansa and Air France, consider reading customer service reviews to get a better understanding of what to expect.

Pros and Cons of Lufthansa

Advantages of Flying Lufthansa

  • Consistent on-time performance: Lufthansa is known for its punctuality, ensuring that flights are rarely delayed.
  • Wide network of destinations: Lufthansa offers a vast array of routes, making it easy to travel to many parts of the world.
  • Modern fleet: The airline boasts a fleet of up-to-date aircraft, providing a comfortable and safe flying experience.
  • Easy connections in Frankfurt and Munich: These major hubs are designed for smooth and quick transfers.

Drawbacks of Lufthansa

  • Long-haul Business Class seats: The 2-2-2 seating arrangement in Business Class is less favorable compared to the 1-2-1 layout offered by some competitors.
  • Inconsistent service quality: While some flights offer excellent service, others may fall short.
  • High cash fares: Lufthansa's ticket prices can be on the higher side, especially for last-minute bookings.
  • Crowded flights: Popular routes can be quite full, leading to a less comfortable experience.

Ideal Travelers for Lufthansa

Lufthansa is a great choice for travelers who prioritize punctuality and a wide range of destinations. It's also ideal for those who frequently connect through Frankfurt or Munich.

However, if you are looking for the best Business Class experience or are sensitive to ticket prices, you might want to explore other options.

Pros and Cons of Air France

Advantages of Flying Air France

Air France offers a high-end experience both at the airport and in-flight. With new business-class seats that include high-end finishes and closing doors for privacy, the airline has significantly improved its product.

The personalized staff service and gourmet meals in private suites provide a hotel-like comfort.

Drawbacks of Air France

However, there are some downsides. The new seats are only available on a few planes and routes so far. Additionally, airfare and award redemptions for Air France business class can be very high.

Some features, like the tray table, could have been designed more ergonomically.

Ideal Travelers for Air France

Air France is a great choice for travelers who prioritize comfort and luxury. If you enjoy personalized service and gourmet meals, this airline is for you.

However, be prepared for potentially high costs and limited availability of the newest seats.

Conclusion

In the end, both Lufthansa and Air France have their own strengths and weaknesses. Lufthansa is known for its punctual flights and modern fleet, but it can be pricey and crowded.

On the other hand, Air France offers more destinations, better credit card perks, and lower fees. While Air France might be the better choice for many travelers, the best airline for you depends on your personal needs and travel plans.

Whether you value a wide network of flights or top-notch in-flight experiences, both airlines have something to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airline has a better frequent flyer program, Lufthansa or Air France?

Air France's Flying Blue program is generally considered better because it offers more ways to earn and redeem points, including partnerships with other credit cards.

What are the main advantages of flying with Lufthansa?

Lufthansa is known for its punctuality, modern fleet, and wide network of destinations. They also offer a good in-flight experience.

Are there any drawbacks to choosing Lufthansa?

Some drawbacks include inconsistent service quality, high cash fares, and long-haul Business Class seats that are not as private as other airlines.

Why might someone choose Air France over Lufthansa?

Air France is often preferred for its lower fees, extensive route network, and appealing travel credit card options. They also offer a high-end in-flight experience.

How do the in-flight experiences of Lufthansa and Air France compare?

Both airlines offer high-quality in-flight experiences, including complimentary meals and drinks. Air France is known for its luxurious touches like a complimentary glass of champagne on long-haul flights.

What are the baggage fees like for Lufthansa and Air France?

Baggage fees vary for both airlines depending on the route and class of service. Generally, Air France tends to have lower fees compared to Lufthansa.

Which airline is more reliable in terms of on-time performance?

Lufthansa is generally more reliable when it comes to on-time performance, making it a good choice for travelers who prioritize punctuality.

Are there co-branded credit cards available for both airlines?

Yes, both Lufthansa and Air France offer co-branded credit cards. However, Air France's cards are often considered more rewarding with better earning potential.