By PEAKLIFE
International travel is evolving, and for frequent flyers between India and Europe, seamless connectivity is becoming more essential than ever. Whether for business, leisure, or family visits, travellers seek convenience, flexibility, and efficiency in their journeys. Recognising this need, Air India and Lufthansa Group have significantly expanded their codeshare partnership, unlocking nearly 100 routes across multiple continents. This collaboration not only strengthens the existing ties between the two aviation giants but also enhances connectivity for travellers looking for smoother, more flexible flight options between the Indian Subcontinent, Europe, and beyond.
A Game-Changer for Travellers
Air India’s latest agreement with Austrian Airlines, along with the expansion of its existing codeshare agreements with Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), adds close to 60 new codeshare routes. This development brings 12 Indian and 26 European cities into a comprehensive network, offering passengers greater choice, convenience, and a streamlined booking experience.
For travellers flying with Lufthansa Group airlines, this means effortless connections to 15 key Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and more. Additionally, three popular international destinations—Kathmandu, Melbourne, and Sydney—will now feature Lufthansa Group designator codes on Air India flights, further extending the reach of European travellers.
The expanded codeshare arrangement also covers flights between India and Germany or Switzerland, giving customers travelling between Delhi and Frankfurt three daily flight options, two operated by Air India and one by Lufthansa—all bookable with Lufthansa (LH) flight numbers.
Seamless European Access for Air India Passengers
Reciprocally, Air India customers can now explore a wider range of European destinations with greater ease. The airline has added its ‘AI’ flight designator to 26 destinations across Europe and three in the Americas, beyond its key European hubs in Frankfurt, Vienna, and Zurich. Whether it’s a business trip to Brussels, a vacation in Barcelona, or a stopover in Washington D.C., the expanded network provides unparalleled flexibility for passengers travelling to and from India.
Here’s a snapshot of what this means for Air India flyers:
● Lufthansa: Expanded reach to cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Geneva, Lyon, and even São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
● SWISS: Connections to Copenhagen, Manchester, Marseille, Stockholm, and beyond.
● Austrian Airlines: New access to destinations such as Düsseldorf, Prague, Oslo, and Stuttgart.
And the best part? More destinations are expected to be added to the network in the future.
Loyalty Rewards and Premium Perks
As all four airlines—Air India, Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines—are members of Star Alliance, frequent flyers will continue to enjoy a host of benefits. Customers can earn and redeem miles across the partner airlines, and elite members of Air India’s Maharaja Club and Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More will benefit from Star Alliance Gold privileges, including priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, and lounge access at airports worldwide.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Air India’s Global Expansion
The expansion of this codeshare agreement is just one step in Air India’s ambitious five-year transformation journey, Vihaan.AI. With a new flying school set to open in 2025 and a state-of-the-art maintenance base on the horizon for 2026, Air India is on a path to redefine Indian aviation on the global stage.
For travellers, this means an elevated flying experience, more choices, and an airline that’s ready to compete with the best in the world. With this expanded partnership, Air India and Lufthansa Group are making the world feel a little smaller—one flight at a time.
Cover Credits: Instagram @lufthans
