Hello,
I will be traveling to Germany June 7th 2023. I received information that Lufthansa has changed flights to Eurowings Discover, which is the leisure airline of the Lufthansa Group. I am hearing negative information about this. Has any one flown on this type of Airline to Germany? If so what was your experience?
We flew EW in November after Lufthansa switched our flight too. However, we were in Business Class so of course our experience will be different unless you are doing the same. We were unexpectedly impressed. The cabin crew was very attentive, friendly, and professional. I had read elsewhere that EW is staffed with younger crews and I would say our flight reflected that. The aircraft was average; we had side by side seats.
Was booked on a United flight operated by Lufthansa from Frankfurt direct to Orlando. When it was changed to Eurowings Discover, I rebooked to a flight operated by United even though it requires a connection. FYI, even though United and Lufthansa codeshare, United does not codeshare with Eurowings. That should tell you something about Eurowings.
My policy is to avoid such airlines in the US as well as in Europe. I want the guys and gals flying the planes to be very experienced. I'm aware that most people have no problem at all using Delta Connection, United Express, etc., but I will choose an itinerary with an extra connection to avoid commuter airlines.
EuroWings is a rebranding of what used to be called Germanwings, one of whose pilots committed suicide by flying a plane loaded with passengers into a mountain. 150 people died.
My parents flew on them a few years ago. It was an average flight. Yes, they had incidents in the past but almost every major airlines has had some. I've known several people who have recently flown to Germany on LH and say that it was an average flight.
FYI, even though United and Lufthansa codeshare, United does not codeshare with Eurowings. That should tell you something about Eurowings.
Why this should tell you, is that United and Lufthansa are bound in a transatlantic joint venture, a profit-sharing arrangement that wouldn’t pass on to a EuroWings codeshare. Also, that the LHGroup has chosen not to spend the money to bring it’s smaller, or leisure carriers into the StarAlliance, so the structure isn’t there for United to book directly into Eurowings.
If you’re looking for a lack of relationship to tell you anything more, that’s pure conjecture.
@Claire - Thank you for the helpful information. Business class is pretty much the same for any airline...! Stating that it was an average flight, what would you be expecting otherwise....
@Simpgolf - Thank you for your information. Our flight traveling back from Frankfurt to Orlando is booked thru United with a connecting flight. I have no issues with this. I have no understanding what you mean by "codeshare"....
@Acraven - Disappointing to wake up this morning to read your response, which was Not helpful. Thanks for the Non-Current information! I am focusing on the Present ....
@Heather - Thank you for your response ....Stating that it is an average flight is of opinion with no factual info. Everyone's experiences are different no matter what airline and as you stated all airlines have an issue at some point!
Patty, in the past few years (a bit before the pandemic and again since) we have been fortunate enough to fly BC. With any international flights, the age and type of plane can definitely have an impact on the comfort of the long flight. We have flown Air France BC a few times; on their newer planes and last year on quite an older one. We didn’t feel like we got our money’s worth last year but they switched planes on us after we booked. My spouse has some health issues so the smaller cabin and bigger seats is our main reason for going BC.
Perhaps like you in Florida, Vancouver is a 2nd tier market so it seems we sometimes get the ‘lesser’ planes compared to Toronto or JFK. We are hoping to fly LH to Munich later this year and currently LH is using several new planes for its 3 Cdn routes to Munich; planes Philippines Airways opted to not buy because of the pandemic challenges.
Flying these days, compared to 5-10 years ago has become more challenging for many reasons.
@Claire - I agree with what you have said. Yes, traveling is not like it use to be ....that is why I am asking lots of questions since this is my first time traveling as an adult to Germany!
Average meaning that the flight attendants were competent if not friendly and the seats were the general-sardine in a can variety economy.
I wouldn't worry about it. I have flown American Eagle and United Express before and couldn't tell much difference between them and the parent flight except in the ages of the FAs.
My favorite Lufthansa flights back and forth from Phila to Frankfurt a few weeks ago were also changed to Eurowings Discover. Our plane both ways was from Finnair.
The crew were all friendly, accommodating, and very professional…. And NOT all young kids. The flight schedule was close to the normal Lufthansa departure and arrival times.
I found the food to be a tiny bit less appealing than that served on “regular” Lufthansa flights, but other than that, there was absolutely nothing that was any worse or better than usual.
