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Top Airlines in Germany: Your Complete Guide to German Carriers
AviationOutlook
January 09, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes
Germany operates one of Europe’s most robust aviation networks, with carriers ranging from major international airlines to specialized regional operators.
Here’s your definitive guide to the top airlines in Germany.
Also Read:
Table of Contents
1. Lufthansa
Lufthansa stands as Germany’s flagship carrier and one of Europe’s largest airlines. Founded in 1926, this aviation giant operates from its primary hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, serving over 200 destinations worldwide.
The airline maintains a fleet of modern aircraft including Boeing 747-8s, Airbus A350s, and A380s. Lufthansa’s commitment to quality earned it recognition as a 5-star airline by Skytrax.
Beyond passenger services, Lufthansa Group encompasses more than 300 subsidiaries and affiliated companies. The airline pioneered numerous aviation innovations throughout its nearly century-long history.
Airline Code | Hub Airports | Fleet Size |
|---|---|---|
LH (IATA) / DLH (ICAO) | Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC) | 300+ aircraft |
As a founding member of Star Alliance, Lufthansa provides seamless connections across the globe. The carrier focuses on premium service, modern cabin products, and extensive route networks connecting Germany to every inhabited continent.
2. Eurowings
Eurowings serves as the Lufthansa Group’s low-cost carrier subsidiary, headquartered in Düsseldorf. Established in 1993, the airline underwent significant expansion in recent years by absorbing Germanwings operations.
The carrier operates primarily short-haul routes throughout Europe while also serving select long-haul leisure destinations. Eurowings maintains hubs in Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, and Hamburg.
For summer 2026, Eurowings announced expanded Berlin services with up to 12 weekly flights to London and three weekly services to Lisbon. This expansion demonstrates the airline’s strategic growth in Germany’s capital city.
Service Model: Low-Cost Carrier
Primary Markets: European short-haul, select long-haul leisure routes
Fare Structure: Basic (economy), Smart (with extras), BIZclass (business)
The airline offers flexible booking options allowing passengers to customize their travel experience. With its competitive pricing and membership in the Lufthansa family, Eurowings bridges the gap between traditional and budget carriers.
3. Condor
Condor has operated as Germany’s premier leisure airline since 1955, specializing in vacation destinations. The Frankfurt-based carrier focuses on connecting German travelers to Mediterranean beaches, the Canary Islands, and long-haul holiday destinations.
Condor received a 4-star leisure airline rating from Skytrax, recognizing its quality service. The airline operates a modern fleet featuring Airbus A320 family aircraft and Boeing 767s for long-haul routes.
Starting May 1, 2026, Condor launches daily flights from Frankfurt to Barcelona, Budapest, and Venice. Additionally, the carrier begins three daily flights between Frankfurt and London Gatwick on April 1, 2026.
Route Type | Aircraft Used | Target Market |
|---|---|---|
Short-haul European | Airbus A320 family | Leisure travelers |
Long-haul intercontinental | Airbus A330, Boeing 767 | Vacation destinations |
Recent developments saw Condor lose its feeder flight agreement with Lufthansa after a court ruling in August 2025. This separation creates new challenges but also opportunities for independent partnerships.
4. Discover Airlines
Discover Airlines represents the Lufthansa Group’s newest addition, rebranded from Eurowings Discover in 2023. The carrier operates both short-haul and long-haul leisure routes from Frankfurt and Munich.
This airline fills a specific niche within the Lufthansa portfolio, focusing on vacation destinations with a more casual service approach. The fleet consists of modern Airbus A320 family aircraft for European routes and A330s for intercontinental services.
For summer 2026, Discover Airlines expands its short-haul network to include Ireland and Cyprus for the first time. These additions complement the carrier’s established Mediterranean and long-haul vacation routes.
Founded: 2021 (as Eurowings Discover)
Rebranded: 2023 (to Discover Airlines)
IATA Code: 4Y
Base Airports: Frankfurt, Munich
The airline bridges the gap between Lufthansa’s premium service and Eurowings’ budget model, targeting leisure travelers seeking quality at competitive prices.
5. TUI fly Deutschland
TUI fly Deutschland operates as part of the global TUI Group tourism conglomerate. Headquartered at Hannover Airport, this leisure carrier specializes in holiday package flights to popular tourist destinations.
The airline’s business model integrates closely with TUI’s tour operations, providing seats primarily for package holiday customers. TUI fly operates a fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured for charter and scheduled leisure services.
The carrier serves Mediterranean destinations, the Canary Islands, and select North African routes. Summer seasonal operations extend to popular beach destinations across Europe and beyond.
Parent Company | Primary Business | Fleet Type |
|---|---|---|
TUI Group | Leisure/Charter | Boeing 737-800 |
TUI fly competes directly with Condor in the German leisure market. Both airlines capitalize on Germany’s strong outbound tourism demand, particularly during summer holiday seasons.
6. Lufthansa Cargo
Lufthansa Cargo dominates Germany’s air freight sector as one of the world’s leading cargo carriers. Operating from Frankfurt, the airline maintains an all-freighter fleet of Boeing 777Fs alongside belly cargo capacity on Lufthansa passenger flights.
The cargo carrier recently expanded its fleet to 18 Boeing 777 freighters, with additional capacity provided through its partnership with AeroLogic. Lufthansa Cargo serves major freight hubs across Asia, North America, and Europe.
DHL recognized Lufthansa Cargo with its Carrier Award for Reliability and Excellence, highlighting the airline’s consistent performance. The carrier offers specialized services for pharmaceuticals, perishables, and valuable cargo.
Fleet: Boeing 777F freighters
Primary Hubs: Frankfurt (FRA)
Services: General cargo, express freight, specialty transport
Partnership: Joint operations with AeroLogic
The carrier continues investing in digital booking platforms and tracking systems, modernizing air freight operations for the e-commerce era.
7. AeroLogic
AeroLogic operates as a joint venture between DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo, with each parent holding 50% ownership. Based at Leipzig/Halle Airport, the carrier specializes in express cargo operations.
The airline’s fleet reached 28 Boeing 777F aircraft in 2025, making it one of Europe’s largest all-cargo operators. AeroLogic serves 35 destinations across Europe, Asia, and North America during the current winter schedule.
Leipzig/Halle Airport functions as AeroLogic’s primary hub, strategically positioned in central Germany. This location provides efficient access to European markets while supporting DHL’s express network requirements.
Ownership | Fleet Size | Primary Hub |
|---|---|---|
DHL Express (50%), Lufthansa Cargo (50%) | 28 Boeing 777F | Leipzig/Halle (LEJ) |
The carrier operates around the clock to meet express freight deadlines. Weekend operations support Lufthansa Cargo’s scheduled network, maximizing aircraft utilization.
8. Lufthansa CityLine
Lufthansa CityLine functions as Lufthansa’s regional subsidiary, operating feeder flights from Frankfurt and Munich hubs. Established in 1992, the airline specializes in short-haul European services connecting smaller cities to Lufthansa’s main hubs.
The carrier operates a fleet of Embraer E-Jets and Canadair CRJ aircraft, perfectly suited for regional routes. CityLine’s operations focus on business routes requiring multiple daily frequencies.
All flights operate under Lufthansa’s LH flight code, maintaining seamless integration with the parent airline. Passengers enjoy full Star Alliance benefits when flying CityLine services.
Employee Count: 2,332 (664 pilots, 849 cabin crew)
Aircraft Types: Embraer E-Jets, Bombardier CRJ series
Service Model: Regional feeder for Lufthansa hubs
The airline’s future involves gradual integration with the newer Lufthansa City Airlines subsidiary. This consolidation aims to streamline regional operations within the Lufthansa Group.
9. Lufthansa City Airlines
Lufthansa City Airlines represents the Lufthansa Group’s newest regional carrier, beginning operations in 2024. The Munich and Frankfurt-based airline operates short-haul European flights feeding Lufthansa’s long-haul network.
City Airlines received its German Air Operator Certificate (AOC number D-425) in 2023, marking its official authorization. The carrier combines Lufthansa’s service quality with the operational efficiency of a new airline.
Starting February 2026, the airline launches scheduled Frankfurt operations, expanding beyond its initial Munich focus. This growth reflects the carrier’s strategic importance within the Lufthansa regional network.
Founded | AOC Received | Base Airports |
|---|---|---|
2023 | June 2023 | Munich (MUC), Frankfurt (FRA) |
Long-term plans envision City Airlines absorbing Lufthansa CityLine’s operations, creating a unified regional carrier. This consolidation should improve operational efficiency while maintaining service quality.
10. Sundair
Sundair operates as a German charter airline headquartered in Stralsund. Founded in 2017, the carrier serves leisure destinations from bases in Berlin, Bremen, and Dresden.
The airline focuses on holiday routes to Mediterranean coastlines, the Red Sea, and the Canary Islands. Sundair operates Airbus A320 family aircraft configured for charter operations.
Regional airports form Sundair’s strategy, providing convenient access from secondary German cities. The carrier also operates from Kassel-Calden and Lübeck airports.
Headquarters: Stralsund, Germany
Founded: 2017
Base Airports: Berlin Brandenburg, Bremen, Dresden, Kassel-Calden, Lübeck
Fleet: Airbus A319, A320
Sundair received a 6.6/10 rating from passengers on Flight-report, indicating good service comparable to industry standards. The airline partners with tour operators while also offering direct bookings.
11. German Regional Airlines (German Airways)
German Regional Airlines, operating under the German Airways brand, ranks as Germany’s second-oldest airline with over 70 years of history. Previously known as WDL Aviation, the carrier specializes in wet-lease operations and charter services.
The Cologne/Bonn-based airline provides aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance packages to other carriers. German Airways operates Embraer E-Jets for regional services across Europe.
The carrier serves as a reliable wet-lease partner for KLM Cityhopper, providing aircraft operating from German and other European airports. This partnership model represents the airline’s core business strategy.
Operating Name | Previous Name | Specialization |
|---|---|---|
German Airways | WDL Aviation | Wet-lease, charter |
The airline celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2025, marking seven decades of continuous German aviation operations. This longevity demonstrates the carrier’s adaptability across multiple aviation eras.
12. Air Hamburg
Air Hamburg operates as a private jet charter carrier based in Hamburg. Now part of the Vista Global group and officially operating as VistaJet GmbH, the airline specializes in business aviation services.
The carrier maintains an open-base model, positioning aircraft strategically across Europe. Air Hamburg provides executive charter services with flexible departure points and customized flight solutions.
The airline received recognition as “Best executive passenger charter operator” at The Air Charter Excellence Awards. This accolade reflects the carrier’s premium service standards in business aviation.
Service Type: Private jet charter
Parent Organization: Vista Global
Operating Name: VistaJet GmbH
Specialization: Executive and VIP transport
Air Hamburg serves corporate clients requiring flexible, on-demand air travel solutions. The carrier’s integration with Vista Global expanded its global reach while maintaining German operational expertise.
13. FLN Frisia Luftverkehr (Die Inselflieger)
FLN Frisia Luftverkehr, marketed as “Die Inselflieger” (The Island Flyers), provides essential air links to Germany’s East Frisian Islands. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Norden, the carrier operates scheduled flights to Juist and Wangerooge islands.
The airline operates from Norden-Norddeich and Harle airfields using small aircraft suited for short island routes. FLN’s fleet includes Britten-Norman Islander and Cessna Caravan aircraft, perfect for island operations.
This regional carrier provides vital year-round transportation to island communities when weather conditions prevent ferry services. The airline also serves tourists seeking quick access to these popular vacation destinations.
Route Network | Aircraft Types | Service Area |
|---|---|---|
East Frisian Islands | BN-2 Islander, Cessna Caravan | North Sea coast |
The carrier’s operations demonstrate the importance of regional aviation in maintaining connectivity to geographically isolated communities. Island residents and businesses depend on these flights for transportation and cargo delivery.
My Final Thoughts
Germany’s airline sector showcases remarkable diversity, from Lufthansa’s global network to FLN’s island connections. This variety ensures comprehensive aviation coverage across all market segments.
The Lufthansa Group dominates with multiple subsidiaries targeting different customer segments. However, independent carriers like Condor and Sundair maintain competitive positions in leisure markets.
Cargo operations through Lufthansa Cargo and AeroLogic position Germany as Europe’s freight hub. Leipzig’s growth as a cargo center particularly strengthens Germany’s logistics infrastructure.
Regional connectivity remains strong through carriers like CityLine and FLN. These operators ensure smaller communities maintain access to the broader aviation network.
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