Lufthansa airline, the flag carrier of Germany, is among the largest airlines in the world.
It was first founded in 1926 as Deustche Luft Hansa, which was banned from operating after the defeat of the country in WWII.
The new company, with the original name was established in 1953 and after around two years, it received the license to operate domestic flights.
Its jet era came in 1960 with the acquisition of Boeing 707s and 720s.
In the following years, its network was expanded to Africa and South-East Asia with connectivity to cities like Johannesburg, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
With a fleet of more than 270 aircraft and over 190 on order, the carrier is on a mission to serve as many destinations as possible.
As of 2014, a Lufthansa ticket booking can be made for more than 18 domestic and 190 international destinations with loads to be added.
Apart from all this, Lufthansa is also among the founding members of the largest airline conglomeration in the world - Star Alliance.
Star Alliance In 1997, Lufthansa, Thai Airways, Air Canada, United Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines formed Star Alliance, which has been an important event in the history of civil aviation.
Its symbol, a five-pointed star, is dedicated to its five founding members, and it has been kept unchanged till date.
Since then, it has grown at a meteoric rate and as of 2014, had 27 carriers, including some of the leading airlines in the world, as its full-time members.
With over 18500 daily flights, passengers, booking tickets with any of the members of this organisation, can fly to more than 1320 cities worldwide.
Flights on even those routes that Lufthansa does not fly can be booked with other affiliates, if they have that service.
For instance, the German flag carrier does not have flight some destinations, but fliers can book them with Air India, which joined the alliance in 2014.
Advantages Apart from air services on a vast network, travellers who book with the members of Star or any such establishments, get loads of other advantages as well.
In many cases, members share the same check-in counters; hence, travellers can save time by not wandering around the airport, looking for them.
Many of the affiliates also share codes with each other, which increases the number of airports that fliers can travel to.
For instance, if A does not fly a particular route, but shares codes with B, then fliers may buy cheap international air tickets, if available with A and travel with B.
Carriers also have the same on-ground and baggage handling personnel so there is a lesser chance of luggage getting lost, while it is being shifted from one plane to another.
Another advantage is that they often operate from a single terminal, making the transfer between connecting flights easier for everyone.
The biggest advantage for passengers comes perhaps in the form of frequent flier programmes.
For instance, if travellers fly with Air India and earn miles on its frequent flier programme, a similar account with the alliance may also be credited with several points.
Once they acquire a certain status with the organisation, they will gain access to its lounges and may also use those points for numerous other services.
It was first founded in 1926 as Deustche Luft Hansa, which was banned from operating after the defeat of the country in WWII.
The new company, with the original name was established in 1953 and after around two years, it received the license to operate domestic flights.
Its jet era came in 1960 with the acquisition of Boeing 707s and 720s.
In the following years, its network was expanded to Africa and South-East Asia with connectivity to cities like Johannesburg, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
With a fleet of more than 270 aircraft and over 190 on order, the carrier is on a mission to serve as many destinations as possible.
As of 2014, a Lufthansa ticket booking can be made for more than 18 domestic and 190 international destinations with loads to be added.
Apart from all this, Lufthansa is also among the founding members of the largest airline conglomeration in the world - Star Alliance.
Star Alliance In 1997, Lufthansa, Thai Airways, Air Canada, United Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines formed Star Alliance, which has been an important event in the history of civil aviation.
Its symbol, a five-pointed star, is dedicated to its five founding members, and it has been kept unchanged till date.
Since then, it has grown at a meteoric rate and as of 2014, had 27 carriers, including some of the leading airlines in the world, as its full-time members.
With over 18500 daily flights, passengers, booking tickets with any of the members of this organisation, can fly to more than 1320 cities worldwide.
Flights on even those routes that Lufthansa does not fly can be booked with other affiliates, if they have that service.
For instance, the German flag carrier does not have flight some destinations, but fliers can book them with Air India, which joined the alliance in 2014.
Advantages Apart from air services on a vast network, travellers who book with the members of Star or any such establishments, get loads of other advantages as well.
In many cases, members share the same check-in counters; hence, travellers can save time by not wandering around the airport, looking for them.
Many of the affiliates also share codes with each other, which increases the number of airports that fliers can travel to.
For instance, if A does not fly a particular route, but shares codes with B, then fliers may buy cheap international air tickets, if available with A and travel with B.
Carriers also have the same on-ground and baggage handling personnel so there is a lesser chance of luggage getting lost, while it is being shifted from one plane to another.
Another advantage is that they often operate from a single terminal, making the transfer between connecting flights easier for everyone.
The biggest advantage for passengers comes perhaps in the form of frequent flier programmes.
For instance, if travellers fly with Air India and earn miles on its frequent flier programme, a similar account with the alliance may also be credited with several points.
Once they acquire a certain status with the organisation, they will gain access to its lounges and may also use those points for numerous other services.