New Eurowings to fly long-haul from October

Lufthansa‘s new low-cost carrier, Eurowings, will commence long-haul operations in fourth quarter of 2015 with flights to Thailand, the Caribbean and Middle East.

Ticket sales have now opened for the flights, which will depart Germany’s Cologne/Bonn Airport on 25 October 2015. Based on Lufthansa’s Germanwings concept, Eurowings will be positioned as a low-cost carrier offering point-to-point flights on short-, medium- and long-haul routes.

For winter 2015-16, the airline’s new route network will include Dubai, the twin Thai destinations of Bangkok and Phuket, the Cuban city of Varadero and the popular resort of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

“Our new Eurowings strategy is to strengthen our position in point-to-point traffic,” said Karl Ulrich Garnadt, CEO of Lufthansa. “The new Eurowings will tackle on long-haul routes with a new brand launch, affordable ticket prices and an attractive route network. Our customers rightly expect a high standard of quality from us.

“With Germanwings, we have demonstrated that we can successfully connect low prices with good quality. We will continue to fulfil this aim in the expanded route network of the new Eurowings as well,” he added.

Like Germanwings, Eurowings will offer three types of fare: ‘Best’, ‘Smart’ and ‘Basic’. Best will offer a premium economy-style seat with more leg-room in a separate front area of the aircraft, plus a higher baggage allowance, meals, priority check-in and lounge access. The cheaper Smart fare includes economy class seating and standard baggage allowance and meals, while the Basic fare, according to Lufthansa, offers a “straightforward travel experience at a reasonable price”.

Long-haul flights will also feature in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi.

Eurowings will initially operate a fleet of two twin-aisle Airbus A330-200 aircraft, but will eventually expand to seven aircraft. SunExpress Deutschland, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, will operate these long-haul aircraft on behalf of Eurowings.

sourced:traveldailymedia.com