Luthansa and Brussels Airlines expand partnership

From March 29, 2009, the start of the summer time table, Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines will deepen their cooperation and expand their existing partnership, ahead of Lufthansa's plans to take a 45 per cent stake in Brussels Airlines (subsequently to be raised to 100 per cent), and Brussels Airlines' entry in to the Star Alliance.

Codeshare flights on cross-border routes
From the end of this week, numerous Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines flights will be operated on a codeshare basis under the partner airline’s flight number. In future, Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines passengers will have access to both airlines’ route networks. Initially, this service will apply to flights between Brussels and Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, Nuremberg and Stuttgart as well as to selected European destinations. At a later date, it will be extended to other flights, particularly to and from Munich.

Frequent flyer programme partnership
The two carriers are launching a frequent flyer programme partnership. Brussels Airlines Privilege members will then be able to earn award and status miles on all flights operated by Lufthansa and also redeem any miles accumulated prior to that date for award tickets on Lufthansa flights. Conversely, Lufthansa Miles & More members will have their account credited with all the premium, status and HON Circle miles earned on flights operated by Brussels Airlines and will also be able to book award flights with Brussels Airlines.

In addition, elite status customers of both carriers will enjoy additional privileges such as more generous free baggage allowances and preferential baggage claim. Lufthansa status customers flying with Brussels Airlines will also be able to use Brussels Airlines’ Business Class check-in counters. Likewise, Brussels Airlines’ Platinum and Gold passengers will have access to Lufthansa’s First or Business Class check-in counters.

Reciprocal lounge privileges
Since mid-February, both airlines have granted their premium customers reciprocal use of the partner’s lounges. Members of Brussels Airlines’ frequent flyer programme Privilege who have attained Platinum status can thus use all Lufthansa Senator and Business Lounges worldwide. Likewise, since February, Lufthansa HON Circle members, Senators and First Class passengers have enjoyed access to Brussels Airlines lounges. In addition, from 29 March, Business Class passengers flying Brussels Airlines will be able to use all Lufthansa’s Business lounges, while Lufthansa customers will have access to Brussels Airlines’ Business Lounge at Brussels.

Joint ground operations under one roof
Whenever possible, Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines aim to locate their service desks and check-in areas close to one another at airports. At the start of the summer timetable, Brussels Airlines will therefore move into Terminal 2 at Hamburg Airport, where Lufthansa and other Star Alliance partners are located. At a later date, in line with the Star Alliance’s “Under One Roof” strategy, Brussels Airlines plans to relocate to Terminal 2 at Munich, which is used exclusively by Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners.