A masterful turn of events. Last April, Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Discover Airlines) had decided to increase the refund fees on its "flex" tickets – that is to say, fares that normally allow a flight to be cancelled or changed without penalty. These tickets, historically designed to offer stress-free cancellations, had become subject to significant fees of up to €1,500 in First Class.
The decision had generated an outcry among business travel professionals and frequent flyers. Clearly, such a move undermined the substance of a fare offer that was presented as fully flexible.
In Germany, the Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement (VDR) – the German Business Travel Association – had been particularly critical. It indicated that such a decision eroded the trust of business travellers in the German airline group, implying rather obviously that they might look elsewhere.
The German group is now backtracking and largely reinstating the initial flexibility of its offers. In a statement on its corporate website, Lufthansa explains that the previous decision was only temporary – which it did not indicate at the time. It particularly mentions a stabilisation of operational conditions, without however specifying why they are now different from two months ago. The group indicates that most fares will regain their usual flexibility.
From 3 June 2026, Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class Flex tickets on the relevant routes will once again be fully refundable without charge. Only First Class will retain a refund fee, albeit a reduced one.
The implementation of the new system will take place in two stages, with a second phase planned for 10 June 2026, also aiming to reduce fees on Basic Plus and Green tariffs.
This reversal applies to connections between Europe and Asia-Pacific, South Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles, as well as certain routes between Asia-Pacific and Brazil. Routes to China, Japan, as well as certain connections between Germany, Belgium, Austria or Switzerland and South-East Asia and Australia remain excluded from the scheme.
The return to a more legible policy on Flex fares marks a strategic adjustment for Lufthansa. And shows that the consumer can (still) have the final say.
