The new Germanwings
The news caused astonishment, especially among die-hard Lufthansa customers. The gradual takeover of all decentralized routes by Germanwings, which will be expanded to 90 aircraft and what to expect in the future. Reason enough to take a look at the new product.
The journey begins at home. Checking in on the Germanwings mobile app worked in record time and without complications. Since July 1, Germanwings has started to take over all European Lufthansa connections outside the Frankfurt and Munich hubs. With the tariff designations Basic, Smart and Best, these three tariffs are available on all domestic German flights and a few selected European flights and are primarily intended to cover the needs of business travelers. However, some Lufthansa customers were confused as to what this meant. Lufthansa had to intensify communication with its passengers, as CEO Christoph Franz confirmed to Conoisseur Circle. For example, the Smart fare (from €53), which includes some inclusive services or Basic as a pure low-cost offer from €33. We have the Best fare (starting from which corresponds to a Business Class, on this day costs around €429 from Vienna to Hamburg. Basic would have been available for €129 and Smart for €149. Per route.
Vienna Airport. And watch out here. The Lufthansa subsidiary Germanwings does not depart from the F gates, as is usually the case with Lufthansa and Austrian, but from area C. This makes connecting passengers of the Lufthansa Group in Vienna longer.
The flight attendant seems tired this morning and greets us in a friendly manner. The cabin is fresh and the lounge music in the background is very pleasant. Large signs with the letters BEST indicate the new class, in rows 1 to 3. Rows 1 to 10 offer a particularly large seat pitch. The occupancy rate on board the flight today is around 50 percent.
Seat 1A. Air traffic control in Hamburg is tedious and delays are to be expected. The crew is already serving food and drinks in best class on the ground. The ala carte service from the Sky Bistro & Shop includes all dishes from the menu, such as sandwiches, salads, muffins and you can also order several snacks. This is included in the price. The menu is changed monthly with an additional menu alongside the regular program from the on-board magazine. You don't have to go hungry.
We set off 30 minutes late. Only two passengers in the three BEST rows of seats. The steward, awake, with friendliness and wit, does his job well. The quality of the snacks is fine. Landing in Hamburg 20 minutes late.
Cheap, but not cheap, that's what Lufthansa calls this product. The further development of Germanwings will definitely be exciting. The initial uncertainty of Lufthansa customers should have subsided by now. We found the product to be pleasant and reliable.
The offer
BASIC fare (for example €39.99 for Nov 13 Vienna - Hamburg one way)
Flight only offer with mileage credit
SMART fare (from €59.99 one way, on Nov 13)
Seat of your choice from row 4, snack and drinks included, 23 kg free baggage allowance, miles, free rebooking possible with flexoption.
BEST fare (€429, same day)
As in Business class, with free adjoining seat, lounge use, catering ala carte, two pieces of baggage per 23 kg, etc. This BEST fare is only offered in Austria from Vienna, i.e. to Stuttgart, Hamburg, Cologne and Hanover.
Text
Kurt Hofmann
![[Translate to en:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/0/3/csm_Karibik_Kachel_Website_bd14d92320.png "[Translate to en:]")
![[Translate to en:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/d/c/csm_csm_Burj_Khalifa_6aa4204cda_c60dbba775.png "[Translate to en:]")
![[Translate to en:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/6/csm_2_prb23_0733_web_230fecf93e.jpg "[Translate to en:]")
![[Translate to en:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/0/3/csm_Karibik_Kachel_Website_4fa96af5ad.png "[Translate to en:]")
![[Translate to en:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/d/c/csm_csm_Burj_Khalifa_6aa4204cda_6e24649320.png "[Translate to en:]")
![[Translate to en:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/6/csm_2_prb23_0733_web_8dbd0bd4df.jpg "[Translate to en:]")