Cheaper fares are popular with airlines right now. They are so popular that the Lufthansa Group is now becoming more strict about seat changes.
One airline after another is issuing a profit warning right now. The already low margin industry is suffering due to the economic environment, delivery difficulties, operational challenges and falling revenues – even though the costs per passenger are the same. Lufthansa also had to tell investors that its earnings this year were likely to be lower than expected.
One of the reasons for this is that the number of leisure travelers in premium categories is still high, as we hear from all the group airlines. But at the same time, more and more travelers are also booking tickets in the cheapest category. As Swiss CEO Dennis Weber revealed when presenting the half-yearly figures, this development also ensured that average Swiss ticket prices fell by around 4 percent in the first half of the year.
Rules for short-haul flights also apply to long-haul flights
To put it into perspective, you could say: the light fares, as the cheapest tickets on Austrian Airlines, Swiss and Lufthansa are called, are almost overbooked. Perhaps that is also the reason for a measure that is now being implemented by the airline group. The Lufthansa Group is now getting a little stricter with Economy Light travelers and the rules for long-haul flights are being adapted to those on short-haul flights.
Anyone choosing the cheapest Light Economy fare from Lufthansa, Austria or Switzerland has had to pay extra for a while if he or she wants to book the seat they want. In the last two years, there is also an additional cost on European flights if you want to change this seat to another seat that is still available after check-in.
Changes will take effect next week
The Lufthansa Group is also introducing this on long-haul routes, reports the portal Travel deal. Previously, it was still possible to change seats after check-in on long-haul routes for free, even with the cheapest fare. This will change for all check-ins from August 12. If you want to change your seat then, you will have to pay something.
Until now short-haul flights have had a fixed price, but that is also changing. From August 12, the surcharge on short and long-haul flights will be based on the seat category, the portal quotes from a message to sales partners. In the second cheapest tariff, Economy Basic, which also includes checked baggage, it will be possible to change your seat for free after check-in.