Eurowings
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA German low-cost airline wholly owned by Lufthansa Group and focused primarily on point-to-point European travel.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Eurowings GmbH is a German low-cost carrier headquartered in Düsseldorf and wholly owned by Lufthansa Group. The airline operates scheduled point-to-point services, with a network concentrated on domestic German routes, European city links and leisure destinations. Its operating footprint has included bases in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, while the wider Eurowings brand has also been used by the separate Eurowings Europe subsidiary, based in Malta and operating under its own air operator's certificate. The brand emerged from the combination of two German commuter airlines, Nürnberger Flugdienst and Reise- und Industrieflug. Although the combination was established in the early 1990s, Eurowings began flight operations in 1994 with ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprop aircraft. It subsequently introduced BAe 146 regional jets and Airbus aircraft, gradually moving beyond its original commuter-airline role. Lufthansa first acquired a minority stake in 2001, increased its holding during the following years and obtained full control during the 2000s, completing ownership in 2011. For much of its earlier history, Eurowings was associated with Lufthansa Regional and also owned Germanwings. Lufthansa later reorganized its low-cost activities around the Eurowings name. A major transformation began in 2015, when the airline started replacing its Bombardier CRJ900 regional fleet with Airbus A320-family aircraft and was redeveloped as a value-oriented carrier for short-haul and, temporarily, long-haul services. The transition also involved the transfer of Germanwings routes to the Eurowings brand. By 2015 and 2016, Eurowings had taken over a substantial part of the Germanwings network and was responsible for sales under the Germanwings brand. The attempted long-haul expansion produced a mixed result. Eurowings launched routes from Cologne Bonn using Airbus A330 aircraft operated by SunExpress Deutschland, including services to leisure and intercontinental destinations. Operational disruptions, aircraft shortages and severe delays attracted substantial criticism during the initial rollout. Lufthansa subsequently decided that Eurowings should concentrate on short-haul Airbus A320-family flying, while long-haul routes were transferred to other Lufthansa Group airlines and later associated with the Eurowings Discover concept. Eurowings also expanded through wet leases and affiliated operations. Air Berlin aircraft were leased to Lufthansa Group airlines for Eurowings-related flying after Air Berlin's 2017 collapse, while Eurowings Europe was established to operate aircraft from bases outside Germany. The airline retired its last CRJ900 in 2017, completing the principal shift from regional aircraft to larger Airbus narrowbodies. In 2020, the COVID-19 crisis led Lufthansa to reduce Eurowings' fleet, end several wet-lease arrangements and close Germanwings. In the early 2020s, Eurowings continued to focus on European leisure and city traffic. It discontinued its remaining long-haul destinations, transferred selected Munich flying to Lufthansa and established a base in Prague. In 2022, its Boomerang Club frequent-flyer program was discontinued and integrated into Lufthansa Group's Miles & More program. The airline announced route reductions at Hamburg and Dortmund in late 2024, citing high operating costs in the German market, while also announcing new European routes in 2025. In January 2025, Lufthansa Group allocated 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Eurowings, with deliveries planned from 2027 through 2032 and intended to replace older Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft progressively. Eurowings is therefore positioned as Lufthansa Group's lower-cost, predominantly short-haul platform, combining a simplified narrowbody fleet strategy with a broad European leisure network.
History
Eurowings was created through the combination of Nürnberger Flugdienst and Reise- und Industrieflug, two German commuter airlines based in Nürnberg and Dortmund. The company was formally established in the early 1990s and began flying in January 1994 with ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprops inherited from its predecessor operations. BAe 146 aircraft were later introduced, followed by Airbus A320-family aircraft and an Airbus A310, allowing the airline to serve a broader range of regional and European markets. Lufthansa became increasingly involved during the 2000s. It acquired an initial minority stake in 2001, raised its holding in 2004 and exercised control during the subsequent restructuring of the Eurowings group. Full ownership was completed in 2011. Eurowings had also owned Germanwings, which became an important part of Lufthansa's low-cost strategy. Proposals to combine Germanwings, Eurowings and TUIfly into an independent holding company did not proceed; Lufthansa instead acquired Germanwings from Eurowings in 2008. Eurowings moved its headquarters and technical infrastructure from Dortmund to Düsseldorf in 2010. Its Lufthansa Regional flying was progressively transferred to Germanwings, and the last Eurowings-operated Lufthansa Regional services ended in 2014. Lufthansa then selected Eurowings as the platform for a broader low-cost transformation. Starting in 2015, Eurowings received Airbus A320 aircraft and began absorbing Germanwings routes. A separate Austrian operating entity, Eurowings Europe, was created to support operations outside Germany, including flights from Vienna and later other European bases. The 2015 long-haul expansion used Airbus A330 aircraft operated by SunExpress Deutschland. The concept offered low fares to intercontinental leisure destinations, but the launch was troubled by serious delays, cancellations and customer criticism. Lufthansa formed a task force to improve reliability, while Eurowings reduced or cancelled several long-haul routes. By 2019 Lufthansa had decided that Eurowings should focus on short-haul flying and that long-haul services should move to Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Swiss and the newly developed Eurowings Discover operation. Eurowings continued replacing regional aircraft with Airbus narrowbodies and retired its final CRJ900 in February 2017. It also benefited from aircraft and route arrangements connected with Air Berlin's collapse, including wet-leased aircraft operated for Lufthansa Group airlines. During the COVID-19 crisis, Lufthansa reduced Eurowings' fleet, terminated several wet-lease agreements and closed Germanwings. In 2021 Eurowings ended its remaining long-haul destinations and established a base in Prague, while Lufthansa took over much of its Munich route network. The brand's later development has centered on European point-to-point and leisure travel. Eurowings ended its Boomerang Club in 2022 in favor of Miles & More. It announced cuts at Hamburg and Dortmund in 2024 because of high German operating costs, followed by new routes in 2025. The same year, Lufthansa Group announced the allocation of 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Eurowings, with deliveries expected from 2027 to 2032. The program is intended to modernize the fleet and gradually replace older Airbus narrowbodies.
- 2025
Boeing 737 MAX fleet modernization announced
[1]Lufthansa Group allocates 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Eurowings, with deliveries planned from 2027.
- 2022
Boomerang Club is retired
[1]Eurowings ends its standalone loyalty program in favor of Miles & More.
- 2020
Pandemic restructuring
[1]Lufthansa downsizes Eurowings and closes Germanwings during the COVID-19 crisis.
- 2017
Final CRJ900 is retired
[1]The airline completes its transition away from Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft.
- 2015
Airbus A320 operations and Germanwings integration
[1]Eurowings begins Airbus A320 operations and starts incorporating Germanwings routes under the Eurowings brand.
- 2014
Transformation into Lufthansa's low-cost platform begins
[1]Lufthansa announces the replacement of Eurowings' regional fleet and the redevelopment of the brand.
- 2011
Lufthansa completes ownership
[1]Lufthansa becomes the complete owner of Eurowings.
- 2001
Lufthansa acquires an initial stake
[1]Lufthansa takes an initial minority shareholding in Eurowings.
- 1994
Flight operations begin
[1]The airline begins scheduled operations with ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprop aircraft.
- 1993
Eurowings is formally founded
[1]Eurowings is established following the combination of Nürnberger Flugdienst and Reise- und Industrieflug.
Products and positioning
Value-oriented, low-cost and hybrid point-to-point airline within Lufthansa Group
Air transportation · 1994
Scheduled European passenger flights
Eurowings' core offering is scheduled point-to-point air travel within Germany and across Europe. The network combines domestic links, major European cities and leisure destinations, generally using Airbus A319 and A320-family aircraft. Customers can select different fare bundles and purchase ancillary services such as baggage, seat reservations and onboard products.
Air transportation · 2015
Long-haul leisure flights
Eurowings operated a temporary long-haul service from Cologne Bonn and other German airports using Airbus A330 aircraft operated through partners. The program served destinations in the Caribbean, Asia, North America and the Middle East, but was progressively withdrawn as Lufthansa Group refocused Eurowings on short-haul operations.
Loyalty program · 2022
Miles & More participation
Eurowings previously operated the Boomerang Club loyalty program. In 2022, the program was ended and customer loyalty activity was aligned with Lufthansa Group's Miles & More program.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Borussia Dortmund special livery
Germany · Europe
An Airbus A320 received a black-and-yellow special livery promoting Eurowings' sponsorship relationship with Borussia Dortmund.
Outcome. The aircraft served as a visible sports-marketing asset for the airline.
- 2018Europa-Park promotional livery
Germany · Europe
Eurowings used a specially painted Airbus A320 to promote Europa-Park, linking the airline brand with a major German leisure attraction.
Outcome. A promotional aircraft livery was operated.
- 2015Eurowings low-cost and long-haul relaunch
Germany · Europe · Selected intercontinental leisure markets
The Eurowings brand was relaunched as Lufthansa Group's value-oriented short- and long-haul platform, supported by Airbus A320 aircraft, new European bases and low-fare intercontinental offers.
Outcome. The short-haul repositioning continued, but the long-haul component was later discontinued.
Brand decisions
2025
Announce Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet modernizationGeneration changeBackground
Lufthansa Group identified a need to renew Eurowings' older Airbus narrowbody fleet and increase aircraft capacity.
Action taken
The group allocated 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Eurowings, with planned deliveries from 2027 through 2032.
Aftermath
The aircraft are expected to progressively replace older Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, although the operating certificate allocation was not yet confirmed in the cited material.
2022
Merge loyalty activity into Miles & MoreOtherBackground
Lufthansa Group sought to consolidate customer loyalty arrangements.
Action taken
Eurowings ended the Boomerang Club and moved customers toward Miles & More.
Aftermath
Eurowings no longer operated a standalone long-running frequent-flyer program.
2020
Downsize during the COVID-19 crisisStrategyBackground
The pandemic sharply reduced air travel demand and created excess capacity across Lufthansa Group.
Action taken
Lufthansa reduced Eurowings' fleet, ended multiple wet-lease agreements and closed Germanwings.
Aftermath
Eurowings continued as the group's principal low-cost and leisure-oriented short-haul brand.
2019
Refocus on short-haul flyingStrategyBackground
The initial long-haul program faced operational difficulties and did not fit the intended group structure.
Action taken
Lufthansa Group cancelled planned Eurowings long-haul expansion from Frankfurt and Munich and transferred long-haul flying to network airlines.
Aftermath
Eurowings became primarily a short-haul Airbus narrowbody airline, while intercontinental leisure flying was developed elsewhere in the group.
2014
Convert Eurowings into a low-cost carrierStrategyBackground
Lufthansa Group sought to create a stronger value-oriented platform for European and leisure travel.
Action taken
It planned to replace CRJ900 aircraft with Airbus A320-family aircraft and develop Eurowings beyond its regional-airline role.
Aftermath
The decision led to Germanwings route integration, the retirement of the CRJ fleet and a long-haul experiment.
Recent events
- 2025
Eurowings announces new European routes[1]
Product launch
Eurowings announced routes including Düsseldorf–Ponta Delgada, Hanover links to Bastia, Lisbon and Erbil, Dublin–Stuttgart and Porto–Cologne Bonn.
- 2025
Lufthansa Group allocates 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Eurowings[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The proposed fleet modernization would introduce 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from 2027 through 2032, supporting replacement of older Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft.
- 2024
Eurowings announces route reductions at Hamburg and Dortmund[1]
Other
The airline announced substantial cuts at the two German bases, attributing the decision to high operating costs in the German market.
- 2022
Eurowings ends Boomerang Club[1]
Other
The airline discontinued its standalone Boomerang Club frequent-flyer program and moved customer participation toward Lufthansa Group's Miles & More system.
- 2021
Eurowings ends remaining long-haul destinations[1]
Other
Eurowings discontinued its remaining long-haul services, while Lufthansa Group associated the transferred intercontinental business with the new Eurowings Discover operation.
- 2020
Lufthansa restructures Eurowings during COVID-19 downturn[1]
Other
The pandemic prompted fleet reductions, termination of several wet leases and the closure of Germanwings, affecting the scale and structure of Eurowings operations.
- 2019
Lufthansa abandons Eurowings long-haul strategy[1]
Other
Lufthansa Group reversed plans to expand Eurowings long-haul flying from Frankfurt and Munich and decided to transfer long-haul operations to network airlines within the group.
- 2018
Eurowings relocates long-haul flying from Cologne Bonn to Düsseldorf[1]
Other
Lufthansa Group announced that Eurowings' remaining long-haul services at Cologne Bonn would be moved to Düsseldorf to consolidate its long-haul presence.
- 2017
Eurowings retires its final Bombardier CRJ900[1]
Product generation
The final CRJ900 flight marked the completion of Eurowings' principal move from regional aircraft to Airbus A320-family aircraft.
- 2016
Eurowings cancels and reduces selected long-haul routes[1]
Other
The airline cancelled its planned Tehran service, made Dubai seasonal and later ended routes including Boston and Moscow amid demand and operational changes.
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