Lufthansa Inaugurates First-Ever Minneapolis-Saint Paul Service
Lufthansa has officially commenced its first-ever nonstop service to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), Minnesota's largest commercial hub. The new route, connecting MSP with Lufthansa's primary hub in Frankfurt, Germany, was announced last September and is set to operate year-round.
On June 4, Lufthansa's inaugural flight landed in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, marking a significant milestone for both the airline and the airport. This new service offers the Twin Cities year-round access to Germany and Lufthansa's extensive global network, arriving just in time for the busy summer travel season.
The new route will be operated five times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, utilizing the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The aircraft features a three-class configuration with 30 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 215 economy class seats, ensuring a comfortable journey for all passengers.
This strategic addition makes Lufthansa the 19th airline to serve MSP and the first new transatlantic carrier in over four years. The flight's schedule is designed to offer early morning arrivals in Frankfurt, providing ample connection opportunities for travelers heading to various European destinations, as well as to India and East Africa. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area is notably the fourth-largest U.S. market for travel to East Africa, following Washington DC, New York, and Chicago.
According to Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the new service is expected to handle over 35,500 passengers traveling to Germany and nearly 365,000 passengers flying to Europe annually from MSP. This route is part of Lufthansa's broader summer expansion plan in the United States, which includes new routes and increased capacities, reflecting the growing demand for international travel.
Lufthansa Group now connects 26 U.S. gateways, offering approximately 400 weekly flights during the summer schedule. Recent expansions include a new nonstop route from Seattle to Munich and increased capacity on the Washington D.C. to Munich route with an Airbus A380. Additionally, direct service from Raleigh-Durham to Frankfurt will commence on June 6.
As travel continues to rebound post-pandemic, Lufthansa aims to capture a significant share of the U.S. market. In 2023, the airline carried 60.3 million passengers on 455,000 flights, serving over 200 destinations in 80 countries from its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. This latest route launch is expected to further strengthen Lufthansa's presence and connectivity in North America.