Eurowings

Eurowings is a German low-cost airline that has become the largest budget carrier in the German market as of 2024. Headquartered at Düsseldorf Airport, it operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group. First proposed in 1990 and formally founded in 1993, the airline now serves over 80 destinations across Europe, with main operating bases in Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Vienna. Its subsidiary Eurowings Europe, based in Malta, handles flights from other European countries under the same brand.

The airline underwent a major transformation after leaving Lufthansa Regional in October 2014. In spring 2015, it relaunched as a value carrier for both short- and long-haul flights, and by October 2015 it had absorbed the entire route network of its sister brand Germanwings. Today, Eurowings positions itself as a value carrier rather than an ultra-low-cost airline, offering three fare classes: Basic (hand luggage only), Smart (includes a checked bag and seat selection), and Best (priority boarding, lounge access, flexible booking). It also sells Eurowings Holidays packages bundling flights with hotels and rental cars.

Eurowings competes directly with Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air, but differentiates through its connection to the Lufthansa Group, including codeshares and access to Miles & More loyalty program. Its fleet primarily consists of Airbus A320 family aircraft, with newer A320neo models being added for better fuel efficiency. Long-haul operations using A330s were suspended after the pandemic. The airline has faced controversies, including a major pilot strike in 2018, slow refund processing during COVID-19, and frequent complaints about strict baggage policies. In 2023-2024, it has focused on fleet modernization, network expansion in Southern Europe, and digitalization improvements.[edit]