Lufthansa's green fares arrive on long-haul flights: pay more, pollute less and earn more miles

Le Green Fares Lufthansa Group, introduced in 2023, are the German group's way of addressing SAF and passenger-side decarbonization: an innovative tariff dedicated to sustainable flying.

After success on short- and medium-haul routes, from the December 4, 2024, this option will also be available for intercontinental flights on over 850,000 annual connections. The Green Fares include the full offset of CO2 emissions related to flight, through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and high-quality climate protection projects.

What Lufthansa's Green Fares are.

Green Fares are a choice for environmentally conscious travelers (or needing miles for status) the fare guarantees:

• Reducing emissions: use of SAF to abate up to 20% of emissions on European and North African routes, and up to 10% on intercontinental flights.
• Climate compensation: The remainder of the emissions are offset through certified environmental protection projects.
• Additional benefits: extra miles, possibility to change the reservation for free

Available on flights operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, and the other group airlines, Green Fares are something akin to what Air France does with the purchase of SAF against XP points..

The Numbers of Green Fares

From the launch in February 2023, over 2 million passengers have chosen this tariff, helping to offset almost 190,000 tons of CO2, equivalent to the emissions of 1,300 Munich-New York flights operated with an Airbus A350. This shows the growing interest of travelers in responsible solutions.

How compensation works with SAF

SAF is a fuel produced from biogenic residues, compatible with conventional kerosene, with a reduced carbon footprint of up to 80%. Every passenger who purchases a Green Fare contributes to the introduction of SAF into Lufthansa's operating system within six months of purchase.

Green Fares are more than a fare: they represent a commitment to a future in which flying sustainably becomes an affordable reality. By choosing this option, travelers not only reduce their environmental impact, but also join the positive change in the aviation industry.

Why they are an interesting avenue for frequent flyer Miles&More

It's a kind of quid pro quo, I ask you to pay more in return I recognize you 20% bonus miles (both qualifying and non-qualifying) useful for renewal of status and to theIssuance of prize tickets.

The fare for these tickets is a middle ground between a basic economy and a flex. It's flexible, but it's not redeemable, It doesn't increase the number of miles you get, but thanks to the bonus of 20% especially By increasing the number of qualifying points per flight by 20%, it allows you to achieve or renew status faster.

In conclusion

We will probably see this news also appear in ITA Airways tickets in the coming months once the merger begins. I personally find these activities "greenwashing" and little more, the benefit to the FF is there and so it is a useful strategy to do good for others and for oneself.

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