Lufthansa has solidified its position as a key player in transatlantic travel, reporting an impressive passenger load factor of 84.4% on its US routes from Frankfurt between June 2024 and May 2025. This statistic is significant as it highlights the airline’s capacity to fill seats effectively, with a total of 3.3 million passengers flying to and from its busiest hub, Frankfurt, during this period.
According to data from the US Department of Transportation, Lufthansa ranks as the fifth-largest airline operating between Europe and the US. The airline carried 5.3 million round-trip passengers, trailing behind major players like Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines. While its figures also account for flights from Munich, the focus here remains on Frankfurt, which generated 62% of the airline’s total US traffic.
High-Performing Routes from Frankfurt
Among Lufthansa’s 18 passenger routes from Frankfurt to the US, eight stood out with above-average load factors. Collectively, these routes exhibited strong performance, with the highest load factor recorded at 89.1% for the Los Angeles route, carrying approximately 270,000 passengers. Other notable routes include Miami at 88.9% and San Francisco at 88.5%.
The load factor is a crucial indicator of an airline’s operational efficiency, reflecting the percentage of available seating capacity that is filled with passengers. Lufthansa’s performance in Frankfurt surpasses the 81.9% load factor achieved from Munich, attributed in part to the latter’s deployment of larger aircraft like the Airbus A380.
The airline’s top five US routes with above-average load factors demonstrate its ability to connect passengers effectively. For instance, the Denver route achieved a load factor of 87.4%, while Newark and Houston Intercontinental followed closely with load factors of 86.6% and 86.4%, respectively.
Routes Facing Challenges
Not every route performed equally well. Lufthansa’s 10 routes that fell below the average load factor of 84.4% indicate that some markets are proving more challenging. The route from Frankfurt to Minneapolis, for instance, achieved a load factor of only 70.5%. This link, which commenced in June 2024 and was subsequently transferred to its leisure-focused subsidiary, Discover, struggled particularly during the winter months, reaching a low of 49.8% in November.
Despite lower frequencies during the winter season, Discover aims to enhance performance by adjusting flight schedules and offering fewer flights compared to Lufthansa’s previous operations on the same route. This strategic shift allows the airline to focus on its core strengths and optimize profitability.
Looking at the broader context, other routes such as Washington Dulles, Dallas/Fort Worth, and New York JFK also recorded below-average loads, with load factors of 83.9%, 83.4%, and 82.7%, respectively. These routes may still generate strong revenue and contribute significantly to the airline’s network.
As Lufthansa prepares for the future, it is essential to note the positive growth signals from its Frankfurt hub, which continues to be a critical component of its transatlantic strategy. With plans to increase flight frequencies to St. Louis, which has seen rising demand, Lufthansa is poised to attract more passengers.
In conclusion, Lufthansa’s performance in the North American market reflects a robust operational strategy that successfully leverages its Frankfurt hub. The airline’s ability to maintain a high load factor amid varying route performance suggests a strong commitment to optimizing its services and meeting passenger demand effectively.