Lufthansa has announced plans to offer free inflight messaging for customers on short and medium-haul flights.
From mid-January 2024 passengers on A320 Family aircraft which have wifi connectivity will be able to send and receive an unlimited number of message – including photos – on their smartphone or tablet.
The only prerequisite for using the new service is logging into FlyNet with a Miles & More card number, or with an email address registered with the Lufthansa Group Travel ID. Those customers without one of these will be able to register inflight.
In addition Lufthansa said that from mid-January it will reduce the cost of other inflight internet packages including streaming “by almost 50 per cent”, although it did not provide specific details of new prices.
An increasing number of airlines are introducing free inflight messaging, most recently Finnair on European services operated by Airbus aircraft.
Finnair introduces free inflight messaging on European flights
And in August Lufthansa Group member carrier SWISS introduced free messaging on long-haul flights, as well as revamping its paid-for inflight internet access with two new packages.
Commenting on the news Heiko Reitz, CCO Lufthansa Airlines, said:
“Lufthansa is investing around two billion euros in product and service improvements. In the process, we have implemented and planned many large, medium, and also smaller initiatives that make travelling with Lufthansa an even better experience.
“One great example is Free Messaging. I am pleased that our guests will in future be able to stay in touch with their relatives or business partners above the clouds – free of charge.”
