Expedia Group and Lufthansa Group airlines Announce Strategic Air Technology Partnership

Today, the Lufthansa Group airlines and Expedia Group announced that they will jointly leverage cutting-edge technology to achieve the common goal of helping more travelers access the best possible air travel options with Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines on Expedia Group sites. The new, multi-year cooperation will enable greater technological collaboration between the companies due to an industry-leading Direct NDC API connection.

From June 2019, the Expedia Group will offer its leisure travelers, in Lufthansa Group airlines’ European markets, the opportunity to benefit from the attractive offers of the NDC Partner Program. This includes the “NDC Smart Offer”, the most competitive fares offered by the Lufthansa Group's airlines. The two companies will work together to expand these offerings globally, including the North American market throughout 2019 and 2020.

The Expedia Group joining Lufthansa Group airlines’ NDC Partner Program is only the first step in offering travelers the best possible options that deliver unparalleled value to customers. The companies will work together to develop customer-centric technology that will provide travelers greater access to even more special offers and ancillary services. The two sides are also working hard to develop the necessary connections to provide Egencia business travelers with the same air travel options.

“With our combined technology, the Lufthansa Group network and Expedia Group’s global reach, we strongly believe in our joint ability to enhance the traveler shopping experience across Europe, Asia and North America,” said Heike Birlenbach, Senior Vice President Sales Lufthansa Hub Airlines and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Hub Frankfurt.

Greg Schulze, Senior Vice President at Expedia Group emphasized: “Delivering customer-centric travel options via the power of technology is core to our strategy, as we bring the world within reach for millions of travelers. Expedia Group started online travel more than two decades ago, and we continue to lead the industry with significant investments in air technology for our customers and partners. We’re thrilled to be on the leading edge working alongside Lufthansa Group airlines to create scalable NDC solutions that prioritize both traveler and airline needs.”

About the Lufthansa Group
The Lufthansa Group is an aviation company with operations worldwide. With 142 million passengers in 2018, the Lufthansa Group is number one in Europe’s airline sector. The Lufthansa Group aims to be the first choice for customers, employees, shareholders and partners in the aviation industry and to continue shaping the global aviation market as a key player in the future.
The Lufthansa Group is composed of the three business segments Network Airlines, Eurowings and Aviation Services (comprising the segments Logistics, MRO and Catering). The Group’s Network Carriers comprise Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines. With their multi-hub strategy from Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich and Vienna hubs, the Network Airlines offer their passengers a premium product and a comprehensive route network combined with the highest level of travel flexibility. With Eurowings, the Lufthansa Group has an innovative and competitive offering in direct traffic, which addresses both price-sensitive and service-oriented customers with low-cost basic fares and additional service options that can be booked flexibly. The aviation services are all global market leaders in their individual industries. This way, the Lufthansa Group has found success in further areas of the aviation business.
The Lufthansa Group’s airlines currently (i.e. as of Summer 2019) serve 318 destinations in 102 countries on five continents. The Group’s total fleet comprises 763 aircraft, employs around 135,000 personnel and generated a revenue of EUR 35.8 billion in 2018.