Lufthansa vs. Air France: Which Airline Is Better?

When flying to Europe, you may be considering flights on Lufthansa or Air France. Both international airlines are well-respected in the industry and offer unique experiences for passengers.

From a complimentary glass of champagne on Air France long-haul flights to Lufthansa's first-class lounge rubber ducks, each airline offers special amenities. If you see flight options for both airlines, you may be wondering if you should choose Lufthansa versus Air France.

In this article, we'll compare Lufthansa versus Air France based on:

• Available destinations.

• Co-branded credit cards.

• Loyalty programs.

• Fees.

• In-flight experience.

We compiled this information to help you decide which one, Lufthansa or Air France, is best for you.

Winner: Air France

When picking an airline, it's important that it travels to a wide variety of destinations so you can use them over and over again. Flying the same airline repeatedly allows you to earn frequent flyer miles for future flights and credits toward elite status. Air France is the winner with more destinations and flights aboard its own planes.

Lufthansa

The airline offers more than 205 destinations worldwide with 5,200 weekly flights scheduled for summer 2023. Its primary hubs are Frankfurt and Munich, but it flies all over the world with its partners as a founding member of Star Alliance.

Air France

Air France operates 1,500 daily flights to 312 destinations in 116 countries. It is a SkyTeam member, which enables customers to book flights with its partners to fly to destinations worldwide. The airline's primary hubs are in Paris and Amsterdam.

Winner: Air France

Having an airline's credit card enables travelers to earn extra miles and receive additional perks when flying on the airline.

When it comes to Air France versus Lufthansa, Air France has the more appealing travel credit card options with higher earning power and better cardholder perks.

Plus, it is a transfer partner of the multiple flexible points programs. This allows you to earn miles multiple ways, even if you don't have the airline's co-branded card.

Lufthansa

The Lufthansa Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard® earns 2x miles per dollar on Lufthansa purchases and 1x miles on everything else, and cardholders can convert up to 25,000 miles into elite status miles at a 5:1 ratio.

For its $59 annual fee, it also includes two complimentary Lufthansa business class lounge vouchers and a companion ticket each year.

And don’t forget the welcome bonus:

Earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 in purchases and pay the annual fee, both within the first 90 days.

The downside is Lufthansa does not partner with any flexible points programs to convert points into its miles.

Air France

Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® cardholders receive 3x miles on Air France purchases and 1.5x miles everywhere else. In exchange for the card's $89 annual fee, you'll receive 5,000 miles on your card anniversary as long as you spend at least $50 each year.

It, too, has a welcome bonus:

Get 50,000 Bonus Miles after you make $2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

Plus, you'll receive 60 XP toward elite status upon approval of your card application. Members can transfer points to Air France KLM Flying Blue from a number of programs, including:

• American Express Membership Rewards.

• Bilt Rewards.

• Capital One Miles.

• Chase Ultimate Rewards.

• Citi ThankYou Points.

• Marriott Bonvoy.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Winner: Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Travelers earn miles for future flights based on their paid tickets, credit card usage and other activities with partners.

Additionally, they can achieve elite status by hitting certain milestones within the program. Ideally, a loyalty program is simple and straightforward to encourage members to earn and redeem miles on a regular basis.

Lufthansa is in the process of simplifying its loyalty program, and the changes won't be implemented until January 2024. Air France currently has a better program that rewards travelers for their loyalty and makes it easy to redeem miles.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa is in the process of launching a new loyalty program that was announced in 2019.

The new program is scheduled for release in January 2024 offering a transparent point system and the ability to earn lifetime elite status. Changes are intended to eliminate complicated program components to make it easier for travelers to earn and redeem rewards in the future.

Additionally, members will automatically receive additional benefits as they reach milestones based on their annual flights.

» Learn more: Guide to Lufthansa Miles & More loyalty program

Air France

Flying Blue is the combined loyalty program for Air France and KLM. The loyalty program makes it easy to redeem miles to book award tickets and offers a "miles & cash" option where you can pay up to 25% of your ticket with cash.

Flying Blue also offers monthly promo award flights where you can save up to 50% off award flights. There are four levels of elite status travelers can achieve based on their flights, credit card use and partner activities.

» Learn more: The complete guide to Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Winner: Air France

Airlines often charge fees when booking a flight with an agent, for checking luggage and other aspects of traveling.

When selecting an airline, you want one that does not charge a lot of extra fees that can increase the cost of your flight. Air France is our choice for fewer fees since it waives fees for telephone booking and online changes or refunds.

Lufthansa

Like many airlines, Lufthansa charges fees for many services when interacting with employees or making changes to flights. In some cases, rebooking or refunds are not allowed on lower-level tickets.

If you need to cancel or change your flight, you may have fees ranging from $250 to $1,000 per passenger plus any difference in fare. On the plus side, all passengers get at least one checked bag for free, even economy class tickets.

Air France

Air France waives many fees for booking, making changes or canceling flights when they're made online or at airport kiosks. However, fees may apply on the day of departure or over the phone.

Most passengers get at least one checked bag for free. However, economy passengers may be charged on some flights. Travelers can save 20% on excess baggage fees by purchasing allowances online ahead of their flights.

Winner: Tie

Both airlines offer premier travel experiences on the ground and in the air. Whether you're flying Economy or upgrading to first class, you can't go wrong when choosing between Lufthansa versus Air France.

Lufthansa

Travelers on Lufthansa have four classes of service: economy, Premium Economy Plus, business class and first class.

Economy class passengers receive complimentary meals, drinks and on-board entertainment with seats measuring over 16 inches wide (40 cm).

First class travelers enjoy access to personal assistants, first class lounges and limousine service from the lounge to the plane. Onboard, you'll dine on culinary delights and fine wines from lie-flat seats that adjust to your comfort level.

The airline is launching an overhaul of its in-flight service known as Lufthansa Allegra. This redesign reimagines the in-flight experience from scratch with maximum privacy in mind.

» Learn more: The guide to Lufthansa First Class

Air France

Air France offers four levels of seats, ranging from economy to La Premiere First Class. Economy class seats differ slightly based on which region you're traveling to, but all economy passengers have access to onboard entertainment and Wi-Fi.

In select cities, first class passengers traveling in La Premiere receive complimentary premium driver service to the airport, a private check-in lounge and a chauffeured ride to the aircraft.

Onboard, you'll enjoy personalized staff service plus culinary meals in your private suite offering hotel-standard comfort.

» Learn more: How to make the most of Air France first class

In the competition of Lufthansa versus Air France, there’s a clear winner: Air France.

While both airlines are part of alliances, Air France flies to more destinations with more daily flights. Each airline has its own credit card, but the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® has higher earning power and only Air France partners with other cards for points transfers.

Lufthansa is in the process of streamlining its loyalty program, which illustrates how convoluted its current program is. Both airlines have high-end experiences at the airport and in-flight experiences, but Air France also has lower fees in common situations.

Overall, these two international airlines offer very different pros and cons. Air France is our choice between Lufthansa versus Air France. However, the best one for you depends on where you live, where you want to fly and your travel preferences.

(Top photo courtesy of Air France)