Lufthansa’s New Luxury: A Return to Free Drinks in Economy Class

In the summer of 2021, Lufthansa, a German airline, decided to reintroduce free drinks in economy class on short and medium-haul flights. This decision was made after the airline removed the complimentary service three years ago. The move comes as part of a trial basis, with Jens Ritter, Lufthansa’s chief executive, hoping that it will increase customer satisfaction.

Passengers will be able to enjoy selected drinks such as tea or coffee for free during their flights. Lufthansa stated that they will monitor customer reactions as part of their ongoing customer satisfaction evaluations. In 2021, the airline discontinued free drink service in economy class and introduced paid options instead. However, passengers were still given a bottle of water and a piece of chocolate at no extra cost.

The cost of hot beverages on board is between €3 and €3.50 ($3.25 to $3.80), while tomato juice costs €3.20 ($3). During the trial period, Lufthansa will observe how this return to free drink service impacts the overall passenger experience.

In recent years, there has been an increasing trend among airlines to offer fewer amenities in economy class in order to cut costs and increase profits. However, many travelers believe that offering free drinks is an important perk that can help improve their overall flight experience.

Lufthansa’s decision to reintroduce free drink service in economy class is seen as a positive step towards improving customer satisfaction and retaining loyal customers.

Overall, this trial run by Lufthansa highlights the importance of listening to customer feedback and making changes based on their needs and preferences. By offering free drinks once again in economy class, Lufthansa hopes to attract more customers who value this amenity and are willing to pay for it.

However, it remains to be seen whether this change will have a significant impact on overall passenger satisfaction or if it will simply be seen as a minor improvement rather than a major shift in airline policies towards more generous offerings.