Lufthansa Bids Adieu to In-Flight Sales for Economic Reasons
Lufthansa will discontinue in-flight sales.
Let's talk about Lufthansa, the popular airline that's facing some economic challenges. Opting for a smarter approach, they've decided to dampen the sales of products like perfumes, cigarettes, and sunglasses on long-haul flights, effective from September. A spokesperson for the airline confirmed this decision, emphasizing the increased costs outweighing the dwindling demand.
You might be wondering why. Well, it's all about the numbers. The extra revenue generated from in-flight sales just isn't enough to cover the costs anymore. So, Lufthansa is saving its bucks, focusing on more profitable areas, and leaving the sky-high shopping behind.
Yes, you heard it right. As of now, you won't find any products for sale on Lufthansa's long-haul flights. Some routes have already experienced this change, and come September, the entire network will follow suit. Short-haul flights, on the other hand, have been devoid of in-flight sales for some time. The web shop and airport shops continue to offer goods as usual.
Other German airlines seem to be taking a different approach. TUI fly, for instance, is still seeing a strong demand for their in-flight sales, especially on longer tourist flights. For them, the on-board shop is an essential part of the travel experience, and they see no reason to abandon it yet. Condor is another airline that's holding on to their in-flight sales, highlighting consistent profits, especially at holiday destinations.
Now, let's talk about Lufthansa's in-flight service. They're renewing their approach for long-haul flights as part of the "Fox" project in the economy class, starting this month. This move is not about saving costs but enhancing guest experience. They're upgrading their food and beverage offerings.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also stepping in, with a "tray tracker" scanning trays collected on board. This AI is designed to identify if a meal has been partially eaten, completely consumed, or left untouched. The analysis also includes factors like flight route, travel class, and meal concept, aiming to optimize portion sizes and food selection.
Bottom line, Lufthansa is navigating some economic turbulence, and they're strategically making adjustments. While they've chosen to cut the cord on in-flight sales, their focus remains on delivering a great travel experience, leveraging technology to make it even better.
Sources: ntv.de, jki/dpa
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- In light of economic challenges, Lufthansa, a well-known airline, has discontinued the sales of products such as perfumes, cigarettes, sunglasses, and beverages on long-haul flights due to increased costs outweighing the dwindling demand.
- The decision to halt in-flight sales is part of Lufthansa's strategy to save costs and shift focus to more profitable areas, as the revenue generated from these sales is no longer enough to cover expenses.
- Although other German airlines like TUI fly and Condor still see a strong demand for in-flight sales, especially on longer tourist flights, Lufthansa is focusing on enhancing the guest experience by renewing their approach for long-haul flights, which includes upgrading food and beverage offerings.
- To further optimize the guest experience, Lufthansa is also implementing technology, such as an AI-powered tray tracker that scans trays collected on board to analyze meal consumption patterns and optimize portion sizes and food selection based on factors like flight route, travel class, and meal concept.
