FRANKFURT, Germany – Lufthansa Group is making a customer account a condition of most online check-ins, adding a registration requirement to a process that previously needed little more than a passenger’s name and booking reference. The phased rollout is scheduled to reach Frankfurt and the group’s remaining departure regions on November 30.
The change affects Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss and Discover Airlines. Eurowings and ITA Airways remain outside the requirement for now. For passengers, the immediate consequence is another login; for the airline group, it creates a more lasting digital connection with customers.
A Requirement Spreading Across the Network
The rollout began October 20 for departures from Schengen countries outside Germany, Austria and Switzerland. On November 2, it expanded to European non-Schengen countries, Austria, most German airports and Switzerland outside Zurich.
Departures from the United States, Canada and Mexico, together with Munich and Zurich, follow on November 16. Frankfurt and all remaining regions join on November 30. The departure airport determines when the requirement applies.
Airport counters and self-service kiosks remain available without an account. Exceptions also cover group bookings, tickets issued by other airlines, flights operated by outside carriers and selected tour-operator or charter bookings. Lufthansa told the German trade publication Reise vor9 that booking a package holiday alone does not establish an exemption: the particular flight must offer the alternative check-in procedure.
Families sharing a booking need only one account if one person checks everyone in. Someone unable to complete check-in can also receive help through another person’s Travel ID, although Lufthansa restricts that provision to assistance cases.
Convenience Meets Commercial Interest
Lufthansa presents Travel ID as a way to reduce repeated data entry and unify services across its airlines. In comments reported by Reise vor9, the group also emphasized faster contact during flight disruptions. Its account platform offers stored travel documents, booking management and personalized services; membership in the separate Miles & More loyalty program remains optional.
The likely commercial benefit extends beyond quicker forms. A persistent account can help the group maintain a direct relationship with passengers across different airlines and successive journeys. Aviation. Direct’s November 10 analysis argues that this strengthens Lufthansa’s own sales channels and reduces its dependence on intermediary travel agencies.
Registration, however, should be distinguished from advertising consent. Lufthansa’s privacy notice lists basic identity details, an email address and a password among the required registration information. Storing payment methods or travel documents is optional, while personalized promotional communications require separate consent that can be withdrawn.
An Extra Step Before Departure
The rollout has drawn criticism over both communication and convenience. The Swiss aviation publication aeroTELEGRAPH highlighted the limited initial announcement through Lufthansa’s business and travel-agency portal. The company says affected passengers will receive information by email, in check-in invitations and on the check-in page.
Internationally, Ben Schlappig of One Mile at a Time called the policy “rather backwards,” arguing that online check-in already saves airlines resources and should therefore be easy to access.
That leaves Lufthansa with a practical test: whether the benefits of a unified account outweigh the inconvenience of making passengers create one. Frequent travelers may welcome saved details. Occasional passengers gain another administrative task before they can obtain their boarding pass.
Picture: AI Generated