Germany’s flag carrier will be a more common sight at airports around Norway later this year. Here are the new and improved routes from Lufthansa.
Has Norway ever been more appealing as a travel destination? Some popular hotels are already full on key dates this summer, while highlights such as the Lofoten Islands and the Bergen Line railway continue to star in travel shows worldwide.
The upcoming year offers a lot of reasons to visit Norway. From Bodø’s year in the spotlight as European Capital of Culture to the new options on Norway’s coastal ferry route, Norway has a lot in store for travellers in 2024.
One of the biggest questions facing travellers is how to get here. Although there are plenty of things to see and do in Oslo, flying into Oslo is not always preferable.
Lufthansa in Norway
One of the airlines understanding that is Lufthansa, the German flag carrier. Lufthansa have announced a brand new route for summer 2024, while increasing frequency on others. Other airlines in the Lufthansa group have also announced routes.
The new route is Munich-Trondheim. During my time in Trondheim, I can’t remember Lufthansa serving the city before. The new route will operate twice-weekly, starting 28th April.
Additionally, there will be increased capacity on existing routes. The most notable incrase will be Munich-Bergen, which will incrase from one to six weekly departures.
This is great news from Germans planning to take Norway’s coastal voyage, which starts and ends in the Hanseatic city. German travellers are one of the most important groups for both Hurtigruten and Havila, the two operators of the coastal cruise ferries.
Service will also be increased on Munich-Oslo from three to four daily departures, while Frankfurt-Bergen will see an increase from 14 to 18 weekly departures.
More Good News for Germany-Norway Travellers
Other airlines in the Lufthansa group have also launched new routes. Some of them have great appeal as travel routes for the Norwegian summer, or to experience the Arctic winter.
Starting April, SWISS will operate from Geneva-Oslo. From mid-May, Discover Airlines will fly from Frankfurt-Harstad/Narvik, ideal for the Lofoten Islands. Discover is also launching Frankfurt-Alta from 19th December. Finally, Edelweiss will operate flights on Zurich-Harstad/Navik from 10th June.
“Today's announcement once again shows the Lufthansa Group's commitment to the Norwegian market. After the pandemic, we have gradually expanded our presence in Norway and seen an increasingly strong demand, both outgoing and incoming,” said Flemming Nordestgaard of the Lufthansa Group in a press release.
Munich as a Travel Destination
Of course, the new routes are about more than just bringing German tourists to Norway. They also open up the possibility of Munich as a much easier travel destination for Norwegians, especially those living in Bergen and Trondheim.
Munich, celebrated for its iconic landmarks such as the Gothic splendor of the Frauenkirche and the medieval grandeur of the Marienplatz, is a city where festivals like the legendary Oktoberfest infuse the streets with lively Bavarian culture.
The Deutsches Museum, one of the world's largest science and technology museums, and the Alte Pinakothek, which houses a significant collection of Old Master paintings, are must-visits.
Munich is also a gateway to the Bavarian Alps, offering easy access to stunning natural landscapes. This makes it a good destination for outdoor enthusiasts, of which Norway has plenty.
Star Alliance
Lufthansa are members of the Star Alliance, so these new routes potentially increase the options for travellers using partner airlines.
SAS have announced their intention to leave Star Alliance and join SkyTeam, so this could be an interesting positioning move from Lufthansa. It gives us an idea of what we could expect in future years.
