Lufthansa to launch first nonstop Columbus-to-Europe flights in 2027

Lufthansa will launch the first nonstop flights between Columbus and Frankfurt in May 2027.

The service will connect the US city with the airline’s Frankfurt hub and operate on Boeing 787 Dreamliners fitted with the airline’s new Allegris cabins.

The German carrier will begin flying between John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) and Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on 5 May 2027, operating three weekly services on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The route, announced on 19 October by Lufthansa, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority and economic development organisation JobsOhio, will provide Columbus with its first scheduled nonstop passenger connection to Europe.

It will also become Ohio’s only nonstop service to Germany, offering passengers connections through Frankfurt to more than 130 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Tickets are scheduled to go on sale on Tuesday, 20 October.

Lufthansa to operate Colombus-Frankfurt flights with Boeing 787-9 Allegris cabins

Lufthansa will operate the route using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner equipped with its latest Allegris long-haul cabin products.

The aircraft accommodates 287 passengers, including 28 in business class, 28 in premium economy and 231 in economy.

The Allegris business class cabin offers five seating options, with varying pitch and bed lengths that range from 74.8” to 86.” The Collins Aerospace seats are arranged 1-2-1. All offer direct aisle access and personal temperature controls.

They are equipped with 18” 4K UHD touchscreens (24” screens in Business Suites) with a 10” tablet controller. Power options include a 110V universal AC, USB-A and USB-C sockets and wireless charging.

Allegris premium economy features ZimPrivacy PC-02 recliner seats configured 2-3-2. Each seat has a fixed backshell with a slide-forward recline, a winged four-way adjustable headrest, and an adjustable leg/foot-rest.

The seat pitch is approximately 39” and seat width is 19”, with a 7” recline. All seats are equipped with 15.6” 4K UHD touch screen in-flight entertainment displays. Power is available through 110V universal AC and USB-A and USB-C power outlets.

The Allegris economy class cabin features 231 Recaro CL3710 slimline seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. The seats are 17” wide and set at a 31” pitch with a 5” recline. Each seat offers an adjustable headrest, a 13.3” 4K UHD touch screen display, and USB-A and USB-C power outlets.

Lufthansa Columbus flight schedule

Flights depart Columbus at 16:20 and arrive in Frankfurt at 06:15 the following morning. The return service leaves Frankfurt at 11:15 and reaches Columbus at 14:00, with all times local.

Dirk Janzen, Lufthansa Group vice president of passenger sales for the Americas, said the new service would strengthen the airline’s presence in its largest international market outside its home markets.

“We are very pleased to connect Columbus and the state of Ohio directly with our Frankfurt hub, the first intercontinental flight from this great city,” Janzen said. “The new service will provide both business and leisure travellers with a convenient nonstop connection to Germany, as well as onward destinations across our Lufthansa Group network.”

Why Lufthansa is launching flights between Columbus and Frankfurt

German companies have made significant investments in Ohio, including several with operations in the Columbus region. 

According to JobsOhio, 38 German-owned companies operate in the Columbus area, while more than 750 German-owned business establishments are located across Ohio.

Germany is the state’s third-largest source of international investment, after Japan and Canada. German businesses support approximately 41,000 jobs in Ohio, and the state exported nearly $1.4 billion in goods to Germany in 2023.

Among the companies expected to benefit is Bayer, which is developing a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in New Albany, near Columbus.

Sebastian Guth, global chief operating officer of Bayer Pharmaceuticals and president of Bayer US, said the route would support cooperation between the company’s operations in Ohio and Germany.

“A nonstop connection between Columbus and Frankfurt makes it easier for our teams to work side by side and share expertise,” Guth said.

How JobsOhio helped secure Lufthansa’s Columbus-Europe route

The Columbus–Frankfurt service is supported by JobsOhio’s Air Service Restoration programme, which provides financial guarantees to reduce the commercial risks airlines face when opening new routes.

Since 2020, the programme has supported 32 new routes and 15 service expansions across five Ohio airports.

JobsOhio has committed $36.8 million in revenue guarantees. Local partners are contributing a further $10.1 million. 

The programme is intended to attract routes that support economic development, particularly where existing air connections do not adequately serve regional businesses.

Daren Griffin, president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, said the Lufthansa announcement came during a period of significant investment in the region.

“Lufthansa’s new nonstop service to Frankfurt provides our passengers with a direct link to one of the world’s strongest global networks, enhancing connectivity, competitiveness and continued growth,” he said.

The route also comes as Columbus prepares for a major airport expansion, including a new passenger terminal scheduled for completion in 2029.

For Lufthansa, Columbus adds another US destination to its Frankfurt network. The initial three-times-weekly schedule provides a new transatlantic option for business and leisure passengers from Central Ohio.