Eurowings Carries More Than 18 Million Passengers in Nine Months - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Eurowings carried more than 18 million passengers during the first nine months of 2026, operating approximately 129,000 flights across a network of more than 150 destinations. The Lufthansa Group airline reported stable operational performance despite a challenging economic environment, with demand remaining strong during the peak summer season. In the third quarter, its average passenger load factor reached 88 percent, reflecting high aircraft utilisation during one of the industry's busiest travel periods.

Customer satisfaction also remained an important part of the airline's performance. Eurowings recorded a Net Promoter Score of 46, a measure of passengers' willingness to recommend the carrier. According to the company, 85 percent of travellers gave positive ratings to its cabin and flight crews, particularly highlighting their professionalism and service. These results come as the airline continues to develop its position in the European leisure travel market while facing rising operating costs.

For the 2026/27 winter season, Eurowings is expanding its network from several German airports, with Berlin Brandenburg Airport receiving particular attention. Additional aircraft, new routes and increased frequencies are intended to strengthen the airline's presence in the German capital. At the same time, Eurowings is introducing a new premium seating product on selected European and longer leisure routes, reflecting its efforts to offer more differentiated services beyond traditional economy travel.

Berlin Network Expands to 38 Destinations

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is one of the main beneficiaries of Eurowings' winter expansion. The airline is stationing two additional aircraft at BER and introducing services to Bologna, Rome, Nice, Kuusamo and Lisbon.

Together with increased frequencies on existing routes, these additions will bring the airline's Berlin network to 38 destinations during winter 2026/27. The expansion follows changes in the competitive environment at the airport and is intended to strengthen Eurowings' position in the capital region.

The airline is also adjusting its winter offering from Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover and Stuttgart. New destinations and additional seasonal services will connect German travellers with Northern and Southern Europe, the Canary Islands and Egypt.

For travel agencies and tour operators, the network changes create additional options for winter holidays, city breaks and leisure travel. The inclusion of Kuusamo in Finland, for example, broadens access to northern winter destinations, while the Mediterranean and Canary Islands services support demand for milder climates during the colder months.

Premium BIZ Seat Introduced in December

Eurowings is also expanding its onboard product with the introduction of the Premium BIZ Seat from 1 December 2026.

The new seating arrangement will be available on all Eurowings flights to Dubai and selected services to London, Mallorca and Málaga. It features eight seats in the first two rows of the Airbus A320neo, configured in a 2-2 layout rather than the standard economy arrangement.

Passengers will benefit from wider seats, additional legroom, reclining backrests and adjustable leg rests. The product is designed to provide greater comfort on routes where travellers may be willing to pay more for additional personal space.

The introduction of premium seating represents a further differentiation of Eurowings' service offering. While the airline remains focused on point-to-point leisure travel, the new product allows it to address passengers seeking a more comfortable experience without moving away from its existing short- and medium-haul operating model.

Higher Costs Weigh on Financial Results

Despite strong passenger volumes and high summer load factors, the financial performance of Lufthansa Group's Point-to-Point business remained under pressure during the first nine months of 2026.

The segment, which includes Eurowings and the group's investment in SunExpress, generated Adjusted EBIT of €214 million in the third quarter. However, the result for January through September remained negative at €38 million.

According to Lufthansa Group, the performance was affected particularly by higher fuel costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East, alongside continuing increases in aviation taxes and charges in Germany.

The figures illustrate the difference between strong operational demand and financial profitability. High passenger numbers and aircraft utilisation do not necessarily translate into positive earnings when airlines face significant increases in operating expenses.

Eurowings' winter network expansion and premium seating initiative therefore come at a time when the airline is seeking to strengthen its commercial offering while managing cost pressures. The additional Berlin capacity and broader choice of destinations will be important elements of its positioning in the European leisure market during the coming winter season.

Image Credit: © Eurowings