United Airlines marks three decades of growth in German market

Lettnin highlighted recent growth since the COVID-19 pandemic: “The United Airlines offer is now 19% higher in Germany than it was in 2019.” He noted that not all airlines have matched this recovery; major European low-cost carriers are still operating below their pre-pandemic levels in Germany.

Data shows United Airlines is a significant presence at Frankfurt Airport. It is the largest non-based carrier there when measured by Available Seat Miles (ASMs) and total number of seats. In terms of number of flights among airlines without a base or outside the Lufthansa Group at Frankfurt for planned flights in 2025, United ranks sixth for total flights (3,379), fifth for seats (1,007,504), and fourth for ASMs (4.68 billion). At Munich Airport next year, United will be tenth for number of flights but seventh for seats; however, it will hold second place behind Lufthansa for ASMs.

Lufthansa and Deutsche Bahn provide feeder traffic for United's flights from Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin airports. As part of Star Alliance and through its transatlantic joint venture with Lufthansa, United plans to maintain a strong focus on German markets going forward.

“Germany remains a very important market for us,” said Lettnin during the press conference.