Lufthansa and Thai Airways expand codeshare to Vietnam and the Philippines  

Lufthansa and Thai Airways International are expanding their existing codeshare program to expand connectivity between Europe and several Asian destinations. The deal will see two cities in Vietnam plus one in the Philippines join the program to be linked by the Thai carrier from its hub in Bangkok.

The expansion will see flights between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh (SGN), and Manila (MNL) all continuing to be operated by Thai Airways but carrying an additional LH flight number and being marketed by Lufthansa as part of their codeshare network. Both Thai Airways and Lufthansa were founding partners of the Star Alliance in 1997.  The new routes come six months after the US Department of Transportation (DOT) gave its permission for Lufthansa to add the Thai Airways TG two-letter flight code to its flights between Germany and the US.

The expansion of the Lufthansa and Thai relationship, which came into effect in January 2025, aims to “bolster connectivity and convenience for travelers, highlighting a strategic move in the aviation industry to strengthen alliances in high-demand regions.” The move will be valued by users of Manila Airport as providing a vital boost to connectivity options between the Philippines and Europe. Currently, only Air France offers direct flights between the city and Europe via Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG).

GCmap.comThis development also marks a significant advancement in global aviation partnerships. By Lufthansa expanding its presence into Southeast Asia through the use of its trusted Star Alliance partner Thai Airways, the German carrier gains access to the burgeoning market for business and leisure travel between the two regions. Southeast Asian destinations such as those linked through the new codeshare expansion have witnessed consistent growth in visitor numbers since the pandemic and are becoming increasingly important for major airlines such as Lufthansa to tap into.

The codeshare expansion is likely to bring a number of benefits to several different stakeholders. European travelers will gain direct access to multiple Southeast Asian cities through a single ticket, enhancing their travel experience. Meanwhile, the tourism industries of Vietnam and the Philippines could see a surge in European arrivals, positively impacting local economies via ‘trickle-down’ effects. Lastly, the move may cause other European airlines to reassess their offering in such Asian markets and may develop similar agreements within other global alliances to better compete in the region.

Chittapon Kaewkiriya / ShutterstockFor passengers specifically, the expanded codeshare agreement between Lufthansa and Thai is likely to have far-reaching effects on global travel patterns. For European travelers, the agreement simplifies the journey to Southeast Asia, eliminating the need for multiple bookings and offering a unified travel experience. Meanwhile, business travelers seeking to expand into Southeast Asian markets will now have more efficient travel options, potentially driving stronger economic ties between Europe and the region.

After adding partnerships with Bangkok Airways and Air India to its codeshare portfolio in May 2024, the Lufthansa Group had been looking for ways to deepen its collaborations with Thai Airways. Then in July 2024, the Lufthansa Group extended its codeshare agreement with the Thai carrier to cover 17 additional routes through its hubs in Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC). This latest expansion to the two airlines’ partnership enhances and develops that relationship even further.

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