Lufthansa’s New In-Flight Menu Is Making Economy Class Feel Like An Upgrade

If you’ve ever landed hungry and cranky after a long-haul flight, this news is for you. Lufthansa is rolling out a major upgrade to its onboard food game, and it’s the kind of update that will make a huge difference the next time you’re stuck in a middle seat for a few hours.

Starting September 1st, the German carrier is expanding its “Onboard Delights” program with new hot meal options in Economy Class, plus a bigger menu for Business Class flyers on long-haul routes. For guys who travel for work, weekend trips, or the occasional bucket-list vacation, this is a small but welcome win.

What’s New in Economy Class

Lufthansa’s Onboard Delights program has been around since February 2023, letting Economy passengers on short- and medium-haul flights pre-order fresh meals, snacks, and drinks before takeoff. Now the airline is adding five hot meal options to that lineup, but there’s a catch worth knowing: these hot meals are pre-order only, and you’ll need to lock in your choice between four weeks and 24 hours before your flight.

The Five Hot Meals You Can Order

Here’s what’s landing on the menu for continental routes with flight times of two hours or more:

• Beef roulade with potato dumplings
• Chicken teriyaki
• Tortellini in tomato sauce with zucchini
• “Die Echte” currywurst from Dönninghaus
• Cheeseburger from “HANS IM GLÜCK”

The beef roulade, chicken teriyaki, and tortellini all come with dessert, while the currywurst gets the classic street-food treatment, served with a roll.

Why the Pre-Order System Matters

Anyone who’s flown Economy knows the drill: by the time the cart reaches your row, your first choice is usually gone. This new system solves that problem entirely. Olaf Mauthe, Head of Hospitality Catering Management at Lufthansa, explained the thinking behind the expansion:

“With these hot meals, we’re expanding Onboard Delights to offer our passengers on longer continental flights an additional selection. Pre-ordering guarantees our guests that their desired meal will be waiting for them on board – for a relaxed and predictable journey.”

In other words, no more meal roulette. If you order the cheeseburger, you’re getting the cheeseburger.

Business Class Flyers Get More Options Too

It’s not just Economy getting the upgrade. Lufthansa has offered Pre-Select main course choices to Business Class passengers flying out of Frankfurt and Munich since August 2023. Come September 1, that perk is expanding to most long-haul flights returning to Germany, and the selection is growing too. Business Class travelers will now be able to choose from six main courses instead of three, with the same four-week to 24-hour ordering window.

The Bottom Line for Travelers

If Lufthansa is on your radar for an upcoming trip, this is worth building into your travel planning. Set a reminder to place your meal order once you’re within that four-week window so you don’t miss out on the hot meal options. It’s a simple step, but it’s the difference between a solid in-flight meal and whatever’s left on the cart by the time it gets to you.