Lufthansa is Germany's flagship carrier, based at Frankfurt and Munich and a founding member of Star Alliance. American Airlines is a major US network carrier and a founding member of oneworld. Travellers compare them mainly on transatlantic trips between Europe and the United States, and on which alliance and loyalty scheme suits them.
Quick verdict
Both are full-service network carriers with long-haul cabins, and American's Flagship cabins are lie-flat, so the choice usually comes down to where you are starting and which alliance you collect miles in. Lufthansa suits travellers connecting through Germany to Europe, Asia and Africa, and those who want its newer Allegris cabins where fitted. American suits travellers who need US domestic connections, Latin America and the Caribbean, or oneworld status. Check the fare rules for each: both sell restrictive entry fares.
Choose Lufthansa if…
- You are connecting through Frankfurt or Munich to Europe, Asia or Africa.
- You collect Miles & More or Star Alliance status, with Silver or Gold lounge access.
- You want a newer Allegris long-haul cabin, rolling out across the fleet and varying by aircraft.
Choose American Airlines if…
- You need onward US domestic flights from hubs such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Chicago or Miami.
- You are heading to Latin America or the Caribbean, where Miami is the main gateway.
- You collect AAdvantage or oneworld status, or want to use miles for awards from 7,500 miles one way.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Lufthansa runs two hubs, Frankfurt and Munich, with mainline service to 229 destinations. Lufthansa Group as a whole offers more than 14,000 weekly connections to 330 destinations. American has ten hubs, led by Dallas/Fort Worth, and with American Eagle partners flies to nearly 350 destinations in 48 countries. American is stronger inside the US and to Latin America. Lufthansa is stronger for onward travel within Europe.
Long-haul cabins
Lufthansa offers Economy, Premium Economy, Business and, on selected aircraft, First. Its Allegris cabin is being introduced across the long-haul fleet, so the seat varies by aircraft. The group expects most of its long-haul fleet to have Allegris by the end of 2028. American offers lie-flat Flagship Business on 777s and 787s, Flagship First on 777-300ERs and some A321T aircraft, and Premium Economy on widebodies.
Economy comfort and entertainment
American's Main Cabin pitch is typically 30–32 inches, and Main Cabin Extra sells extra legroom. Its newer 737 MAX 8, 737-800 and high-density A321 layouts have no seatback screens, so bring your own device. Lufthansa's Premium Economy has about 38 inches of pitch. Entertainment and meals on both airlines vary by aircraft, route and cabin.
Baggage and fares
Lufthansa's Economy Light fare includes no checked bag, while Economy Flex includes two 23 kg bags. Economy and Premium Economy include one 8 kg cabin bag. American's Basic Economy allows a carry-on but gives no upgrades or refunds, and seats are usually assigned at check-in. Boarding is in the last group. Premium Economy includes two checked bags. Fees on both depend on fare and route, so check the airline's website before booking.
Lounges and loyalty
Lufthansa has lounges at Frankfurt and Munich, including a First Class Terminal in Frankfurt. Access depends on cabin or Miles & More / Star Alliance status. American runs Admirals Clubs, which are open to paying members, and Flagship Lounges for international and transcontinental premium passengers. Both programmes carry alliance status: Star Alliance for Lufthansa, oneworld for American. American elites can use upgrades, but Basic Economy fares cannot be upgraded.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lufthansa better than American Airlines?
Neither is better overall. Lufthansa is better for connections through Germany and Europe, and American is better for US domestic and Latin American connections. Cabin quality depends on the aircraft on your flight.
Which has more legroom in economy?
American's Main Cabin pitch is typically 30–32 inches. Lufthansa's Premium Economy has about 38 inches. Economy pitch varies by aircraft on both airlines, so check your seat map.
Do Lufthansa and American Airlines include checked baggage?
It depends on the fare. Lufthansa Economy Light has no checked bag, while Economy Flex includes two 23 kg bags. American includes two checked bags in Premium Economy and allows a carry-on in Basic Economy. Check each airline's website for current fees.
About Lufthansa Read more
Overview
Lufthansa is Germany's largest airline and the flagship carrier of Lufthansa Group. According to Wikipedia, it traces its history to Deutsche Luft Hansa, founded on 6 January 1926, and was re-established in 1953. It is headquartered in Cologne, operates hubs at Frankfurt and Munich, and is a founding member of Star Alliance. Its frequent-flyer programme is Miles & More. The airline is still operating passenger services in 2026, its centenary year.
Network and hubs
Frankfurt and Munich are the main hubs. For summer 2026, Aviation Outlook reports that Lufthansa Group offers more than 14,000 weekly connections to 330 destinations in around 100 countries. That figure covers the whole group, not only the Lufthansa brand, and the same source describes a shift away from loss-making short-haul feeder flying towards long-haul growth. Lufthansa has also taken a stake in ITA Airways, with an option to acquire the remainder later.
Fleet
Wikipedia lists a mainline fleet of 274 aircraft and 229 destinations (retrieved September 2026; some infobox data may lag). Lufthansa Group as a whole had 737 aircraft at the end of 2025, with 219 more on order, according to Aviation Outlook. The long-haul fleet includes Airbus A350-900s, and Wikipedia also covers A340-600s, A380s and Boeing 747-8s, some of which are being refitted.
On board
- Cabins: Economy, Premium Economy, Business and, on selected aircraft, First Class.
- Premium Economy: introduced in 2014, with a seat pitch of about 38 inches, according to Wikipedia.
- Allegris: the airline's newer long-haul cabin product, which is being introduced across the long-haul fleet. Availability varies by aircraft.
- Meal, entertainment and Wi-Fi details vary by route and cabin. Check the airline's website before booking.
Good to know
- Baggage: a third-party guide (2025) says Economy and Premium Economy include one 8 kg cabin bag (55x40x23 cm). Economy Light includes no checked bag, while Economy Flex includes two 23 kg bags. Business and First include two cabin bags. Rules change, so confirm on lufthansa.com.
- Lounges: Lufthansa operates lounges at Frankfurt and Munich, including First Class lounges and a First Class Terminal in Frankfurt.
- Loyalty: Miles & More has Frequent Traveller (Star Alliance Silver), Senator and HON Circle (both Star Alliance Gold) levels, with lounge access at the higher tiers.
About American Airlines Read more
Overview
American Airlines is a major US carrier headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. According to Wikipedia, it was formed in 1930 from more than 80 small airlines, began passenger service in 1936, and merged with US Airways in 2013 while keeping the American name. It is a founding member of the oneworld alliance and the main operating subsidiary of the Nasdaq-listed American Airlines Group. The airline reports it carries more than 200 million passengers a year.
Network and hubs
American operates ten hubs: Dallas/Fort Worth (the largest), Charlotte, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, New York LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington National. Miami is the main gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, while Philadelphia, Charlotte and JFK feed transatlantic flights. Together with American Eagle regional partners, it flies almost 6,800 flights a day to nearly 350 destinations in 48 countries. It runs joint businesses with British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Finnair (Atlantic), Japan Airlines (Pacific) and Qantas.
Fleet
- As of June 2026, Wikipedia lists 1,030 mainline aircraft, the second-largest commercial fleet in the world.
- The fleet is made up of Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies and Boeing widebodies, including 777-200ER, 777-300ER, 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft.
- The average mainline fleet age was 14.7 years in September 2026 (Cirium, via Wikipedia).
On board
Long-haul flights offer Flagship First on 777-300ERs and select A321T aircraft, and Flagship Business on 777s and 787s, all with lie-flat seats. Premium Economy is fitted on widebody aircraft. Domestic aircraft have First, Main Cabin Extra, Main Cabin and Basic Economy. Main Cabin seat pitch is typically 30–32 inches. Economy passengers receive snacks and drinks; premium cabins get meals on flights of 900 miles or more. Newer 737 and A321 high-density layouts have no seatback entertainment. Wi-Fi details were not confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Good to know
- Baggage: Premium Economy includes two checked bags and Basic Economy permits a carry-on bag. Other fees depend on route and fare, so check aa.com before travelling.
- Basic Economy: seat assignment is usually left until check-in, there are no upgrades or refunds, and boarding is in the last group.
- Lounges: Admirals Clubs are open to paying members and eligible passengers. Flagship Lounges serve international and transcontinental premium passengers.
- Loyalty: AAdvantage is the frequent flyer programme. Its elite tiers match oneworld status levels, and one-way award tickets start from 7,500 miles.
- Regional flying: American Eagle flights are operated by Envoy, PSA, Piedmont, Republic and SkyWest.
- Recent news: in February 2026 the flight attendants' union APFA passed a vote of no confidence in the CEO. In October 2024 the US Department of Transportation fined the airline $50 million over its treatment of passengers with disabilities.
Ranking
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