Lufthansa Group Launches ‘Culinary Journeys’ To Preorder Meals and View Menus Before Your Flight

Any frequent flyer knows the frustration of having your heart set on an in-flight meal only to find it’s unavailable or all the meals have been taken.

The Lufthansa Group — which covers Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines — is making it easier for travelers by rolling out a new feature called “Culinary Journeys.” Customers will be able to preorder drinks and snacks for their flights directly from their phones.

Here’s what you need to know.

‘Culinary Journeys’ Launches on Lufthansa Group Flights

Culinary Journeys is available on Lufthansa Group airlines, including Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines. Interestingly, the service is also available on connecting flights for travelers flying on multiple Lufthansa Group airlines.

If you were flying Lufthansa first class from Washington (IAD) to Frankfurt (FRA) and then taking a SWISS economy class flight from Frankfurt to Zurich (ZRH), you would be able to pick your meals and drinks for both flights directly through Culinary Journeys.

The offerings differ based on airline and cabin flown.

For instance, customers flying Lufthansa first class from Newark (EWR) to Munich (MUC) will enjoy a 2008 Lanson Noble brut, which retails at around $200 on the ground. Business-class customers, in contrast, can sip on a 2014 Vintage Champagne (Henriot), which costs around $75 on the ground.

Customers on long-haul flights can choose from up to 9 main courses, while those on short-haul flights can select from grab-and-go items like salads and sandwiches. Customers on shorter flights also receive a 10% discount on onboard purchases.

The service seems akin to Singapore Airlines’ “Book The Cook,” which offers dozens of meal options you can select on your flight. But Book The Cook only covers meal selections on Singapore metal, which differs from what Lufthansa is offering across the airline group.

How To Use Culinary Journeys To Pick Meals

If you already have a flight booked on a Lufthansa group airline, you can check out the menus for your flights at this link. But if you don’t, no worries. You can still view the menu. You’ll just need a flight number handy. 

For instance, I was able to check the menu for a Lufthansa business-class flight from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt without a booking.

Using Google Flights, I was able to pull the flight number — in this case, LH401 — and the departure date. 

I put that information into Culinary Journeys and was able to see the full menu, including appetizers, entrees, and the wine list for that cabin.

Final Thoughts

The Lufthansa Group is streamlining the preordering process by rolling out a digital menu on all of its flights and cabins. The new feature should make ordering food and drinks much more enjoyable, whether you’re sitting at the front or the back of the plane.

By preordering, you’re sure to get the meal you want on your flight, rather than it running out before you get to make your selection.