Actually referred to as Deutsche Lufthansa AG (FWB: LHA) is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried operating from its headquarters in Cologne. Luft in German language means "air" and Hansa refers to Hanseatic League, a powerful medieval trading group.
It has two major operating hubs in Europe located at Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport with the majority of the pilots, flight attendants and ground staff based at Frankfurt. It holds pride to be the 5th largest airline in carrying passengers across 18 destinations nationally and 180+ internationally in 78 countries.
It is a founding member of the Star Alliance group of airlines. Star Alliance was formed in 1997 together with Thai Airways, United Airlines, Air Canada and Scandinavian Airlines Systems and today is the world's largest airline alliance consisting Air Canada, ANA, Air China, BMI, Air New Zealand, Austrian, LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Lufthansa, Shanghai Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Spanair, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, South African Airlines, Thai, Turkish Airlines, TAP Portugal, United and U. S. Airways. With flights to over 80 countries, including over 190 international destinations, Lufthansa flies more than 70 million passengers a year with its 500 strong fleet of aircraft.
It currently flies to destinations in six continents which include Africa, Asia, North America, South America and Europe. To date, Lufthansa's routes within South Africa are limited. While it connects Johannesburg, Cape Town, East London, Durban and Port Elizabeth to each other, it only connects Johannesburg and Cape Town to Frankfurt and Munich.