Etihad Airways appears to have a slight edge in on-time performance and flight network, while Lufthansa offers detailed baggage information and customer service responsiveness. Both airlines provide comprehensive in-flight entertainment and frequent flyer programs. The choice depends on individual priorities such as destination, on-time reliability, and specific service needs.
| Attribute | Lufthansa | Etihad Airways |
|---|---|---|
| On-time performance | 60.33% of flight departures within a 24-hour period departed punctually (based on 7214 flight departures). | 72.13% of Etihad Airways flights departed on time in the last 24 hours. Etihad canceled 23 flights in the last 24 hours. 2.56% of domestic flights and 1.26% of international flights were canceled. |
| Baggage allowance and fees | Carry-on: Economy and Premium Economy (1 item up to 8 kg), Business and First Class (2 items up to 8 kg each). Max dimensions: 55 x 40 x 23 cm, or 57 x 54 x 15 cm for foldable garment bags. Checked (Intercontinental): Economy (1 bag up to 23 kg, some Economy Light fares exclude checked baggage), Premium Economy (2 bags up to 23 kg each), Business (2 bags up to 32 kg each), First Class (3 bags up to 32 kg each). Checked (European): Economy Class & Flex (1 bag up to 23kg), Business Class (2 bags up to 32 kg), Economy Light (No checked baggage allowance included; bags can be added for a fee). Size Restrictions: Max size per checked bag (width + height + depth) is 158 cm. Overweight/Oversized Baggage Fees: Within Europe (EUR 50/USD 57 for overweight or oversized bags; EUR 100/USD 114 for both), Medium Intercontinental Flights (EUR 120/USD 138 for overweight or oversized; EUR 240/USD 276 for both). Excess Baggage Fees: Booking online (up to 2 hours before departure) costs $20 for domestic flights, $35 within Europe, and $75 for intercontinental flights. Prices are higher at the airport. Infants: Infants are entitled to one checked bag up to 23kg, except for Economy Light fares. | Carry-on Allowance: Economy Class: One bag up to 7 kg (15 lbs), maximum dimensions are 56 x 36 x 23cm. Business and First Class: Two bags with a combined weight of 12 kg (26 lbs), maximum dimensions for each bag are 45 linear inches/115 cm. One personal item is permitted but it must fit below your seat. Checked Baggage Allowance: Flights to/from the U.S. and Canada: Economy: 2 bags (23 kg/50 pounds each); Business/First Class: 2 bags (32 kg/70 pounds each). Other destinations: Economy travelers: Up to 23kg; Premium economy passengers: Up to 30kg; Business and First Class passengers: 40kg and 50kg respectively. Etihad Guest members may receive additional checked bags at no extra cost. Excess Baggage Fees: Depend on the route. For flights within the Middle East, and between the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent: $40 each way. For flights between Beijing and Nagoya: $40 each way. All other routes: $60 each way. Flights to the USA and Canada use the piece concept. It is cheaper to purchase additional baggage online at least 30 hours before departure. Size Restrictions: Maximum dimensions for checked baggage to/from Canada and the United States: 70 cm x 50 cm x 38 cm. Maximum dimensions for checked baggage to/from all other countries: 90 cm x 72 cm x 45 cm. The maximum size and weight of all checked baggage that can be processed is 45 cm x 72 cm x 90 cm and 32 kg. Additional Notes: Etihad Guest members receive additional checked bags (dependent on fare/class) at no extra cost. During booking, customers can purchase excess baggage on the website and secure a discount on the excess baggage airport rates. Excess baggage allowance is offered only on a space-available basis. |
| In-flight entertainment options | Movies, TV programs, music, audiobooks, podcasts, and games. Access to around 45 German and English-language magazines free of charge via the FlyNet Wi-Fi portal. Approximately 1,600 eJournal titles are available in 40 languages. Live match updates were available via a live ticker on FlyNet during the European Men's Football Championship. Podcasts in various genres and languages through FlyNet . First Class in-flight entertainment includes over 100 films in up to eight languages, 200 TV programs, and a wide selection of audio content. Multilingual user interface accessible in ten different languages. | Etihad offers E-BOX, providing movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, games, and sports. On A320 and A321 flights, you can stream directly to your device. Children can enjoy movies, TV shows, and games on their own interface. Wi-Fi is available on all aircraft except A320 and A321 aircraft. Etihad Guest members can enjoy a free Chat package for the duration of their flight. First and Etihad Guest Platinum members receive complimentary Wi-Fi. The Panasonic eX2 system includes 23 personal wide screen TV monitors in First Class, 15.4 wide screens in Business Class, and 10.6 wide screen monitors in each Economy Class seat. Over 600 hours of entertainment, including movies, TV shows, and a CD library. |
| Seat comfort and legroom | Not available | Not available |
| Food and beverage quality | Business Class passengers on long-haul flights can pre-select from six different regional and seasonal menus. | Etihad uses fresh produce and caters to dietary needs. |
| Customer service responsiveness | Contact by calling (800) 645-3880. For hearing-impaired customers, dial 711 and then (800) 645-3880 for TRS assistance. General customer service number in Germany is +49-69-86-799-799. Before contacting an executive, email customer.relations@lufthansa.com. Online feedback can be submitted via an online contact form. A response will be provided within 2 weeks. | Not available |
| Frequent flyer program benefits | Miles & More program. Miles can be earned by flying with Lufthansa or its partners, booking hotels or rental cars, or using a co-branded credit card. Three elite tiers: Frequent Traveller, Senator, and HON Circle. Frequent Traveller benefits include business-class check-in, access to Business Lounges, a higher baggage allowance, and Star Alliance Silver status. Senator benefits include First Class check-in, access to Senator Lounges and Star Alliance Gold Lounges, Star Alliance Gold status, and upgrade vouchers. HON Circle benefits include First Class check-in, access to First Class Lounges and First Class Terminals, limousine transfer service, and free Senator status for a spouse or partner. Miles can be redeemed for award flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and shopping vouchers. Part of the Star Alliance. | Etihad Guest allows members to earn and spend miles on flights, hotel stays, and car hire. Miles can be earned via credit card spending in some countries. Etihad Guest has different tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Emerald. Silver, Gold and Platinum members get bonus miles on Etihad and partner airline flights. Etihad Guest Silver members get free inflight Chat WiFi. Etihad Guest Gold members get a discount on Surf WiFi. Etihad Guest Platinum members get completely free inflight WiFi. Etihad Guest allows families to pool miles. |
| Cabin cleanliness and maintenance | Not available | Not available |
| Flight network and destinations | Not available | Etihad flies to over 90 destinations across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Etihad is expanding its network with new routes planned for 2025 and 2026. Etihad has more than 40 codeshare partners, reaching over 300 destinations globally. New Etihad routes launching in 2025 include Sochi, Warsaw, Prague, Atlanta, Taipei, Addis Ababa, Medan, Phnom Penh, Krabi, Toronto, Boston, Tunis, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Algiers. New Etihad routes launching in 2026 include Almaty, Baku, Bucharest, Tbilisi, Tashkent, Yerevan, and Medina. |
| Ticket change and cancellation policies | May not charge a flight change fee, except for the Economy Saver Fare. Free flight changes are possible within 24 hours of booking, if the change is made at least 7 days before departure. Any applicable fare difference needs to be paid if the new flight has a higher fare. Tickets booked on or before July 31, 2022, may be eligible for a one-time free change. "Flex" tickets on Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and SWISS can be changed or canceled free of charge. Allows online cancellation and refunds up to 24 hours before the journey. If a flight is canceled, passengers can reschedule for the next available flight or change their trip to a later date within one year. Compensation for flight delays: Short distance (below 1500km): 250, Medium distance (1500km and 3500km): 400, Long distance (over 3500km): 600. You have the right to compensation if notified of cancellation less than 14 days before departure, or if the alternative flight caused significant delays. | A fee may apply to change or cancel your flight, depending on the route and fare. A flat, non-refundable service fee of USD 30 applies for changes or refunds to Economy bookings. There is no service fee for Business or First bookings. Changes or cancellations within 96 hours of your flight will incur an additional 10% fee. Title amendments and name corrections due to genuine typing errors (up to three characters) are accepted free of charge. If you booked your flight at least seven days in advance, you'll receive a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of purchasing the ticket (for bookings in the US). |
| Lounge access and amenities | Access to exclusive lounges across airports worldwide is a benefit of the Miles & More rewards program. Senator status or higher within Miles & More, or Star Alliance Gold status, grants access to Lufthansa's Senator Lounges. Senator Lounges offer more refined food options, higher-end seating, and showers. Frequent Travellers have access to business class lounges of Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, and Austrian when flying with a group airline. HON Circle members have access to the Lufthansa First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport and first class lounges at SWISS and Austrian. | Etihad Guest Silver members have access to the Etihad business lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad Guest Gold members get free access to Business Class lounges with a guest or upgrade to First Class lounges. Etihad Guest Platinum members can choose First class lounge access for members plus one guest as a custom benefit. |
| Overall value for money | Not available | Not available |