Discover Airlines, the Lufthansa Group's leisure airline, is expanding its route network from Munich Airport to include several long-haul destinations. From March 5, 2025, nonstop scheduled flights will be offered for the first time from Munich to Orlando in Florida. Direct connections to Windhoek in Namibia and Calgary in Canada will follow in April. This expansion underlines the importance of Munich as a hub for international travel and offers travelers new, attractive destinations.
Discover Airlines, which has been serving numerous short- and medium-haul destinations from Munich since spring 2024, is now expanding its offering to include long-haul connections. The first nonstop flight from Munich to Orlando will start on March 5, 2025. This will be followed by flights to Windhoek on April 1 and to Calgary on April 12. These destinations will each be served three times a week.
In the 2025/2026 winter schedule, Calgary will be replaced by up to three weekly flights to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. This connection will start on October 26, 2025 and offers travelers another attractive long-haul travel option.
To serve the expanded route network, Discover Airlines will station two Airbus A2025s in Munich from March 330. In addition, another Airbus A320 will join the fleet in the summer, meaning that a total of eight aircraft (two A330s and six A320s) will be in service at Munich Airport. This enables the airline to offer 32 holiday destinations with an average of over 80 weekly departures on short, medium and long-haul routes.
significance for Munich Airport
Munich Airport, Germany's second-largest airport, is benefiting from the expansion of Discover Airlines. With the new long-haul connections, the airport is strengthening its position as an international hub and offering passengers an expanded choice of destinations. All Discover Airlines flights depart from Terminal 2, ensuring seamless transfers between Discover Airlines and Lufthansa.
The expansion of the service also contributes to the economic development of the region. Discover Airlines employs around 400 people in the cockpit, cabin and on the ground in Munich, which provides positive stimulus for the local labor market.
competition and market environment
The introduction of new long-haul connections by Discover Airlines takes place in a highly competitive environment. Other airlines, such as Lufthansa, have also expanded their long-haul offerings from Munich. Since December 9, 2024, Lufthansa has been offering a new non-stop connection between Munich and São Paulo in Brazil, which is served three times a week with an Airbus A350.
In addition, the Asian premium airline Cathay Pacific plans to start flights between Hong Kong and Munich from mid-June 2025. This connection will be operated four times a week with an Airbus A350-900 and will expand Munich Airport's Asian route network.
Outlook and perspectives
The expansion of Discover Airlines' long-haul offering from Munich reflects the increasing demand for long-haul travel and the importance of Munich as an international hub. With the introduction of new destinations such as Orlando, Windhoek, Calgary and Punta Cana, the airline offers its customers a diverse selection of travel destinations. The strategic decision to expand the fleet in Munich and establish new routes positions Discover Airlines as an important player in the leisure flight segment and strengthens the competitiveness of Munich Airport in international comparison.
Overall, the expansion of Discover Airlines shows the potential of Munich Airport to establish itself as a major center for long-haul flights and to meet travelers' needs for new and diverse destinations.
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