FAQ about the hygiene on board

In general, the risk of becoming infected with the virus during a flight is very low. Aircraft of Lufthansa Group Airlines are equipped with highly effective filters that cannot be bypassed by the air. All the recirculation air is filtered, removing contaminants such as dust, bacteria and viruses from the cabin air. This affects around 40 percent – the rest is added as fresh air from outside the aircraft. The filtered air in the aircraft meets the air filter quality standards of operating theatres. In addition to this, the air flow in aircraft takes place from top to bottom. There is no horizontal air flow from side to side or along the length of the aircraft. The air flow thus corresponds to the so-called laminar airflow of an operating room.

Together with the compulsory wearing of mouth-nose-covers, air quality and airflow help to protect us in the current situation. Visors (face shields), FFP2 masks with valves, scarves and shawls are therefore not permitted on board. They allow the air we breathe to escape strongly to the side and thus do not provide comparable protection.

As of today there are no known cases of infection on our flights.

We do not carry passengers with a confirmed coronavirus infection or passengers who are in quarantine. As a general rule, passengers with symptoms should contact us before departure and our staff are required to exclude passengers with symptoms from the flight.

If a passenger shows signs of an infectious disease on a flight, the cockpit staff will inform the Lufthansa Medical Operation Center, which will notify the responsible health authority. A well-founded suspicion exists in particular if the symptoms include coughing or shortness of breath with or without fever, or if the person concerned has had close contact with someone who is confirmed to have the coronavirus. If such a case occurs, there are clear procedures in place. These include isolating the affected passenger as far as possible by transfer on board and use of personal protective equipment by crew members.

All further measures after landing will be determined by the health authority or the appropriate airport medical service.

If there is a suspicion of infection with Covid 19 or confirmation of a passenger's infection with the virus after the flight, the responsible public health department will inform us. In accordance with the Infection Protection Act, we are obliged to pass on the contact details of the passengers and crew members of the relevant flight to the public health officer. The doctor decides what measures are to be taken. In Europe, there are so-called RAGIDA guidelines that define the further procedure. The crew members of the corresponding flight are also informed, and Lufthansa's occupational health service is also involved. The further procedure is decided jointly.

The procedures are also applied for other infectious diseases if a passenger is found to be suffering from a corresponding illness after a flight.

No, this must be done by the health authorities, anything else would be a violation of legal requirements.