Germany's flagship airline is expanding in the Puget Sound region in a boost for technology workers in the Seattle area.
Lufthansa will launch service between Seattle and Munich in June 2020, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport said Tuesday.
Munich, the Bavarian capital, will become Lufthansa’s second nonstop destination from Sea-Tac Airport. The German carrier already offers direct Seattle service to Frankfurt.
"Munich’s thriving technology, aerospace, and biotech industries are the perfect fit for the Puget Sound’s economy,” Port of Seattle Commission President Stephanie Bowman said.
The port owns and operates the airport, and Lufthansa’s Munich-Seattle flights will be the 11th international service added at Sea-Tac since 2017.
Mike Salvadore, president and co-owner of the 58 Stars Travel in Kenmore, said a Munich connection is good news for Puget Sound business travelers making European trips.
"Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook all have important groups in and a focus on Munich, but the big piece is the connections," Salvadore said.
The Munich airport is very efficient and well-run and Lufthansa's departure for Seattle from Munich at 3:30 p.m. makes quick connections from other European cities for flights to Seattle easier.
"Munich is a fabulous city and that afternoon departure gives people a little extra time to enjoy it or even stay a few days longer," Salvadore said.
Lufthansa Group’s Vice President of Sales for the Americas Frank Naeve said Seattle has long been a key gateway "between Washington state’s burgeoning hi-tech and aviation industries and companies in Germany as well as the Middle East, Africa and beyond.”
The Munich service will initially operate six times per week in the summer. It will launch a few months before Sea-Tac's international arrivals facility opens. Lufthansa will operate the route using Airbus A350-900 jets, which the airline described as its "quietest and most environmentally-friendly aircraft."
The 293 seat-jets will offer three classes, including 48 business, 21 premium economy seats and 224 in economy.
