Today Lufthansa was the first airline to bring the Airbus A380, the world’s most technologically advanced and largest passenger aircraft, to Miami.  Inaugural flight LH462 departed Frankfurt at 9:45 a.m. and arrived at Miami International Airport at 1:40 p.m.  Flying on this inaugural flight is Jens Bischof, Member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board, Sales and Revenue Management, who is joined by a delegation consisting of U.S. media, esteemed customers and Lufthansa executives.  Upon landing, they will be welcomed by MIA Airport and Miami-Dade County city officials.  The return flight, LH463, is scheduled to leave Miami at 4:15 p.m. and arrive in Frankfurt at 7:15 a.m. the following day (all times local). 

“We are extremely excited to introduce our new, flagship A380 aircraft as the very first in the Miami market,” said Jens Bischof, Member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board, Sales and Revenue Management.  “I applaud Miami International Airport’s management team for their determination to become A380-ready.  We share in their excitement and are both committed to Miami’s community of global travelers in both the business and leisure markets.  Now, Europe’s most highly regarded airline will serve Miami with the industry’s most advanced aircraft to date.” 

“Today is one of the proudest days in the history of MIA and Miami-Dade County,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Jose Abreu.  “Lufthansa’s A380 service elevates MIA into an elite class of airports worldwide that are capable of receiving this ground breaking aircraft.  We congratulate Lufthansa and deeply appreciate them for helping us reach another historic milestone.”

For more than 30 years Lufthansa has had a presence at Miami International Airport and throughout this time period has seen a growth in the popularity of the Miami – Frankfurt route.  Furthermore, Lufthansa will reinstate its seasonal Miami – Düsseldorf flight with flights three times per week in October and daily flights beginning in November.

Most fuel-efficient aircraft
The Airbus A380 is the world’s most fuel-efficient aircraft, burning about 12 percent less fuel than other wide-body jets, and is approximately 30 percent quieter than the current generation of wide-body aircraft.  Lufthansa now provides service onboard its flagship 2/3 A380 from Frankfurt to six destinations worldwide, including Beijing, Johannesburg, Miami, New York’s JFK International Airport, San Francisco and Tokyo.  The airline has ordered a total of 15 A380 aircraft, all scheduled for delivery by 2015, which will make Lufthansa the largest A380 operator in Europe.

Lufthansa’s A380 is configured with 526 seats and features the airline’s new First Class product.  Located on the upper deck, this space is the quietest cabin in commercial aviation and boasts an air humidification system – the first of its kind to be installed on a commercial aircraft – that improves air humidity to help fight off jet lag.  Two large, luxurious bathrooms with separate changing and lavatory areas offer enhanced personal space and storage.  The cabin’s eight generously proportioned, ergonomic seats measure 6’9” feet in length and 2’7” feet in width and provide the ultimate in comfort and innovation for an exceptional travel experience.