Lufthansa will increase its direct service between Frankfurt Airport and Costa Rica’s San Jose Airport from three to five weekly flights during the 2026–2027 European winter season. The expanded schedule will run from October 25, 2026, through March 27, 2027, with flights operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, according to information confirmed by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.
The move strengthens one of Costa Rica’s most important direct air links with Europe and adds capacity at a time when the country continues working to attract long-haul travelers from higher-spending markets.
The route will also get a major aircraft upgrade. The ICT indicated that Lufthansa will operate the service with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner equipped with Allegris, the airline’s new long-haul cabin concept. Lufthansa describes Allegris as a redesigned travel experience across all classes, with a focus on privacy, comfort, flexibility, and personalization.
The new cabin includes redesigned seats in First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. Features cited by local reports include sliding doors in some suites, lie-flat beds, direct aisle access, 27-inch 4K screens, Bluetooth audio, wireless charging, and individual seat heating and cooling systems.
“We are delighted to bring our new product, Allegris, to Costa Rica, offering our customers an even more enhanced experience,” said Alejandro Arias, Sales Director for Lufthansa Group Passenger Airlines in Mexico and Central America.
Marcos Borges, executive president of the ICT, said the added flights and newer aircraft strengthen Costa Rica’s direct connectivity with Europe. He said the expansion reflects coordinated work between the ICT, Aeris, and airport authorities to attract and retain airline operations.
“With this increase in frequencies and improved service aboard a more modern aircraft, the Lufthansa Group strengthens its operations and allows us to increase direct connectivity with the Old Continent,” Borges said. Aeris CEO Ricardo Hernández said the decision reflects growing interest from the German market and continued work with Lufthansa to support tourism and economic development.
Germany has become a key European market for Costa Rica. Preliminary ICT data show that Germany was the second-largest European source market for air travelers during the first four months of 2026, with more than 34,000 visitors arriving by air. German travelers are especially valuable for the tourism sector because they tend to stay longer and spend more. ICT data cited in local reports show German visitors typically remain in Costa Rica for more than 18 nights and spend more than $142 per day.
Their travel interests also line up closely with Costa Rica’s tourism strengths. Beyond beach vacations, German visitors are drawn to nature, volcanoes, hiking, surfing, wildlife observation, hot springs, gastronomy, and contact with local communities. For Costa Rica, the additional Lufthansa flights mean more than two extra weekly departures.
They add direct capacity from one of Europe’s largest air hubs, improve access for German and connecting European travelers, and give the country another boost in the competition for long-haul tourism.
