Lufthansa Group Mandates Travel ID for Online Check-In in Phased Rollout

Lufthansa Group is rolling out a major digital update across its online check-in systems, requiring passengers to use a Travel ID account for digital check-ins via its websites and mobile apps. The new requirement applies across all seven airlines in the holding: Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover, Edelweiss, and Air Dolomiti.

The Travel ID profile centralizes personal information, booking history, and online actions under a single email address across all group carriers, with an option to link to the Miles & More frequent flyer program. The rollout is implemented in a phased four-stage schedule determined strictly by the flight's country of departure rather than passenger nationality or final destination.

The first phase began on October 20, 2026, for flights departing from Schengen area countries, excluding Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. On November 2, the requirement expands to European countries outside the Schengen zone, as well as flights from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, excluding their primary hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, and Zurich. On November 16, departures from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the hubs of Munich and Zurich will be integrated.

The fourth and final phase takes effect on November 30, covering Frankfurt Airport and the rest of the world, including flights to and from Israel. For Israeli passengers flying with group carriers, particularly connecting flights through major European hubs, this means paying attention to implementation dates for each individual flight segment, as a return flight from Europe may require a Travel ID before the requirement fully applies to outbound flights from Ben Gurion Airport.

The group has outlined several exceptions that do not require an account. Passengers checking in at traditional service counters or physical self-service kiosks at the airport can continue to do so without a Travel ID. Exemptions also apply to tickets issued by non-group airlines, code-share partner flights, group bookings, and certain charter or wholesale package flights.

The company has also accommodated families and travel agents. According to the rules, only the person performing the check-in on behalf of all passengers in the booking needs to hold a Travel ID account, sparing other passengers from opening separate profiles. This option is fully valid for tour operators and travel agents handling bookings directly for clients. Passengers receive advance email notifications and notices on check-in screens, and carriers recommend setting up the account in advance to prevent delays before departure.