We've partnered with Lufthansa to ensure you have a smooth transit through Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland. We have a few tips to help you travel with our partner airlines: Your passport and visa will be checked at your first point of entry after leaving the US.

Yes, Lufthansa and United Airlines are very closely linked through their membership in the Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline alliance. Beyond just being partners, they operate a transatlantic joint venture alongside Air Canada and other Lufthansa Group airlines (like SWISS and Austrian). This "linking" means they share revenue on certain routes, coordinate their flight schedules to ensure smooth connections, and often "codeshare" on flights, where you might book a ticket through United but actually fly on a Lufthansa aircraft. For travelers in 2026, this partnership is highly beneficial for loyalty rewards; United MileagePlus members can earn and redeem miles on Lufthansa flights, and vice versa. Additionally, if you have elite status with one airline, such as United Premier Gold, you receive "Star Alliance Gold" benefits when flying Lufthansa, which includes priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, and access to Lufthansa's Business Lounges. This deep integration allows the two airlines to act as a single network for passengers traveling between North America and Europe, providing more flight options and a more seamless travel experience than they could offer individually.