Lufthansa will add five hot meals to its Onboard Delights offer in Economy on short- and medium-haul flights from September 1, 2026. The airline announced the change on August 20 through the Lufthansa Group Newsroom.
The new meals will be available exclusively through pre-order. Passengers can place an order between four weeks and 24 hours before departure, making advance planning part of the offer rather than an optional extra. A meal choice made after that window will not provide access to these five hot options.
What changes for Economy passengers
The update applies to Economy travelers flying on short- and medium-haul services covered by Onboard Delights. The central change is the addition of hot food choices, but access depends on completing the pre-order within the stated timeframe. That gives passengers a clearer way to select one of the new meals before the journey, while limiting the choice for anyone who decides what to eat closer to departure.
The four-week opening point also gives travelers time to make the selection during the normal preparation period for a trip. The 24-hour closing point is the more important practical limit: passengers need to make their decision no later than the day before departure. The announcement does not turn the five meals into a general onboard selection available without prior ordering.
Business Class selection expands on Germany-bound flights
From the same September 1 date, Lufthansa will extend main-course pre-selection in Business Class to most long-haul flights returning to Germany. On those flights, passengers will be able to choose from six main courses instead of three.
This is a separate expansion from the Economy catering change. Business Class passengers receive a broader pre-selection range on the specified long-haul services, while Economy passengers gain five hot Onboard Delights meals under an exclusive pre-order system. The two measures therefore affect different cabins and use different descriptions of the service: five added hot meals in Economy, and six available main courses rather than three in Business Class.
The practical trade-off
For travelers who want a hot Economy meal, the decision is now tied to the booking timeline: the choice must be made at least 24 hours before departure, and it can be made as early as four weeks ahead. Business Class passengers on most long-haul flights returning to Germany gain more choice, but the increase is limited to those specified services.
Lufthansa’s announcement sets out a concrete expansion of pre-selected onboard food from September 1, 2026. The immediate takeaway is simple: Economy passengers need to order in advance to access the five new hot meals, while eligible Business Class travelers will see six main-course options instead of three.
Official sources
Primary source: Official source: newsroom.lufthansagroup.com