Lufthansa to launch Columbus-Frankfurt nonstop flight
Lufthansa will begin the first nonstop transatlantic service from Columbus, Ohio, to Frankfurt in May 2027, supported by a $46.9 million revenue guarantee.
Lufthansa will launch the first nonstop transatlantic flight from Columbus, Ohio, to Frankfurt, Germany, in May 2027. The new route, made possible by a substantial financial incentive program, marks a major expansion of Ohio's global air connectivity.
Lufthansa and John Glenn Columbus International Airport confirmed the new service, which will be Ohio's first and only direct flight to Germany. The airline plans to commence three weekly nonstop flights between Frankfurt (FRA) and Columbus (CMH) starting May 5, 2027. The route will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner configured with 287 seats.
Flight schedule and details
Service will operate three times per week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The eastbound flight, LH407, will depart Columbus at 4:20 p.m. and arrive in Frankfurt at 6:15 a.m. the following day. The westbound flight, LH406, will depart Frankfurt at 11:15 a.m. and arrive in Columbus at 2:00 p.m. The 4,248-mile route has a scheduled westbound block time of 8 hours 45 minutes and an eastbound time of 7 hours 55 minutes.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for this route will offer the following seating configuration:
| Class | Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| Business | 28 |
| Premium Economy | 28 |
| Economy | 231 |
Economic and regional impact
The launch is supported by a $46.9 million revenue guarantee program designed to reduce financial risk for the airline. This initiative is part of JobsOhio's Air Service Restoration program, created after a 2019 listening tour highlighted declining air service across the state. JobsOhio has committed $36.8 million, with local partners contributing an additional $10.1 million since 2020. This program has helped add more than 590,000 new seats across Ohio airports.
Germany is the third-largest source of international investment in Ohio, with over 750 German-owned businesses supporting approximately 41,000 jobs in the state. Ohio businesses exported nearly $1.4 billion in goods to Germany in 2023. The Columbus Region itself added nearly 12,000 jobs between March 2025 and March 2026, and its population grew by more than 21,000 residents in 2025.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated the new route would be transformative for Ohio's access to critical markets, strengthening economic, research, cultural, and educational exchanges. The flight will connect passengers via Lufthansa's Frankfurt hub to more than 130 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India.
Daren Griffin, President and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, called the announcement a tremendous milestone for the region's global connectivity and economic growth. Dirk Janzen, Lufthansa Group Vice President of Passenger Sales for the Americas, said the service would provide convenient nonstop connections for both business and leisure travelers, representing the first intercontinental flight from Columbus. Bookings for the new route will become available beginning October 20, 2026.
