Deutsche Lufthansa AG - Order 2024-10-7

This order concerns violations by Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Lufthansa) of the statutory prohibition against discrimination in 49 U.S.C. §§ 40127 and 41310 and the statutory prohibition against unfair practices in air transportation codified at 49 U.S.C. § 41712. The Department finds that Lufthansa violated these statutes with respect to its treatment of 128 passengers on Lufthansa flight 1334 from Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) to Budapest Ferihegy International Airport, Hungary (BUD) on May 4, 2022. On May 3, 2022, 131 passengers began a journey from New York City (JFK) to BUD to attend an annual memorial event to honor an Orthodox rabbi. The passengers booked their tickets on flights operated by Lufthansa, with a planned connection at FRA. Based on the misconduct of some passengers on the initial Lufthansa flight from JFK to FRA (Flight 401), Lufthansa prohibited 128 passengers from continuing on to BUD on their originally ticketed flight (LH 1334) delaying and disrupting their travel plans. This order directs Lufthansa to cease and desist from future similar violations and assesses the carrier $4,000,000 in civil penalties.