Oktoberfest stops, but not for Lufthansa: Here's how to toast at high altitude
"Lufthansa is keeping up the famous tradition of Trachtencrew flights, although Oktoberfest cannot take place as usual this year. Some members [...]
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"Lufthansa keeps up the famous tradition of flying Trachtencrew, although Oktoberfest may not take place as usual this year. Some of our crew members will dress in traditional costume on selected flights in September and October." Thus Lufthansa announced via Twitter its Oktoberfest. An initiative that began several decades ago and is capable of bringing folklore and merriment aboard planes.
How does Lufthansa's Oktoberfest work?
The pandemic stopped Oktoberfest for the second year in a row, putting on hold that popular festival that - staged in Munich - is among the most famous in all of Germany. Not only that. The event, which takes place during the last two weekends in September and the first weekend in October, is the largest fair on the planet. More than six million people come here from the rest of the country, Europe and the world. Often, right on board a Lufthansa flight.
The German airline, which has its secondary hub in Munich, organizes its Oktoberfest by air. Each year it is enthusiastic about taking visitors to where the festival takes place but, this year as in 2020, it will not be able to do so. A circumstance that will not stop the tradition, however. As always, some of its hostesses and stewards will welcome travelers in traditional Bavarian dress - the Dirndl for women and Lederhosen (leather pants) for men-designed and sewn ad hoc by the specialized tailor Angermaier.
Lufthansa holds on to the famous tradition of "Trachtencrew" flights, even if the #Oktoberfest cannot take place as usual this year. ?? Some of our crews will take off in the traditional costume on selected flights in September & October. ? Today, they met for a fitting. ✂️ pic.twitter.com/3PmmIiOmMa
- Lufthansa News (@lufthansaNews) August 24, 2021
The festivities
Luthansa's Oktoberfest does not stop with crew members wearing traditional clothes (and who, in the jargon, are referred to as "Tractencrews").
Festivities continue at Munich Airport and aboard selected flights: On flights where Trachtencrew is present, Bavarian specialties and beers will be served in Business Class (Special drums designed to cope with the pressurization of aircraft will be brought on board). On the ground, the airline has, as usual, encouraged Munich airport staff to dress in Dirndls and Lederhosen on festival weekends. And, in the lounges, many regional specialties will be offered as snacks for those passing through.
Thus, for a company that bans alcohol on board (see under American Airlines), there is another that offers it. In moderation and with an eye to tradition.
After all, Lufthansa tries to look optimistically to the future. As early as this September, 90% of the destinations it has always served will be available. And, by the end of the year, the company claims to be able to reach 40% capacity of pre-pandemic capacity. By 2022, however, much will depend on what the United States does. And on when they decide to reopen their borders to European tourists.
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