Oktoberfest is here again and well-known airlines are bringing the vibes to celebrate the Munich beer extravaganaza with special costumes, flight menus and souvenirs.
Dirndls and shorts for flight crew
In what is becoming an annual custom, air crew on various long-haul Lufthansa routes, such as Munich to Osaka or Johannesburg, as well as on European and domestic routes, will swap out their standard Lufthansa uniforms for traditional Bavarian stylings or “Trachten” costumes. This year once again, male crew members will wear traditional jackets and shorts, while women wear “dirndls”, an outfit usually made up of an apron, a broad, high-waisted skirt, a tight-fitting bodice with a low neckline, and a shirt worn underneath the bodice. The Lufthansa edit, created by AngerMaier, comes in denim blue, with all components and materials sustainably produced and processed.
Terminal party
As well as encountering staff wearing the Oktoberfest kit in the skies, passengers will find Lufthansa ground staff also dressed in the time-honoured gear greeting flyers at gates in Munich Airport’s Terminal 2.
The terminal’s air lounges have been decorated in the festive spirit to mark the official start of Oktoberfest known as “Wiesn”, which entails the first beer barrel tapping and the official tapping declaration “O’zapft is”. Those travelling in Business and Senator Lounges will be able to savour traditional Bavarian fare such as Munich potato soup, roast pork and steamed dumplings, while first class passengers will find Bavarian fine dining laid on in their lounges, including Bavarian duck breast, as well as pick-me-ups such as “Ingwer” or ginger shots.
In-flight menus, beers and cocktails
The food and drink on board selected long-haul flights will be just as Bavarian in character, ranging from roast chicken to mushroom ragout with pretzel dumplings and roasted almonds, as well as Oktoberfest chocolates. In Premium Economy and Economy Class, Nuremberg bratwurst will be served with Bavarian cabbage and mashed potatoes. Bavarian cream with raspberries is also served in all classes.
And of course, Oktoberfest would be nothing without the beers. But in addition to the usual and popular Bavarian beer varieties on offer, another specialty will be served on European routes this year: the Lufthansa cocktail is now available in a limited edition as the “Avionic Wiesn Edition” – an aperitif which the airline says has notes of juicy peach and fresh citrus fruits, as well as a subtle hint of wild meadow herbs and harmonious marigold.
As well as the memories, Lufthansa has created a small but useful “Oktoberfest in the clouds” souvenir for passengers to take home, in the shape of a small heart-shaped bag containing toothbrushes and other essential flight accessories for Premium Economy, Business and First Class passengers on long-haul flights.
Emirates celebrate too
What’s more, Lufthansa is not the only airline making the most of Oktoberfest. This year also sees the return of Emirates Oktoberfest celebrations on flights from Dubai to Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf and Hamburg, with special German film screenings on board and German specialties featuring on menus, such as beef and red cabbage and apple strudel. Emirates airport lounges too offer a German flavour from 21 September to 6 October.
