Columbus has spent decades as one of the largest US cities without a single nonstop flight to Europe. That changes on May 5, 2027, when Lufthansa starts flying between John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) and its mega-hub at Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
The route runs three times a week — Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays — with tickets going on sale from Oct. 20, 2026. Lufthansa plans to put one of its newer Boeing 787-9s on the route, configured with 28 Allegris business class suites, 28 premium economy seats and 197 in economy. The Allegris suites are the airline's latest long-haul business product, so even a first flight on the route comes with the good stuff.
For travellers, the bigger story is what sits at the other end. Frankfurt is Lufthansa's primary hub, with connections to hundreds of cities across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. A single nonstop from central Ohio effectively opens up the whole Lufthansa Group network — plus Star Alliance partners — without the usual connecting hop through Chicago, New York or Washington.
It's a long time coming. CMH never had transatlantic service even back when it was an America West hub, since that carrier never flew to Europe. Ohio's other big airports have at least had their moments: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky was once a Delta hub with plenty of international flying, and Cleveland was a Continental hub. Columbus, meanwhile, kept waiting.
The route isn't a pure gamble by the airline, either. It's backed by revenue guarantees from JobsOhio, the state's private economic development agency — a sign of how aggressively mid-sized US cities are now courting transatlantic service.
Columbus is part of a broader wave. Next summer, Austin picks up new European flying from Delta, Nashville gains Air France service, and St. Louis lands Icelandair. American and United are also expanding their European networks from gateways at Newark, Philadelphia and Washington-Dulles. The message for flyers in middle America: fewer connecting flights to reach Europe, and more competition to keep fares in check.
If you're in Ohio or the surrounding region and like earning points, there's a small bonus: the route will be eligible for Lufthansa's Miles & More, and thanks to the Star Alliance partnership, United MileagePlus members can earn and redeem on it too.
For anyone planning a 2027 European trip from central Ohio, mark the October 2026 booking window — launch-fare deals on new routes are often worth grabbing early.
