Airlines

Lufthansa Group Ambitious Plan to Hire 2,000+ New Pilots

Lufthansa Group is looking to hire around 2,000 more pilots between now and the end of 2025. In order to fill positions in its expanding airline fleets. The Group’s latest recruitment campaign, “flybig,” aims to draw attention to the several fascinating features of being a pilot.

With the tagline “Pilot – your dream job, just better,” the new campaign skillfully avoids the typical cliches. The pilots of tomorrow are, after all, not just pilots; they are, above all, inflight hosts and crew managers operating in an exciting, genuinely international workplace.

The new “flybig” campaign is intended for both individuals who have never flown before and seasoned ready-entry pilots who want to move to a Lufthansa Group airline. A pilot’s position at the Lufthansa Group can be easily adjusted to a wide range of life circumstances and situations, especially to the variety of employment models available.

The Group’s cockpit crew corps is composed of individuals from a wealth of backgrounds and pathways. Additionally, the group appeals especially to young women who might want to pursue careers in the cockpit.

The Lufthansa Group first launched ‘flybig’ at the beginning of 2023. Further promotional waves with a focus on recruiting cockpit personnel are planned for the coming year. To not only sharpen the image of the pilot’s profession but raise applicant numbers too, the campaign also directs interested addressees to the corresponding career channels and the website of the European Flight Academy (EFA), the flight school of the Lufthansa Group.

Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.