Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa are introducing a new premium for the front rows of economy class on long-haul flights.

The new economy seats now added to the Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines tariffs are known as “preferred seating zones”. Specifically, the change applies to the rows directly behind business class and premium economy class. According to the airlines, passengers are located closer to the exits and save time. But this saving comes at a price.

The fee, which ranges from EUR 30-50, depends on the length of the route. HON Circle Members and Senators can secure these spots free of charge (subject to availability). This concept has been in place elsewhere at the Lufthansa Group for some time, with subsidiary Swiss offering passengers the chance to sit in the front row of economy seats for a premium since 2014. You can continue to book these seats via your travel partner, as before.

Did you know that touchscreens are likely to be the most concentrated sources of germs at airports? An overview of the hygiene pitfalls for travellers.

The latest tests reveal hygiene blackspots at airports and aboard the plane. The risk of picking up an infection is not only high in winter. Due to the growth of international travel, pathogens are increasingly passing around the entire planet. A study looking at germs in airports has just been published in the USA. Everyone automatically assumes that toilets are the worst offenders when it comes to incubating bacteria. But that’s not true! Anyone that uses a self-service terminal runs a much higher risk of picking something up.

Travellers should also be extra vigilant when it comes to bench arm rests at the airport. Once on board, passengers should clean their hands after coming into contact with toilet flushes, fold-away tray tables or the buckle of their seat belt. Hand sanitising gel or disinfectant wipes are strongly recommended. But it is also worth bearing in mind that not all bacteria trigger illnesses – we need many of them to live.

According to the results of the test, although lots of bacteria were found on the buttons of water fountains, the majority were completely harmless. Whatever you do, we hope you stay healthy on your travels!

Lufthansa automatically sends customers a mobile boarding pass 23 hours before departure. Anyone that wants to opt out has to change their profile.

As reported last year, there is a new profile function for Miles & More members. Customers are automatically checked in 23 hours before departure. This only applies for Lufthansa flights in the Schengen area. Until now, passengers wishing to use this option have had to activate the setting themselves. But from now on this will be done automatically for all Miles & More customers and passengers with an LH ID profile. All that is required is a mobile telephone number or e-mail address in the individual profile.

IMPORTANT: If you DO NOT wish to use this function we recommend checking your Miles & More or LH ID profile and making the necessary changes. You will still be able to change seats after check in, if the desired alternative is still available.

Our service team can help with subsequent rebookings or cancellations, to the extent they are permitted under the tariff. Please note that you need to be “checked out” again beforehand. As practical as this function may appear at first glance, you should always bear in mind that short-notice changes can result in additional costs.