Current information

We’re introducing our new boarding concept on April 4, 2025 to make the boarding process even more efficient and customer-friendly for passengers in future. The further development is based on feedback from customers who want an optimized process at the gate. The new process therefore involves a greater differentiation of boarding groups according to the fare booked. The most important change: instead of two groups, the process will be divided into three groups in future. Travelers with small children (up to 2 years of age) will also benefit from stress-free boarding thanks to pre-boarding.

The new boarding groups at a glance:

·       GROUP 1: enables priority boarding. In addition to BIZ Class travelers, HON and SEN status customers will also benefit from this advantage. In future, it will be possible for all passengers to book the new “Priority Boarding” product individually. In the interest of a smooth process at the gate, the contingent is limited.

·       GROUP 2: includes all passengers who have included a large cabin bag in their booking but do not belong to Group 1. This includes, for example, SMART bookings and BASIC customers with booked large cabin bag

·       GROUP 3: includes all other passengers who are only traveling with a small underseat bag as hand baggage.

From 2 April 2025, travellers carrying a European passport who wish to enter the United Kingdom will require Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

You can already apply for an ETA online. There are also apps available for applying for an ETA (iOS and Android). An ETA is valid for 24 months or until the expiration date of the registered passport.

Please note that the processing time of an ETA application may take up to 72 hours. Please allow sufficient time before your flight departure for your ETA application.

More information on this topic is available on the official website of the immigration department.

Some more countries can apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) from 27 November 2024 onwards, which allows residents of these countries to travel to the UK with an ETA from 8 January 2025.

Please check the official ETA page here for the details. 

Following the submission of the ETA application, a processing fee will be levied, and applicants can expect to receive a response within a reasonable timeframe. Approved ETAs will be electronically linked to the traveller's passport, eliminating the need for physical documents or paper-based visas.

Individuals with dual citizenship, including citizens holding a passport from another eligible country, will not be exempted and will still need to obtain an ETA. 

Passengers must apply for an ETA before travelling to the UK. If the outcome of their ETA application has not been decided before their departure date, they can still travel to the UK pending a decision.

Don’t like the idea of standing in the queue at the security checkpoint? Then simply reserve an individual time slot for your security check – it doesn’t get any more exclusive or time-saving than that.

Your departure airport information will tell you which airports offer this service and the conditions that apply.