Lufthansa posts record quarter despite costly jet fuel, cuts full-year profit outlook

In brief

• Lufthansa reported record third-quarter revenue and higher operating profit despite fuel costs rising by more than €500 million.
• The group lowered its full-year 2026 operating profit forecast, citing a fuel cost hit.
• Fuel is expected to cost about €2 billion more in 2026 than the previous year, and passengers could face higher fares in 2027.

Fuel bill climbs, but profit rises

Lufthansa's fuel costs rose by more than half a billion euros in the third quarter, yet the group still lifted its operating result and posted record quarterly revenue (Najlepszy kwartał w historii Lufthansy. Jest rekord, mimo drogiego paliwa – WNP.pl) (Lufthansa: Lufthansa steigert Gewinn trotz hoher Kerosinkosten – ZEIT ONLINE). Higher ticket prices were one of the main reasons the airline held up under the pricier kerosene. The quarter beat expectations (Lufthansa: Trotz teurem Kerosin steigert Airline ihren Gewinn – DER SPIEGEL) (Lufthansa Q3 profit beats forecasts, cuts 2026 outlook on €600 mln fuel hit – Investing.com).

Cargo and maintenance carry the group

Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa Technik contributed to the growth, offsetting weakness in the core passenger airline. Lufthansa Airlines, the group's main brand, still faces difficulties, and the company is speeding up its restructuring.

Full-year outlook cut

Despite the strong summer, the group reduced its operating profit forecast for 2026, citing the fuel hit (Lufthansa trims outlook on fuel costs after Q3 results meet expectations – Investing.com). Fuel alone is expected to cost the airline about two billion euros more this year than last.

What passengers may face next year

The company is relying on premium customers willing to pay more, and the high kerosene price is pushing it to trim expectations (Lufthansa: Warum sich Flugpassagiere auf höhere Ticketpreise einstellen müssen – FAZ.NET).

Key figures

• Fuel cost increase, Q3 2026: more than €500 million
• Fuel cost increase, full year 2026: about €2 billion
• Fuel hit cited in outlook cut: €600 million