Lufthansa flight codes are the short identifiers you see on tickets, apps, and airport screens that tell you who markets the flight and which specific service you are booked on. They help airlines publish schedules, sell seats, coordinate with airports and air traffic control, and let travelers track a flight.

The basic format

• Two letters for the airline’s IATA code, followed by one to four digits
  Example: LH123, LH9876
• For Lufthansa the IATA code is LH

That alphanumeric string is the marketing flight number. It is the one you use when you search, book, and check in.

Related identifiers you may also see

• ICAO airline code: DLH
  Used in operations and air traffic control.
• Radio callsign: Lufthansa
  What pilots and controllers say over the radio together with the digits of the ICAO flight number.
• Aircraft registration: a separate tail number unique to the airplane, not the flight

Codeshares and “operated by”

Lufthansa is part of Star Alliance. The same physical flight may appear under several codes.

• Marketing carrier: the airline that sells the ticket and publishes the LH code
• Operating carrier: the airline that flies the airplane
• Example pattern: your ticket shows LH1234, and the details say Operated by Lufthansa CityLine. A partner may list the same flight as UA9xxx or AC9xxx for sale on United or Air Canada

Always read the “operated by” line if you care about aircraft type, onboard product, or earning rules. Loyalty credit often depends on the operating carrier and the booking fare class.

Numbering patterns you might notice

Airlines group numbers to make schedules easier to manage. These patterns can change over time, but broadly:

• Lower numbers often mark trunk or flagship routes
• Geographic groupings place certain regions in specific number ranges
• 4-digit or 9-thousand series may indicate seasonal, charter, or irregular services
• Suffix letters can appear in internal systems or on some receipts to denote legs or variants. They are not part of the spoken callsign

Treat these as clues rather than fixed rules.

Where to find the Lufthansa code

• Booking confirmation and e-ticket
• Lufthansa app or website under “My bookings”
• Airport departure boards and gate screens
• Baggage tag and boarding pass

How travelers use flight codes

• Search and booking: enter LH plus the number
• Check in and manage: reference the LH code to select seats or change flights
• Tracking: use the code in flight-status apps and alerts
• Immigration and forms: some entry forms ask for airline and flight number

Quick FAQ

Is LH the same as DLH
No. LH is the public IATA code used for tickets and schedules. DLH is the ICAO code used in operations.

Why do I see two or three different numbers for the same flight
That is a codeshare. The LH number is the Lufthansa marketing code. Partner airlines publish their own codes for the same aircraft.

Does the number tell me the aircraft type
Not reliably. Check the booking details. Aircraft assignments can change.

What if my ticket shows LH but the plane is painted in another brand
Look for the “operated by” line. Lufthansa has affiliated operators and partner airlines that fly some LH-coded services. Your rights and amenities follow the operating carrier’s policies and the fare rules you purchased.

In short, a Lufthansa flight code is the LH plus digits you use to book, check in, and track your trip. It points to the marketing carrier, while the “operated by” line and ICAO details explain who is actually flying the airplane.