Are BNPL Services Migrating to Flights Alongside Ecommerce?

Lufthansa Group is expanding accessibility through flexible payments offered by partner Klarna, facilitated via Adyen. 

The partnerships will bring the option of flexible payments to travellers in mainland Europe and the US. 

Flexible finance will be offered to Lufthansa customers from November onwards. 

Flexible flights turned flexible payments 

The partnership is a result of businesses meeting global consumer demand for more efficient and convenient ways to pay. 

Klarna has now partnered with numerous travel brands to facilitate flexible payment arrangements for consumers, including AirBnB, Booking.com and Hotels.com.

With the new arrangement, Lufthansa customers will have the option to Pay Later in addition to Pay In Full. This option allows the customer to book flights with immediate effect, but pay after a set amount of time. 

Alternatively, travellers can choose the Financing option, allowing them to spread the cost of high-value bookings over time. 

David Sykes, Chief Commercial Officer at Klarna, says: “Travel is one of the most meaningful investments people make.

“Together, we’re giving travellers the confidence to book their trips their way – with more flexibility, transparency, and choice than ever before.”

Payment processing reaches new heights 

Lufthansa Group has already begun the roll-out in its home markets, with some focus on key markets further afield – namely countries such as Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

The company say it plans an expansion across the entirety of Lufthansa Group collective with focus on Lufthansa Network Airlines. 

Expansion plans include Austrian Airlines, SWISS and Brussels Airlines, with sights set to complete the rollout in these airlines by the end of Q2 2026. 

Oliver Schmitt, Managing Director Lufthansa Group Digital Hangar, says: “At Lufthansa Group, we put the needs and a convenient booking experience of our customers at the centre of everything we do.

“By leveraging our digital capabilities and partnering with Klarna and Adyen, we can now offer greater choice and flexibility in how customers pay for their journeys.”

Supporting the transaction is Dutch financial technology platform Adyen.

Utilising a partnership forged years ago with Klarna, it will power a smoother global checkout experience for travellers. 

Alexa von Bismarck, President EMEA at Adyen, says: “We’re proud to support Lufthansa Group with our technology and global payments network. 

“By combining Adyen’s reliable infrastructure with Klarna’s innovative payment solutions, Lufthansa Group customers will benefit from a smooth and flexible checkout experience.”

Adyen and Klarna: Long-standing integration 

Klarna’s integration with Adyen has seen to the improved access of BNPL options for Adyen customers for more than 10 years. 

Last year, the pair continued to facilitate flexible payment options as it announced the rollout of BNPL options to in-store payments terminals across Europe, North America and Australia. 

The service was introduced to more than 450,000 Adyen payment terminals. 

Adyen, which provides payment processing services for businesses, viewed the collaboration as an opportunity to enhance its offering to merchants seeking flexible payment options.