XEJet
Germanwings was a German scheduled low-cost carrier within the Lufthansa Group, serving European and leisure routes primarily from Cologne and Stuttgart with Airbus A319 aircraft.
About XEJet
Germanwings was founded in 1997 and began operating under its own brand in 2002. Legally based in Germany, it developed as a low-cost airline and later became wholly owned by the Lufthansa Group. The carrier used the IATA code 4U and ICAO code GWI. Although the supplied airline name is XEJet, the accompanying legal name, codes and website identify the operator as Germanwings.
Cologne was the airline’s busiest departure hub, followed by Stuttgart, Hannover, Pristina and Berlin. Its network comprised 277 routes linking 78 destinations across 26 countries. Services focused mainly on domestic German flights, European city connections and Mediterranean leisure markets. Notable destinations included London, Dortmund, Munich, Palma, Split, Heraklion and Kerkyra, with Cologne–Tenerife forming the longest route at about 3,224 km nonstop.
The aircraft type associated with the network was the Airbus A319, a narrow-body jet commonly used on short- and medium-haul European services. Germanwings generally followed a low-cost operating model while offering different fare products, allowing passengers to choose between a basic transport option and packages with additional flexibility or services. Cabin arrangements and inclusions could therefore vary by fare, route and operating period.
Germanwings was not an independent member of Star Alliance, although its Lufthansa Group ownership provided links to the wider Lufthansa network and selected partner benefits. Its associated loyalty programme was Miles & More, through which eligible passengers could earn or redeem miles and access status benefits subject to the fare booked, programme rules and the operating carrier.
A genuine strength was the breadth of direct European flying available from German regional airports, particularly Cologne and Stuttgart, reducing the need to connect through Frankfurt or Munich. The main challenge for travellers is that Germanwings no longer operates as an active standalone airline: its flying was progressively transferred within the Lufthansa Group, and operations ended in 2020. Historical schedules, route listings and old 4U references should therefore not be treated as bookable current service without checking the operating airline.
Good to know
Flying with XEJet — what to expect
Operations Have Ended
Germanwings ceased operating as a standalone airline in 2020. Any current itinerary resembling a former Germanwings route will normally be sold and operated by another Lufthansa Group carrier.
Check Operating Carrier
Older searches and booking records may still display the 4U code or Germanwings name. Confirm the actual operating airline before relying on baggage, check-in or service rules.
Fare Inclusions Varied
Germanwings used differentiated fare products, so checked baggage, seat selection and flexibility were not included uniformly. The applicable conditions depended on the fare purchased.
Regional German Bases
The network was particularly useful for nonstop travel from Cologne and Stuttgart, with additional departures from Hannover and Berlin. This provided alternatives to connecting through Lufthansa’s largest hubs.
Miles And More
Eligible Germanwings fares participated in Miles & More. Historical mileage claims or ticket issues should be checked directly with Miles & More or the Lufthansa Group carrier handling the booking.
Network overview
Where XEJet flies
XEJet operates 277 routes to 78 destinations across 26 countries, its longest sector reaching Cologne to Tenerife (3,224 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities XEJet flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Cologne → Tenerife
3,224 km · CGN → TFS
The longest sector in the XEJet network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by XEJet
Notable destinations on XEJet's network.
4UColognedirect4UStuttgartdirect4UHannoverdirect4UPristinadirect4UBerlindirect4ULondondirect4UDortmunddirect4UHerakliondirect4UKerkyradirect4UMunichdirect4UPalmadirect4USplitdirectDestination list is indicative of XEJet's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Germany
Other airlines based in Germany
FAQ
XEJet — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Germanwings served domestic German, European city and Mediterranean leisure destinations, including London, Munich, Palma, Split, Heraklion and Kerkyra. The airline ceased operations in 2020, so these are historical rather than current bookable services.
- Cologne was Germanwings’s primary and busiest departure hub. Stuttgart, Hannover, Pristina and Berlin were also important bases in its network.
- Germanwings’s longest route was Cologne to Tenerife, covering about 3,224 km nonstop.
- The busiest Germanwings departure points were Cologne, Stuttgart, Hannover, Pristina and Berlin, ranked by the number of routes offered. Cologne had the largest selection.
- Germanwings served exactly 78 destinations across 26 countries, operating 277 routes. These figures describe its route network rather than a current schedule, as the airline is no longer operating.
- Germanwings’s cabin-baggage allowance depended on the fare and rules applicable when the ticket was issued. For an old booking or a replacement flight, follow the baggage limits published by the current operating carrier rather than relying on archived Germanwings policies.
- Germanwings tickets are no longer sold because the airline ceased operations in 2020. For comparable European routes, fares are often lower when booked early and outside school holidays, major events and peak summer travel periods.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Because Germanwings no longer operates, results may instead show current airlines serving its former routes.