About TUIfly
TUIfly, officially known as TUI fly Deutschland, is a German leisure airline operating under IATA code X3 and ICAO code TUI. Headquartered at Hannover Airport in Germany, TUIfly is a subsidiary of the TUI Group, one of the world's largest travel and tourism companies. The airline primarily serves holiday destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Atlantic islands, connecting German travellers with popular vacation spots in the Mediterranean and beyond.
TUIfly operates as a charter and scheduled carrier, focusing on leisure travel. The airline works closely with TUI's tour operator division to offer seamless holiday packages that include flights, accommodation, and transfers. With a strong reputation for reliability and service quality, TUIfly has become one of the most recognised leisure airlines in Europe, carrying approximately 7.9 million passengers annually across its extensive route network.
Airline Overview and History
TUIfly has a rich aviation heritage rooted in the merger of two well-known German carriers. The airline's history can be traced through the following key milestones:
- 1972 – Hapag-Lloyd Flug was established as a charter airline under the Hapag-Lloyd shipping and travel conglomerate, based in Hanover, Germany.
- 2002 – Hapag-Lloyd Express, a low-cost subsidiary, was launched to compete in the budget carrier market within Europe.
- 2007 – Hapag-Lloyd Flug and Hapag-Lloyd Express merged to form TUIfly as part of a restructuring under TUI Travel PLC.
- 2010 – The airline's callsign was officially changed from YELLOWCAB to TUI JET on 24 September 2010.
- 2014 – TUI Travel PLC merged with TUI AG to create TUI Group, consolidating TUIfly's position within the group's aviation division.
- 2025 – TUIfly retired the last Boeing 737-700 from its fleet in December 2025, completing the transition to a more modern fleet of 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
TUIfly's main hub is Hannover Airport (HAJ), with additional bases at major German airports including Dusseldorf (DUS), Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Hamburg (HAM), Stuttgart (STR), Berlin Brandenburg (BER), Nuremberg (NUE), and Saarbrucken (SCN). The airline plays a vital role within TUI Group's integrated tourism model, transporting package holiday customers directly to resort destinations.
Fleet and Aircraft
TUIfly operates an all-Boeing narrow-body fleet, specialising in the Boeing 737 family. The fleet composition includes the following aircraft types:
- Boeing 737-800 – The workhorse of the fleet, featuring a single-class configuration with approximately 189 seats. These aircraft have been in service since the mid-2000s, with the last new delivery in 2015.
- Boeing 737 MAX 8 – The newest addition to the fleet, offering improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and a quieter cabin. TUIfly currently operates seven 737 MAX 8 units, with seating for around 186 passengers.
All TUIfly aircraft are maintained to the highest European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards. The airline's fleet modernisation strategy focuses on standardising operations with fuel-efficient Boeing 737 variants, reducing operational costs while minimising the environmental impact of its flights. The retirement of the Boeing 737-700 in late 2025 marked a significant step in this fleet renewal programme.
Top Flight Routes
TUIfly connects German cities with some of Europe's most beloved holiday destinations. The airline serves around 80 destinations in 17 countries, with a network focused on leisure travel. Popular routes include flights to the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, mainland Spain, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and North Africa.
Some of the most popular TUIfly routes include:
- Dusseldorf to Fuerteventura – One of the airline's busiest routes, connecting travellers with the stunning beaches of the Canary Islands.
- Frankfurt to Palma de Mallorca – A classic summer holiday route serving the most popular Balearic island.
- Hannover to Antalya – A favourite route for Turkish Riviera holidays, especially during the summer season.
- Munich to Heraklion (Crete) – Connecting Bavarian travellers with the largest Greek island.
- Hamburg to Gran Canaria – A popular winter sun destination for northern German holidaymakers.
- Berlin to Hurghada – Serving the Red Sea resorts in Egypt, popular year-round.
If you are travelling from Malaysia and looking for connecting flights to these European holiday destinations, Traveloka offers convenient booking options. You can search for flights from Kuala Lumpur to London, Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam, or Kuala Lumpur to Paris and connect onward to TUIfly destinations across Europe. For those heading to the Middle East, consider routes such as Kuala Lumpur to Dubai or Kuala Lumpur to Doha as gateway connections.
Baggage Allowance and Policies
TUIfly's baggage allowance varies depending on the fare type purchased. The airline offers two main fare categories: Pure and Perfect, each with different baggage inclusions.
Cabin Baggage
- All passengers – One piece of hand luggage with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20 cm.
- Short-haul and medium-haul flights – Maximum cabin baggage weight of 6 kg.
- Long-haul flights – Maximum cabin baggage weight of 8 kg.
- Long-haul with Premium Seat – Maximum cabin baggage weight of 10 kg.
- One additional personal item (handbag, laptop bag, etc.) is permitted.
Checked Baggage
- Pure fare – No free checked baggage is included. Passengers must purchase checked baggage separately.
- Perfect fare – Includes one checked bag of up to 20 kg.
- Maximum weight per piece – 32 kg.
- Maximum dimensions per piece – 80 x 65 x 45 cm.
- TUI Gold Card holders – Receive a free baggage allowance of 30 kg for up to six passengers in the same booking.
- Infant baggage – Infants (under 2 years) are entitled to 10 kg of checked luggage.
Excess Baggage Fees
- Pre-booked online (1st piece) – From EUR 20 for up to 20 kg, EUR 25 for up to 25 kg, or EUR 40 for up to 32 kg.
- Pre-booked online (2nd piece and beyond) – EUR 80 for up to 20 kg, EUR 110 for up to 25 kg, or EUR 130 for up to 32 kg.
- At the airport (not pre-booked) – EUR 10 per kilogram for short and medium-haul flights.
It is always more affordable to pre-book additional baggage online up to two hours before departure rather than paying at the airport counter.
Check-in Guide
TUIfly offers multiple check-in options to ensure a smooth travel experience for all passengers.
Online Check-in
- With seat reservation – Online check-in opens 14 days before departure.
- Without seat reservation – Online check-in opens 48 hours before departure.
- Closing time – Online check-in closes 1 hour before departure.
- Passengers can check in via the TUIfly website or app and receive a mobile boarding pass.
Airport Check-in
- Counter opening – Check-in counters open 2 to 3 hours before departure.
- Counter closing – Counters close 45 minutes before departure.
- Pure fare note – Airport check-in incurs a fee of EUR 25 per person. Online check-in is free for all fare types.
Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport well in advance, especially during peak holiday seasons when queues at check-in counters may be longer. For real-time updates on your flight, you can check the Traveloka Flight Status page.
Cabin Classes and In-Flight Experience
TUIfly operates a single-cabin economy class on its Boeing 737 fleet, with additional premium seating options available for an upgrade fee. The airline focuses on providing a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience for leisure travellers.
Seat Categories
- Standard Seat – A standard economy seat with adequate legroom for short to medium-haul flights.
- Comfort Seat – Offers additional legroom of up to 86 cm for a more relaxed journey.
- XL Seat – Premium seats with extra legroom, ideal for taller passengers or those seeking extra space.
- Front Seat – Located at the front of the cabin for quicker boarding and disembarkation.
In-Flight Meals and Beverages
- Pure fare – No complimentary food or beverages are included. Passengers can purchase items from the onboard buy-on-board menu.
- Perfect fare – Includes one non-alcoholic beverage and, depending on route length, either a snack (short-haul) or a warm meal (medium and long-haul).
- Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
In-Flight Entertainment
On short and medium-haul flights, TUIfly does not offer seatback entertainment screens. Passengers are encouraged to bring their own devices for entertainment. On select long-haul routes operated by TUI Group partner airlines, personal screens with entertainment options may be available.
Passenger Policies and Special Services
TUIfly provides a range of services and policies to accommodate different passenger needs.
Children and Infants
- Infants (0–23 months) – Travel on an adult's lap. An administrative fee of EUR 50 per infant per route applies for short and medium-haul flights, or EUR 80 for long-haul flights. Newborn babies must be at least 7 days old to travel.
- Children (2–11 years) – Require their own seat and a valid ticket at the applicable child fare.
- Unaccompanied minors (5–11 years) – Mandatory escort service is required, available for a fee of approximately EUR 30 on international flights or EUR 35.70 on domestic German flights. The service must be pre-booked by contacting the TUIfly Service Centre.
- Unaccompanied minors (12–17 years) – Optional escort service can be requested in advance.
- Children under 5 years – Not permitted to travel without an accompanying adult aged 18 or older.
Pregnant Passengers
- Single pregnancy – Travel is permitted up to the end of the 36th week of pregnancy.
- Multiple pregnancy (twins, etc.) – Travel is permitted up to the end of the 32nd week of pregnancy.
- Medical certificate – Required after 28 weeks of pregnancy. The fit-to-fly letter from a doctor or midwife must be dated within 14 days of the departure date.
- Passengers must inform TUIfly's customer services team if they plan to fly after 28 weeks.
Special Assistance
- Wheelchair assistance – Available upon advance request. Wheelchair dimensions must not exceed 86 cm (height) x 119 cm (width) x 119 cm (depth). Folding wheelchairs can be used until the aircraft door and are then stored in the hold.
- Electric wheelchairs – Battery packs must comply with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, and authorisation must be requested in advance.
- Medical equipment – Passengers requiring portable oxygen concentrators or other medical devices should contact TUIfly prior to travel for approval.
Frequent Flyer Programme
TUIfly does not operate a traditional frequent flyer programme with miles or points accrual. Unlike many full-service carriers, the airline is focused on leisure and charter travel, which means it does not offer a standalone loyalty scheme.
However, passengers who book through TUI Group's holiday packages may benefit from occasional loyalty perks. TUI Gold Card holders, for instance, enjoy enhanced baggage allowances of up to 30 kg for up to six passengers in the same booking. Travellers looking for loyalty rewards when booking TUIfly flights can take advantage of Traveloka's own rewards and promotions programme, which offers cashback, discount coupons, and special deals on flight bookings.
Why Book TUIfly Flights on Traveloka
Booking your TUIfly flights through Traveloka gives you access to a range of benefits designed to make your travel planning easier and more affordable.
- Competitive fares – Traveloka compares prices across multiple airlines, helping you find the best deals on TUIfly flights and connecting itineraries to European destinations.
- Flexible payment options – Pay using your preferred method, including credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and popular Malaysian e-wallets such as Touch 'n Go, Boost, GrabPay, and ShopeePay.
- Instant e-tickets – Receive your booking confirmation and e-ticket immediately after payment, with no need to visit a physical office.
- 24/7 customer support – Traveloka's multilingual support team is available around the clock to assist with bookings, changes, and enquiries.
- Bundle deals – Save more by bundling your flights with hotel accommodation, airport transfers, and travel insurance through Traveloka's comprehensive platform.
- Price alerts – Set up notifications to track fare changes and book when the price drops to your target.
TUIfly Promotions and Deals on Traveloka
Traveloka regularly features promotions and exclusive deals that can help you save on TUIfly flights and related travel expenses. Here are some tips to maximise your savings:
- Seasonal sales – Look out for major sale events such as Traveloka's mid-year and year-end travel fairs, where flight discounts and coupon codes are often available.
- Promo codes – Check Traveloka's promotions page regularly for active discount codes that can be applied to your flight booking.
- Cashback offers – Certain payment methods and promotions offer cashback in the form of Traveloka credits, which can be used for future bookings.
- E-wallet deals – Paying with Touch 'n Go, Boost, GrabPay, or ShopeePay may unlock exclusive discounts or cashback during promotional periods.
- Early bird discounts – Booking your TUIfly flights well in advance often yields lower fares, especially for peak season travel to European holiday destinations.
- Last-minute deals – Occasionally, unsold seats on TUIfly charter flights are released at discounted prices close to the departure date.
To stay updated on the latest TUIfly deals, download the Traveloka app and enable push notifications for fare alerts and flash sales.
How to Book TUIfly Tickets on Traveloka
Booking TUIfly flights on Traveloka is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few minutes. Follow these steps to secure your tickets:
- Visit Traveloka – Open the Traveloka website or mobile app and navigate to the Flights section.
- Enter your travel details – Select your departure city, destination, travel dates, number of passengers, and preferred cabin class.
- Search for flights – Click the search button to view available TUIfly flights and connecting itineraries. Use filters to sort by price, departure time, or number of stops.
- Select your flight – Choose the TUIfly flight or itinerary that best suits your schedule and budget. Review the fare details, baggage inclusions, and any layover information.
- Fill in passenger details – Enter the required information for all travellers, including full name (as per passport), date of birth, and contact details.
- Add extras – Optionally add travel insurance, seat selection, or extra baggage through Traveloka's add-on options.
- Choose your payment method – Select from credit or debit card, bank transfer, or Malaysian e-wallets such as Touch 'n Go, Boost, GrabPay, or ShopeePay.
- Complete payment – Confirm your booking and make the payment. Your e-ticket and booking confirmation will be sent to your registered email and will also appear in the Traveloka app.
- Manage your booking – Use the My Booking section in Traveloka to view your itinerary, check flight status, or make changes to your reservation.
With Traveloka, booking TUIfly flights to Europe's best holiday destinations is quick, secure, and convenient. Start searching today to find the best fares for your next European getaway.