If you’ve traveled with a low-cost carrier and longed for a little more personal or premium experience, then you may be surprised by what Eurowings has to offer. The biggest leisure airline in Germany, is redefining the low-cost experience of flying by offering affordable trips with creatively curated in-flight experiences. I was able to travel with the airline on my most recent journey and what I found most memorable wasn’t the cheap fare but all of the little things that simply made the trip a little more enjoyable… Friendly crew members, contemporary all-black cabin interior, you get to create your own in-flight experience with optional add-ons that didn’t feel like an afterthought.

At ReviewBinge, we were interested to learn how this airline is taking flying for granted and making it a little bit more memorable and new, and why Eurowings may be worth going out of your way for on your next trip to Europe.

Not Just a Flight – A Feel-Good Journey

From the moment you step on board a Eurowings flight, you know you are not on a conventional low-cost carrier. The airline has been introducing a number of “signature moments” – sensory touches that enhance the experience from check-in to touchdown. It’s a small but effective way of feeling looked after, engaged, and, to be perfectly honest, a bit pampered.

Scent-sational Innovation: Burgundy Breeze

Possibly our one of our favorite experiences (or at least the best smelling) was when we discovered Eurowings‘ new signature scent, “Burgundy Breeze.”  They partnered with scent storytellers Scent communication to develop the fragrance comprised of hints of sea salt, pink pepper, water lily, wood, and vetiver. The combination resulted in a fresh, clean, and slightly luxurious cabin atmosphere which actually made us forget we were flying low-cost.

It is a minor detail but they certainly have long-lasting effects – something airlines typically overlook.

Sweet Send-Offs That Stick

Eurowings adds one last sweet touch as you disembark: free candy in travelling colors–Burgundy or Sky Blue. You can take a fruity cassis or a fresh peppermint candy, it’s just another whimsical touch to end your flight on a sweet note. An extra little touch, but one that will remain vivid in your memory (and tastes nice too).

Sounds Like Vacation: Eurowings’ Custom Music

Plane-themed music isn’t new, but Eurowings is trying something different with its own sound branding. When you board and de-board their aircraft, an “Organic Electro” track is playing in the background at a low volume. You can think of it as the sound of nature and soft electronic rhythms, combined with slight airplane take-off cues, and custom curated for your relaxation level and pre-vacation anticipation.

It’s a clever way to semi-subconsciously put you in holiday mode from the first minute.

Emotional Branding Done Right

Eurowings differentiates itself from many low-cost competitors by emphasizing emotional quality. Eurowings firms believe that every aspect of the experience should elicit a sensory response in the traveler – from scent, acoustics, or sweet goodbyes. The airline experience should not just be about a flight; the airline should create memorable experiences that will stick with a traveler.

And this all constitutes a brave and novel direction for a budget airline. At ReviewBinge we tend to define and assess airlines based on cost, comfort, and punctuality – while Eurowings adds an additional mode of differentiation: emotional engagement.

The Verdict: More Than You Bargained For (In a Good Way)

Eurowings is a budget airline but it stands out in the area of passenger experience. These nuggets of experiences – whether you acknowledge them or not – come together to provide a journey that feels higher-end than the cost associated with it.

We are looking forward to learning what Eurowings manufactures next as they continue to evolve their brand experience.  For now, we feel safe to say: This is one low-cost airline that you might actually look forward to on-board flight experience.

Rating: ★★★★☆  ( 4.5/5 ).

Why We Loved It.:

• Delightful sensory experiences (fragrance, music)

• Personalized goodwill with goodbye sweet.

• Ambience driven low-cos.

• Could Improve.

• Highly variable across a/c types/routes.

• Potential more of this on longer flights.