At the annual Lufthansa Group New Year media gathering last week, I had the opportunity to discover new developments from members Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines and SWISS. The airlines of the Lufthansa Group had much to celebrate, as they added 17 new aircraft and collectively transported 107.7 million passengers in 2015, representing a historical high and 1.6 percent increase from the previous year. Here’s a glimpse into the successful year the Lufthansa Group had:

• In the United States, Lufthansa launched its 18^th destination in the third quarter with the start of new non-stop service to Tampa, its third city in Florida, joining Miami and Orlando. The carrier also added a unique new amenity on long-haul flights, offering passengers flying business class a dining experience similar to those found in top-class restaurants.
• Brussels Airlines significantly expanded its route network in 2015, with scheduled flights to Accra; Bremen; Tenerife, Gran Canaria; Billund; Zagreb; Bordeaux; Dubrovnik; Lourdes; St. Petersburg; Calvi; Olbia; and Ibiza, as well as launching its new LOOP loyalty program.
• In delicious news, SWISS further enhanced its in-flight food service for passengers flying first class from Switzerland with the addition of seasonal gourmet delights like truffles and caviar. The new feature is offered four times per week for a two-week period and supplements its existing SWISS Taste of Switzerland in-flight food concept. This month, SWISS offers guests select seafood specialties like lobster, crayfish and Coquilles St. Jacques, with an exclusive caviar tasting program to follow in May.
• Austrian Airlines grew its reach in North America with the launch of new direct service to Miami. With the new route, offered five times per week with Boeing 777 aircraft, the carrier now offers a total of 27 weekly flights to six destinations in the United States and Canada in its winter flight schedule.

News and achievements were discovered over delicious Austrian appetizers and coffee at the private residence of Michael Friedl, the Austrian Trade Commissioner for the United States. The event offered top-notch views of the glimmering New York skyline and great company as well as the chance to experience the elegant cabins of the airlines via Lufthansa’s own virtual reality set. Congratulations to the Lufthansa Group for a record year. — Monique Barrett, senior editor