Lufthansa is Germany's largest airline and one of the world's leading international carriers, operating an extensive network across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Founded in 1953 and re-established after World War II, the airline has grown from a regional European carrier into a global aviation powerhouse headquartered in Cologne, with its primary hub at Frankfurt Airport. As a founding member of Star Alliance, Lufthansa is part of the world's largest airline alliance, offering passengers seamless connectivity to hundreds of destinations worldwide. The airline is known for its premium service, particularly in its business and first-class cabins, and operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets among major European carriers. Lufthansa Group, the parent company, also controls several other airlines including Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, making it one of the largest aviation groups in the world by revenue and passengers carried.