Condor to charge for water on short-haul flights starting 2026

German-based airline Condor has announced a significant change to its in-flight service policy aimed at reducing costs and accelerating operational processes. Starting September 1, 2026, passengers on short-haul flights will no longer receive free water service.

The new policy specifically targets routes with flight durations of approximately 30 minutes, including flights between Frankfurt and Berlin, as well as Frankfurt and Zurich. Under this new model, passengers wishing to consume water during these short trips will be required to pay an additional fee.

Airline officials stated that the measure is intended to make flight processes more manageable rather than to decrease service quality. This move represents a shift toward a paid service model for short-distance travel as the company seeks to adapt to changing passenger expectations and aviation technology.