Berlin, March 4 (RHC) -– Lufthansa said it will start long-haul low-cost flights to tourist destinations in places such as Cuba and Thailand under the Eurowings banner from October 25th, as it tries to find new ways to grow.

According to a Reuters report, Lufthansa has lost market share in European short-haul travel to budget carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet and wants to attract more leisure travellers on long-haul routes.

Costs at Eurowings are around 40 percent below that of the main Lufthansa brand. Eurowings will have seven A-330-s operating on long-haul routes by 2017 and this will be expanded if successful.

Eurowings will fly only to tourist destinations such as Varadero in Cuba, Bangkok and Phuket with fares as little as 110 euros for a one-way ticket.

The new Eurowings long-haul flights will not offer a business class, but a three-tier ticket pricing system, with the most expensive including lounge access and miles and seats equivalent to those of the Lufthansa Premium Economy. The cheapest tickets include only hand luggage, a 30 inch seat pitch, while meals can be booked for extra.