At one airline of the Lufthansa Group, a collective agreement decides who moves from first officer to captain. When several suitable candidates meet the conditions set for a promotion, the posts are filled nach der Seniorität, by seniority. The agreement defines seniority as a special kind of length of service. A first officer sued over his promotion to captain. On 19 December 2024 the Federal Labor Court rejected his appeal. The airline had used the correct seniority list.
Meeting the promotion conditions opens the door to the captain’s seat. Once several candidates have it, time served decides the order.